BlackBerry PlayBook Initial Impressions

Yesterday I purchased a BlackBerry PlayBook and after roughly 24 hours with the device, I thought I would share my initial thoughts on the product with you. But first, I will explain why I bought this device: the PlayBook is overpriced, however, due to the lack if demand worldwide BlackBerry had dramatically reduced the price. I got the 32GB model for £200 instead of £500 - a massive saving! Before I purchased the device I never considered the PlayBook because if I was going to spend that money on a tablet, I would buy an iPad. Another factor was that BlackBerry are said to be releasing a second version of OS for the tablet (BlackBerry Tablet OS 2.0) which will add support of Android applications to the tablet - if this doesn't happen I will be very disappointed as the current selection is okay - but no more than that, and I would love to be able to commend it more.

On then, to my initial impressions:

Firstly, this tablet is fast. Provided you have a solid Wi-Fi connection apps will download quickly and websites will load in an instant. The OS is also rumored to become even faster with the upcoming update.

The OS is also very slick and easy to learn your way around - before purchase I had no experience of BlackBerry's linux-based operating system and in under 24 hours I can confidently say that I know my way around. Also, the bundled software is very useful, for example the "Office To-Go" suite which enables you to view, edit and create word documents, spreadsheets and powerpoints all directly from the tablet (I am actually creating this article using the Word To-Go software) Other software and apps are also very graphically intensive, but still run like a dream in this tablet.

Third party apps are low in numbers, but provided that you are willing to spend some time digging your way through apps in the BlackBerry App World, you can find some high quality and very useful apps (I am yet to purchase any apps, just sticking to the free ones)

The media experience on this device is phenomenal. Despite the low resolution (1024x600) the screen is pin sharp and text remains clear when you zoom right in. The handy desktop media app lets you sync your PlayBook with your computer (for those wondering, the PlayBook has full support of iTunes file formats when it comes to music, but it is a good idea to run videos through a conversion program such as Handbrake before you slap them on your PlayBook as it struggles with some formats) Once you get your video on your PlayBook it looks awesome. The sound provided by the front facing speakers is also very impressive but you can use headphones if you like (the headphone jack is also conveniently located on the upper right corner of the device).

Finally, hardware. When you first pick up the PlayBook it obviously has some weight to it, but I mean that in the best possible way, it feels very good in the hand. Previously I had heard some reviewers say that the power button is near impossible to press - I have to disagree. While I accept the fact that the button doesn't stick out very far or provide a massive tactile feedback, it can be pressed easily by a person with average sized fingers, and for the chubbier fingered of us, there is a software option to put the devise into standby mode, and the screen can also be woken by a swipe from the bottom border. The tablet also has three buttons on the top side for volume and playing/pausing music or video which is convenient. This tablet is also very thin which helps it rest nicely in the hand, although it does have a flat back which allows full use when the tablet is placed on a flat surface.

Oh, also. The browser supports flash!

That's it for now, a full review of this product will follow in several weeks once I have had a chance to really let myself familiarise with all aspects of the device. Thanks for reading!

If you have any questions on this device please contact me through Twitter (@_samoneill) and I will get back to you as soon as possible.