Best buy Blackberry Playbook 7-Inch Tablet (64GB) Review

Best buy Blackberry Playbook 7-Inch Tablet (64GB) Review

Product Description

The BlackBerry PlayBook delivers professional-grade, consumer-friendly experiences that redefine the possibilities of mobile computing. This ultra-portable tablet looks and feels great, measuring less than half an inch thick and weighing less than a pound. The 64 GB internal memory offers ample space for media storage. It features a vivid 7-inch high-resolution display-WSVGAn display resolution (1024 x 600) that is highly-responsive with a fluid touch screen experience. It also offers industry leading performance, uncompromised web browsing with support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1, true multitasking, HD multimedia, advanced security features, out-of-the-box enterprise support and a robust development environment.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35 in Personal Computers
• Size: 64 GB
• Color: black
• Brand: BlackBerry
• Model: PRD-38548-003
• Platform: Windows
• Format: CD-ROM
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 9.50" h x 2.00" w x 9.50" l, 2.25 pounds
• CPU: ARM dual-core CORTEX A9 OMAP 4 1 GHz
• Memory: 2GB SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 64GB
• Processors: 1
• Battery type: Lithium Ion
• Native resolution: 1024 x 600
• Display size: 7

Features

• BlackBerry OS, 1 GHz dual-core processor
• 1 GB of RAM
• 7 inch multi-touch capacitive LCD screen, 1024 x 600-pixel resolution
• WIFI: 802.11 b/g/n, 3 MP forward facing, 5 MP rear cameras
• 14.4 ounces

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description

A professional-grade tablet, the BlackBerry PlayBook helps transform the way you work and play by combining the features you need with a powerful, ultra-portable design you want. You'll enjoy uncompromised Web browsing, true multitasking, and brilliant multimedia playback, as well as advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support.

Works smarter, play harder with the BlackBerry PlayBook (see larger image).

The vivid 7-inch multi-touch display looks and feels great in your hand (see larger image).

Measuring less than half an inch thick and weighing less than a pound, the PlayBook features a vivid 7-inch high-resolution display that looks and feels great in your hand--and it supports 4-fingered multi-touch gestures. Wirelessly connect to your BlackBerry smartphone for real-time access to email, calendar, address book and task list, Documents To Go and BBM using BlackBerry Bridge (see more details below).
In addition to ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi support, this PlayBook model features a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 64 GB of storage, 1 GB of RAM, GPS for navigation and location-based services, dual HD webcams for video chats and snapping pics, and a highly intuitive BlackBerry Tablet OS based on powerful, user-friendly QNX technology. Plus, you'll be able to discover new apps via BlackBerry App World.
The PlayBook also offers a high-fidelity web experience with support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Mobile AIR and HTML-5--enabling you to enjoy all of the sites, games, media and richness of the full Internet. And you'll enjoy immersive 3D games thanks to the built-in accelerometer and 6-axis motion sensing (gyroscope).

Key Features

Uncompromised Web Browsing

With the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, you get access to the full web--not a scaled down mobile version. That means you get all the rich websites, games, and videos, the way they are intended to be enjoyed. The PlayBook offers support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1 and Adobe Mobile AIR as well as HTML5 and Webkit browser technology.

Multitasking

Other tablets claim to support multitasking, but it just isn't the same. On the BlackBerry PlayBook, apps can run simultaneously and in real time. It's a sophisticated approach to multitasking--giving you more choice around how your applications run, allowing you to tailor the experience to your individual needs.

Stunning Multimedia

Don't settle for amateur grade multimedia. Whether you're mobilizing your existing pictures, music, and videos, discovering new media or creating new content, the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet offers a high fidelity, multimedia experience allowing you to fully immerse yourself in whatever you enjoy.

Video chat via the dual cameras with Full HD 1080p resolution.

Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook app.

The 7-inch multi-touch capacitive display has a 1024 x 600-pixel resolution for stunning playback of video and immersive 3D games. The PlayBook also comes with an HDMI output for connecting to a compatible HDTV or monitor and playing back Full HD 1080p video. It's compatible with video encoded in H.264, MPEG4, and WMV formats.

Ultra Portable

You don't spend your life on the couch, neither should your tablet. Your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is perfectly suited to your busy lifestyle--it's small enough to go anywhere and powerful enough to take you everywhere.
And with the dual cameras, you'll be able to video chat with friends and family wherever you roam (and are connected to a Wi-Fi network). The forward-facing camera has a 3-megapixel resolution while the lens on the back offers a 5-megapixel resolution--and both cameras can capture video up to Full HD 1080p.

