BlackBerry Playbook matches iPad2 price

So Research in Motion has finally announced the pricing of their BlackBerry Playbook tablet and guess what, they’ve actually matched the prices of Apple’s iPad2 WiFi line-up — starting with $499 for the 16GB model.

The BlackBerry Playbook will be out in store shelves by April 9, across the US and Canada.

The 32GB and 64GB models will retail for $599 and $699, respectively.

RIM BlackBerry Playbook
7â€³ capacitive display @ 1024Ã—600 pixel
BlackBerry Tablet OS
Cortex A9 1GHz dual-core CPU
1GB RAM
Dual HD cameras (3 MP front facing, 5 MP rear facing)
1080p Full HD video recording
HDMI port
WiFi 802.11n
Bluetooth 2.1

The initial release in the US/Canada will hopefully be followed by an international release, although RIM originally stated they expect it to be somewhere around 3rd quarter of 2011. The BlackBerry Playbook will compliment BlackBerry handsets by pairing with the device and synchronizing contents with it.

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

23 Comments

Messie says:

14 years ago

^ big turn-around! In order to expand it’s eco-system, RIM just made a very smart move, that is, to allow android apps to run on the playbook (and subsequently, it’s future BB phones as well =D)

The BB playbook will have run-time environments to allow usage of both BB apps and Android apps.

The question is, will the android apps run as smooth as they work on native android devices? Or will the performance of these apps look similar to low-end tablet and phones?

(I have high hopes though, given that this tablet has dual core)
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Atlanta Roofing says:

14 years ago

The Playbook is an interesting idea and has a lot going for it on a spec sheet, but in the end, the sheer sexiness and the eco-system of the iPad will keep it on top. I think that the Playbook will probably be picked up in companies where they are still issuing Blackberries to all their staff, which will help their sales, but as all the trends are showing, Blackberry’s years of dominance as the business Smartphone of choice are waning.
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Edwin C says:

14 years ago

Ay, ayaw ko nito. Panget. Ayaw ko hanap panget. Hintay ako ASUS Slate EP121. Kailan ba talaga, kuya? At ako ay bibili.
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Alwin says:

14 years ago

astig ang camera! but it’s small unlike the iPad2. also, how’s the BB ecosystem as far as apps are concerned? hindi yata sya competitive, not even against Android.
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Alwin says:

14 years ago

I read that this tablet will support Android apps. that’s a welcome development :)
Messie says:

14 years ago

Wooot! My sources have just announced something! I guess my guesses are way off on this one. Yep, it’s confirmed,

ANDROID APPS CAN BE USED ON THE PLAYBOOK.

=D
Messie says:

14 years ago

This is very unlikely. Up til now rumor pa rin ito and wala pa ring confirmation from RIM. Being a BB user for quite some time already, I highly doubt it.

Oh well, we’ll see when this get released :)

adam says:

14 years ago

though it has only 7″ display. I think both camera’s are competitive.
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nameless says:

14 years ago

luxury… what’s wrong with you people?
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Messie says:

14 years ago

Bad timing for BB, having read the specs for the Samsung Galaxy tab, smells like trouble is coming to BB playbook. =S
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Messie says:

14 years ago

Commenters from international tech sites have been rambling at why this is still priced at $499 despite the 7″ screen and wifi only connectivity. Ipad2 is priced at $499 with a 9.5″ screen, Samsung’s 10″ is set at $499, and the 8.9″ is at $469. Everybody thinks that this is quite overpriced.

This may be the case if only size matters. Given the specs above, BB playbook has advantage in its camera and bluetooth connectivity. Hmmmm.. parang iyun lang.

At the end of the day, consumers win pa rin, kasi prices are going down while specs are going up. Good deals are coming right?
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Harley Son says:

14 years ago

well, with all these price drop for the well known tablets, i will need to wait a quarter to for the prices to settle down.

patience is really a virtue!
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Ethan Tremblay says:

14 years ago

does it have a 3g model?
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lolipown says:

14 years ago

Looks like the new galaxy tab models are aiming for $499 and $469 price bins as well.
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Gumz says:

14 years ago

kailan pa yan sa darating Pilipinas…
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ogago says:

14 years ago

do you think it has the phone capability like the galaxy tab?
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Messie says:

14 years ago

nope. a 3g version may come (though I think it will be more of a BIS version), but I doubt it will be able to make calls and texts like a regular mobile phone. BB definitely wants to draw a line between a BB phone and a BB tablet.

ed says:

14 years ago

but it wont be available here yet… so iPad still wins.
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Messie says:

14 years ago

“The world’s first and only professional grade tablet is here”

(Shows a pic of the BB Playbook with a racing game on)

<3 the irony =D
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Jonaflormicfren says:

14 years ago

I want the color and name of this gadget. http://jonaflormicfren.blogspot.com/
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lolipown says:

14 years ago

Interesting strategy by RIM. It’s definitely an option for that price.
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