Database Users

Xoom or Ipad 2

Kinda curious since I'm gonna be getting one of the above next month what do you guys think about the iPad 2 vs the Xoom?

I have a Xoom right now and love it...just needs some apps. I wasnt terribly impressed with the ipad update - the hardware is nice but no updates to IOS, that was severly lame. Honeycomb is far more useful on a tab...but without apps it will suffer. They should have released the SDK sooner.

I definitely agree with you on the apps for the Xoom, I dunno though I think the Xoom is probably a bit more useful but I don't really like the UI that much.
Also I think the iPad has better multimedia support so I might go with that I'm not sure yet.

Xoom > iPad

I am taking the ipod 2. Not enough tablet apps is a big issue (100 odd vs 65,000 is easy too big a gap). I want android to win but my wallet also won't go for a more expensive tablet either. And I want a wifi only version of the xoom since I wanted to tether it. I'm not going to pay for a data plan twice.
Sent from my HTC Incredible using Tapatalk

I agree with Khanam

I agree with him too. I'm not getting one till the end of April but still at the moment for me personally apps, multimedia support, and I don't really like the UI of honeycomb as much as I like the iPad's at the moment.

Agreed. I'll probably end up buying an iPad 2, but might sell it if the Android Tablet App Market really starts to take off. What's the point of the tablet if I can't use it like I want to use it? I want Honeycomb to succeed though, but I am not going to be an early adopter in this particular segment.

I have a 64GB WiFi iPad and the apps make or break a device. You can have better specs, and even a better OS. But without quality apps, the device will suffer.
Some of the apps I use on a daily basis on my iPad are Pages (Wonderful full blown word processing app), Penultimate (Notes), Evernote (Notes again), and of course some games, like Infinity Blade (Amazing graphics!)
I won't be upgrading to an iPad 2, possibly the third generation if it has the rumored "retina" display. It would take some powerful hardware to pump out graphics at that resolution. And an amazing battery for that matter. Speaking of battery, it was the #1 reason I went with the iPad. I can easily make it through an entire school day and come home with 80% left My Incredible, not so much. It usually ends up at 30%.

dpwhitty11 said:
Xoom > iPad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great post
I was going to get a xoom, I want to get a xoom. But as everyone else has stated, without apps, what good is it? If the Android Tablet Market takes off within the next couple of months, I may go with it, if not, I believe I will be getting an iPad 2. I am against everything Apple, but when they come out with a quality piece of electronics, and it is supported correctly... well you can't argue with that.

Love my DroidX.
I have a NookColor (rooted).
Buying an iPad2. Full HDMI mirroring for everything. iTunes DRM so I can play my digital copy movies. I don't want to pay for a 3G radio when I'll tether to my DroidX. This made a lot of the decision for men.

lol I forgot about DRM I have a significant number of songs with DRM.
On a side note white or black iPad.

the white one reminds me of old macbooks... which look kinda gross after about a year of use.
Black ipad 2 for me.
Also, I am going to wait until HTC makes me the tablet of my dreams before I jump on the honeycomb train. HTC Flyer 2, anyone?

I am in th same boat. What to do
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

I thought about the white getting dirty too but I might still try it if the screen protector covers the white portion as well.

I am personally going with the ipad 2 wifi (tether, not paying data twice) because of support in general, especially apps. Plus that way I can experience both iOS and android apps. And finally a relative has the xoom so anytime I need to I can use it
Sent from my HTC Droid Incredible using XDA Premium App

i have the option to get the iphone with verizon and have no desire to play with that OS. it is outdated and less functional.. for the same reason, i have no desire to get a larger version of it... just doesnt do it for me.. then again... i am not so sure i like this whole tablet craze anyway... id rather a nice laptop.. touch screens are nice, but type this current post on a tablet and tell me you still want one... just doesnt interest me.

