I have had a few readers asking me what ports are available on the BlackBerry PlayBook so I thought I would clear the air. There are two different ways to charge the BlackBerry PlayBook. The coolest one is based on the same magnetic system as the MagSafe adapters on the current MacBook laptops. It attaches to the BlackBerry PlayBook using a magnet so it immediately disconnects when pulled for safety. Kinda cool!
The BlackBerry PlayBook also has a MicroUSB port which can also charge the PlayBook. The thing is that only the MicroUSB connection can be used for data transfer. The magnetic charger above does not do data. The last port on the BlackBerry PlayBook is the Mini-HDMI port which allows you to connect the PlayBook to any HDMI monitor.
There are cheap looking media control buttons on the top of the device but I think they are the least aesthetically pleasing/matching part on the PlayBook. If I were RIM these buttons should be rubberized and not look so cheap….
Let us Know if you have any other questions. I am currently on a plane crossing from Vegas to New York so I may not be able to answer until I get some shut eye. 
Terrence T ( View Profile) - Posts: 1820
Posted: January 9, 2011 at 9:44 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9800 | OS 6.0.0.337
Btw, will playbook allow a bb to be hooked up via cable?
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3286
Posted: January 9, 2011 at 9:53 PM EST
Good question! Honestly I have never seen a MicroUSB to MicroUSB cable but maybe RIM would come up with one…
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 6:54 AM EST
I could have sworn that I read an article saying it could be tethered wired or wirelessly. But I can’t recall which site.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 6:55 AM EST
My magsafe power charger for my macbook has saved me plenty of times!
Terrence T ( View Profile) - Posts: 1820
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 10:30 AM EST
Yea!!! But how to wire?? haha. Hidden usb?
mellos ( View Profile) - Posts: 5
Posted: January 9, 2011 at 10:24 PM EST
The playbook is shaping up to be the best tablet for 2011 can’t wait till it’s release.
dshcpa1 ( View Profile) - Posts: 577
Posted: January 9, 2011 at 10:44 PM EST
I agree mellos, the Playbook is definitely shaping up to be a very impressive device from what we’ve seen so far.
That said, I’m pleased to see that the Playbook will be using a MicroUSB for charging and not a proprietary charger. Between PCs, smartphones, GPS units, bluetooth headsets, and other devices, it is becoming increasingly easier to find a compatible charger in the event you forget yours. I have at least 3 or 4 micro/usb chargers and have cross-used them multiple times when I forgot my bb charger.
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1118
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 6:27 AM EST
Agreed! We can all thank the EU
melly36 ( View Profile) - Posts: 131
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 10:10 AM EST
yes we sure can
smokey-la ( View Profile) - Posts: 40
Posted: January 9, 2011 at 11:30 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9700
That’s great to know.
acwyau ( View Profile) - Posts: 34
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 8:36 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9800 | OS 6.0.0.246
I’m guessing this setup would allow you to charge and to have some kind of USB drive active at the same time? If so, this would a great setup!
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 8:52 AM EST
Sounds like it! Another advantage!
Also, i’m guessing the magsafe is what’s connected to the official dock?
citystars41 ( View Profile) - Posts: 92
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 9:24 AM EST
its nice they are keeping the usb also so that can leave external batteries available if they choose to keep the current design
c0rinne ( View Profile) - Posts: 384
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 12:56 PM EST
Magnetic sounds interesting. Makes me think RIM is really looking toward the future.
Dan L ( View Profile) - Posts: 109
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 1:22 PM EST
Interesting, I had no idea about the magnetized power cord. Although it is sort of weird that it is a strange plug on the end of it. Why couldn’t they just make it a magnetized MicroUSB?
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 12, 2011 at 3:30 PM EST
Trust me , magsafe is a godsend. it’ll save your USB jack too from abuse.
captainbdsc ( View Profile) - Posts: 177
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 5:06 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9700 | OS 6.0.0.424
Huh, interesting. So it can charge and transfer data at the same time? What happens if you have both plugged in? Faster charging or just switches to the magnetized port?
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3286
Posted: January 10, 2011 at 5:51 PM EST
They didnt have the MicroUSB plugged in at all the whole time we were there. I asked and they said they didnt have one.
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 12, 2011 at 3:29 PM EST
I’m guessing the magnetized port will take over the charging.. since that’s its only purpose. The USB will just act as a data transfer connection
Ann Not Registered
Posted: March 24, 2011 at 9:48 AM EST
So you can’t use the micro USB to both charge and use the device at the same time?