When we reviewed the BlackBerry PlayBook back in April , we couldn't help feeling the device's insides didn't match its outsides. The PlayBook is a well-built, good-looking device, but its software was buggy, frustrating, and frankly unfinished.

Much improved performance; Email; calendar; contacts apps are finally native; Smart UI enhancements

Still some bugs; particularly with scrolling; Android app selection is weak; Email app could be better

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a neat, compact and capable tablet. We like it, but sadly that isn't enough, as the lack of apps severely lets it down. Without apps, you'll often find yourself wondering what to do with this tablet – a problem you'd never have with the iPad 2.

One of the things we love about the BlackBerry PlayBook is the fact that it's among the smaller tablets, with the 7-inch screen making it portable enough to take wherever you go; The compact screen also leads to a light weight, with the 425g body easily light enough to hold comfortably in one hand...

The biggest problem with the BlackBerry PlayBook is a lack of apps; The Apple iPad 2, RIM's biggest rival, features loads of apps specifically designed for the tablet form factor, and the PlayBook really struggles to compete without them

Update: RIM has announced the 4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook tablet , which supports the fourth-generation mobile internet and is set to be rolled out in the UK by the end of 2013. The maker claims that it will be considerably faster than the original BlackBerry Playbook.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a superb piece of hardware with a great screen, powerful speakers, smart design, and feature packed innards. And were the software up to scratch it could easily be one of our top choice tablets.

Smaller size is easier to handle; Elegant design; Feature packed; Theoretically fast hardware

Performance too variable; Unstable; Limited app support; Requires BlackBerry phone for email

It's been a while since our first look of Research In Motion's contender in the newly-sprouting tablet market, and since then we've get acquainted with the quaint device and feel out the kinks. In our hands we've held the Wi-Fi-only 16GB model.

Intuitive controls; classy design; BlackBerry smartphone pairing

Not as 'professional-grade' as touted; no larger screen option; lacking App World

Lacks the X-factor to woo non-BlackBerry users.

Great Screen and Interface

Fewer Apps; needs BB handset for email; calendar; BBM

Did BlackBerry duff it by going for a 7-inch instead of 10-inch screen? According to BB, they chose this size as BB users are conditioned into typing two-thumbed on their phones. Really not sure if this translates into the tablet world. The smaller size drops the PlayBook into a bit...

The OS is a great piece of software

Sweeping from outside the screen takes getting used to BB Bridge is very basic Streaming media and

Consumer electronics devices rarely leave me feeling this conflicted. I love the PlayBook experience with its fast and mature user interface that's more polished than Android (and I'm an Android user) and far stronger at multitasking than iOS.

Superb hardware; elegant and fast UI; multitasks like a champ; Pro: Superb hardware; top notch display; delightful user interface; solid multitasking; good battery life; full 1080p HDMI out

Rushed to market before PIM apps and email client reader; 3rd party apps are thin in this brand new platform, Con: Missing basic PIM apps and email client at launch; BlackBerry Bridge not available for AT&T BlackBerry smartphones (AT&T's fault), quality apps in AppWorld MIA at launch

RIM has done a good job of designing a tablet aimed at a very particular type of business user, specifically its existing, security conscious BlackBerry smartphone owning customers.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a neat, compact and capable tablet. We like it, but sadly that isn't enough, as the lack of apps severely lets it down. Without apps, you'll often find yourself wondering what to do with this tablet – a problem you'd never have with the iPad 2.

One of the things we love about the BlackBerry PlayBook is the fact that it's among the smaller tablets, with the 7-inch screen making it portable enough to take wherever you go; The compact screen also leads to a light weight, with the 425g body easily light enough to hold comfortably in one hand...

The biggest problem with the BlackBerry PlayBook is a lack of apps; The Apple iPad 2, RIM's biggest rival, features loads of apps specifically designed for the tablet form factor, and the PlayBook really struggles to compete without them