Colinjb Posted 27 February, 2012 Share Posted 27 February, 2012 It's now down in price to about £170 for the 16 gig version. I am wondering about picking it up. Do we have any owners on here? What's the opinion of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebomb Posted 27 February, 2012 Share Posted 27 February, 2012 My son has one and it is very good. Great quality, solid and very quick. I don't know the details but you can get an app that lets it run with some android apps I believe. Tie this up to the new GiffGaff Blackberry and tablet plans and it is a real winner at that price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 27 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 27 February, 2012 My son has one and it is very good. Great quality, solid and very quick. I don't know the details but you can get an app that lets it run with some android apps I believe. Tie this up to the new GiffGaff Blackberry and tablet plans and it is a real winner at that price. How has he found it with Flash dependant websites? (I would want a tablet that can run Saints Player and the BBC Sport Website, therefore I will not consider an iPad.) I do not own a blackberry phone and therefore would only consider it as a computer on it's own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essruu Posted 27 February, 2012 Share Posted 27 February, 2012 There's a reason the Playbook and every other tablet (bar one) plummets in price: that is, it's not an iPad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 27 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 27 February, 2012 There's a reason the Playbook and every other tablet (bar one) plummets in price: that is, it's not an iPad. Quite, but that isn't helping. I am not buying an iPad as I would like a tablet that can access the entire Internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essruu Posted 27 February, 2012 Share Posted 27 February, 2012 Ooh, you mean you want to view Flash content on websites, when Flash is dying? It's dying for a reason: that reason is why Steve Jobs and Apple were correct all along. Seriously though, the only reason to go for a non-iPad tablet is if you can't quite afford an iPad. It is streets ahead of anything else out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 28 February, 2012 Share Posted 28 February, 2012 We've had one for a while. Ms. H got it as part of a free upgrade. In answer to your question it does run flash content, including SaintsPlayer. We don't use it much, and never tethered to a Blackberry phone. I use it occasionally on WiFi at home, mainly as a media streamer to listen to UK radio stations over the web (hooked up to my portable ipod speakers). It does that very well, and the 7" screen is an OK size to watch highlights from SaintsPlayer, or youtube. I have noticed that it's on-board WiFi isn't great, though. It loses the signal in places where our laptops carry on happily. I wouldn't pay money for one, though. Hutch jr. got a Galaxy Tab 10.1 at Christmas, and that is a much, much better tablet (a proper laptop replacement, at least for a teenager). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 28 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 28 February, 2012 Ooh, you mean you want to view Flash content on websites, when Flash is dying? It's dying for a reason: that reason is why Steve Jobs and Apple were correct all along. Seriously though, the only reason to go for a non-iPad tablet is if you can't quite afford an iPad. It is streets ahead of anything else out there. Sadly, in the here and now, that's a deal breaker for me. 2-3 years time, yes, flash support will be redundant but by that point even the current iPads would be obsolete. Hutch, thanks for the feedback. For the price it sounds ideal, the Galaxy Tab though would be better though.... funds dictate though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdearlove Posted 28 February, 2012 Share Posted 28 February, 2012 Ooh, you mean you want to view Flash content on websites, when Flash is dying? It's dying for a reason: that reason is why Steve Jobs and Apple were correct all along. Seriously though, the only reason to go for a non-iPad tablet is if you can't quite afford an iPad. It is streets ahead of anything else out there. Yawn - why bother commenting on this with your Apple blinkered view when the OP has asked about the Playbook. 'Buy an iPad' isn't helpful when he is looking at spending £170. The Playbook should settle in price now that v2.0 of the OS is out. RIM have been promoting the device with Android developers by handing out free devices in return for porting their apps over to the Playbook. They have had a decent response so expect the market to expand quite quickly. I am just waiting for mine! Flash certainly isn't dead - its a heck more alive than you may think. The move to html5 is extremely slow so. I would be more concerned about buying an ipad and being stuck with just html5 right now. There are certainly better tablets out there - if you can get an HTC Flyer at a similar price point, go that route. Alternatively wait a few months and the Asus Memo should be out, plus we should see the Kindle Fire, and a Google 7" tab for around the £160-200 mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scummer Posted 28 February, 2012 Share Posted 28 February, 2012 I bought a white one of these from Amazon last week for £149. Lenovo A1. Good price for a tablet from a proper manufacturer. Seems good so far, has GPS so can be used as a sat nav. They seem to be out of white ones at the moment and black and blue are £169. Could always go for a pink one..... http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00625BHJA/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=computers&psc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 28 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 28 February, 2012 Well, I have purchased the 32gig Playbook. So far I really love it. Dead easy to set up and very intuitive. It's certainly good enough for posting on here! Oh, and SaintsPlayer works flawlessly!