Staples rumored to have Playbook from $199 for Black Friday

**gtamhankar** · 11-09-2011, 09:55 AM

I was checking out some sites today to check out the Black Friday deals and it seems Staples in US is dropping the price on the Playbook as part of doorbuster deal (from 6AM to noon).

16GB: $199
32GB: $249
64GB: $399

Staples ad scan

Doorbusters always tend to be a bit of a pain... but I'm digressing!

Good luck finding the Playbook in case someone's looking for it!

**TheMimic** · 11-09-2011, 10:13 AM

I'd def get one at that price. What a joke! Too bad black friday doesn't happen north of the border.

**lnichols** · 11-09-2011, 10:49 AM

For that price I might pick some up if this pans out.

**PRE7ORIANO** · 11-09-2011, 11:08 AM

I went to Best buy, to get the 16GB Playbook for $250. I waited for over a month, then they called me, to offer me the 64GB. version for $50 more because they had had problems with the shipping or something like that... so right now, I own a 64GB Blackberry Playbook that cost me just $300"!

And I love it!!! so, $400 for the 64GB? I wouldnt mind either...

**guerllamo7** · 11-09-2011, 11:32 AM

Looks like my brother is getting a Playbook for Christmas. The big question is: was he good enough this year to get the 32GB? Just kidding.

Seriously. I strongly recommend you get a case. The BlackBerry convertible is awesome. This tablet is awesome.

I know there has been bad press on this but consider this:

It has full web browsing. yeah, HTML5 is the future but for the next two years Flash is it.
It has a great VideoChat app. My wife and other family members use it all the time.
It has a great form factor.
It has better specs than the iPad2
(You can upgrade software but you can't upgrade hardware)
It has a bunch of apps that work great. Not as many as the competition but a bunch with more coming in daily. My favorite ones:
facebook (which I can access on road trips via Bridge)
BlueBox (share pictures and video with family and friends)
Scrapbook (TAT app that can post directly to facebook)
Package Tracking (for multiple carriers with maps and progress logs)
GroovyNotes (Really flexible app that allows tags and voice recording)
QFolio (stocks quotes or just save a google/finance portfolio to you home page)
Podcasts (I like watching to CNN Anderson Cooper)
SheetsToGo (I do a bit of work on spreadsheets and this free app (free to us) is nice
My older son and I play a few games: NOVA2, Spiderman, Nebula, MimicR
My younger son likes Galaxy Painting and Papa's Burgeria.

It is super portable. I just put it in my coat pocket and I take it everywhere.

It is the most secure tablet out there. I know no one cares but they should.

For those thinking about it, here is a recent review posted on CB.

http://zcint.co.uk/article/blackberr...ardware-review

If you have a BB phone, bridge saves you $50.00 bucks per month and at these price you pay for the tablet vs. a 3g equivalent in four months!!! Even tether, which I find inferior to Bridge by a mile, runs about $20.00 bucks.

This price is Crazy good. I purchased mine on day one and love it even at $599.00. I think my brother in law may be getting one for his family as well.

**starbury1** · 11-09-2011, 12:11 PM

I got a 16gb at Staples with the rebate a couple months ago. There were no larger sizes. That's my only regret, but so far so good in terms of size.

**brucep1** · 11-09-2011, 12:22 PM

seems to be a good deal. I called this two months ago, I knew it would go for $199 on black friday

**robchow** · 11-09-2011, 01:10 PM

Do Staples carry 32GB and 64GB in stores? I check their website and it said only available for delivery. Does this mean on Black Friday that I have to order online?

My other dilemma is to get which storage capacity - 32 or 64? $250 for 32GB version is very nice but the extra storage will come in handy.

It is time to review what cases to get as well...lots to do on this one purchase.

**staffman28** · 11-09-2011, 02:42 PM

Here is a supposed leaked scan of the ad.
Here
Just shows a 16gb.

UPDATE:
Oops, I was to quick to post, went further and it showed the others. Looks like online ordering only depending on the store for the larger ones.
Here

**Caymancroc** · 11-09-2011, 02:53 PM

Still priced too high.

**go1ndr** · 11-09-2011, 03:07 PM

Ok, this is a pretty elementary question for someone that is very familar with Blackberry phones (current 9810) and certainly with computers and servers in general--but please don't laugh at me for this question (lol-I'm even laughing). Both my wife and I have been with AT&T (first Cellular One, then PacBell, then ATT, then something else, then AT&T) since cell phones first came out in the late 80's. Due to some changes over the past 20+ years we ended up on a unlimited-grandfathered data plan for the last 10+ years and don't want to lose it so will never change. That said, if I were to buy a Playbook tablet, (which I am not at all famalir with), will I have to include it on our data plan or on another plan? Or does it work wirelessly though the many internet connections at home and office? Also, can someone explain why a tablet is better than a laptop that does not need a data plan? Thank you and you can quit laughing now

**gtamhankar** · 11-09-2011, 03:18 PM

The playbook is a wifi only device so nothing really to do with your data plan. AT&T doesn't even enter the picture apart from the fact that there's a functionality called the Blackberry Bridge which allows you to use your BB handset's (9810 in your case) data plan and access the internet. AT&T doesn't restrict such usage and is not illegal or anything like that!

Since you have an unlimited plan I would advice you to get the playbook and enjoy the freedom of portable internet on the go!