To me Android will always be better for me than anything apple. Its more about what i can do with the product I buy. I want to root/reflash and customize and with an android device thats an ez task. Apple locks everything down so a geek like me cant "play" enough. Ill take an ipad2 running android to piss off apple lovers anyday XD

ipad all the way

Xoom all the way. Both are to expensive tho

[Q] Motorola Xoom vs iPad 2, and Honeycomb Apps

I'm on fence on whether to buy a Motorola Xoom (32GB WiFi EU) or an iPad 2. In terms of price, here in Malta the Xoom seems more worth it as I can get it for 498 euro whilst the iPad 2 Wifi 32GB is at 609.
My main concerns are regarding software, and more importantly, apps availability. Now, before you bash my question, I've read a lot of reviews for both devices, and I've gone through lists for Honeycomb apps, but I'd like input from actual Xoom owners that are using it day to day.
Thanks in advance,
Emmanuel

well email and surfing is alot more fun and productive on a Xoom compare to an Ipad2 because of the integrated email and the flash enabled full size browser experience
but if you look at the build quality of them it sure looks like the Ipad2 went thought a lot more intensive QA then the Xoom since on the back of the xoom you kind of able to push in the plastic a bit.... thats makes me a sad panda
anyway comparing xoom vs ipad 2... there is only one logical answer
android =widgets
IOS = no widgets
and with widgets you get your information a lot faster like news, socks and twitter on one page... so yeah and i do use that alot
productivity = xoom
build quality = ipad2
that said i still think the ipad2 really rocks since it's a finished product but it does not have the widgets

I've owned an iPad and now I own a XOOM. For me personally, the ipad doesn't come close - the OS is far too restrictive and the dependency on iTunes was a killer for me (I use linux on all of my home machines, forcing me to run a windows virtual machine just to activate the damned thing).
With that said, the XOOM, or rather, Honeycomb doesn't even come close with regards to app availability. Even if you take the huge headstart that apple have (1 year+), the ipad has simply always been better marketed and there are a lot more apps available. Let's not even get started on the android market place; it's dire. The worst. And for some reason, it's even worse on honeycomb than it is on phones; no ability to rate apps, plenty of bugs (some of which have been addressed in 3.1), no ability to view only tablet apps, terrible filtering and search in general, etc. Apple's app store is how it should be done, the android market place has a long way to come.
The situation is improving for honeycomb and I personally wouldn't dream of going back to the ipad, but for friends and family who couldn't care less about the restrictive nature of iOS and the other things that I dislike, I would recommend the ipad.
With all that said, it looks really weird to see me almost recommending Apple, because I personally can't stand the software. Oh well...

Well, I've never owned an I pad but I have just purchased the xoom and I LOVE it!!!
Most comparisions regard the xoom better, but with the I pad having loads more apps - to some people, this is the deal breaker.
However, if you want a true tablet experience and not just an oversized iPod touch, then go for the xoom.
The xoom has better OS, greater browser and keyboard, better cameras and support flash, it is also not tied down to any PC software such as iTunes and includes more customization options such as widgits. (Android includes a free turn by turn navigation system too)
Oh and the maps and YouTube apps are better on the xoom and have more features (Google property pays off)
I made my decision and I'm happy with my xoom - but the choice is yours.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

I have to disagree. I think the xoom build quality is top notch and better than the iPad. It's just when I hold the iPad I feel like it will break... to thin for my liking.
Now applications look better in my opinion on the iPad. Like it was mentioned here the Apple eco system keeps me away.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

