The wait for RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook is nearing its end. Launching April 19, the professional grade tablet is up for preorder for $499.99. The 7 inch 16GB Wi-Fi only model will be followed by the 32GB, 64GB, 3G, LTE, and WiMAX variants by the second and third quarter of 2011.
According to RIM’s supplier Taiwan-based ODM Quanta Computer, RIM is optimistic about its PlayBook sales and has ordered at least 800,000 shipments per month for the second quarter and expects to ship 1 million tabs per month in the third quarter. The second quarter is about the Wi-Fi only 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB variants while the third quarter will be about 3G, LTE, and WiMAX.
RIM also expects its BlackBerry customer segment (17% of global smartphone market share) to transfer to its BlackBerry PlayBook sales. RIM has maintained its inventory levels and does not anticipate supply shortages over touchscreen panels and the like.
Kevin Michaluk at CrackBerry has completed an exhaustive review of the 7inch, 1GB RAM, 1GHz dual-core processor tab that will sport QNX but also support Android apps eventually. According to him, the tablet may become a strong contender with the updates that will bring integrated Email, Contacts, and Calendar to the device.
Check out the following links to know what the BlackBerry PlayBook is about:
- CrackBerry’s Guide to the BlackBerry PlayBook
- Official BlackBerry PlayBook review
- BlackBerry PlayBook specs
[via Digitimes]
