Xoom or Ipad 2?

[whiteshadow001]

Ok so I'm picking up a Xoom very soon from BB. I'm gonna keep it for 14 days and see if I really like it. Once my 14 days are up I'm gonna get an Ipad 2 To compare them and see which one is really for me.

Before I jump then gun and buy one of the two do any of you guys have any suggestions or any experience with either the Xoom or the Ipad 2. It would be a great help thanks.

-Whiteshadow001

 

[frenzy757]

imo if you have to ask, then the ipad 2 is for you

 

[whiteshadow001]

why would it be the Ipad 2 though? I need more info of why it's a good tab

 

[thekarens]

It's going to depend on what you want to use the tablet for. They both have pluses and minuses. I went with the ipad one recently since I could get a new 32gb for 500.

Sent from my HTC Evo 4g

 

[frenzy757]

imo right now the ipad2 is the best for the avg person. If you have to really ask then you re probably more of an avg user...

People who will really enjoy the xoom are those who hands down, know they want it and will deal with the shortcomings of a newer tablet os.

I think in half a year to a year the honeycomb will be where android is in the phone market. RIght now, its more like the G1

 

[blueselvedge]

i think thats a good idea. use it for 14 days and return it for the the other. then only you can decide which is best. ive read a lot of reviews and its hard to weed out the fanboy comments (both android and apple).

To me, build quality on both is good. i prefer the ipad 2 because its slim amd sleek. the screen to me is also a lot nicer. the color on the xoom seems to be washed out when compared to the ipad. The only plus for me with the xoom is the SD slot (that is until i found out i can use a thumb drive/sd card with the ipad 2 using a camera kit).

 

[whiteshadow001]

imo right now the ipad2 is the best for the avg person. If you have to really ask then you re probably more of an avg user...

People who will really enjoy the xoom are those who hands down, know they want it and will deal with the shortcomings of a newer tablet os.

I think in half a year to a year the honeycomb will be where android is in the phone market. RIght now, its more like the G1

I love android, and I'm def not an average user. to me the Ipad 2 is nice and all but I like the fact that Honeycomb is specifically designed for tablets. I just dont wanna buy something and be highly dissapointed over it.

Hows the screen on the Xoom? is it easy to watch videos on?

 

[whiteshadow001]

i think thats a good idea. use it for 14 days and return it for the the other. then only you can decide which is best. ive read a lot of reviews and its hard to weed out the fanboy comments (both android and apple).

To me, build quality on both is good. i prefer the ipad 2 because its slim amd sleek. the screen to me is also a lot nicer. the color on the xoom seems to be washed out when compared to the ipad. The only plus for me with the xoom is the SD slot (that is until i found out i can use a thumb drive/sd card with the ipad 2 using a camera kit).



what he's trying to say is he doesnt know and he just wants to make a useless post.

Yea my game plan right now is test them both, see what works and doesn't. Then if I'm not happy with either I'll wait till Samsung or LG come out with their tabs.

 

[2CupsWithString]

Hmm.. HTC Thunderbolt

I'd say - the Xoom is awesome! If you have any investment in to the android eco-system/google then you should totally consider it.

I don't get the "average user" type of lingo here.

You can pick up the Xoom, install apps, change some stuff up and have a lot of fun with it, if you run into a few things you want to change and don't know, well that's what we're here for

A lot of people complain recently because the Xoom doesn't have 4G yet, or netflix or flash, or the sd card working, but a flash build has been leaked and works great (it's coming on 3/18 so it's a real non-issue). It'll be upgraded to 4G soon enough (before there's a 4G iPad, by about 9 months).

External sdcard support will hopefully be here sooner rather than later and it's not like the ipad can do this either.

Netflix is the bummer, I hope it gets done for this platform - a work around I"ve been using is to use to flash and the amazon instant streaming movie service. Works well enough, just not as big of a selection like Netflix.

Aside from those "sticky" points - the Xoom can stand by itself as a flagship android tablet. It's super fast and you can really open game after game and browser tab upon browser tab and it just keep on trucking like it first boot up.

At some points it depends what you're looking for, it also depends how much you like the device.. so if you pick up the ipad2, and as much as I love my Xoom it pains me to say this, but have that "tech ah ha" moment, then go for it, but I'm hoping you get the Xoom and you're like WHAT, holy cow, this is awesome.

Do you have any specific questions maybe we can help answer?

