Why should consumers buy the BlackBerry PlayBook over the iPad 2?

The BlackBerry PlayBook has been heavily criticised for the lack of a native email and other personal information management software client and while we can’t fault the QNX platform’s superiority in web browsing and multi-tasking functionality, the other shortcomings of the PlayBook makes it a less than ideal device someone who doesn’t own a BlackBerry device.

But what does RIM have to say about all this? RIM’s Co-CEO Jim Balsillie spoke to Bloomberg to explain the company’s strategy behind the PlayBook and answers the question “why should consumers buy the PlayBook over the iPad 2?”

Bonus after the jump: Wall Street Journal spoke to Jim Balsillie on the reason behind not including a native email client in the PlayBook.