I have owned an iPad, and will likely own an iPad 2 when the current shortage lets up. There is very little left to say about the iPad (either version) that hasn't been said already. They are exceptional devices, gamechangers, perfectly designed to introduce mobile technology to mainstream users. Almost anyone can be up and running in 15 minutes with an iPad, even with no experience and iOS rewards those who embrace its deliberate limitations.
My first experience with Android was with an Archos 5 tablet, and then an Archos 101. I bought both as relatively inexpensive ways to get acquainted with Android. and both were very frustrating experiences in different ways. They really made me begin to view Android as a very niche market.
However, when I needed a new phone and decided that I couldn't wait for a Windows Phone 7 device to be offered here, and refused to get an iPhone, I opted for the Galaxy s and a whole world opened up to me...which then led me to my new Xoom.
I have been playing with it for about half a day now after doing a great deal of reading...I unlocked it, tried to root it and ran into the "stuck on the red M" problem, spent about 2 hours reading and sorting out how to get myself out of the trap via adb, rooted it at last, installed CWM then flashed the Tiamat kernel and finally began loading up my apps. Loved every moment of it. The build quality of the device, in my opinion, is excellent. It feels much better and more substantial in my hands than the iPad. The screen is top notch and I really like the honeycomb environment for work and play.
Most of all, I like the fact that Android is a living, breathing OS. SO much to explore and learn and investigate.
The iPad, for all it's many good points, as I said before rewards those who embrace its limitations. The Xoom rewards those who refuse limitations, who are willing to spend the time and effort to learn how it works and discover ways to do it better.
The iPad is the USS Enterprise...sleek and beautiful but cold and a bit sterile for all its power. What you see is what you get.
The Xoom is the Tardis...a hodgepodge of history and possibility, all wrapped in a shell of sweet wonder....and it is bigger on the inside.

With a Xoom I could have never ever owned a PC and set it up and get it working. It does not require you to hook it up to itunes first. With the iPad... yea I dont know about 15 minutes but after you hook it up to your computer to unlock it (lol) you can finally use it. In my house we have both, I like the Xoom better

you said
"The iPad, for all it's many good points, as I said before rewards those who embrace its limitations. The Xoom rewards those who refuse limitations, who are willing to spend the time and effort to learn how it works and discover ways to do it better."
I couldn't have said it better. The Xoom is my third Android tablet, my second Tegra2 tab, and the most hands-on and most rewarding and fun to own. I have never liked the Apple zeitgeist and have always avoided that product. I prefer the freedom to mess around, get into scrapes and come back from the brink with a better tab and a lot more knowledge. I think that as an open source, Android will continue to grow and evolve in wonderful ways and I want to be along for the ride.
Also, this thing is built like a tank.

rschenck said:
The iPad is the USS Enterprise...sleek and beautiful but cold and a bit sterile for all its power. What you see is what you get.
The Xoom is the Tardis...a hodgepodge of history and possibility, all wrapped in a shell of sweet wonder....and it is bigger on the inside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That made me giggle . But I think the ipad are like the dalek. Cold personality and desire only perfection. seek only to dominate the world!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

inspiron41 said:
That made me giggle . But I think the ipad are like the dalek. Cold personality and desire only perfection. seek only to dominate the world!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Steve Jobs as Davros ...*shudder*
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

i'll keep this short as can be...
iPad/iOs = Checkers.
Xoom/Honeycomb = Chess.

I have played around with both Ipad and Xoom. I currently own a Xoom. Ipad is probably fine if you want something simple with few options(not talking about apps).
The Xoom is pretty cool, and even cooler after unlock & root. The downside is app / game availability, but it's getting better every day.
The killer for me between the two is multitasking. The xoom has it, the ipad not so much.
And also, no itunes. The xoom works out of the box.
The Ipad on the other hand has more accessories, wee..

Keep in mind that these sorts of issues are ultimately a matter of taste, so the things I don't like the iPad may not bother you at all.
I bought an iPad2 and returned it within 48 hours. I really can't explain my utter contempt for that device, but I just hated everything about it. I'm not an Apple hater, mind you; I owned every iPhone through the 3GS and was one of those dorks standing in line on launch days. I really, really wanted to like the iPad 2, but after having owned two Android handsets (and being a big gadget whore) I couldn't stomach going back to an iOS product.
What I hated about the iPad 2:
-Screen resolution sucks
-Too thin and flimsy feeling
-Stock keyboard is HORRIBLE and there's no way to change it
-No widgets
-No UI customization, period
-Cameras suck
-"Notification system" is sort of a joke
-"Multi-tasking" is also sort of a joke
-Far higher cost for iPad apps vs. iPhone/iPod apps, developers nickel & dime you for every little thing (subscriptions, in-app purchases, etc) - seriously, the whole ecosystem was like a giant money sucking vacuum
-QA on my particular unit was terrible - massive light leaks around the edges of the screen and 3 stuck pixels within 1 day of use (and this is not an isolated issue, though Apple is replacing defective units but making sure to blame their supplier)
iOS is getting long in the tooth, and this is hugely magnified in tablet form, especially with the crappy-looking display. I felt like I was using old technology, despite the awesome internal specs. The best comparison I can come up with between Honeycomb and iOS on a tablet is something like Windows 7 compared to Windows 3.1.