 

[whiteshadow001]

Hmm.. HTC Thunderbolt

I'd say - the Xoom is awesome! If you have any investment in to the android eco-system/google then you should totally consider it.

I don't get the "average user" type of lingo here.

You can pick up the Xoom, install apps, change some stuff up and have a lot of fun with it, if you run into a few things you want to change and don't know, well that's what we're here for

A lot of people complain recently because the Xoom doesn't have 4G yet, or netflix or flash, or the sd card working, but a flash build has been leaked and works great (it's coming on 3/18 so it's a real non-issue). It'll be upgraded to 4G soon enough (before there's a 4G iPad, by about 9 months).

External sdcard support will hopefully be here sooner rather than later and it's not like the ipad can do this either.

Netflix is the bummer, I hope it gets done for this platform - a work around I"ve been using is to use to flash and the amazon instant streaming movie service. Works well enough, just not as big of a selection like Netflix.

Aside from those "sticky" points - the Xoom can stand by itself as a flagship android tablet. It's super fast and you can really open game after game and browser tab upon browser tab and it just keep on trucking like it first boot up.

At some points it depends what you're looking for, it also depends how much you like the device.. so if you pick up the ipad2, and as much as I love my Xoom it pains me to say this, but have that "tech ah ha" moment, then go for it, but I'm hoping you get the Xoom and you're like WHAT, holy cow, this is awesome.

Do you have any specific questions maybe we can help answer?

Hows the kindle app for the xoom? because I'll be using this thing for school too

Thanks for the info too, you guys are alot of help

 

[2CupsWithString]

Hows the kindle app for the xoom? because I'll be using this thing for school too

Thanks for the info too, you guys are alot of help

It's alright, I've seen a bunch of people say they like it, however I find it actually a little laggy with page switching as compared to how it works on my Evo. I think it needs a honeycomb update. I have to say on a related note though that the Google Reader app seems smoother, unfortunately I don't have any books for it but I'll check it out eventually I'm sure.

 

[whiteshadow001]

It's alright, I've seen a bunch of people say they like it, however I find it actually a little laggy with page switching as compared to how it works on my Evo. I think it needs a honeycomb update. I have to say on a related note though that the Google Reader app seems smoother, unfortunately I don't have any books for it but I'll check it out eventually I'm sure.

Thank you so much for all your help. I'll let you know what I think of each Tab once I've used them both. I'm really excited to get the Xoom BTW

 

[superlawyer15]

If you enjoy tweaking your device, being allowed to do what you want to do with it then get the Xoom. If you are going to use cellular data then the Xoom is hands down the best choice. It is $129 cheaper than the closest ipad2 equivalent and already includes or will soon include features that the ipad2 will never have (flash,4G,SD card).

I owned the original iPad and the Xoom wipes the floor with it in ways that have nothing to do with the specs of the device. For example, Widgets are a big deal and deserve more attention than they get. It makes it easier to get the information you want, quicker, and it makes your home screens look a million times better. Just having rows and rows of apps and having to launch those apps to get any information out of them is dull, boring, and time consuming.

Another big, non spec related thing is notifications. The Xoom allows you to view your notifications without disturbing what you are currently doing. They appear in the task tray and you can choose whether to respond to them now or continue what you are doing and deal with them later. With the ipad it stops everything else that you are doing and you have to deal with it right that second. Also, the xoom allows you to change settings such as airplane mode and screen brightness with out having to leave your current app and go into the settings menu.

Multitasking is another big big thing. It is a million times better with the Xoom. Switching between apps is way easier.

Even on the spec side I think the xoom wins. The proc. can be overclocked to 1.5ghz, the iPad 2 only has a 900mhz proc. The xoom has way more ram than the ipad2.

Other than the availability of apps, there is nothing about the ipad2 that I can say is better than the Xoom.

 

[whiteshadow001]

If you enjoy tweaking your device, being allowed to do what you want to do with it then get the Xoom. If you are going to use cellular data then the Xoom is hands down the best choice. It is $129 cheaper than the closest ipad2 equivalent and already includes or will soon include features that the ipad2 will never have (flash,4G,SD card).

I owned the original iPad and the Xoom wipes the floor with it in ways that have nothing to do with the specs of the device. For example, Widgets are a big deal and deserve more attention than they get. It makes it easier to get the information you want, quicker, and it makes your home screens look a million times better. Just having rows and rows of apps and having to launch those apps to get any information out of them is dull, boring, and time consuming.