More Apps, More Choice

Discover a huge catalog of rich apps developed and optimized just for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet--all available through the BlackBerry App World storefront. Games like Need For Speed Undercover and Tetris, an eReader from Kobo and a powerful music store by 7Digital are just a few of the pre-loaded apps that come with the PlayBook. You can also download the Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook app, which integrates popular features and functionality such as Facebook Chat, view and add friends, and interact with the News Feed.

Business Ready

The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is designed to empower those who want tools to power achievement. PlayBook enhances personal productivity and offers businesses a straight forward, no hassle way to quickly embrace tablet technology. It includes DocsToGo and Adobe Reader software as well as support for enterprise VPN connectivity and corporate intranet browsing.

BlackBerry Bridge

On its own, the BlackBerry PlayBook is a high performance tablet. But for BlackBerry smartphone users there are additional benefits added to the PlayBook experience, like access to BlackBerry services living on the handheld. Get access to BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), email, calendar, contacts, memo pad, tasks from your BlackBerry smartphone--all on the large display (see more details below).

Specifications

Display: 7 inch multi-touch capacitive LCD screen, 1024 x 600-pixel resolution Processor: 1 GHz dual-core processor Storage: 64 GB for storage Memory: 1 GB of RAM Communications: Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Webcams: 3 MP forward facing, 5 MP rear; both capture Full HD 1080p video Audio: Stereo speakers GPS: For navigation and location-based services; includes accelerometer, 6-axis motion sensing (gyroscope) and digital compass (magnetometer) Ports: HDMI video output, Micro USB port Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches Weight: 0.9 pounds (15 ounces) What's in the Box BlackBerry PlayBook 64 GB, USB cable, BlackBerry charger, cleaning cloth, operating instructions You'll get 90 days of complimentary technical support. Speak with a BlackBerry expert if you need help or just want to learn more about your tablet's unique features.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have a BlackBerry smartphone for the BlackBerry PlayBook to work?

If you don't have a BlackBerry smartphone, you still get all the powerful features of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet like the uncompromised web, true multitasking, stunning multimedia, and tons of apps. If you do own a BlackBerry smartphone you can realize additional benefits delivered by BlackBerry Bridge like access to your BlackBerry email and the ability to browse files found on your BlackBerry SD card--all right from your tablet.

What is BlackBerry Bridge?

BlackBerry Bridge allow you to wirelessly connect your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet to your BlackBerry smartphone for a secure, enhanced view of core BlackBerry services on the tablet's large high-resolution display--including full email inbox (BIS and BES), address book, calendar, memo pad, task list, and BBM.

What is necessary to download attachments to the PlayBook via Bridge?

• MicroSD card in the BlackBerry Smartphone that is bridged.
• Room on the MicroSD card for the content being downloaded.
• The attachment has to be under 3 MB in size for it to download.

Which apps does Bridge work with?

BlackBerry Bridge is a feature that allows BlackBerry smartphone owners to interact with core BlackBerry applications including email (BIS and BES), calendar, contacts, on the Playbook's large 7-inch high resolution screen. BlackBerry Bridge links the two devices notification systems so you are alerted of new emails, BBMs, and calendar reminders right on the PlayBook's display. Through this same relationship, businesses running BlackBerry Enterprise Software can allow their employees to securely access information found on corporate internet sites using PlayBook. You also have access to your Smartphone browser so you can get on the web from virtually anywhere.

What smartphone software version is required to use Bridge?

All BlackBerry smartphones with OS 5.0 or above will be able to leverage BlackBerry Bridge, which accounts for approximately 60% of BlackBerry smartphone users today.

Is it true that the BlackBerry PlayBook will support Android apps on the PlayBook?

RIM has announced that it will launch an "app player" that provides an application run-time environment for Android v2.3 apps. This new app player will allow you to download Android apps from BlackBerry App World and run them on your BlackBerry PlayBook. The new app players for the BlackBerry PlayBook are expected to be available from BlackBerry App World in the summer of 2011.

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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
380 of 396 people found the following review helpful.
Awesome tablet
By Silvana D.
A bit about me first - I am a techno-nerd. I LOVE gadgets. Large, small, you name it. After eyeballing many tablets, including the iPad, Xoom, Samsung and others I chose the 64GB Blackberry Playbook. Why? For one, because it is the right size. I can put it in my purse and carry it about with me. More reasons - it has spectacular graphics - true 1080p HD and it supports flash. It has a camera and an HD camcorder. It has a solid feel in your hands, the touch screen is very responsive and intuitive. After playing with it for a short span of time I now zoom from app to app. One of the (many) things I find amazing is that the tablet does not lag while running many concurrent apps - I'm not talking small apps, but processor intensive ones. The battery life is pretty good too - I've played for over 10 hours before I had to recharge it. The screen is spectacular - I said that already didn't I?

