There is much debate about the BlackBerry Playbook in the internet media right now.  Most people think it is “ok” but many blogs are still referring to it as a “failed attempt” for RIM entering the tablet business.  Whatever your opinion may be about the Playbook, I have been using one for 8-10 months and I think it is one of the best tablets on the market.  If another company besides RIM would have released it, I believe that it would have been more widely accepted.  But the “hip” thing to do these days is hate-on all products released by RIM, so uneducated consumers who only read BGR might never actually pickup one of these tablets and do an unbiased comparison for themselves.

To say that the Playbook is the best tablet on the market right now would be a bold statement.  I haven’t tested every tablet out there, so I can’t make that claim.  However, the hardware used in the Playbook is well-above standard and the QNX operating system is smooth, fluid and reliable.  The main drawback about the Playbook is the lack of apps.  It is a newer-than-most tablet with an OS that needs apps specifically written for itself, just like any other proprietary OS.  And BlackBerry Appworld traditionally has had fewer apps than its competitors, so it should be no huge surprise that the Playbook apps can’t compare to those of Android or Apple tablets.  But to me, this isn’t a determent.

I’ve used the LG G-Slate Android Tablet and I found it rather slow.  I don’t use Apple products for various reasons;  I own an iPod, but that is as far as I am willing to go, and even with that I refuse to use iTunes.  Ubuntu Linux has an app called Rhythmbox that interfaces with the iPod perfectly, and with Amazon selling DRM-Free MP3s, usually at a lower rate than iTunes, I really don’t see a reason to even own an iPod anymore.  My wife bought my current iPod for me as a birthday gift, and I use it semi-regularly, but if I ever go to replace it, I doubt I will choose an Apple product.

Enough rambling about Apple.  Those of you who know me, know I don’t like them.

I’m going to start posting some information and test-results that I find while using the Playbook.  My purpose isn’t to talk my readers into buying one, you should choose whatever tablet works for your own needs.  But since I have so much experience with the Playbook, I’ve decided that I want to share it with my blog readers.

If you have any thoughts on the Playbook, I’d like to hear them.  I’d prefer to hear from people who have actually used the product and have educated comments about it, whether good or bad.  But anyone is welcome to comment.