Another big, non spec related thing is notifications. The Xoom allows you to view your notifications without disturbing what you are currently doing. They appear in the task tray and you can choose whether to respond to them now or continue what you are doing and deal with them later. With the ipad it stops everything else that you are doing and you have to deal with it right that second. Also, the xoom allows you to change settings such as airplane mode and screen brightness with out having to leave your current app and go into the settings menu.

Multitasking is another big big thing. It is a million times better with the Xoom. Switching between apps is way easier.

Even on the spec side I think the xoom wins. The proc. can be overclocked to 1.5ghz, the iPad 2 only has a 900mhz proc. The xoom has way more ram than the ipad2.

Other than the availability of apps, there is nothing about the ipad2 that I can say is better than the Xoom.

I agree with the dull boring part about the Ipad, but I've noticed some of the Xooms I've seen have darker screens even with the brightness all the way up

 

[superlawyer15]

I agree with the dull boring part about the Ipad, but I've noticed some of the Xooms I've seen have darker screens even with the brightness all the way up

I have my brightness level set at about 25% from the lowest setting and at that setting it seems more than bright enough for me.

However, I have been using it almost exclusively indoors.

 

[whiteshadow001]

I have my brightness level set at about 25% from the lowest setting and at that setting it seems more than bright enough for me.

However, I have been using it almost exclusively indoors.

Cool thanks man ill be sure to let you know what I think.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

 

[monaarts]

If you enjoy tweaking your device, being allowed to do what you want to do with it then get the Xoom. If you are going to use cellular data then the Xoom is hands down the best choice. It is $129 cheaper than the closest ipad2 equivalent and already includes or will soon include features that the ipad2 will never have (flash,4G,SD card).

First off, where do you figure that the Xoom is $129 cheaper than an equivalent iPad 2? The iPad 2 is actually $70 cheaper than the equivalent Xoom...

$800 for 32GB, 3G Xoom

$730 for 32GB, 3G iPad 2

Multitasking is another big big thing. It is a million times better with the Xoom. Switching between apps is way easier.

Multitasking on the Xoom might be easier but it isn't "better"... Mainly because it doesn't conserve the battery like iOS does.

Even on the spec side I think the xoom wins. The proc. can be overclocked to 1.5ghz, the iPad 2 only has a 900mhz proc. The xoom has way more ram than the ipad2.

Specs aren't everything... The design of a chip and a system are much more important than just the numbers... See below:

The Pros Benchmark the Xoom and the iPad 2

If you enjoy tweaking your device, being allowed to do what you want to do with it then get the Xoom. If you are going to use cellular data then the Xoom is hands down the best choice. It is $129 cheaper than the closest ipad2 equivalent and already includes or will soon include features that the ipad2 will never have (flash,4G,SD card).

First off, where do you figure that the Xoom is $129 cheaper than an equivalent iPad 2? The iPad 2 is actually $70 cheaper than the equivalent Xoom...

$800 for 32GB, 3G Xoom

$730 for 32GB, 3G iPad 2

Multitasking is another big big thing. It is a million times better with the Xoom. Switching between apps is way easier.

Multitasking on the Xoom might be easier but it isn't "better"... Mainly because it doesn't conserve the battery like iOS does.

Other than the availability of apps, there is nothing about the ipad2 that I can say is better than the Xoom.

What about size and weight? The iPad 2 is 32% thinner and 18% lighter than the Xoom.
What about support - how many updates does the iPad get and how many does the Xoom get?
What about the price of the iPad 2 being CHEAPER than the Xoom? $70 as stated above.
What about security? There is a reason Apple has always been strict about their App submission process


Just saying!

 

[sleeplessninja]

Ok so I'm picking up a Xoom very soon from BB. I'm gonna keep it for 14 days and see if I really like it. Once my 14 days are up I'm gonna get an Ipad 2 To compare them and see which one is really for me.

Before I jump then gun and buy one of the two do any of you guys have any suggestions or any experience with either the Xoom or the Ipad 2. It would be a great help thanks.

-Whiteshadow001

I believe its all personal preference in the end. I try to make non-bias videos of the Xoom and its applications. I try to keep putting new videos up daily on different applications. Check them out if your interested in seeing what the Xoom is like before your purchase it. I can't offer any insight on the Ipad 2 but I'm sure there are others like me posting videos. Best of Luck!

