I want a Playbook but...

**darkangel07760** · 05-04-2012, 10:17 PM

I have one major concern.
WHY OH WHY is the Playbook so small? I am sure that the smaller size is preferred by a good number of people, and I can see where it would work in certain situations, but honestly, if it was a bigger screen size, I would buy the Playbook without a second thought.
I love Blackberry, I am a big supporter, I will own a BB phone until it is pried from my dying hand... but... in this case, tablet-wise, I am also considering an ipad

I just need to know how everyone feels about the screen size...please no arguments about which tablet is better, that is not why I am posting...
I simply want to know how everyone feels about the 7" inch screen and what your thoughts/experiences are.
Thanks everyone

**Chrisy** · 05-04-2012, 10:21 PM

I felt the same way when I first saw one. It looked small next to the 10 inch tabs.

However, after using it in the stores a few times I was fully convinced that the size is great for browsing, games, apps, reading email, watching videos.

THEN once I got one I LOVED the size for taking to school, traveling and sometimes at work. I absolutely think 7 inches is perfect size tab.

Extremely portable and subtle and classy. It feels great in the hand and the smaller size makes holding it in your hands feel natural. A 10 inch tab is awkward to hold and thumb type. I couldn't do it on my parents iPad. I end up putting the 10 inch tan on my lap and typing is much slower.

The PlayBook back also has a nice warm feel.

**KMB4** · 05-04-2012, 10:24 PM

7" screen size is perfect for being "mobile", IMO. It fits in my jacket pocket with ease (it also fits in my jeans pocket if I have to). I have found it to be extremely useful at this size and I don't know if the iPad size would work for me honestly. It's much more trouble to carry around

**13echo4** · 05-04-2012, 10:25 PM

The screen size is good for me. The shape and size makes it a perfect mobile device. Using bezel gesters there isn't tool bars so you use all of the screen.
I thought it was a small device before I owned one. Now that I've used it for almost 3 months it doesn't seem small. It just feels right.

**Thunder9000** · 05-04-2012, 10:27 PM

I like it because I can still type with my thumbs where with a bigger tablet would prolly have to cradle it.To be fair though I haven't used any other tablet but I do have two laptops and a netbook and this tablet gets plenty of use.great for sitting on the couch and still being connected.I'm not knocking any other device just trying to point out that this is really capable.

**DarcDroid** · 05-04-2012, 10:28 PM

size is all about personal preference
7" is big enough for browsing and not too awkward to plug earphone and hear music on the bus or subway

Sent from my BlackBerry 9700 using Crackberry Apps

**playbookster** · 05-04-2012, 10:28 PM

The size was the main reason I bought it, but that was before I knew how awesome it really was.

**gord888** · 05-04-2012, 10:28 PM

About the size...
I don't often see people carrying tablets around yet. I have seen a few Playbooks out and about just as often as i see iPads. I thought it was wierd at first, but i figured it was because the PlayBook is so portable you can carry it everywhere, where as the iPad is a little bulkier, and unless you carry a bag around all the time, it can be a hassle. The Playbook is a very good size... i know i wouldn't use it as much as i do now if it was any bigger simply because i wouldn't want to carry it around.

**spencerdl** · 05-04-2012, 10:31 PM

Actually the size is what caught my eye.."extreme portability", not to mention it was a BlackBerry tablet finally. I knew with my lifestyle I would want something I could carry on a daily basis, like a book, and not become frustrated with a larger tablet. For me, my PlayBook is like an extension of my phone.....it just fits, and goes where my phone goes with no problems

**dbmalloy** · 05-04-2012, 10:32 PM

To echo the posts above... Portablilty and weight.... Although you would not think it makes a difference.... I cannot use my Ipad for more tha 1/2 without hand strain.... On the Playbook it not an issue.... I have stopped taking ye old IPad anywhere as I find it a pain to transport.... Have use a case or my briefcase.... With Playbook put on the neoprene sleeve and I am off...Usually fits in my jacket....

Again it may seem odd but I really do not notice a lot of difference in using either the 7 or 10 in devices... Maybe it is because I am use to it but many other users find the same thing.....

Good luck with whatever you purchase.....

**BB_makes_it_happen** · 05-04-2012, 10:36 PM

When I'm capturing videos of a sports event I enjoy watching the game on the screen - and peripherally around or past the screen. IMO a larger screen would become cumbersome.

**darkangel07760** · 05-04-2012, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Thunder9000

I like it because I can still type with my thumbs where with a bigger tablet would prolly have to cradle it.To be fair though I haven't used any other tablet but I do have two laptops and a netbook and this tablet gets plenty of use.great for sitting on the couch and still being connected.I'm not knocking any other device just trying to point out that this is really capable.