One thing I have read on various sites is that there aren't "many apps" available. HELLO - it is new - just released actually. How many apps were there for the iPad when it first came out? New apps appear daily and this summer it will run Android apps. That just exponentially increased the quantity of fodder for app hounds like me. The Android apps will be available through Blackberry App World. Read more about this on Android Central. Angry Birds anyone? It's also a boss gaming tablet for you gamers out there.

I have a huge iTunes library. One of the reasons I purchased the 64GB version was for the music. RIM made it so easy to import tunes from iTunes. First download Desktop manager and install. Plug in the Playbook. It installs the drivers and voila! It sniffs the installed iTunes and asks you what you would like to sync to the Playbook. I also read a lot of technical magazines I get electronically. I have these saved off to a folder on my PC. Now I copy them to my Playbook and read them where ever I am.

I can connect to the internet a few ways - with the wireless ability it has, or tethering to my mobile phone or, if you have a Blackberry running version 5 or above you can use the Bridge to gain access to the internet while about. I have scratched just the surface of this amazing tablet. It has so much more I could talk about.

I love my Playbook. I am so glad I waited for its release. WOW

Update 7.01.2011

I've had the Playbook for over two months, use daily and have taken it with me everywhere I go. As such, I have more information and thoughts to share.

My Playbook recently traveled to Universal Studios and Disney's Magic Kingdom. Beautiful pictures and video were captured. I am a camera fiend - my Nikon D80 was left at home by an oversight and panic (withdrawal is more like it) set in. I must say that my Playbook saved the day. Would this completely replace my Nikon? For me, no. I am a lover of SLR/DSLR's. However it does a very nice job rendering photographs in a pinch. I shot beautiful 1080p video as well.

Apps - I have 183 apps so far on my Playbook and the choices available increases daily.

The browser is something to behold on this thing. It is fast, renders pages beautifully and the flash content looks incredible. As the Playbook supports flash, a great deal of things can be had directly via the browser without the requirement of an app.

RE: the noise about the 'too small' power button - non-issue really. You turn the Playbook on by swiping the screen from top to bottom. If the timeout is too long, you can alter this through the settings. About the only time you ever have to touch the button is to turn it on from a total power down. It's more an issue of a habit to use a button than anything else. Once you drop the button desire, the puny size is perfect.

RE: the noise regarding it wasn't ready - I've used my tablet daily for well over two months and I haven't encountered a single issue. No freezing, nothing at all. Ask me how many times I've had to reset my iPod or my PC/laptop?

RE: the noise regarding the immediate OS update - as a software engineer I appreciated the fact RIM had an update issued right after the tablet shipped. That means they fixed/added new features that the initial install didn't contain. This doesn't mean the OS wasn't ready - it was. They just were able to roll out an update soon after the release. How often is iTunes updated??? How often is Windows OS updated? Why is RIM bashed for a standard process? Ah, the Bizarro World we live in...
526 of 557 people found the following review helpful.
What is everyone's problem?
By D. Bannister
I own the iPad 1. I like it. I don't love it. The apps are great. But it is large and cumbersome. It doesn't really multi-task. And I hate the way it handles email. I use a Blackberry Torch phone. I love the way it handles email. And the apps are very good. Fewer. But very good.

So it was with some trepidation and excitement I bought the Blackberry Playbook. The trepidation was because of the advanced reviews which universally panned it. I looked at it, held it, and bought it. And I will tell you it is one piece of stunning equipment.

The build is much better than the iPad. In fact it is extraordinary. The screen is absolutely stunning. The machine loads the applications fast but NOT as fast as you see on the commercials. The browser blows the iPad Safari browser out of the water. It is very fast and of course has Flash. The camera front and back are very good.

But do you know what makes this tablet? The OS. It is extraordinary. You bring out Apps with a touch. You scroll through open apps by beginning at the left or right bezel and swiping toward the center. The context menus are opened by swiping down when the application is open. See a subtle alert in the top left hand corner, swipe diagonally from the the bezel to the center and viola there is a notification of your email. To wake it up swipe from the top bezel to the bottom. No more clicking a darn button. Thank you Blackberry. That alone was genius.

