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Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Features App selection is slim, reducing practicality of device. Feels like an under baked tablet as a result.
- Display 7 Inch display is vibrant in color and seems to have nice pixel density. Touch screen is quite responsive, capacitive bezel is a bonus for 'gestures.'
- Battery life Certainly appropriate given the device's size, but considering the purpose of a tablet feels a little on the low side.
- Ease of use 'Card Display' combined with gesture area creates an easy to use system for switching between apps. However, power button is TERRIBLE and far too small.
- Storage capacity Standard fare - 16, 32, and 64. 32 GB feels appropriate given how little large scale content is difficult to add the device.
- Design and form factor Nothing to see here - Black back, black bezel. However, the back is 'rubberized,' which makes it feeler safer in the hands. Physical buttons are terrible.
- Portability (size / weight) I'm a huge fan of the 7 inch range. I can slide it into a book bag or laptop bag without the slightest concern. Feels appropriately heavy - perfect.
- Durability Seems to be a tough tablet, haven't tested this out, but I wouldn't freak out too much if it slipped and landed on the ground.
Detailed review
If you are reading this review then you are already familiar with the general specs and features of a Blackberry Playbook. In the last two months, I've been really happy with its performance given the lack of app support in Blackberry App World and being in a foreign country (like PRC). The device is responsive and the UI very easy to figure out (especially for a webOS fanboy, which makes this somewhat painful as well).
If you want something smaller than an iPad, but don't want to sacrifice power this is a fantastic tablet. With Adobe Flash built into the browser and Android Apps on the horizon, it can/will be able to take care of any multimedia or information needs. As it stands I cannot recommend the device to the 'App Centric' user. If you MUST HAVE Netflix, Hulu, New York Times, Stumble Upon, or any of those other mainstream apps then you will be disappointed. On a side note I must say the facebook app is top shelf as is the Aljazera (sic) English app. What apps there are on the Playbook are extremely well made and clearly tailored for the device, but the omissions are glaring and hopefully with Android support in February it will be less noticeable.
I didn't mention the lack of email or calendar support earlier because in February this is guaranteed to roll out and fill a long ignored gap on the tablet. It's an omission that again is glaring, but soon corrected.
All-in-all, if you want a full featured tablet, but don't want a 10 inch monstrosity the Playbook is for you. It's fast, lightweight, and with a Flash enabled browser can fill in many of the app gaps in your life.
If you want something smaller than an iPad, but don't want to sacrifice power this is a fantastic tablet. With Adobe Flash built into the browser and Android Apps on the horizon, it can/will be able to take care of any multimedia or information needs. As it stands I cannot recommend the device to the 'App Centric' user. If you MUST HAVE Netflix, Hulu, New York Times, Stumble Upon, or any of those other mainstream apps then you will be disappointed. On a side note I must say the facebook app is top shelf as is the Aljazera (sic) English app. What apps there are on the Playbook are extremely well made and clearly tailored for the device, but the omissions are glaring and hopefully with Android support in February it will be less noticeable.
I didn't mention the lack of email or calendar support earlier because in February this is guaranteed to roll out and fill a long ignored gap on the tablet. It's an omission that again is glaring, but soon corrected.
All-in-all, if you want a full featured tablet, but don't want a 10 inch monstrosity the Playbook is for you. It's fast, lightweight, and with a Flash enabled browser can fill in many of the app gaps in your life.
good review!
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