Just bought an ipad 2....

[gravage]

For what it's worth, I have a Xoom and an iPad. I sold my ipad in anticipation of replacing it with ipad 2, but only because I have a ton of games and apps that I bought for iOS.

I respect the new iPad's specs, but I prefer my Xoom for daily use. The multitasking, browser, and Google experience apps put the ipad to shame. I view the ipad as more of an entertainment device and the Xoom as more of a productivity device.

I think it's too bad that apple cheaped out on the cameras, but Moto cheaped on the Xoom screen.

Bottom line: I will be carrying the Xoom for day-to-day use and I will take them both on long trips.

 

[anon(167668)]

How did Motor cheap out on the screen? The only legitimate thing I can think of is that it isn't as bright as the iPad. If you're referring to the colors seeming "washed out" compared to the iPad, that's just because Apple loves to oversaturate the hell out of their displays.

 

[gravage]

How did Motor cheap out on the screen? The only legitimate thing I can think of is that it isn't as bright as the iPad. If you're referring to the colors seeming "washed out" compared to the iPad, that's just because Apple loves to oversaturate the hell out of their displays.

I was referring to the faded colors mainly. But even assuming that those can be tweaked with driver updates, you can still see the grid lines on the screen and the overall quality is poor. Even the original galaxy tab has a better screen.

 

[frenzy757]

he is right, the Xoom's screen is not as good as the ipad 2. I got both.

 

[varsityhacker]

Not sure why people think the screen on the xoom is bad I think it looks great. I have an ipad as well. Also some of my diehard apple friends complimented on how nice the screen looks.

 

[xxraffyxx]

I uploaded the first comparison video. Focusing on just the hardware.

YouTube - Ipad 2 vs Xoom hardware

I hope I don't get flamed, but I have to be honest and hardware wise the Ipad wins hands down.

 

[arundc]

...I hope I don't get flamed, but I have to be honest and hardware wise the Ipad wins hands down.

On an Android forum, 'ya think so?

Hands down? Hello! The Xoom has way better specs on hardware, namely; screen resolution, cameras, Tegra2, etc. to name a few. How can you say hands down for hardware? Software for sure, the iPad 2 wins but give that time too.

We have both, my wife uses the iPad 2 and I personally prefer the Xoom, it's specs and Google's voice integration. At least for us, they both complement each other very well.

 

[xxraffyxx]

On an Android forum, 'ya think so?

Hands down? Hello! The Xoom has way better specs on hardware, namely; screen resolution, cameras, Tegra2, etc. to name a few. How can you say hands down for hardware? Software for sure, the iPad 2 wins but give that time too.

We have both, my wife uses the iPad 2 and I personally prefer the Xoom, it's specs and Google's voice integration. At least for us, they both complement each other very well.

I prefer my xoom over the ipad 2. I think you and I are opposite, I think the xoom wins over the ipad (in my later video) in the software/OS, but in comparing the hardware I have to be honest and when NOT comparing spec vs spec and just comparing to what I see/feel I ipad is much better hardware wise! The screen resolution are not very noticeably different in terms of sharpness because of the higher resolution. I like the aspect ratio of the xoom over the ipad, but I'd prefer the higher saturation of colors of the ipad over the realistic colors of the xoom. I don't feel that the xoom screen is very washed out (like other reviews have stated) but it just isn't fun to look at.

Again NOT comparing spec vs spec, In terms of image quality the xoom is a bit better in taking photos, however when it comes to HD video recording the Ipad is much better. Higher quality and a smoother video playback.

Look I love my android, buts its because I love the Android OS. It will show in a later video.

 

[terrain]

XOOM's screen is less vibrant than Ipad and many other screens for the matter (Droid X, VIphone etc...) Love the form factor of my xoom over my ipad 2. At this point have no reason to pick up my pad#2 other than for the better reading experience in IBooks.

 

[preViously]

I also believe the Xoom's screen just isn't as 'fun' as many other tablets / phones. I really hope Motorola determines a way to allow adjustment for this in the software to improve the saturation, contrast, etc. The Xoom is great, I want to be clear about that. This one improvement is very welcome however.

