Rim Blackberry Playbook (1GB + 64GB) Review | 168 Data compared

Following the PlayBook OS 2.0 update and a price drop to $199, PCMag re-evaluated the RIM BlackBerry PlayBook in 2012, highlighting its transformation into a functional, budget-friendly 7-inch tablet. The update addressed earlier criticisms by introducing native email, contacts, and calendar support, positioning the device as a viable competitor for media consumption and web...Read more

Gough Lui’s review of the BlackBerry PlayBook highlights a device with solid hardware, such as a well-balanced build and good stereo speakers, but one crippled by an "anemic" ecosystem and a critical battery charging flaw. While the tablet featured innovative gesture-based multitasking, a strong web browser, and a functional touch-sensitive bezel, these strengths were undermined by...Read more

The Guardian's 2011 review describes the BlackBerry PlayBook as a solidly built, yet "half-finished" device with a "Soviet" lack of native applications. While the QNX operating system offers excellent multitasking via a "card" interface and top-tier touch responsiveness, the 7-inch screen features wide borders that detract from the experience. Key pros include high-performance...Read more

The 2011 TIME review describes the BlackBerry PlayBook as a high-quality, 7-inch tablet with a fast QNX-based OS, superior multitasking, and strong hardware features like dual cameras and micro-HDMI, making it an impressive, yet "unfinished" piece of hardware. While boasting advanced capabilities, the device launched without native email, calendar, or contact apps, requiring a...Read more

The 2011 Business Insider review describes the BlackBerry PlayBook as a promising but unfinished device, featuring a thin design, a crisp 7-inch display, and excellent stereo sound. While the hardware impressed, the review heavily criticized the "not fully baked" software, notably the lack of native email, contacts, and calendar apps. Key pros highlighted include the device's...Read more

The Verge's review of the BlackBerry PlayBook highlights a device with exceptional, compact hardware, featuring a high-quality 7-inch display, powerful dual-core processor, and best-in-class stereo speakers. Its QNX-based operating system is praised for intuitive gesture-based navigation and snappy, instant multitasking, alongside a superior web browser that handles Adobe Flash with...Read more

The CNET review of the BlackBerry PlayBook highlights its exceptionally fast, 1GHz dual-core processor and "buttery smooth" QNX-based operating system, featuring a high-quality 7-inch display and strong multitasking capabilities. However, the tablet was severely criticized for lacking native apps, such as email and calendar, forcing users to tether to a BlackBerry phone, while the...Read more

The official CrackBerry review praises the BlackBerry PlayBook's high-quality 7-inch hardware, vibrant display, and powerful QNX-based gesture interface, which acts as a major pro. While the browser and 1080p video recording capabilities are top-tier, the device suffered at launch from missing native email and PIM apps, requiring a "BlackBerry Bridge" connection to a phone....Read more

The 2011 WIRED review praised the BlackBerry PlayBook for its well-constructed, minimalist design, a brilliant 7-inch display, and an intuitive multitasking system. While the hardware was solid and featured capable cameras, the device was severely hampered by the absence of native email, calendar, and contacts applications, forcing reliance on a BlackBerry phone via the "BlackBerry...Read more

BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 addresses major launch deficiencies by introducing native email, calendar, and contacts apps, featuring a highly capable "Unified Inbox" and an improved browser. The update enhances user experience with a revamped home screen and better folder management, significantly boosting the device's professional utility. However, the tablet is severely hampered by a...Read more

The PCMag review highlights the BlackBerry PlayBook's QNX-based operating system for its fast, responsive multitasking and superior gesture-based interface. Key advantages include a vibrant 7-inch display, high-quality cameras, and robust Adobe Flash support for superior web browsing. However, the device suffered from a significant lack of native core apps (email, calendar) at...Read more

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a compact 7-inch tablet featuring a high-quality 1024x600 display, impressive stereo speakers, and capable 1080p HD cameras, making it a strong media device. However, its launch was heavily criticized for lacking native email, calendar, and contact apps, requiring a paired BlackBerry smartphone via the BlackBerry Bridge app to access these essential...Read more

The Canadian Reviewer review highlights the 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook as a powerful yet incomplete tablet, praising its "Mini Cooper-like" 1GHz processor and gesture-based QNX operating system for superior multitasking and performance. Key pros include the rugged build, vibrant 1024x600 display, and exceptional multimedia handling, while significant cons include the lack of native...Read more

The Techlicious review describes the 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook as solid hardware with a "half-baked" software experience, praising its portable 0.9 lb design, high-quality 5MP rear camera, and bright 1024x600 display. Key pros include a fast, gesture-based QNX operating system with excellent multitasking and a powerful web browser supporting Adobe Flash. However, the tablet lacks...Read more

The PCMag review of the BlackBerry PlayBook praises its high-quality 7-inch display and impressive, sharp photo/video reproduction, which exceeds that of the iPad 2. Conversely, the hardware receives criticism for its poorly positioned, small buttons and a difficult-to-use recessed power button. PCMag UKWhile the gesture-based bezel navigation is hailed as intuitive and effective,...Read more

The PCMag UK review describes the RIM BlackBerry PlayBook as a "viable choice" for a 7-inch tablet following the 2.0 OS update and a price reduction, praising its sharp display and soft-touch design. While the QNX-based operating system is lauded for its fluid multitasking, the device suffers from flawed hardware, including difficult, tiny power buttons, and a lack of a physical...Read more

Trusted Reviews describes the BlackBerry PlayBook as a "superb piece of hardware" featuring a sharp 7-inch screen and a pocketable design, yet it was severely hampered by a lack of native email and calendar apps at launch. While the QNX-based operating system provides impressive multitasking and gesture navigation, the device required a "BlackBerry Bridge" connection to a smartphone...Read more

The review titled "RIM BlackBerry PlayBook: Unfinished, unusable" severely criticizes the 7-inch tablet as a fundamentally incomplete, rushed product that fails to compete with established rivals like the Apple iPad. A major drawback is the device's heavy reliance on a BlackBerry smartphone via "bridging" for core, native functions such as email, calendar, and contacts. Despite...Read more

The TechSpot review highlights the BlackBerry PlayBook's high-end hardware, featuring a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and a responsive QNX-based UI with intuitive gesture-based multitasking. However, a major flaw is the absence of native email, calendar, and BBM apps, which requires users to rely on a "BlackBerry Bridge" connection to a phone. While the 7-inch display is...Read more

The RIM BlackBerry PlayBook is a 7-inch tablet with a solid, high-quality build and a crisp, high-pixel-density display. Praised for its fast QNX-based performance, the device features a responsive touch-sensitive bezel that allows for efficient navigation without relying on its somewhat stiff physical buttons. A major strength is the browser's native Flash 10.1 support, offering a...Read more