As I said I carry a Blackberry so through the Blackberry Bridge it tethers to my Torch. Emails and files. Everything, except the apps (different OS of course) is available on my Playbook. And I don't have to add on a data plan for 3G. A 3G phone Playbook is coming out in the summer they say for those who do not carry Blackberry phones.

I am waiting for the following apps - Dropbox (although I can transfer files in and out via the web), a free hand note taker and a better PDF program or a more beefy Adobe Reader app. And I am sure they will come.

Now to the reviews: They claimed the OS was not finished. Not true. They claimed multiple shutdowns and freezes. Not true. They poo-poo'd tethering through Blackberry Bridge. OK I am saving myself $30 a month up here in Canada or $360 a year in not having a 3G capability under a separate plan. And the tethering is flawless for both email and web surfing since the Playbook comes with a Bridge Browser that uses your phones' plan. So a person saves $360 a year and it gets criticized? Unbelievable! The apps. Yes there are fewer but there are new ones appearing everyday and they are above average and to my mind are as good as or better than the iPad. The negative reviews are baffling; truly, truly baffling.

I couldn't wait to get the iPad. I was enchanted. With the new iPad 2 I wasn't enchanted. In fact it is anything but.

The Blackberry Playbook on the other hand is simply astounding. I throw it in my briefcase. And away I go. I pull it out at a meeting or airport and it is understated and private. Will it take its rightful place in the tablet market? Not if jingoistic reviewers have their way. But it should. It should if build, function, cost effectiveness, reliability, and fun mean anything to anybody.
193 of 206 people found the following review helpful.
It's Coming Soon
By Just a guy
"It's coming soon" is a refrain you will hear quite often with respect to the BlackBerry Playbook. I have had my 32GB wifi model for about a week. (I bought it from Staples for less than you see here.) The physical tablet is four and half stars. It is a perfect size, the screen is beautiful and the weight is ideal. It is roughly the same size as a 3d generation Kindle. Half a star deduction for the top buttons which do not feel like they are very high quality.

Included in the box are some brief instructions, a folding blade charger, a micro-usb cable, a nice foam pouch case, and a screen wipe.

There are a few negatives: (1) a lot of websites think the browser is for a blackberry phone and auto-direct you to the mobile version of their website; (2) the browser does not allow you to rename bookmarks, reorder bookmarks, or put bookmarks into folders; (3) the GPS is not yet functional - it's in there, but has not been enabled by the firmware - this feature is "coming soon"; (4) there are two very high quality cameras, but the software is limited only only permitting you to chat with other PlayBook users; (5) there is no Kindle App.

When linked to your blackberry smartphone via bluetooth you get a mirror of the email, contacts, calendar, to do, BBM and memo pad found on your phone. You also get access to files on your blackberry (even the microSD), but cannot open video or audio files - just documents. There is something called the "bridge browser" which allows you to surf the internet through your phone's web browser and 3G connection. This is different from tethering because the carriers don't charge for it. The PlayBook also allows tethering which gives you full data access (although not to app world for some reason). Some carriers charge for tethering, some don't. Apparently AT&T doesn't even allow their customers to use the Bridge - which is a HUGE drawback if you happen to have AT&T.

The lack of apps is the largest drawback. As of this writing, there is no Kindle app (a huge drawback), no Skype app, no Netflix app, and no MLB app. You cannot watch Netflix videos on the browser or your MLB.tv subscription. You CAN watch amazon instant videos. They look beautiful. The app content is neither quality nor quantity.

There is a huge amount of potential, but unfortunately a lot of that is "coming soon" - and isn't there right now. When is "soon"? Nobody knows. One good thing is that firmware updates come out every few weeks and each adds functions. Since there are no carriers involved in rolling out firmware, RIM has full control and can do it quickly.

Some have mentioned problems with battery charging - I haven't had that. My battery charges pretty quickly and goes to 100%. I can use it for nearly 15 hours before I get a low battery warning with about 10% left. Some have complained about the power button being hard to push. Mine is small and recessed, but I can easily push it.

The screen is absolutely beautiful.

You can use your existing blackberry charger, but it will take much longer to charge. The included charger can charge your existing blackberry (micro USB) without harm. There is also an available quick-charging stand - it is expensive but works really well (I have it).

The BlackBerry PlayBook could be an amazing tablet - five stars. However, it is now a bit of a work in progress at this point and I can only give it three stars as it currently stands - It is only OK. Too see the price