I've been eyeing this device for a while; I need a proper tablet mainly to read academic papers on (I have to read loads now) and maybe do some casual web browsing. I don't have a BB phone (nor will I get one with the BIS outage, I think) but I'm fine with using WiFi. I'm not particulary inclined toward RIM products, it's just that this tablet has been falling in price so quickly that it can be had for chips compared to Apple's and Samsung's offerings, less than 300e versus around 500. I saw some demo's online and it looked pretty slick, but hands-on opportunities in my area are scant as none of the stores have them on display. Anybody got a more informed opinion? Would you recommend one?
Honestly, get an Android tablet. Blackberry is going nowhere at this point, at least Android has the support of Google.
Blackberry may not be selling as much hardware, but it has loads of subscribers. Once they phase out all their cheap low-cost phones and just focus on the Bold and other high end models, they should be ok.
Didn't you hear about the recent BlackBerry email F`ck up? Left millions without mail for quite some time.
Also, you need to have a permanent subscription to Blackberry else you lose your email, messaging, web access (seriously!), the works. Don't know whether that also applies to the Playbook, but it's likely judging by RIM's remit of selling hardware for their services rather than the other way around. You'd probably be better off with something like an Amazon Kindle Fire, which is essentially a Playbook but slightly cheaper (< $200) and still functional without a web connection. No 3G access though, which I think is the standard for the BlackBerry. Other tablets in the price bracket are not quite there yet, as far as I can tell.
:O is it? I had no idea... With regards to BIS/BES, I don't really care as I don't plan to regularly use it for e-mail. I just need a fancy, responsive device to do a lot of reading and (wifi) browsing at times.
Find an android tablet or if you really need a cheap tablet go with the HP Touchpad. You should probably be able to find resellers who bought up some of the units after they where dumped. Prices should be comming down from the high prices they where trying to hawk from them.
Blackbury is used a lot as it's mail system means that the emails are more secure then via email on any other system. Lots of Government agencies use it for this reason. It fell down due to them only have 4(!) servers in the world... I am sure they will be building more servers from now on...