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebomb Posted 28 February, 2012 Share Posted 28 February, 2012 Sorry Colin, only just heard back from my son today and he loves it and has used an ipad for work and prefers the Playbook. I bought a 7" Archos 250gb tablet about 18 months ago to play music, films and videos for a similar price and the Playbook is far superior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 28 February, 2012 Share Posted 28 February, 2012 Just bought myself a Playbook after seeing the price drop, and being fortunate to have a play with one over the last couple of weeks. Always had Blackberry phones, so this seemed like a natural purchase for me. Does all I need, is arguably more portable and is incredibly cheap for the power it possess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 28 February, 2012 Share Posted 28 February, 2012 The lack of software available for the playbook is a bit alarming, no skygo !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 28 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 28 February, 2012 Just bought myself a Playbook after seeing the price drop, and being fortunate to have a play with one over the last couple of weeks. Always had Blackberry phones, so this seemed like a natural purchase for me. Does all I need, is arguably more portable and is incredibly cheap for the power it possess. Considering they were retailing for £450+ until before Christmas they are a steal! Was delighted to see that all of my itunes purchases work on it too.... No need to be tied to Apple anymore! (I still love my iphone though.... But I will be considering other options when my contract expires in September) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 28 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 28 February, 2012 The lack of software available for the playbook is a bit alarming, no skygo !!! For the price difference I can buy an Xbox 360 to watch it upstairs.... Or use my phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeySFC Posted 29 February, 2012 Share Posted 29 February, 2012 Poor man's iPad. Blackberry's are terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solentstars Posted 29 February, 2012 Share Posted 29 February, 2012 Poor man's iPad. Blackberry's are terrible. Reminds me of a old saying. About some silly comments by iPad iPhone owners ' a fool and his money are easily parted". Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 2 March, 2012 Share Posted 2 March, 2012 Any opinions on the Samsung Galaxy Tab? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdearlove Posted 3 March, 2012 Share Posted 3 March, 2012 which one? The 8.9 is on sale at currys right now at £279 and its a brilliant tablet - just the right size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 March, 2012 Share Posted 3 March, 2012 Considering they were retailing for £450+ until before Christmas they are a steal! Was delighted to see that all of my itunes purchases work on it too.... No need to be tied to Apple anymore! (I still love my iphone though.... But I will be considering other options when my contract expires in September) Absolutely. Just installed the Itunes Sync app myself, and it's very very slick. With the latest OS now including native mail, calender and contact support there is less and less need for it to be paired with a blackberry device. For the price I think it's a steal as you said, best bit of kit i've bought for ages - would recommend them to anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 March, 2012 Share Posted 3 March, 2012 Poor man's iPad. Blackberry's are terrible. There's very little between the functionality of this and the IPAD IMO - and i've used both heavily over the last few weeks, both very similar and succesfull in achieving what i want them to achieve. Obviously the apps let the BB down slightly, but this is something that will ever evolve - so that area will grow. I actually think that the size of the playbook is a huge plus too. Perfect tablet size IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 3 March, 2012 Share Posted 3 March, 2012 Good to see technology snobbery is still alive and well in 2012. Reminds me of the halcyon days of the mid 80s. "My micro computer's better than yours....ner ner ner ner ner" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essruu Posted 3 March, 2012 Share Posted 3 March, 2012 It's fun watching some people try to reason why the non-iPads are 'just as good' as iPads. It reminds me of the 'like a VW' ads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 3 March, 2012 Author Share Posted 