The good: RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook is a fast, powerful 7-inch tablet with HDMI output, advanced multitasking and security, and a browser that integrates Adobe Flash 10.2 for a desktop-style Web experience.
The bad: The 7-inch screen cramps the powerful browser, the wake button is almost impossible to push, and some stalwart features are only available when pairing a BlackBerry phone.
The bottom line: The BlackBerry PlayBook ably showcases RIM's powerful new mobile operating system, but its middling size diminishes many of its best features.
Review:
If you thought the tablet wars were just between Apple and Google, think again. Research In Motion may be late to the fight, but it is fighting for its life, and the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet demonstrates that the company means business.
Like the Apple iPad, the PlayBook is available for as low as $499 (16GB), or as much as $599 (32GB) and $699 (64GB) if you need the extra capacity. For now, the tablet is restricted to Wi-Fi (though Bluetooth tethering is possible), with 4G models planned for later in the year.
| Product name | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $654.99 to $659.95 |
| CNET editors' rating | ||
| Average user rating | ||
| Release date | April 19, 2011 | March 11, 2011 |
| The Bottom Line | The BlackBerry PlayBook ably showcases RIM's powerful new mobile operating system, but its middling size diminishes many of its best features. | The iPad 2 refines an already excellent product. Its easy-to-use interface, vast app catalog, and marathon battery life bolster Apple's claim to being the king of tablets. |
| Similar Products | Compare more products | Compare more products |
| Features | See What's the same or What's different | |
| Built-in devices | Display Touchscreen Digital camera | Info unavailable |
| OS provided | BlackBerry Tablet OS | Apple iOS 4 |
| RAM installed size | 1 GB | Info unavailable |
| Clock speed | 1 GHz | 1 GHz |
| Flash memory form factor | Integrated | Integrated |
| Input device type | Touch-screen | Touch-screen |
| Wireless connectivity | Bluetooth 2.1 EDR IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11n IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11b | IEEE 802.11n Bluetooth 2.1 EDR IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11g |
| Weight | 15 oz | 21.2 oz |
| Height | 5.1 in | 9.5 in |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | ||
Read more: cnet.com
