PlayBook may be an odd name for BlackBerry's first tablet, but RIM's 7in PlayBook offers a refreshing interface and smooth performance that live up to its name. However, beyond the great multitasking and intuitive UI, the PlayBook holds little appeal for non-BlackBerry smartphone users.

The BlackBerry PlayBook has a refreshing interface and excellent multitasking, but its lack of apps -- both default and through BlackBerry App World -- means it offers little incentive for non-BlackBerry smartphone owners. With future software updates and additions, the PlayBook will only improve, but it remains behind the competition.

Great software, multitasking and slick UI; Excellent performance; Comfortable size for travelling and commuting;

No native calendar, e-mail or contacts apps (yet); Limited selection of apps in App World; Not much appeal for non-BlackBerry users;

With its slick design and solid performance, the PlayBook feels like a sports car, but its lack of common applications makes it feel like a Ferrari that you'll only drive to and from the shops.

Excellent hardware; Fun; intuitive navigation; HDMI-out; Good battery life

No email; calendar or contacts apps; No keyboard auto-correction; No 3G option; Browser needs a few tweaks

( UPDATE: Please read our review of BlackBerry PlayBook's 2.0 software update . It adds email, calendar, and some other features that we were critical of in this review.

Great design and sharp screen; Unique OS; Fun; intuitive gestures; Android; Java app support coming; Great keyboard; Best in class browser

Launch apps plentiful; but lacking quality; Screen size may be too small for some; BlackBerry Bridge has limitations; No native email; calendar apps

The blackberry playbook is one hell of a tablet. The blackberry os is just amazing right from its security to the way it works. I felt the blackberry playbook which i am using from the past few months to be simply superb. The battery backup, the videos the screen everything is brilliant.

UPDATE 11/04/2012: we've updated our review of the BlackBerry PlayBook following its upgrade to version 2.0 of BlackBerry's Tablet OS. This update is available free of charge to current and future owners of the PlayBook.

Very good screen; Excellent design and finish; compact and easily portable; BlackBerry Tablet OS 2.0 is original; new and very fast; Good battery life / Good e-mail system; Pleasant; high-quality web browsing (with Flash) / Good; clear audio

BlackBerry Bridge still required for access to BlackBerry Messenger; Not many PlayBook apps in App World; but Android apps now available; Not many connection ports; No camera flash; Physical buttons could be better finished

This tablet malarkey is really taking off isn't it? Anyone who's anyone is getting involved with increasingly mixed results. The latest to make a splash in this convergence pond is RIM, which is surprising in itself as it's a manufacturer who has never been known for its innovation, but has rather...

Great at multitasking; with an intuitive; gorgeous-looking display; it?s also dinky enough to fit comfortably into any average size bag

The BlackBerry App World is lacking in apps when compared to Apple and Android?s offerings; The fact you can only get online via Wi-Fi may put off some

While Android and iOS are the big movers of late, BlackBerry is a key player. The company's first tablet looks to build on its impressive, smartphone-based reputation.

When BlackBerry released the original PlayBook it had some curious issues. Native email, contacts and calendar apps were missing, the app store was barren, and the price matched the iPad at £399.

Well, everyone's jumping on the tablet bandwagon now aren't they - some being more successful than others. The latest company to take a leap into the pond of convergence is RIM - quite a surprise as it's never been big on innovation, preferring instead to stick to its tried and tested devices.

Excellent multitasking; intuitive; vibrant screen; it's also small enough to fit easily into your average bag

There's a lack of apps at BlackBerry App World compared with the likes of Apple and Android's app stores; The Wi-Fi-only net connection may deter some

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