3 March, 2012 (edited) It's fun watching some people try to reason why the non-iPads are 'just as good' as iPads. It reminds me of the 'like a VW' ads. No, you are right, I should have paid twice the price for something that wouldn't do what I wanted of it. Edited 3 March, 2012 by Colinjb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 4 March, 2012 Share Posted 4 March, 2012 Another plus point in the playbook's favour. I discovered last night going up to bed with 2 glasses of orange squash in my hands that the PlayBook is small enough to fit in the pocket of my shorts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonjoe Posted 4 March, 2012 Share Posted 4 March, 2012 yes the iPad is better. yes the playbook is cheaper. whoop dee doo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solentstars Posted 5 March, 2012 Share Posted 5 March, 2012 No, you are right, I should have paid twice the price for something that wouldn't do what I wanted of it. i agree most apple people i know seem to want to fill apples coffers with cash for their over piced boys toys hence their massive profits but have no money for any thing else. good bit of kit but i can do most of the things it does on other products for half the price and have money in my pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdearlove Posted 16 March, 2012 Share Posted 16 March, 2012 just received notification that they are shipping my Free developer playbook. Not bad for 5 mins work creating an Android app on Andromo.com, and 5 mins converting to Playbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdearlove Posted 30 March, 2012 Share Posted 30 March, 2012 got my Playbook today from the RIM developer offer. I have to say its a brilliant little device and does what it should very well. Yes the apps are lacking but the fully fledged webkit browser means you can just browse to most sites - like you do on a PC. I know it is old school but it works well. It has a fantastic display, plays my full HD MKV files (as long as there is no AC3 audio encoding), and is pretty speedy. Right now I would recommend it over any of the sub £200 android devices out there. If you are a BB user it shines even more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted 30 March, 2012 Share Posted 30 March, 2012 got my Playbook today from the RIM developer offer. I have to say its a brilliant little device and does what it should very well. Yes the apps are lacking but the fully fledged webkit browser means you can just browse to most sites - like you do on a PC. I know it is old school but it works well. It has a fantastic display, plays my full HD MKV files (as long as there is no AC3 audio encoding), and is pretty speedy. Right now I would recommend it over any of the sub £200 android devices out there. If you are a BB user it shines even more Sounds neat. Couple of questions: Is that AC3 encoding it won't play or AAC? I've found AAC to be more problematic. Also, will it play TS files (as Sony)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdearlove Posted 10 April, 2012 Share Posted 10 April, 2012 yep - won't do AC3. I just use AVIDemux to convert AC3 to AAC. No mention of TS files in the specs here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 10 April, 2012 Share Posted 10 April, 2012 I've got a Motorola Xoom and totally love it, cost me £80 with a 2 year contract (3GB a month) for £17.50 a month, but it all depends on what you use it for. For me it's on the commute, got loads of games, podcasts, films, tv, great internet access. Really, really like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 10 April, 2012 Share Posted 10 April, 2012 I've got a Motorola Xoom and totally love it, cost me £80 with a 2 year contract (3GB a month) for £17.50 a month, but it all depends on what you use it for. For me it's on the commute, got loads of games, podcasts, films, tv, great internet access. Really, really like it. I'm planning on getting a Xoom, especially now they are being discounted. It will replace my netbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 11 April, 2012 Share Posted 11 April, 2012 I'm planning on getting a Xoom, especially now they are being discounted. It will replace my netbook. I would, it's really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 5 May, 2012 Share Posted 5 May, 2012 I would, it's really good. Got one now, just debating whether to root ICS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 15 May, 2012 Share Posted 15 May, 2012 http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/254037/how_rim_can_save_the_blackberry_brand_in_three_easy_steps.