Blackberry Playbook (1GB + 16GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The BlackBerry PlayBook is characterized in this review as a well-built, premium 7-inch tablet with excellent front-facing speakers and a readable screen, though it suffered from a significant initial "out-of-box" battery failure requiring manual disassembly. While the QNX-based system introduced advanced gesture-based multitasking, native SMB file sharing, and a competent browser, the device was crippled by an anemic application ecosystem. Ultimately deemed a rushed, half-baked product, the PlayBook's fatal flaw was the lack of native email and PIM (Personal Information Management) apps at launch, forcing reliance on a "bridge" to a BlackBerry phone. Gough's Tech Zone

The TechRadar review describes the BlackBerry PlayBook as a promising device with a "rocky start," pairing powerful hardware with significant initial software deficiencies. While featuring a high-quality 1024 x 600 screen, a fast 1GHz dual-core processor, and a responsive gesture-based interface, the tablet was heavily criticized for lacking native email, calendar, and contacts apps, requiring a "BlackBerry Bridge" connection to a phone. Key pros included excellent build quality, a lightweight 425g design, superior stereo speakers, and a robust web browser with full Adobe Flash support. The device was praised for its quick multitasking and, following updates, a more capable OS. Major cons focused on a severe lack of third-party apps, weak battery life lasting roughly six hours, and mediocre camera performance. Ultimately deemed a capable media browser, the PlayBook failed to deliver a complete productivity experience at launch.

Charles Arthur’s 2011 review for The Guardian describes the BlackBerry PlayBook as a "schizophrenic" device, featuring impressive hardware and a smooth, gesture-based QNX interface, yet hindered by a "Soviet" lack of apps and an underdeveloped software ecosystem. While praised for its solid design and excellent web browsing capabilities, the tablet suffers from wide screen borders and a difficult-to-use power button. Crucially, the PlayBook launched without native email, calendar, or contact apps, requiring a "bridge" to a BlackBerry phone, which severely limits its functionality as a standalone device.

Trusted Reviews describes the BlackBerry PlayBook as a "schizophrenic" device, pairing premium hardware with deeply flawed, unfinished software. Pros include a smart, professional 7-inch design, an exceptionally bright display, and powerful multitasking capabilities, along with high-quality stereo speakers. However, major cons defined by the review include the lack of native email or calendar apps without a "BlackBerry Bridge" connection to a phone, alongside a very limited app ecosystem. Ultimately, while lauded for its browser and performance, the device was deemed premature, with its reliance on external hardware significantly hindering the user experience.

TechSpot's review of the BlackBerry PlayBook highlights its exceptional multitasking capabilities driven by a 1GHz dual-core processor, alongside a responsive gesture-based interface that feels modern. The hardware is praised for its "business chic" design, 7-inch display, and high-quality audio, though the small, recessed power button is criticized. However, major drawbacks include the lack of native email, calendar, or contacts apps, forcing reliance on a "BlackBerry Bridge" connection to a smartphone for basic productivity. For more details, visit TechSpot.

The Techist forum review highlights the BlackBerry PlayBook as having superior hardware, featuring a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and a high-quality 7-inch screen excellent for media. Key pros include high-performance 1080p recording, a capable browser with full Flash support, and intuitive bezel-swiping navigation. However, significant cons at launch included the lack of native email and calendar apps, requiring a BB phone for bridging, along with limited app availability. Ultimately characterized as an unfinished "half-baked cookie," the device offered great potential with its sleek hardware and OS but suffered from a premature release lacking necessary software features.

The CNET review of the April 2011 BlackBerry PlayBook describes a powerful, 7-inch tablet featuring a "buttery smooth" QNX-based operating system, a 1GHz dual-core processor, and 1GB of RAM. Key strengths highlighted include exceptional multitasking capabilities, a desktop-class browser with Flash support, and high-quality cameras. However, the device was crippled at launch by the lack of native Personal Information Management (PIM) apps like email, requiring a paired BlackBerry phone via "BlackBerry Bridge". Significant cons noted include a weak app ecosystem compared to competitors and poor battery life under heavy, multitasking usage. CNET criticized the device as a "half-baked" product for the general consumer despite its superior, responsive hardware. While recommending it for existing BlackBerry loyalists, the review concluded that the missing native features and 7-inch screen size limited its appeal in a market dominated by the iPad.

