RIM’s BlackBerry Playbook has finally gone on sale in the UK. It has been available to pre-order from a number of retailers for a while now, and it is now available to buy from today from the Carphone Warehouse, Best Buy, and other retailers.
Prices start at £399 for the 16GB model. The 32GB model will set you back £479, whilst the 64GB model will retail for £559. RIM’s PlayBook features a 7-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels.
Processing is provided by a 1GHz processor, and it also features 1GB of RAM, plus HDMI, WiFi, and Bluetooth. According to Engadget, UK retailer O2 was also supposed to start selling the PlayBook in the UK, but the company has now decided not to sell the device because of issues they have with the tablet.
Features and Specifications
The BlackBerry PlayBook is designed to offer a robust and versatile tablet experience. The 7-inch display is compact enough for portability while still providing a high-quality viewing experience. The resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels ensures that images and text are sharp and clear, making it suitable for both media consumption and productivity tasks.
Under the hood, the PlayBook is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor, which ensures smooth performance for most applications. The 1GB of RAM further supports multitasking, allowing users to switch between apps seamlessly. The inclusion of HDMI output means that users can easily connect the PlayBook to a larger screen, making it ideal for presentations or watching movies on a bigger display.
Connectivity options are plentiful with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. This ensures that users can stay connected to the internet and other devices with ease. The PlayBook also features front and rear cameras, making it suitable for video calls and capturing moments on the go.
Market Reception and Challenges
The launch of the BlackBerry PlayBook in the UK comes at a time when the tablet market is highly competitive. With established players like Apple’s iPad and various Android tablets dominating the market, RIM faces significant challenges in carving out a niche for the PlayBook.
One of the notable issues that have arisen is the decision by UK retailer O2 not to sell the PlayBook. According to Engadget, O2 cited issues with the tablet’s end-to-end experience as the reason for their decision. This highlights some of the challenges RIM faces in ensuring that the PlayBook meets the expectations of both consumers and retailers.
Despite these challenges, the PlayBook has several features that could appeal to a specific segment of the market. Its compact size and robust performance make it an attractive option for business users who need a portable yet powerful device. Additionally, the PlayBook’s ability to run Adobe Flash, which many other tablets do not support, could be a selling point for users who require this functionality.
In conclusion, while the BlackBerry PlayBook faces stiff competition and some initial setbacks, it offers a range of features that could make it a viable option for certain users. Its competitive pricing, robust performance, and versatile connectivity options make it a noteworthy contender in the tablet market. As RIM continues to address the challenges and improve the user experience, the PlayBook could find its place among the myriad of tablet options available today.
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