BlackBerry PlayBook vs iPad: tablet showdown
- — 19 November, 2010 14:40
Research in Motion (RIM), makers of BlackBerry smartphones, recently unveiled the "enterprise-ready" 7in touchscreen BlackBerry Playbook tablet, which is set to go head to head with the Apple iPad.
More about the BlackBerry PlayBook Australia release.
Read our comprehensive iPad review.
RIM has not confirmed an Australian launch date for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, or how much it will cost when it arrives down under in the second quarter of 2011. The PlayBook will be targeted at users who want to browse the Web, view multimedia and read electronic books, newspapers and magazines. It has been described by RIM as "the world's first professional-grade tablet".
With a 7in display, the BlackBerry PlayBook is smaller than Apple's iPad and therefore easier to carry around. Unlike the iPad, and most other competing tablets (including the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Dell Streak), the BlackBerry PlayBook will not have built-in 3G connectivity. Users will instead have to pair the tablet with a BlackBerry smartphone for mobile Internet access. RIM has confirmed it will offer 3G connectivity in future models of the BlackBerry PlayBook.
Unlike tablets like the iPad and the Samsung Galaxy S, the BlackBerry PlayBook will require users to pair with a BlackBerry smartphone for 3G connectivity.
With this in mind, how does the BlackBerry PlayBook stack up against the Apple iPad?
| Feature | Apple iPad | BlackBerry PlayBook |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system (OS) | Apple iOS | BlackBerry Tablet OS |
| Display technology | Capacitive LED-backlit IPS | Capacitive TFT |
| Display size | 9.7in | 7in |
| Display resolution | 1024x768 pixels | 1024x600 pixels |
| Multitouch | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | None | Rear: 5-megapixels, 1080p HD video recording. Front: 3-megapixels |
| FM radio | No | No |
| GPS | Yes (Wi-Fi + 3G models) | No |
| Internal memory | 16GB, 32GB or 64GB | 16GB, 32GB or 64GB |
| Expandable memory | No | No |
| Dimensions | 242.8 x 189.7 x 13.4mm | 193 x 130 x 10mm |
| Weight | 730g (Wi-Fi + 3G models) | 400g |
| Application store | Apple App Store | Unknown |
| Processor | Apple A4 | Coretex A9 dual-core (1GHz) |
| RAM | 256MB | 1GB |
| 3G networks | HSDPA 850/1900/2100 | None |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | 2.1 with A2DP | 2.1 with A2DP |
| HDMI-out | No | Yes (microHDMI) |
| Quoted talk time | N/A | N/A |
| Quoted standby time | Up to one month | Unknown |
| Adobe Flash support | No | Yes |
While RIM hasn't revealed the BlackBerry PlayBook's full specifications, we do know that it is running a 1GHz processor, has a hefty 1GB of RAM and like the iPad will come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models. Unlike the iPad, the BlackBerry PlayBook will also have dual cameras; a 5-megapixel camera on the rear for still photos and video recording, and a 3-megapixel camera on the front which will allow video conferencing. The PlayBook will also support Full HD 1080p video recording.
Comments
Louis
1
Even though I have been a very happy BB user for many years, why would I want to run down two batteries - this "pairing or tethering" makes no sense whatsoever - BB you have have made a serious marketing error here - AND ...... where are the apps coming from?......