Typing with the thumbs... good point!

**darkangel07760** · 05-04-2012, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by dbmalloy

To echo the posts above... Portablilty and weight.... Although you would not think it makes a difference.... I cannot use my Ipad for more tha 1/2 without hand strain.... On the Playbook it not an issue.... I have stopped taking ye old IPad anywhere as I find it a pain to transport.... Have use a case or my briefcase.... With Playbook put on the neoprene sleeve and I am off...Usually fits in my jacket....

Again it may seem odd but I really do not notice a lot of difference in using either the 7 or 10 in devices... Maybe it is because I am use to it but many other users find the same thing.....

Good luck with whatever you purchase.....

This is also another good point, I didn't think about the long term effects of just plain holding it.

**JGK123** · 05-04-2012, 10:46 PM

The only thing I have to add, since I agree with the majority of what everyone else has said, is that typing on the pb is pretty nice. I don't have huge hands, but I'm able to carry the pb around like a phone, grabbing it around the back, if that makes sense. Typing horizontally, I sometimes make mistakes when I'm going quickly, but when I type vertically, it's like i'm typing on a touch screen phone. It's very convenient.

My brother has an ipad and I've used it a few times. Browsing the web, and playing games on a bigger screen can be nice, but I have trouble typing on the ipad. Maybe I need more time with it, but there is no learning curve with the pb. I doubt typing on an ipad will ever get comfortable however. My brother is also a bb user but got an ipad for work and he tells me all the time how he hates that he can't use bridge.

I think you know what the right decision is

**darkangel07760** · 05-04-2012, 10:48 PM

I don't mean to sound ignorant, so please help me out here...
The ipad3 had a quad core processor, how does Playbooks compare to that? It has a QNX processor, but if someone could explain this to me, I would appreciate it. I want this tablet to last me a good number of years, I don't want to have to buy a new one in two years!
My boyfriend thinks the Playbook is on its way to being outdated, but maybe he is misinformed? He is a bit of a computer nut, and he is a big fan of quad core since he thinks it would last me longer and save me from buying a new tablet anytime soon. He isn't an apple fan, but he does appreciate their technology and i think he would prefer that i get a different tablet other than the playbook.

**Thunder9000** · 05-04-2012, 11:00 PM

I would decide by what you are going to be using it for it personally think the ipad and playbook are two different animals each with their own strengths.the ipad is priced a lot higher than the playbook which was the real deciding factor for me.

**darkangel07760** · 05-04-2012, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Thunder9000

I would decide by what you are going to be using it for it personally think the ipad and playbook are two different animals each with their own strengths.the ipad is priced a lot higher than the playbook which was the real deciding factor for me.

I agree, they are definitely two different animals... I am just trying to figure out what animal I am! The price is VERY attractive, that's for sure...
What is up with Ipad not playing Flash? Does that mean no Hulu? I just can't type the web address, sign in and watch shows?
I know that the Playbook doesn't have an app for Hulu, but why would I need one if I can just go to the website? Or am I missing something here?

**Marty_LK** · 05-04-2012, 11:19 PM

7" screen size truly is the perfect size, no matter what Jobs ever said. I have an iPad and can confirm it is too big for practical portable use.

I always thought smaller tablets like the Playbook, Galaxy Tab 7 etc, were too small also. But experiencing the Playbook has solidified my assurance that 7" is the perfect one. And the PB is the best tablet on the market, especially for the price. And I highly recommend not getting anything smaller than the 64GB.

**lynxs_claw** · 05-04-2012, 11:48 PM

Definitely portability. I had second thoughts about the screen size when I first got mine but now I don't think about it.. the 7" just works great for me .. I take my PB out with me in my jacket pocket quite a bit.

Funny story, I'll admit I'm very "pro" BB because I just find it very useful and efficient technology. My sister and her family are very much all about Apple - they have the iphones and the ipads. Again, I realize that eveyone has their personal preference.

But I couldn't help smiling when they were leaving our house the other night when I saw her trying to cram my nephew's large ipad into her small purse and having a very difficult time doing so. I chuckled because I was thinking to myself, "You know Sis you could probably put two PB's in that purse with ease."

**NakedPaulToast** · 05-04-2012, 11:51 PM

Screen size is a polarizing feature.

If your priority is portability, then 7 inch is your best option.
If view-ability is your priority, than 10 inch is the way to go.

You won't find much compromise between the proponents of each.

Me, I have need for both. I use my PlayBook for mobile, and my iPad is my living room device.