hello,
i'm maltese too, on a xoom us wifi .. from amazon.com
worked out to 508 eu including hsbc's 'conversion charge' of 8 eu or so.
ipad vs xoom.. depends on what you need.
if you want a platform to play stuff from itunes.. ipad
if yiu want a portable computer you can meddle with.... xoom of course.
build quality, screen and battery life are excellent too.
cheers

btw where is that price from?
when i bought mine it was closer to 600eu for wifi eu
which is why i got the us one..

While I will state now I am no expert on iOS or the Ipad1/2 I will say this:
My Xoom has me constantly entertained and I've NEVER felt I needed an app that I didnt have at least 4 decent choices of. I have also never left limited on my Xoom for any tasks I wish to undertake, I stream all my media from my computer (via WiFi OR 3G) so everywhere I am I have access to all my media (and now thanks to Google Music moreso) and with Remote Desktop I have access to my Linux and Windows machines no matter where I am. The Xoom constantly feeds me information without having to do anything but look at my homescreens.
I have played with friends Ipad1/2's and while for the most part things seemed smooth and work well I always had this feeling of being lost when looking through the app screens, its like all the icons look the same (same size, many of them same colors) just felt very sterile and un-enjoyable and you get ZERO information without going from one app to another just felt like so much work for simple basic information readily available on my Xoom.
I've never been a fan of iOS or Apple's strategy towards their customers but I really tried to look at my 2 options without bias before choosing my Xoom. As several others are stated you really dont have any choices with Apple products, you take what your given and if you dont like your options you dont have any more to look at.
Android (despite its fragmentation in some areas and flaws, hiccups in others) is the best choice if you like options and a desire to learn more and have real options with your chosen device. If you want something simple that tells you what you want then Apple products are for you. If you dont mind a hiccup with something here and there and having the ultimate say in the apps and add-on parts for your device then I say without a doubt Android is the way to go. Widgets are the best thing to happen to phones/tablets as it gives you so much information without having to do anything to get it and you can always enter into that app for a more detailed look and more options.
As for the comment on Apple App Store having more options, maybe it does but judging by the amount the Android Market has grown over 1 year I highly doubt Apple will be able to say the same thing next year. More and more developers either jump ship from Apples restrictions in apps or choose to release their products on both Android and iOS platforms which means in many cases the Apple App Store is slowing down and stagnating in some areas due to the open nature of app development for Android OS, its infinitely easier to write and sell and app for Android than iOS.
As a side note a friend of mine and I compared apps, we both had some niche apps and some common ones... my total cost was about $40 (like I said I have some apps that cost about $15, my phone apps only had a grand total of like $10) but all in all his total for all similar (sometimes the same app) was about $200, that alone pushed my decision for another android device with the Xoom vs Ipad2.

If your cheap and want to hack get the Xoom. If you want to easily be able get VIDEOS to play fluently for rent or TV episodes get iPad. I got the ipad because it was so gay to get Videos on the thing. Having to convert then drag to device verse iTunes makes iTunes seem easier. Especially is JB.
Xoom =iPad none is clear winner
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

jamaicansolja said:
If your cheap and want to hack get the Xoom. If you want to easily be able get VIDEOS to play fluently for rent or TV episodes get iPad. I got the ipad because it was so gay to get Videos on the thing. Having to convert then drag to device verse iTunes makes iTunes seem easier. Especially is JB.
Xoom =iPad none is clear winner
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure I would call the Xoom cheap (not in build quality and certainly not in price) and I don't see what the sexual orientation of the iPad has to do with the issue.
I feel the video converting question is a non issue. For me, converting via iTunes or by a third party app is just as big a pain, and the iPad's native video app is even more limited codec-wise than the Android stock Video. Anyway, just use a player like MoboPlayer or VPlayer which can show pretty much anything, and you are golden.
However I agree that there is no real BEST TABLET...it is just a matter of personal preference.