Tablet vs Laptop... Well... Portability mainly, Access to your phone's data plan and any other source of secured wifi without any extra charge. There are things you can do on laptop which the current generation of tablets are underpowered but for most things like listening to music, watching movies, emails, surfing, light gaming they're more than capable.

Other folks can chime in on this one... Hope this helps!

**go1ndr** · 11-09-2011, 03:29 PM

Thank you for the prompt reply! It's much appreciated and well explained. I've never liked the iPad though most of my friends have them, but like so many business men and women, I use my torch for business/email/calendar/spreadsheets, internet,etc and never for gaming.
I've never liked the virtual keyboard and have always had the actual keyboard on all of my many smartphones, from the original Palm Treos to Smamsung Epix to Blackberrys. But I can certainly see the advantage of the Playbook as long as I can use it for emails (I currently use pop3) and for internet/word docs, etc. Do you sync it with desktop like you do with the Torch to make eveything the same ie-computer/handheld/tablet?
And one last question--I know that a lot of apps are not available but most of the standard ones are, correct--like BB Travel/Messenger,etc. Thank you once again!

**Rootbrian** · 11-09-2011, 06:46 PM

Dammit, is it like that in Canada?!?! It would be somewhat around $220 after tax!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**go1ndr** · 11-09-2011, 07:17 PM

Still trying to decide if the Playbook is for me or maybe a netbook as I mostly need it for emails while on the road for business. From what I have read, you have to bridge or teather your BB phone to the Playbook in order to do emails, etc. That seems like a pain but if it isn't, any feed back would be appreciated. Also most posts say don't buy it until the upgrade--is it coming (the upgrade).

**Rootbrian** · 11-09-2011, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by go1ndr

Still trying to decide if the Playbook is for me or maybe a netbook as I mostly need it for emails while on the road for business. From what I have read, you have to bridge or teather your BB phone to the Playbook in order to do emails, etc. That seems like a pain but if it isn't, any feed back would be appreciated. Also most posts say don't buy it until the upgrade--is it coming (the upgrade).

Making up your mind would be better. The update, when it does arrive, you will get a notification or you can check under the Software Update area of the settings to check occasionally. When it does arrive, you'll be able to download and install it.

Whoever told you not to buy it, likely never had one before, or has a different tablet, or had nothing better do to.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**rcheung135** · 11-09-2011, 07:29 PM

Damn it. More love for Canada please!

**Techno-Emigre** · 11-09-2011, 07:30 PM

Never feel bad about asking a Q. We all had to learn this at some point.

I want to add that you can do really nice professional presentations directly from a PlayBook thru an HDMI cable. No annoying (and expensive) projector needed. I keep discovering more things I like about my PB & since the hardware is in place it will only keep getting better & better.

Although the keyboard is amazing I still need to use my laptop when I have some serious typing to do. At some point I plan to get a blue tooth keyboard & mouse.

I would encourage you to look at the videos on this site explaining various functions. You will understand more easily than written responses from us. Honestly, at that sale price I can't think of a better way to up your professional game. Good luck! I have at least one Christmas gift figured out now ...

**Chriz** · 11-09-2011, 08:19 PM

Amazon Germany: 32GB Version 587Euro

249Dollar(181Euro) is a superb Price. I wish i could buy one.

**adamkesher** · 11-09-2011, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Caymancroc

Still priced too high.

I agree, in the wake of the Touchpad fire sale, I think 79.99 is a reasonable price for a 16GB Playbook.

**mustangv8** · 11-10-2011, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by dianeselwyn

I agree, in the wake of the Touchpad fire sale, I think 79.99 is a reasonable price for a 16GB Playbook.

I'd be comfortable with 150 for a playbook. Kindle tablets are going to blow out sales this Christmas.

**JasW** · 11-10-2011, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by mustangv8

I'd be comfortable with 150 for a playbook. Kindle tablets are going to blow out sales this Christmas.

My kids are getting Kindle Fires. They won't care that it only has 8GB (6GB useable), no Bluetooth, no camera, etc., etc.

**go1ndr** · 11-10-2011, 06:14 PM

Much Thanks to everyone for your answers and opinions. I'm not sure I'm crazy about having to teather your BB phone to tablet in order to get emails, but really, we could use our webmail connection on the web if I was too lazy to hook up the phone. Pretty minor I guess now that I think about it.
Checking it out this weekend so thanks again to all!

**go1ndr** · 11-10-2011, 06:33 PM

PS: Just read a post on Blackberry's forum from some guy (Cooper) saying that a "trusted friend" of his at RIM told him that PB was going to be discontued and is a dead issue! I actually can't believe this rumor but who knows. The other people seem to take him seriously. Can't imagine that they would do that as surely updates will bring it up to speed to compete with the others out there. Anyway, since we were on the subject, thought I'd interject this little bit of gossip. see post at: PlayBook being discontinued, Media Players on the horizon - BlackBerry Forums Support Community

PS: this is probably a hoax that some person posted. I saw a couple of others similar to it that were from earlier posts. I wouldn't put much into it. Most likely not true!

**sallenthornton** · 11-11-2011, 12:20 AM

I did read the staples and office max are no longer going to carry the playbook after their stock has been depleted. It's just my opinion, but I feel that RIM will eventually walk away from it also. For a business device, it lacks. And as a consumer device it lacks. Where exactly does it fit in?