New Playbook LTE launching July 31 on Bell

[howard]

Just got word that a new LTE Playbook is launching on July 31st for $549.99 on Bell.

It has 1.5Ghz dual core processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB of storage and a 7" 1024x600 display.

Here are the specs:

• 1.5Ghz dual core processor
• 1GB RAM
• LTE, HSPA+
• 32GB storage
• 5MP rear camera, 3MP front
• 7" 1024x600 display
• Bluetooth 2.1
• WiFi 802.11abgn
• 130x193x9.7mm
• 425g
• 4800mAh
• micro HDMI

[DennyCrane]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Bold 9900: Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9900; en) AppleWebKit/534.11+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.1.0.391 Mobile Safari/534.11+)

I don't personally have a use for a 4G tablet with HotSpot/Bridge being readily available, but I do understand that there is a market for these devices. It'll be interesting to see if they can pull this off.

[CGY Guy]

Mid-point pricing, but higher end specs. I hope RIM will market it well. I'll have to play with it, and see.

[i0wnj00]

Well finally, the Playbook will be available to directly connect to an operators wireless network. I would rather carry one device that does it all instead of Bridging a Playbook to a Blackberry just so I can use data on a tablet.

A little late considering that I am looking at Samsung Galaxy Note/2. I think 5.3/5.5" screen will be enough for me, but I'm open to a Playbook if it looks good.

[Steve Adams]

I have the playbook 32gb. Its solidly built and performs quite well. The new one should be a winner.

Sent from my ARCHOS 80G9 using HowardForums

[Drug$toreCowboy]

I hope this works out well for RIM.

For my part, I have the 16gb Playbook and am very happy with it. I tether it to my BB 9900 and does what I need it to do. This new unit won't be for me, but I hope it is reasonably well received.

[howard]

I hope RIM the best but it's going to be hard sell. We're all still used to $199 Playbooks. Don't forget that tablets have dropped in price a lot the past couple of months.

Just look at the Google Nexus. While it's true that it has no LTE support along with less storage it does have a higher resolution display and a quad core processor.

Still, RIM will argue that the Playbook LTE targets a different segment of the market. The problem is that when RIM lowered the original Playbook to $199 they also pushed it into a the consumer end of the market.

On the other hand, sticking a modem into a tablet makes it much more useful. In the case of a 7" table it it goes from portable to mobile. So now non-Blackberry users will get a lot more utility from the Playbook.

With those thoughts in mind I think the Playbook LTE would be more appropriately priced at $450 and even then it will be a tough sell. Best of luck RIM!

[icemasta]

My problem is that even with the $199 pricetag of the current Playbook, it still sits on shelves. When I walk into a BB/FS I generally see more open box units than brand new. So asking such a premium for LTE isn't going to fare well with consumers.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using HowardForums

[spdracer5g]

The current generation of Playbook hasn't tanked because of specs, it tanked because it just doesn't have the apps that people want.

One of my sons and my daughter both have 16Gb Playbooks, and while the hardware is incredible, they aren't crazy about them because some of the apps they want just aren't available.

The best hardware in the world doesn't matter to my daughter, OoVoo matters to her, and the Playbook doesn't have it. It doesn't have Skype, or any other multi platform video chat. I know that the native video chat is great, but her friends use Skype and OoVoo.

[caanda45]

OMG they must be on drugs, sorry a 7 inch device @ $549.00...just got my 7 inch Nexus 7 and love it and will not pay more than $299 to $329 for a 10.1 inch which will be the price in the fall from Google/Amazon etc...They really have missed the mark here... embarrassing!!!

[i0wnj00]

With those thoughts in mind I think the Playbook LTE would be more appropriately priced at $450 and even then it will be a tough sell. Best of luck RIM!

I don't mind paying this much for a device, but with a few caveats. For starters it has to work, be relatively free of issues, and any discovered significant issues be correctable/addressed though reasonable means. If I'm going to drop that much cash then I expect it to be a quality product for the most part.

If this version of the Playbook is well/highly regarded by reviewers and customers alike then I think this price is more than acceptable, IMO.

[hshaikh]

this is the stupidest thing i have seen in a while. people didnt even like the playbook for $200 - $300 so they bring a new one and double the price? very stupid from RIM. they will definitely go down soon. thank god I switched to android

[Mr Mystery]

I'm definitely not buying, at least at those prices. Surely there will be another fire sale.

[MIAJamesFan]

I agree with what has already been said. Considering the "success" of the last playbook, I don't know how many would be willing to pay full price for this.