RIM's Playbook On Clearance

symbolset writes "Engadget reports that the much-maligned RIM Playbook tablet has hit the clearance skids. I've confirmed that all three models (16GB, 32GB, 64GB) are for sale on RIM's website for the same price: $299, or up to $400 off. The site says until February 4, but presumably that's 'or while supplies last.' If you're into clearance merch and rooting, the Engadget article includes instructions on getting Android and the Android market on the thing. If you'd rather have a tablet made for Android, the original Acer Iconia A500 may be a better choice at only a few dollars more — but without the capacious internal storage."

No thanks.

[SniperJoe]

No thanks. I've already got a fire sale TouchPad. At least HP had the brains to do that right and generate some buzz. RIM has made missteps along every part of the journey, including this one.

$299 still not worth it!

[na1led]

Even at that price, I doubt they will sell much. The Kindle Fire is still cheaper, and who wants to pay $300 for something that may have no support in the next year. Rim should be selling these for $99!

Re:You know what they're doing...

[Anonymous Coward]

If you lose money on every sale and add volume, you're losing loads of money fast. .

Wow, you must be really smart.

Skype = Microsoft

[Comboman]

Considering Skype is now owned by Microsoft who has absolutely no interest in promoting RIM's products, I'm hardly surprised.

Re:You know what they're doing...

[Hadlock]

I don't think RIM will die in 2013, but they're certainly circling the drain at this point. BBX/Blackberry 10 needed to be released in 2008/2009 as a complete rewrite, at this point they're going to end up as a novelty brand known for "how good their keyboards used to be before the buyout". Visually there's no difference between BB OS 3.5 (released in what, 2003?) and 7.0. At this point I think expecting a modern OS from them before 2014 isn't a realistic goal for them. Someone high up at RIM got all wrapped up in the idea that the iPad was the second coming of jesus, bet the company on it, and lost.

Not about discontinuation

[jjm496]

This isn't about discontinuing them, in February RIM is releasing the new OS version. This leaves them with the choice to either recall the unsold units and reload the OS and repackage them, or get as many of them out there as they can now and avoid that cost. Either way it would mean a loss of money, but the more new users they pick up now the better in the long run. Once the newer ones come out with the new OS version loaded, who will buy old stock? Sell the units now and let the users install the upgrade themselves.