Size Comparison: BlackBerry PlayBook and iPad

I asked Marc Saltzman, the host of Rogers TabLife TO event, his thoughts about the 7 or 10 inch tablet debate on the Rogers Redboard, here is what he had to say:

Hey Will,

It boils down to personal preference. A 7-inch form factor is certainly more “portable” (and if you have a jacket, more “pocketable”) than a 10-inch tablet, but personally I like the iPad’s nearly 10-inch screen as I enjoy the extra real estate for playing games, typing documents, watching movies, reading e-books or digital newspapers, surfing the web, and so on. As tablets continue to become more and more popular, there will be many different form factors, prices and operating systems to choose from.

He prefers the size of the iPad compared to the 7 inch screen of the Galaxy Tab and forthcoming BlackBerry iPad because of the extra screen real estate, though acknowledges the increased portability of a smaller form factor.

For a while I was in the same boat, proclaiming that any screen smaller than the iPad’s wouldn’t cut it. Though recently I find myself constantly wishing my iPad was smaller. With the iPad it is too big to be easily mobile with it, too large for any jacket pocket and requiring a bag for any significant travel with it. With the PlayBook being about half the size of the iPad, I am looking forward to the better mobility that it will bring, as I intend to use it as my go to device for things whether at home or on the go. This is something the iPad is slightly too big to pull off.

Here is a quick size comparison I put together of the PlayBook and iPad. As you can see, the PlayBook’s height is practically equal to the iPad’s width.

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http://twitter.com/davefp David Underwood

I think that the 7″ tablets are definitely more suited for carting around, but for a coffee table I’d imagine the 10″ format is preferable.

Myself, I’d want something that I can put in my bag and take everywhere with me. As a result, I have my eye on the Galaxy Tab :)
http://www.willw.net/ Will Robertson

Looks like CES will be bringing some more cool Android tablets, like the Vizio Via Tablet: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/03/vizio-details-specs-on-via-tablet-and-via-phone-reveals-via-plu/

Could be a lot of good options out there this year.
http://twitter.com/KyleRyc Kyle Ryc

As for portability, I think the iPad calls for the use of smaller satchels or man purses. Small enough to not be bulky, but large enough to carry a text book or binder.
http://www.willw.net/ Will Robertson

Ya a new size of bag would solve the issue of carrying it around. Another issue that I have come across is that it is too big for using on the bus or subway. iPad’s size makes it awkward to use on busy public transit, especially if standing.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Neil-Robinson/506225758 Neil Robinson

Can I use iTunes on the playbook?
http://www.willw.net/ Will Robertson

The PlayBook can be synced to your iTunes library (so can all BlackBerrys), getting all or a selection of songs, videos, and playlists.
http://www.according2ed.com/ ed

Ahhhh…if only the playbook was just a little bit smaller, i could use it in place of my iphone….or my iphone in place of the playbook.

What next, a slew of tablets of various inches to fit every posture and position? Hey, how about an expandable tablet which you could snap into smaller or larger sizes.

When people are already comparing the size of the playbook to the iphone, we know things are getting ridiculous. I already thought it ridiculous when people were forking out more money for less gigs with the ipod shuffle. These idiots are just teaching the producers to screw us further by giving us less for more. Smaller versions tend to keep the price of the larger versions up. Don’t think many have thought about that.

Anyway, thanks for the comparison.