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 15 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 15 May, 2012 http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/254037/how_rim_can_save_the_blackberry_brand_in_three_easy_steps.html Fair points, I am an advocate of the playbook (well... duh....) but it's low price was the reason I went for it. Their phones are not as good as they could be. I would like to switch but the internet browsing capability on the top spec Blackberry Bold is not good enough and why they have about so many iterations of each device available is beyond me. There's a good company in there somewhere though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyLove Posted 16 May, 2012 Share Posted 16 May, 2012 Not sure if anyone has mentioned but further near the top of this thread people mention that the iPad can't play flash and therefore would not consider it. Well it can play flash. All it takes is a simple £2.99 app and you can run Facebook games and look at all the flash enabled websites you want. Problem Solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 16 May, 2012 Share Posted 16 May, 2012 Not sure if anyone has mentioned but further near the top of this thread people mention that the iPad can't play flash and therefore would not consider it. Well it can play flash. All it takes is a simple £2.99 app and you can run Facebook games and look at all the flash enabled websites you want. Problem Solved. And that app is? I'll download for my nippers ipad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyLove Posted 16 May, 2012 Share Posted 16 May, 2012 an app called iswifter http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/iswifter-flash-web-browser/id388857173?mt=8 It's free but there is a version to purchase which does work better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 16 May, 2012 Share Posted 16 May, 2012 an app called iswifter http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/iswifter-flash-web-browser/id388857173?mt=8 It's free but there is a version to purchase which does work better. Thanks, I'll download it for him tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 16 May, 2012 Share Posted 16 May, 2012 Thanks, I'll download it for him tonight. Works great, Thanks for the heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyLove Posted 16 May, 2012 Share Posted 16 May, 2012 No problem. Now hopefully everyone will stop crying about the iPAD and flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 16 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 16 May, 2012 No problem. Now hopefully everyone will stop crying about the iPAD and flash. Still glad I didn't pay twice the price and then an extra couple of quid for a reliable app to run flash. No grizzling, just struggling to see the point of an iPad for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 16 May, 2012 Share Posted 16 May, 2012 Still glad I didn't pay twice the price and then an extra couple of quid for a reliable app to run flash. No grizzling, just struggling to see the point of an iPad for the money. Can you plug HDD's into a Playbook or micro SD cards? Wondering how you expand the memory or carry about movies etc when on jollies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 16 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 16 May, 2012 (edited) Can you plug HDD's into a Playbook or micro SD cards? Wondering how you expand the memory or carry about movies etc when on jollies. Can you plug in extra memory to an iPad? The 32 gig of the Playbook does me fine. (16 and 64 gig versions are available.) Don't get me wrong, I respect what iPads can do, but for the money there are many other equally as usable and useful devices available. Especially now the manufacturers have seen that the Apple juggernaut has left them having to compete on something other then brand/reputation. The Motorola Xoom is mentioned above, great device. As is the Galaxy Tab.... (But again still pricey...) Edited 16 May, 2012 by Colinjb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 16 May, 2012 Share Posted 16 May, 2012 Can you plug in extra memory to an iPad? The 32 gig of the Playbook does me fine. (16 and 64 gig versions are available.) Don't get me wrong, I respect what iPads can do, but for the money there are many other equally as usable and useful devices available. Especially now the manufacturers have seen that the Apple juggernaut has left them having to compete on something other then brand/reputation. The Motorola Xoom is mentioned above, great device. As is the Galaxy Tab.... (But again still pricey...) I don't give a toss about ipads, my nipper saved all his xmas/birthday dosh for his. Might get a Playbook for my Doris and was just wondering if you can plug in HDDs / flash drives or micro SD cards if I want to load up movies TV series etc for long trips / jollies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 16 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 16 May, 2012 (edited) I don't give a toss about ipads, my nipper saved all his xmas/birthday dosh for his. Might get a Playbook for my Doris and was just wondering if you can plug in HDDs / flash drives or micro SD cards if I want to load up movies TV series etc for long trips / jollies. Alas then, no. The Lenovo tablets have SD card slots I believe and the Galaxy Tab allows Micro SD card use via the micro USB socket Edit: After Digging, if you have a blackberry phone you can browse SD cards connected to the phone via the 'Blackberry bridge' function which also allows you to browse the web via your phone, using the phone's data plan. Edited 16 May, 2012 by Colinjb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyLove Posted 16 May, 2012 Share Posted 16 May, 2012 You can get a SD card reader for the iPAD that allows you to read from, so you can load it up from your computer and then play it on the iPAD, so if your 16gb iPAD is full you can load it onto the card or form the card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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