YouTube - sleeplessninjas's Channel

 

[ravizzle]

First off, where do you figure that the Xoom is $129 cheaper than an equivalent iPad 2? The iPad 2 is actually $70 cheaper than the equivalent Xoom...

$800 for 32GB, 3G Xoom

$730 for 32GB, 3G iPad 2




Multitasking on the Xoom might be easier but it isn't "better"... Mainly because it doesn't conserve the battery like iOS does.




Specs aren't everything... The design of a chip and a system are much more important than just the numbers... See below:

The Pros Benchmark the Xoom and the iPad 2




First off, where do you figure that the Xoom is $129 cheaper than an equivalent iPad 2? The iPad 2 is actually $70 cheaper than the equivalent Xoom...

$800 for 32GB, 3G Xoom

$730 for 32GB, 3G iPad 2




Multitasking on the Xoom might be easier but it isn't "better"... Mainly because it doesn't conserve the battery like iOS does.




What about size and weight? The iPad 2 is 32% thinner and 18% lighter than the Xoom.
What about support - how many updates does the iPad get and how many does the Xoom get?
What about the price of the iPad 2 being CHEAPER than the Xoom? $70 as stated above.
What about security? There is a reason Apple has always been strict about their App submission process


Just saying!

fyi the android os is more secure than ios. Yes, there have been malicious apps but they have been remotely wiped by google. I guess thats a justifiable trade-off for an open market. But besides malicious apps, the core android os is more secure and harder to hack than ios.

 

[mfriedman79]

Multitasking on the Xoom might be easier but it isn't "better"... Mainly because it doesn't conserve the battery like iOS does.

What Apple does is not real multi-tasking. Is it enough to get by for some things yes, but it still fails unless an app is specifically coded for it. Can't tell you how many times I had an app restart itself or lose all information in it because I answered a text message while using it. Quite frankly I'll take a little less battery life over constant annoyance anytime.

Specs aren't everything... The design of a chip and a system are much more important than just the numbers... See below:

The Pros Benchmark the Xoom and the iPad 2

Pretty sure this has been discussed thoroughly in many other threads, but most logical people will see the test done is completely flawed. This is even worse than the old AMD vs Intel comparisons when 3dmark would build the app to optimize all Intel special features and not stick to the standards when testing.

Is the GPU in the iPad2 most likely faster? Sure and I would hope so since the Tegra2 was announced over a year ago and this is a new PowerVR chip, but trying to claim any benchmark app run on different OS's is accurate is reaching. Even if you wanted to get a very very loose comparison you would still need apps optimized for both OS's. The iPad app has been around for a while and should be fine, but Honeycomb is a redesigned OS, with many changes to the API's it supports for OpenGL. Until the Android app is updated to take advantage of ALL the API's in Honeycomb any comparison is completely worthless.

What about size and weight? The iPad 2 is 32% thinner and 18% lighter than the Xoom.

This is a valid point. I have checked out the iPad 2 and the thinness and lightness is nice. I felt that the distribution of the weight on the iPad2 compared to the iPad1 was more noticeable than the lightness though. Even a friend of mine who is an Apple fanboy said that he could barely feel the difference from the iPad2 to the xoom. It was there but not exceptionally noticeable. If weight is an issue and a person wanted an Android tablet the Samsung 10.1 will be about the same weight as the iPad2 and only minimally thicker.

What about support - how many updates does the iPad get and how many does the Xoom get?

Being that the initial stock of Honeycomb tablets will be stock android and are not 100% locked to carrier update control (ie wifi versions and such), I would bet on at least a year of needed updates if not more based on Nexus1 level of support. But I will concede the point that Apple's support is solid at least for 1-2 generations.

What about security? There is a reason Apple has always been strict about their App submission process

Personal preference here. There is always inherent risks with an open market versus a walled garden. I personally prefer to be able to choose what type of apps I want to install and where I install them from versus being tied to iTunes and what Apple says is allowed to be sold. I also prefer to let a developer use any method of payment they want, design better implementations of stock apps, and integrate their apps into the device the way they want without Apple saying you can't do this because it's too similar to one of our apps and might be confusing or you must sell this through us so we can get our 30%.

Can anyone imagine the crap Microsoft would have gotten back in the late 90's early 2000's if they had tried to pull this type of control in windows? They got slapped hard for just integrating a browser and a java implementation, which honestly pales in comparison to the restrictions Apple place on iOS devices.