PlayBook vs iPad clip shows both edge and weakness

RIM today posted a video (below) pitting the BlackBerry PlayBook against the iPad in a browsing test. The newer tablet's dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor appropriately gave it an edge in the comparison, as most pages, especially those heavily dependent on JavaScript and more complex code like the ACID3 test. A visit to Adidas' website also took advantage of RIM basing the BlackBerry Tablet OS on Adobe's Flash platform, as it can render Flash on the web properly where the iPad simply turns up an error.

The test nonetheless also obscures some of the concerns going into the PlayBook launch. Although only briefly shown, the Flash animation on the Adidas site appears to move slowly, albeit better than is usually the case for large Flash content on slower, single-core Android devices. The user testing the iPad is also inexperienced as he types out ".com" by hand, making a comparison test seem slower.

RIM's timing with the video is also significant. It comes just days before iOS 4.2, which could improve the web rendering, and also months before the PlayBook is released. Despite having unveiled the tablet in September, RIM won't ship until roughly February or March, or about half a year later. Apple is expected to have a new iPad at or near the PlayBook's ship date and is likely to have its own dual-core processor, dual cameras and many of the other features that RIM is claiming as temporary advantages.

Apple has nonetheless expressed indirect concern about the PlayBook. CEO Steve Jobs attacked seven-inch tablets as having disproportionately less screen area and negating much of the advantage of a larger screen. Smaller tablets also don't necessarily cost less, although RIM has been targeting a price below $500 that would be competitive with what Apple may offer later.

By Electronista Staff