$799 for the Xoom? Ouch!

[tony bag o donuts]

I think this price is a bit much for a tablet. I want a tablet and can afford it, just not sure I want to support this pricetag.

+1....

Tablet to replace netbooks is the way they should market.

Give me a 300-500 tablet with wifi only and I would be happy.

 

[ixinatxix]

But the lay person will ALWAYS turn to iPad because that is what they are "trained" to do. This device needs to be $100 LESS than the similar iPad, not $100 MORE. There needs to be incentive for the lay person to choose Android over Apple and price is the only incentive. The lay person doesn't know or care about what makes one better. They only know that iPads are cool.

This is a very good point and I agree with the logic behind it, however it would be hard to get most manufacturers to do so. I'm not sure what the production cost of the Xoom is, but I'd be surprised if it was more than around $500. The manufacturer is going to go for a price point that yields them the best profit/is most cost effective. Unfortunately, the consumers generally get screwed over at first. IF the sales of the Xoom end up doing poorly, then it would be highly likely to see a $100 drop IMO.

 

[nedqadams]

Here's the reason they have to price it this high. This isn't an exclusive console where they can eat the cost on the hardware and make it back on the software like a PS3, 360 or iPad. They're breaking ground for Gingerbread which is great but 3 months from now there will be what? 7-10 different GB Pad's out there. There's really no way to differentiate themselves from the others when that happens.
The only way to really get Moto to compete with the iPad on a price point (the iPad 2 will come in with similar specs to the Xoom) would be to offer Moto GB exclusivity plus revenu sharing on apps, mp3s, etc... something similar to what Apple creates for itself.

 

[slopokdave]

Dont understand what the issue is... The 32GB iPad is 729 and doesnt even have a camera... And we all knew it was going to be around this price from all the rumors... Is it a lot? yes... But it compares with whats on the market now

This is exactly how I feel, very logical.

1st, I have seen many comment on the fact that the requirement to activate it is a requirement of Best Buy. This is absolutely true because Best Buy does not get "paid" their incentive if it does not get activated; at least thats what they tell us.

Verizon wants you to experience their product on their network and HOPEFULLY encourage you to keep the data plan or at least use it "as needed." If they let you walk out of the store, un-activated, and without a $20 data fee for one month, you would not be forced to experience this. Verizon is a company who is in the business of MAKING MONEY. This is how they will make money (on top of any other they are making in Google/Motorola's cut of the hardware sale).

I had the Samsung tab for a month then returned it because I wanted to wait and see what else was out there. Even though I knew I would get my 1st month data back (because of Sprints 30 day money back deal), I had no problem forking it over to experience what it would be like to have data on the go when wifi was not in reach.

$20 is hardly a big deal (TO ME) considering I will be forking out sum ~$800. Would I LIKE the option to not activate it and save the $20? Yes.... however I completely do not blame Verizon for this strategy nor do I think they owe me anything.

 

[dsandman87]

I really want to see Honeycomb take off as a superior alternative to that apple operating system, but the high price tag (among other things) is going to hinder that. Bad Motorola, Bad!

 

[nedqadams]

Let's wait for the iFixit teardown to see how much profit they're making before really getting worked up.

 

[thebizz]

This is crazy yes this device is better specs than the ipad but is it worth 800 yes will I pay 800 nope just to expensive for something that does the same thing as my phone now had they dropped the price bellow the ipad it would have been great. But with all the great hardware it wont sale at this price people will still go for the ipad and ipad 2.

 

[mvpilot172]

Of course Best Buy does this with a lot of phones. Their unsubsidized price is always outrageous, BB wants new contracts. Let's hope we can see a $500 Tab soon. I've got a feeling th Ipad2 will be the same price point as current models. If Moto and others can't compete with that price point then this business model is broken, and then Android will lose out in the end.

 

[zdilc]

Xoom

It is worth remembering that this is competing with the iPad. I know it has a bunch of stuff that the iPad does not have but do I really need it. The Galaxy Tab seems to have less than the iPad and costs more. I am happy with my Galaxy S cellphone and with Android but I am not spending a lot more for things I don't need just out of loyalty to Android. Hell, I like my Mac too.

 

[heraldo]

That's a lot of money...I'd contemplate it at 699...won't even think about it at that price

 

[cparker5]

I think it is funny that we are basing pricing structure off of Apple products. I know that I don't buy desktops or laptops and feel better when they cost the same as an Apple product.

Also, the reason why people don't complain about a $600 phone is because most people don't pay for a $600 phone. I got my Droid 2 for free and my wife got her Incredible for $5. We needed wireless plans anyway, so they could charge $1000 for them off contract and most people wouldn't care.

 

[qnet]

Quote:
Originally Posted by slopokdave
This is exactly how I feel, very logical.

Verizon wants you to experience their product on their network and HOPEFULLY encourage you to keep the data plan or at least use it "as needed." If they let you walk out of the store, un-activated, and without a $20 data fee for one month, you would not be forced to experience this. Verizon is a company who is in the business of MAKING MONEY. This is how they will make money (on top of any other they are making in Google/Motorola's cut of the hardware sale).

$20 is hardly a big deal (TO ME) considering I will be forking out sum ~$800. Would I LIKE the option to not activate it and save the $20? Yes.... however I completely do not blame Verizon for this strategy nor do I think they owe me anything.