The Xoom's screen is a discussed topic over in the Motorola forums. Here is the link:

https://supportforums.motorola.com/thread/46890?start=0&tstart=0

 

[qnet]

I thought it was a fair comparison and, it makes me miss the Xoom a little. Right now I don't have anything. I will probably get the Xoom again and have been tempted to do so now but, I'll wait for the wi-fi model.

 

[frenzy757]

i think Honeycomb is >>>> iOS...

However iOS ecosystem for Tablets >>> Honeycomb and the ipad2 hardware wise, looks etc is also >>> Xoom.

It will take time for Honeycomb to catch up, but for now I think the ipad is still the more complete package. I had both, but just felt kind of like an idiot spending 800 on something I knew was not as good. I think in time android tablets will rule, but that time is not now...

so I would honestly recommend to 1) wait if you really don't want to buy an ipad, or 2) buy and ipad2.

 

[2CupsWithString]

Good review thank you.

Personally I don't like over saturation on any of my displays but I get how just to grab it and look at a picture more saturated colors can be appealing. I do some graphic design as part of my job and always kind of go the way of clarity so maybe I'm trained that way.

I am curious about the HD playback on the Xoom - was that post the HRI66 OTA update?

Personally, I love the feel of the Xoom, I guess I have big hands but I one hand it with my left in such a way that my thumb kinds of bed around the back of it and it feels comfortable to me. And I actually liked the "extra" the gel case added, I know I may be in the minority on this one but that's OK. I have an Evo so maybe I just like feeling like my devices are substantial in the hand.

I totally understand what you're saying about having another finger on the screen, they should have a priority touch zone on a home screen, like if one finger is still and the other is moving they should give touch priority to change screens.

I will take the trade off between image clarity with auto focusing then fixed focus snaps. This actually came in very handy on my Xoom as recently I had a leak in my apartment in my office, with all my gear and had to take precise pictures of all the water. As you could imagine, water is hard to photograph when you're trying to focus on it but the Xoom did a heck of a job.

I thought your review was fair and informative and I appreciate it - keep up the good work!

 

[xxraffyxx]

I am curious about the HD playback on the Xoom - was that post the HRI66 OTA update?

I totally understand what you're saying about having another finger on the screen, they should have a priority touch zone on a home screen, like if one finger is still and the other is moving they should give touch priority to change screens.


I thought your review was fair and informative and I appreciate it - keep up the good work!

Yes this was after the update. I was very surprised and a bit upset when I saw my video playback was stuttering. Has anyone else noticed this?

Priority touch zone is a good idea, I just dont know how they would implement that nicely.... I can see too many problems going on if they tried that.

Thanks I personally am a bit of a android fanboy, but I want to keep my videos fair and honest.




to everyone:
I'm trying to build up my youtube channel (much harder that I had previously thought) I could sure use some help give me a sub, thumb up or favorite some of my videos. I have a giveaway (maybe a couple) in mind so be sure keep checking back.

 

[xxraffyxx]

Just updated the video with links to the actual video recording I made:

Skip to 8:45 links in the video
YouTube - Ipad 2 vs Xoom hardware

I will be working on the OS compareson video. Anything special you guys want me to touch on?

 

[preViously]

Great review on You Tube xxraffyxx. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

 

[xxraffyxx]

Another comparison video

by soilderknowsbest
YouTube - iPad 2 vs Motorola Xoom: Tablet Wars

 

[qnet]

Another comparison video

by soilderknowsbest
YouTube - iPad 2 vs Motorola Xoom: Tablet Wars

Cool, I always like his reviews; though he does seem a little more biased toward IOS. I think it just comes down to what you're using these tablets for.

I like to read so, I downloaded the Google books app on my Ipad 2 and, it blows the Xoom away IMHO. The same app on the Xoom, the books were harder for me to read and the lettering was too small and not as clear. The Ipad also feels better in portrait mode when reading, which is how I like to read. I'm in my early 40's so it could be that my eyes aren't has good as they used to be.

If either IOS or Android could make a tablet with the smoothness and, form-factor of the Ipad and, the customization, widgets , notifications of Android, that would be the ultimate tablet for me.

 

[anon(167668)]

you do realize you can change the font size and line spacing on Honeycomb's Google Books, don't you?