jamaicansolja said:
If your cheap and want to hack get the Xoom. If you want to easily be able get VIDEOS to play fluently for rent or TV episodes get iPad. I got the ipad because it was so gay to get Videos on the thing. Having to convert then drag to device verse iTunes makes iTunes seem easier. Especially is JB.
Xoom =iPad none is clear winner
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So spend more money for the more restrictive device? Also, you don't have to hack the xoom. The Xoom has more option out of the box than the ipad.
You didn't manage to get gay videos on the Xoom?

Croolis said:
btw where is that price from?
when i bought mine it was closer to 600eu for wifi eu
which is why i got the us one..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's on www.expansys.com.mt, excluding VAT.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Is the Xoom worth purchasing?

Recently I was waiting til the new Samsung Galaxy tab was officially announced to see if it would come with sd card and/or usb....which it didnt so now i dont know what i want...I dont want to acer iconia because it just looks ugly...and same thing for the transformer...they both just look like ugly devices to me..so my only other pick is the Moto Xoom which i actually like the way it looks. But is the Xoom worth the purchase...i hear its a lil slow and jerky...has the 3.1 update fixed that issue?? and does the sd card slot work now??

I own a XOOM and my brother has a Transformer. While I agree them Xoom looks better and is more sturdy, I'd much rather the transformer. The included keyboard is a big plus, as well as the built in usb otg connection.
Edit - forgot to mention how very unimpressed everyone outside of the US is with Moto and its approach to updating the Xoom. Also, not a squawk about why its taking so long.

I think you should just go with what you like. The xoom has a keyboard case now. And as for Moto, updates will come when they come. Most people have rooted and updated anyway. There is plenty of support on XDA for whatever you get. You could always wait and see what comes out in the next few months. Newer processors, different screens, and even support from software companies. Remember you dont have to rush, take your time and make decisions you will be happy with.

But is the XOOM still laggy?? and for rooted users are there good roms out that take full advantage of the processors?

Well, thanks to brd, I've got my xoom overclocked and running stable at 1.7 and I have to say with the 3.1 upgrade, even at stock speeds the xoom is smoooooth as silk. I had the iconia and promptly returned it as the bootloader is locked, and the still have released no source code. Full custom roms won't come till I cream sandwich with any android tablet, as Google won't release the honeycomb source code. But owning a xoom, I am pretty sure it will be one of the first to get the upgrade, just as it was the first with 3.1

jase33 said:
I think you should just go with what you like. The xoom has a keyboard case now. And as for Moto, updates will come when they come. Most people have rooted and updated anyway. There is plenty of support on XDA for whatever you get. You could always wait and see what comes out in the next few months. Newer processors, different screens, and even support from software companies. Remember you dont have to rush, take your time and make decisions you will be happy with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well said, I completely agree. The Xoom is the best tablet for "me" and I've owned a few.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

I've had mine for two weeks, I absolutely love it. I have no idea why people are so down on it! I had the acer iconia for a week beforehand, the body was pulling apart, the screen was awful and the shape was just... odd. I trust motorola to make quality products, not just software, that was a huge plus for me. As for the USB and SD card, with google music out now, are you really going to put 32+ gigs worth of info on your tablet?
I use mine for college text books, email, surfing, file transfer, etc and have yet to be even close to disappointed. I don't have any experience with the transformer, but given my experience with a less than quality build of the acer, I would be worried about the quality of the asus as well, just my two cents.

