I own the original playbook (paid for it when it first came out). It�s a nice tablet, good build, great OS, awesome navigation. I didn�t complain when PIM wasn�t there or was late. I knew the short comings of the tablet and gave RIM time to develop and build up the PB. I�m sitting here waiting for BB10 to come down.
Now we have a LTE version of the PB. And I have to say I�m not sure what RIM�s strategy is with the PB. The 16G WiFi version is selling for $199 in the US and a 32G can be had for about $250 depending on where you go. A LTE model is just going to be too expensive, an unlocked non-carrier version will go for $499 and a carrier one will probably cost 39.99-59.99 per month for data service. I�m not sure about the rest of the world but 3G & LTE tablets just aren�t worth it with the way prices go for these things.
If I was an average consumer looking for a tablet I don�t know why I would pick the PB over an Android or Apple. The major tablet players are coming out with HD resolutions and quad-cores. RIM has a new PB with a slight .5 processor upgrade, same OS and the same resolution. Its nearest 7inch competitor is the Nexus 7 for $249 (faster processor and HD resolution). As improved as the app store is, it still isn�t as robust as the Android or Apple store. In a few months RIM will have to fight not only Android, Apple but also Windows RT & 8.
I understand most people in this forum are die hard BB fans and I am a big fan as well. I don�t want them to fail and fold up. Not only is it bad for us but it�s also going to put a lot of good people out of work.
We can all put on our rose tinted glasses and say �BB10� will smoke our competitors but the battle isn�t worn by us or in this forum. RIM needs give a reason for consumers to say �hey this PB is cool, I want it� other tablets. I don�t see how charging $499 and LTE will do that.