The CrackBerry review of the BlackBerry PlayBook highlights top-tier hardware, featuring a 7-inch, 1024x600 display, a durable rubberized design, and excellent front-facing stereo speakers. While praised for its, fast, gesture-based QNX operating system and full Adobe Flash support in the browser, the device is criticized for a difficult-to-use, flush power button. CrackBerryA significant drawback noted at launch was the lack of native email, calendar, and contacts applications, forcing users to rely on "BlackBerry Bridge" to connect a smartphone for these core functions. Despite this, the tablet is praised for its "PC-grade" multitasking capabilities and superior,,1080p capable, dual cameras. CrackBerryUltimately, the, review characterizes the, PlayBook as a portable, high-potential "contender" that suffered from being rushed to market without a mature app ecosystem. The, review concludes that while the, hardware is excellent, the, device's success hinges on future software updates and app, growth. For more, details, visit CrackBerry. CrackBerry

Wired’s April 2011 review rates the BlackBerry PlayBook 6/10, praising its "business chic," high-quality hardware while heavily criticizing its incomplete software. The 7-inch tablet is lauded for its portable, "monolithic" design with a rubberized back, though the flush power button is difficult to operate. WIREDThe QNX-based operating system features innovative, intuitive multitasking and seamless app switching with gestures. Furthermore, the tablet boasts strong productivity features, including HDMI-out for 1080p presentations and clear, front-facing stereo speakers. WIREDHowever, the review labels the PlayBook "half-baked" due to the lack of native email, calendar, or contacts apps, which requires tethering to a BlackBerry phone via the "Bridge" app. Additional cons include unstable Adobe Flash performance and a paltry, limited app ecosystem at launch.

The Techlicious review finds that while the 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook offers solid hardware—including a high-resolution display, powerful dual-core processor, and intuitive gesture navigation—it fails to compete with rivals like the iPad 2 due to a lack of essential features. Key pros include its portable, comfortable form factor and excellent, full-featured web browsing capabilities. However, significant cons hinder the device, most notably the absence of native email, calendar, and contact apps, requiring a "BlackBerry Bridge" connection to a phone to access this data. TechliciousThe review further criticizes the weak app ecosystem, missing popular, standard applications, and cites hardware issues like a difficult-to-press power button and a lack of camera flash. Ultimately, the PlayBook receives a "Neutral" rating, deemed suitable only for existing enterprise BlackBerry users rather than general consumers. While the multitasking interface is praised, the reliance on future software promises makes it a risky purchase compared to more complete tablets. Techlicious

The PCMag UK review identifies the RIM BlackBerry PlayBook as a viable, high-quality 7-inch tablet following the OS 2.0 update and a price drop to $199. It features a vibrant, 1,024-by-600-pixel screen, a robust, lightweight design, and a snappy, dual-core processor that delivers an intuitive multitasking experience. Strong browser performance with Flash, good cameras, and over 8 hours of battery life are listed as key pros. PCMag UKHowever, the tablet is limited by a severe lack of compelling applications compared to the iPad ecosystem. While OS 2.0 addressed initial gaps with native email and calendar apps, the device still lacks native BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) support, limiting its appeal to business users.

In a 2011 review for The Verge, the BlackBerry PlayBook is described as having exceptional hardware and a high-quality 7-inch display, but it is ultimately defined by "unfinished" software. While the device boasts a robust, professional build, a responsive gesture-based interface, and a powerful 1 GHz dual-core processor, the overall experience is severely hampered by a lack of native applications and a "half-baked" operating system. Key cons include the lack of essential native apps like email, which require "bridging" to a BlackBerry phone, and a limited app ecosystem, despite stand-out features like a superior web browser with Flash support.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is praised for its "business chic" 7-inch design, bright display, and powerful, smooth 1080p video performance, yet it feels unfinished at launch. A major drawback is the lack of native email and calendar apps, requiring a "BlackBerry Bridge" connection to a phone. While the browser supports Flash, it suffers from stability issues, and the app ecosystem is currently limited, leading to a consensus to wait for future software updates.

The 2011 Business Insider review characterizes the BlackBerry PlayBook as a well-built device featuring a vibrant 7-inch display, superior multitasking capabilities, and a fast browser with full Flash support. However, the review highlights critical flaws, specifically the lack of native email, calendar, and contacts apps, requiring a "bridge" to a BlackBerry phone for basic functionality. Lacking an app ecosystem and 3G, the tablet was deemed a rushed, incomplete product that, despite its hardware strengths, fell short compared to the iPad.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is praised as a high-quality 7-inch tablet featuring a solid design, a fast 1GHz dual-core processor, and an intuitive gesture-based, touch-sensitive bezel. Key advantages include its excellent multitasking abilities, robust web browser with full Flash support, and micro HDMI output. However, the device suffered at launch from a lack of native email, contacts, and calendar apps, forcing reliance on a "BlackBerry Bridge" connection to a phone. Despite strong hardware, the review highlights a major limitation in the ecosystem, with a scarcity of native, popular consumer applications at launch. While fast and capable, this software immaturity makes it difficult to recommend for general consumers, positioning it more as a business-focused or web-heavy tool rather than a direct competitor to the iPad. The review concludes that the device's success hinges on future software updates and planned Android application support.