BlackBerry PlayBook vs. iPad 2

The BlackBerry PlayBook has finally been released and we have yet to see how popular it will become. But how does it compare to the very popular iPad 2? Let’s take a look at their specs and decide which one best suits your needs. They’re both high-quality, top of the line tablets, but they have some big differences which set them apart.

We’re going to start by taking a look at their design. The biggest difference we can clearly see is that the PlayBook is much smaller than the iPad 2, because it features a 7-inch screen, while the iPad 2 comes with a 9.7-inch display. Their dimensions are as follows: BlackBerry PlayBook – 194 x 130 x 10 mm and 400g in weight, iPad 2 – 241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8 mm, 613 g. The iPad 2 is thinner, but it also weighs more than the BlackBerry PlayBook. If you want extra portability, then you should probably choose the BlackBerry PlayBook, although the iPad 2 is not bad either.

Let’s head on to the display category. As stated before, the iPad 2′s screen (9.7-inches) is larger than the BlackBerry PlayBook’s (7-inches). But what about the display resolution? The PlayBook features a 1024 x 600 pixel resolution, while the iPad 2 comes with a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution, so the difference is barely noticeable, but let’s remember that the iPad 2 has the bigger screen.

As far as the cameras are concerned, we notice that the iPad 2 features two cameras, as opposed to the first iPad which came with no cameras whatsoever. It doesn’t impress in this category, though, because it’s only got a 0.7MP rear-facing camera and another VGA front-facing camera for video calling and it’s capable of 720p video capture. The PlayBook tablet, on the other hand, comes installed with a 5-megapixel rear camera, capable of 1080p video capture, and another 3-megapixel camera up front. So, the BlackBerry PlayBook clearly wins in the camera department.

Going on to the processor, a crucial element when deciding to purchase a tablet, we find that the BlackBerry slate comes installed with a 1GHz Cortex A9 dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM, while the iPad 2 comes equipped with a 1GHz A5 dual-core chip and 512MB of RAM. No difference in terms of internal storage, though, because both tablets come in three flavors: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB.

Regarding software, it’s entirely your choice, because the two slates feature completely different operating systems. The BlackBerry PlayBook is running on the QNX-based BlackBerry Tablet OS, with true multitasking and a user-friendly interface. The iPad 2 is based on Apple’s iOS 4.3, with tons of available apps. It’s up to you to decide which OS best suits your needs and tastes.

Finally, let’s see what connectivity options these two tablets feature. Both tablets are compatible with Bluetooth, WiFi, and 3G. As for availability and pricing, the iPad 2 starts at $499 for the 16GB WiFi version, $599 for the 32GB WiFi model, and $699 for the 64GB WiFi version, while the BlackBerry PlayBook comes at the same prices. So it’s going to be a matter of personal taste on this one.

Wrap-up

The two slates are slightly different, especially when it comes to screen size, overall dimensions, cameras, and software installed. If you want more portability, then you should probably choose the PlayBook tablet. Since the prices are the same for both slates, it’s going to be a tough call, it’s a matter of personal taste, after all.

Apple iPad 2: review

The iPad 2 refines last year’s product, adds a few premium features and makes a very tempting package.

As anyone who has followed technology news this month will know by now, the iPad 2 is thinner and lighter than its predecessor. Although the difference in weight is a mere 100 grams, the slimness of this year’s model creates the illusion that it is lighter still. This further helps with the iPad’s greatest trick: seeming to disappear and become whatever app you’re using.

And there are apps by the thousand. Around 65,000, in fact, which gives Apple an enormous head start over the competition. Those apps will run faster too, thanks to the iPad 2’s A5 dual core processor. The new iPad runs up to twice as fast and graphics performance is nine-times faster. The speed improvements can be seen on almost any app; the original iPad didn’t feel sluggish before but it will after you’ve spent some time with the iPad 2.

The improvement in graphics performance is most noticeable on games such as Infinity Blade, which looks truly stunning on the iPad 2. Real Racing 2 has been upgraded to take advantage of the new graphics capability as well and more and more titles will follow in the coming weeks.

The other significant addition are the cameras: one on front and one on the back of the iPad 2. The rear camera is capable of 720p HD video but, as with the one in the iPod touch, it’s a mediocre stills camera. The front-facing camera, for video conferencing, is VGA - and also works as a stills camera.

Now it has cameras, the iPad 2 joins the iPhone 4 and iPod touch in getting FaceTime, Apple’s video chat app. In tests - calling an iPhone 4 from an iPad 2, it worked very well. While the picture quality was not pin-sharp, the call was smooth and uninterrupted. It’s easy to see this being a boon to people who travel a lot or those whose friends and family are far away.

Last year Apple showed off the capabilities of their new device by producing versions of their iWork productivity suite: word processor Pages; spreadsheet application Numbers; and presentation tool Keynote. This year they’ve brought two of their iLife apps to the iPad: GarageBand and iMovie.
Garageband takes the popular music-making program from the Mac and takes it far beyond what a desktop app is capable of. The iPad becomes a musical instrument and Garageband allows you to layer tracks together to produce songs. For the musically-challenged, like me, there are ‘smart instruments’, which are designed to sound good together. Even more clever is the use of the accelerometer to determine, with surprising precision, how hard you’re pressing the keys on your keyboard or banging your drum.
Then there’s iMovie, which uses the extra screen real estate of the iPad to offer a well-equipped video editor. It’s designed for the touchscreen and the controls are very simple but there’s some very powerful options for those who know what they’re doing. While not for everyone, I can see both these apps becoming essentials for a lot of people.
There are several other additions. There’s the HDMI-out accessory that allows you to mirror your iPad’s screen on your television, for example, and the addition of a gyroscope that allows the iPad 2 to match the iPhone 4’s gaming capabilities. However, the one that I want to spend a little more time on is the Smart Cover.

The original iPad cover was a triumph of practicality over design. It collected dust, had a strange rubbery texture and felt very un-Apple. That said, it did protect the iPad and folded back neatly into a stand. The Smart Cover, on the other hand, is a triumph of design and practicality. Hooking magnetically onto the side of the iPad 2, it covers the screen and closes with a reassuring click - magnets again - putting the device to sleep as it does so. Peel it back and the device wakes up. Meanwhile, the cover folds underneath to create a stand. Throughout it all, the beauty of the iPad design remains visible. The Smart Cover costs £35 in polyurethane and £59 in leather but the iPad 2 doesn’t feel complete without one.
To add to the iPad 2’s smooth looks, there’s also a white version this year. Personally, I’m not a fan. As I mentioned above, I like the iPad to disappear when I’m using an app and I find the white border around the iPad screen too distracting. There will be plenty who disagree with me, however.
Are there weaknesses? I suppose so but you have to look quite hard to find them. There are rivals out there with higher specs certainly, but the iPad 2 never feels like it’s struggling. Famously, the iPad doesn’t support Flash but after a year using the first iPad I can honestly say that I scarcely miss it. Finally, there’s the size; some people think the iPad is just too big. For them a 7-inch tablet is probably ideal but I remain unconvinced by those. I want a tablet, not a big smartphone.
The iPad 2 does everything that made the original iPad such a revelation but it does them better. At £399 for the basic model - 16GB and wifi-only - it’s hard to resist, though those with a bit more to spend should consider the 32GB model with wifi and 3G (£579). The extra storage is worth it and cheap 3G plans mean you have the option of using the iPad when wifi is unavailable. Those who travel a lot will want a 64GB model so that they can carry a selection of films but most of us won’t need so much storage.
Whichever model you choose, there’s no reason to wait. Now is the perfect time to join the iPad club.

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