I understand what you are saying and what Verizon is doing however, when competing against the Ipad; I don't think it's a good idea. If it were already 4G LTE capable, than it wouldn't bother me as much, because I would be curious to see how fast that is. It's only 3G and - after using Verizon for years until last year - I know that EVDO is not all that and, no better than At & t's 3G, at least in my area.

When I bought my Ipad I just walked in and, bought it. It was avery good experience. I didn't even activate the 3G for a few weeks and then decided to try out the 200MB plan. Later I upgraded to the 2GB plan which may not seem like a lot but, really is for me. I then later canceled it when I got a Clear Ispot which was a unlimited plan and no throttling back to my knowledge.

Having said that, I'll probably still get one but, it won't be right away.

 

[ixinatxix]

I think it is funny that we are basing pricing structure off of Apple products. I know that I don't buy desktops or laptops and feel better when they cost the same as an Apple product.

We are basing pricing structure off of Apple products like the iPad, because it is currently the best tablet device available. As such, if the price of these upcoming Honeycomb tabs are more than an iPad, then it decreases the appeal for them.

I would prefer a Xoom over the iPad but not at $800, although I've already mentioned that it is somewhat of a reasonable price for the device. If they released a $500 model of the tablet, then there's no doubt in my mind that I'd choose the Moto Xoom.

Also, let's not forget that the Apple iPad 2 will probably be released soon with similar specs to the upcoming HC tabs. There's a good chance that they'll release simultaneous WiFi only + 3G models at the same price of current gen ones.

 

[KenB]

This has helped me decide to wait and see what HTC has brewing. I love my Incredible and would love to keep all my stuff one brand anyway.

 

[techloaded]

The price will have to come down as competition grows. I also think that Apple is going to raise the price of the iPad when they release the new version. It seems difficult or them to make much money at the current entry price.

 

[cparker5]

We are basing pricing structure off of Apple products like the iPad, because it is currently the best tablet device available. As such, if the price of these upcoming Honeycomb tabs are more than an iPad, then it decreases the appeal for them.

I would prefer a Xoom over the iPad but not at $800, although I've already mentioned that it is somewhat of a reasonable price for the device. If they released a $500 model of the tablet, then there's no doubt in my mind that I'd choose the Moto Xoom.

Also, let's not forget that the Apple iPad 2 will probably be released soon with similar specs to the upcoming HC tabs. There's a good chance that they'll release simultaneous WiFi only + 3G models at the same price of current gen ones.

Welcome to the discussion, this is what I have been saying since very early in this topic.

Basing your pricing on Apple pricing is a bad thing, not something people should be celebrating.

 

[tntdroid]

Think about it. Its a business trying to make money. Drop a 500 wifi tab and they sell great but that 800 wifi3g wont as much. Now drop the 800 one only and it will sell cause its the only option now. Wait a few months drop a few other cheaper ones and everyone wanting one will be getting it. They are taking the same approach apple did. Drop the best first and collect some good money. Then come out with lower cheaper ones to target others that did not want to pay 800. This also gets the name out and gives them more time to market it. I too would love a cheaper one and I think the need for one month data is nuts. I really want it and was hoping for it to be 600/700 wifi only but the first time around its not. I will still get it and enjoy it and my first month of 3g that ill run out in a day. For everyone that does not want it just wait it out. Others are coming and cheaper xoom will be sold. Im sure target and walmart will get wifi only down the road. It would be stupid of moto to not have these next to the ipad in these stores. Now im going back to waiting on a release date and all the official information so I can go wait for mine. After spending this much money it better print money like that htc evo at best buy or im going to walgreens for a iphone.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[rajones19]

I've been looking forward to this device for months, but was also feeling a bit hesitant over the potential $800 price tag. I was sitting at lunch half an hour ago, and my friend at the VZW kiosk emailed and said "Hey, the Motorola guy is here with a XOOM, if you want to see it, come on up". I tossed my lunch in the trash and ran up, spent about 15 minutes with it. It's marvelous. I'll be there on launch day. Speaking of which, I asked the rep about launch date and pricing, and got the anticipated non-answers. "Around end of the month, a couple weeks" for launch - which ties right in with the predicted Feb 24, and a vague "not yet sure on pricing." So I didn't get answers to the REAL questions - but I held it in my hands, and fell in love. It's going to be a long couple weeks. Thank God the wife is already onboard.

 

[ap77]

Also, let's not forget that the Apple iPad 2 will probably be released soon with similar specs to the upcoming HC tabs. There's a good chance that they'll release simultaneous WiFi only + 3G models at the same price of current gen ones.

You win the Internet for the day. Don't compare the Xoom to the ipad1 -- compare it to the ipad2 we'll see in a month or so. If history serves, we'll have refreshed specs at identical pricing.

At $800, it's almost as if Motorola doesn't want this product to be successful.

 

[alarson83]

You win the Internet for the day. Don't compare the Xoom to the ipad1 -- compare it to the ipad2 we'll see in a month or so. If history serves, we'll have refreshed specs at identical pricing.

At $800, it's almost as if Motorola doesn't want this product to be successful.

Exactly. When the ipad2 comes out, and its hardware specs are up to the level of the xoom, but $100 cheaper at the top end and $300 cheaper at the entry level, why is your average customer going to jump on board?

Android has a tiny marketshare of the tablet market comparared to iOS. Any device hoping to compete against the ipad right now needs to be either comparatively priced, or cheaper. Offering only one option, $100 more than the highest end ipad, is doomed to fail, which is a shame since i really like what ive seen from honeycomb.