[james99]

We just played with a wonderful tablet, and it wasn't running Android, webOS, iOS, or even Windows. It was running a funky realtime operating system called QNX that RIM bought in April, combined with WebKit and a heaping helping of Flash, and plans on releasing to the world in Q1 of this year. The BlackBerry PlayBook is surprisingly polished and responsive at this stage, even though RIM says it has a lot of work to still left to do. In fact, the only thing frustrating about our roughly 30 minutes with the tablet (under the caring gaze of Mike Lazaridis) was the fact that you can't buy an actual BlackBerry phone right now that's anywhere near this enjoyable to use. Follow after the break as we talk through the product, along with a video walkthrough and stress test of that dual-core proc's multitasking chops.

 

[Tikker]

wow, that looked really slick

I'm not going to buy one (at least not right away) but I am impressed with how good that looked.

 

[murrayb]

It looks very tempting but for the fact that it's only 7". Got the wife an ipad for Christmas and I wouldn't want any smaller of a screen. Pity they won't be an offering a larger version; maybe down the road.

 

[james99]

I'm buying it because it's only 7". IPAD is to big and heavy for me.

This will be slightly bigger than my Kindle and I love that size.

Samsung Galaxy has proved Steve Jobs wrong, there is a market for this size.

RIM is also looking(rumour anyway) at other sizes in future which makes sense.

The 4g model comes out this summer in the U.S. via Sprint.

 

[Tezster]

I think 7" this is a pretty nice size as well if you really want ultra-portability. I can understand how some people might think it's a little on the small size, but the form factor looks great to me.

I found the iPad a little too big for the couple of weeks I had one to play with.

 

[tgreg]

It does look pretty slick.

I'm curious for those considering purchasing a tablet such as this one, what is your intended use for it - mainly sitting on the couch & surfing (e.g. replacing a laptop), taking it to a coffee shop, or something else?

 

[james99]

semi-Netbook replacment.

Mobile commuting (GO train) and when i'm on holiday (hotel lobby, etc.).

I have a lifeftime collection of netbooks and notebooks.

 

[Tikker]

For me it's about a portable screen in the house and certain applications while camping

7" might be a tad large for me personally too. My archos 5 is about perfect size but lacks capacitive screen and some whiz bang.

 

[BGY11]

I'm more impressed than I thought I'd be honestly. Seems that the Playbook just might be a good contender in the tablet market. Now let's just hope the battery life is good.

 

[TKG26]

very impressed. If i was in the market for a tablet i think it would be in this order:
Playbook
Android based
iPad

something about that OS that seemed more refined then an ipad but not as involved(or complex?)as android..

Wonder how customizable it is.

 

[GrimJack]

It will be interesting to see if people can reverse engineer the blackberry bridge to use it with other devices. I for one would love to never have to use my work blackberry out of the holster again

I'm not sure why the buttons are in the middle of the side of the device, is that where they are on the galaxy 7 inch tablet as well?

 

[becks]

We weren't able to see any of the BlackBerry applications (like BBM, Calendar, and Messages), since they require you to be tethered over Bluetooth to your BlackBerry phone

This is what kills it for me. I know most of the time we all have our phones with us but it would be great if I could still get emails if I decide to leave my phone behind.

 

[james99]

A future version will have this. A 4g tablet is coming to Sprint this summer.

http://techblog.weblineindia.com/news/rim-sprint-to-begin-original-blackberry-playbook-tablet

 

[GTAPete]

I'm definitely in line to buy one. My two biggest benefits for getting the Playbook (without actually having played with one) is:

a) The ability to tether to my Blackberry
b) eBooks

I've heard a recent rumour that something has gone awry and that the engineers at RIM are scratching their collective pates trying to come up with a solution. (I'm reminded of that air filter scene in Apollo 13 -- you know the one.)