id gadget: this a blackberry tablet fresh : With A 7-inch PlayBook is a pretty little package and the operating system is finally a contender. This Tablet might have a chance if RIM was in a position to price the PlayBook competitively. RIM announced the 4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook earlier last August and it’s finally available from several Canadian carriers. The LTE tablet is slightly upgraded from its WiFi-only counterpart with a 1.5GHz CPU and 32GB storage option, but the main difference is the new LTE radio.
This LTE PlayBook is expensive. And available through Bell and Rogers for $350 with a three-year contract (This lengthy contracts are normal in Canada). A 32GB LTE PlayBook is also available through TELUS without a contract for $550.
This RIM is a tough situation. With its dire financial situation, RIM cannot aggressively price the 4G PlayBook. It likely cannot take a loss on the hardware sales hence the above market pricing. RIM has yet to announce the 4G PlayBook’s US price or release date.