Blackberry Playbook reactions

[Baylor]

Blackberry recently unveiled its new tablet computer to compete with Apple's iPad. It's zeroing in on what the iPad lacks, 5.0 megapixel camera, flash support, incredible multi-tasking. Unlike the iPad, the Playbook is marketed toward businesses.

Is the death of the laptop looming?

A preview of the Playbook:

 

[BenBurch]

Like the desktop, the rumors of its death have been greatly exaggerated.

 

[Cuddles]

Is the death of the laptop looming?

No. Miniaturisation is not always good. Portable TVs did not take over in the 80s because people don't generally want to watch a TV that small. Desktops did not become obsolete with the introduction of laptops because you simply can't fit everything in to something that small. Phones are not getting any smaller because people need to be able to hold them without accidentally swallowing them.

Tablets likely have their niche, but they're very much more at the smartphone/personal organiser/media player end of things rather than being smaller laptops. And even actually smaller laptops such as netbooks haven't managed to kill off laptops with actual processing power.

 

[leon_heller]

With a 7" display, as with the iPad, it's too big for a pocket. I prefer my Dell Streak tablet with its 5" display.

 

[Wudang]

the Playbook is marketed toward businesses.

Does anyone else feel a degree of linguistic tension in the above phrase?

 

[Baylor]

Bumpie.

Anyone bought or played with one yet? And if so, how does it stack up against the iPad/iPad deuce?

 

[Architect]

Got my new Playbook last week and so far it's extremely impressive.

But


It's really an extension of my Torch 9800 - a better format for browsing, answering emails, and so on. The apps are currently too limited for it to compete against the likes of the iPad or Android machines.

Roll on the October 2011 OS revision (allegedly)