Originally Posted by darkangel07760

I don't mean to sound ignorant, so please help me out here...
The ipad3 had a quad core processor, how does Playbooks compare to that? It has a QNX processor, but if someone could explain this to me, I would appreciate it. I want this tablet to last me a good number of years, I don't want to have to buy a new one in two years!
My boyfriend thinks the Playbook is on its way to being outdated, but maybe he is misinformed? He is a bit of a computer nut, and he is a big fan of quad core since he thinks it would last me longer and save me from buying a new tablet anytime soon. He isn't an apple fan, but he does appreciate their technology and i think he would prefer that i get a different tablet other than the playbook.

Not quite.

The iPad(3) has a dual core CPU and a quad core GPU. The CPU drives the device, the GPU handles the graphics.

The PlayBook has a comprable but older CPU, but the GPU is not close in power and capability to the iPad(3).

On paper the iPad(3)'s GPU seems like a huge advantage, but it isn't as bad as it seems. The iPad(3) has a resolution of 2048x1536 (total pixels 3,145,728). The PlayBook has a resolution of 1024x600 (total pixels 614,400). The iPad(3) needs a huge amount of GPU because it needs to move around over 5 times the number of pixels.

Regarding a QNX processor, there is no such thing as a QNX processor. QNX is the underlying Operating System that the PlayBooks OS 2.0 is built on. Where the iPad uses iOS, built upon BSD.

**darkangel07760** · 05-04-2012, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by NakedPaulToast

Screen size is a polarizing feature.

If your priority is portability, then 7 inch is your best option.
If view-ability is your priority, than 10 inch is the way to go.

You won't find much compromise between the proponents of each.

Me, I have need for both. I use my PlayBook for mobile, and my iPad is my living room device.

Not quite.

The iPad(3) has a dual core CPU and a quad core GPU. The CPU drives the device, the GPU handles the graphics.

The PlayBook has a comprable but older CPU, but the GPU is not close in power and capability to the iPad(3).

On paper the iPad(3)'s GPU seems like a huge advantage, but it isn't as bad as it seems. The iPad(3) has a resolution of 2048x1536 (total pixels 3,145,728). The PlayBook has a resolution of 1024x600 (total pixels 614,400). The iPad(3) needs a huge amount of GPU because it needs to move around over 5 times the number of pixels.

Regarding a QNX processor, there is no such thing as a QNX processor. QNX is the underlying Operating System that the PlayBooks OS 2.0 is built on. Where the iPad uses iOS, built upon BSD.

Thank you for clarifying that for me! That makes sense now.

**darkangel07760** · 05-05-2012, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by lynxs_claw

Definitely portability. I had second thoughts about the screen size when I first got mine but now I don't think about it.. the 7" just works great for me .. I take my PB out with me in my jacket pocket quite a bit.

Funny story, I'll admit I'm very "pro" BB because I just find it very useful and efficient technology. My sister and her family are very much all about Apple - they have the iphones and the ipads. Again, I realize that eveyone has their personal preference.

But I couldn't help smiling when they were leaving our house the other night when I saw her trying to cram my nephew's large ipad into her small purse and having a very difficult time doing so. I chuckled because I was thinking to myself, "You know Sis you could probably put two PB's in that purse with ease."

That's a cute story!

Who knows; maybe I will just buy both so that I can take them home and decide which one to return.

**amro** · 05-05-2012, 12:15 AM

try folding an ipad in half to put it in your pocket.

ios is more next than bsd. qnx is also a unix like derivative operating system.

**moss27** · 05-05-2012, 12:19 AM

I love the size. Easy to take it anywhere.

**13echo4** · 05-05-2012, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by NakedPaulToast

Regarding a QNX processor, there is no such thing as a QNX processor. QNX is the underlying Operating System that the PlayBooks OS 2.0 is built on. Where the iPad uses iOS, built upon BSD.

QNX has been used in cpus. Matter of fact qnx came up with a new way of partitioning quad core processors.
Darkangel the ipad3's resolution will be great for graphics, pictures, I'm not real sure it will give much advantage to video in that its resolution is greater than blueray standard.
Facebooking. Tweeting, sending emails or even posting on crackberry your not going to find an advantage. When you really put it into perspective to all the complaints in this forum and their basis. Its just clear as water most people dont find $500-$700 worth it. They jumped on the PB when the price got to the point they found the worth. They only complain cause it doesnt have this or that app.
Do yourself a favor. Take a piece of paper and make a list of things your going to do on your tablet day to day. Make a list of apps and functions your tablets has to have then finely list things you would like to do with your tablet.
Now get on line and research what tablets meets your lists. After your search go to best buy or where ever and test drive the device you feel best fits you.
You dont choose a device because the price is the underlined reason. If you dont want to buy another tab in 2 years then do it right the first time. Your going to pay $800-$1000 if you buy both. Your going to spend $300-$700 if you get the right device. Doing it the right way saves you $100 from the word go. Unless you just want both.