BlackBerry PlayBook

2011–2013 · tablet

Specifications

Cpu: TI OMAP 4430, dual-core ARM Cortex-A9, 1 GHz
Ram: max: 1 GB (not upgradable) · base: 1 GB
Ports: Micro USB · Micro HDMI · Charging pod contacts (proprietary dock)
Camera: 5 MP rear (1080p video), 3 MP front
Battery: Internal 5300 mAh Li-Polymer, non-removable
Display: 7" LCD, 1024x600, capacitive touch
Storage: base: 16 GB flash · options: 32 GB · 64 GB
Cellular: Wi-Fi only at launch; a 4G LTE variant followed in 2012
Os Support: latest: BlackBerry Tablet OS 2.1, added native email/calendar/contacts and an Android app player · shipped: BlackBerry Tablet OS 1.0 (QNX Neutrino based)
Release Price: $499 (16 GB), $599 (32 GB), $699 (64 GB) at launch, April 2011

Variants

Revisions

4G LTEPlayBook 4G LTE2012, added LTE radio and NFC

Colors

Black2011 launch, all storage tiers

White2012, limited markets

Storage

16GB2011 launch tier

32GB2011 launch tier

64GB2011 launch tier

Upgrade paths

storage

Fixed at purchase: 16, 32, or 64 GB, no card slot · Sealed unibody with no microSD or user-accessible storage expansion.

LOCKED

battery

Internal 5300 mAh Li-Polymer cell · Not user-serviceable from the factory; requires prying the bezel and disconnecting a soldered-in connector, common repair-shop job once units aged out.

~$20 for third-party replacement cells

HARD

other

OS updates added missing native PIM apps and an Android runtime · Launched without native email, calendar, or contacts (it relied on tethering to a BlackBerry phone via 'BlackBerry Bridge'), fixed months later in OS 2.0, by which point the reputation damage was done.

EASY