How portable do you make your PlayBook?

The BlackBerry faithful might question my allegiances, but I’m not afraid to admit that I’ve owned an iPad 2 since around its release date. A company I own decided that, after a modestly successful 2010, we’d buy ourselves iPads.

Knowing the release was imminent, I did bring up the idea of the BlackBerry PlayBook. But, seeing as one of the partners has a vendetta against the BlackBerry, that idea was shot down immediately.

I bring this up, because recently I’ve noticed a trend. My PlayBook, which I didn’t get until later last year, seems to come with me places. My iPad, on the other hand, pretty much remains on my desk or coffee table. It raises the question: how portable do you make your PlayBook?

As CrackBerry Kevin demonstrates in the image to the right, the PlayBook is small enough that it can fit in the back jeans pocket. Well, that is, *some* jeans pockets. From the times I’ve met him Kevin has come off as a fashionable gent, and he probably wears fancy jeans. The PlayBook, unfortunately, will not fit in the back pocket of my regular old jeans. They do fit nicely in cargo pockets, which would be nice if my fiancee hadn’t barred me from wearing cargo pants and shorts. (They’re unsightly, she and others have told me.)

Still, the 7-inch size of the PlayBook does lend to its portability. I’ve found myself toting it along with me on trains and busses, using it as a reading device among other functions. Best of all, I can tote it around with almost no added bulk.

While there are some very nice PlayBook accessories, including some protective cases, I’ve found that the included pouch works just fine for most situations. I wouldn’t throw it into my backpack full of rocks, of course, but for normal, every day protection it works well enough. People drool over the iPad, and as an owner I can’t say I blame them. It’s easily the best tablet on the market, and that’s no slight to the PlayBook. It’s merely a nod to Apple where one is warranted.

But the iPad is by no means perfect. While I do enjoy the 10-inch screen for many reasons, it does take away from the iPad’s portability. That’s where the PlayBook has the advantage. If RIM succeeds in getting developers behind BlackBerry 10 development, which would also include PlayBook development, they could be onto something.

Making the PlayBook a complementary device, as well as one that can stand on its own, will go a long way in encouraging adoption. And don’t forget, you can get the PlayBook dirt cheap: $222 for the 16GB, $264.93 for the 32GB, and the best value, $299.98 for the 64GB.

About the Author

Joe Pawlikowski is the Senior Editor at MobileMoo.com and has been covering the mobile industry full time since 2007. When he's not writing about the tech scene, he can be found discussing his personal love - baseball (and more specifically the New York Yankees) as well as writing on his personal blog.