freddyfromutah said:
I've had mine for two weeks, I absolutely love it. I have no idea why people are so down on it! I had the acer iconia for a week beforehand, the body was pulling apart, the screen was awful and the shape was just... odd. I trust motorola to make quality products, not just software, that was a huge plus for me. As for the USB and SD card, with google music out now, are you really going to put 32+ gigs worth of info on your tablet?
I use mine for college text books, email, surfing, file transfer, etc and have yet to be even close to disappointed. I don't have any experience with the transformer, but given my experience with a less than quality build of the acer, I would be worried about the quality of the asus as well, just my two cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, actually the 32 gig expansion would be awesome. I don't want to be forced into paying for Google music just to have a good list of music access able. Then on top of that pay verizon for the data transfer to listen to my own music. I know I can root for it, but initially I wasn't going to root till after the 4g upgrade. I'm rather disappointed, maybe I confused myself expecting to have the SD work soon, and having 4g before any other tablet, but I'm pretty sure I was just mislead.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

The great thing about the Xoom is the AOSP experience. It's unfettered Android. All the other devices have each respective company's own flavor of Android which is something I, and many others hate. As with other devices that are AOSP, it will probably get all the updates much sooner than other devices.
When the Xoom came out I was determined to get it, because I'm a tech-whore and needed to have a device with Honeycomb. When I finally got around to purchasing the Wifi version upon it's release, I found myself wondering what exactly I was going to do with this thing...I couldn't figure it out. Now I use it all the time. I don't regret spending the $600 one bit.

had the Xoom for 5 days now, was a little aprehensive with what I'd read about the screen and lag but I'm so glad I took the plunge. I'm running 3.1 stock on an untouched Xoom, I have no issues with lag and everything is super smooth. I wanted it for surfing, games, comics and video and it is fantastic at these. I'd been using my wife's Ipad for a while and the Xoom just knocks the spots of it in all areas.

The slow and jerky performance is still here, but that appears to extend to ALL honeycomb tablets. Also, this only happens in portrait and upside down orientations. Absolutely no choppiness in my experience with a static background in regular landscape.
Try it for yourself... 0 deg is completely smooth. 180, 90, -90 are all choppy. Do yourself a favor and only use I in native orientation, heh.
Aside from that minor niggle, honeycomb, and the xoom as a whole, are absolute dreams. Coming from a particular competing product, as well as two hacked Android tablets, I can say that the xoom is the first time I've been satisfied with the tablet concept.
Buy one; you won't regret it. After all, you can always return it if you're not crazy about it.
PS. With bigrushdog's kernel, you can use SD.

Absolutely avoid the Xoom. Unless you enjoy paying too much, no updates at all, lack of support, non-functional hardware, etc.
It's incredibly heavy and bulky. The touch screen is not too responsive, and theres significant motion blur, notably on red.
It's also very slow. For my money you'd be better off waiting for quad core tablets. These phone processors simply can't cut it on a larger screen.
Not to mention the Xoom 2 leak.
Sent from my SGH-I897

I say... avoid everything with android 3.0 and beware of 3.1 tablets. why? because there are only about 40 apps that are optimized for honeycomb...optimized not full supported. Its strange for me that big companies arent excited about supporting tablet format (maybe the fact that we are only %0.3 of the users). Also the games that are suppossed optimized for tegra 2 are old apps from the ipad with a little light effects or glom ,etc. but the gameplay still laggy as in the ipad.
Also i like to say that the 3.1 update is a kick in the balls for users and devs. I purchased every game that it has come out from gameloft and they stop wrking after the update, only asphalt 6 after a patch gameloft send me. >Then they send me a link that they werent responsible for faulty updates...and they are right. I downloaded xmen arcade and it happens the same. try reset, hardreset and everything and nothing, support told me to wait for them to fix it or wait for google to fix it...its just the update that messed with games and apps.
My advice if you still going to buy....buy the transformer, they give you more for the money and your not missing anything the xoom have.

If your trying to get into the android tablets, then I would say the Xoom is very nice or the transformer has a attachment to a key bored, How I went on of buying one was I was comparing it to the iPad 2 and I'm a sucker when it comes to lil features like the camera Is way better on the Xoom (Front and Back) The stereo speaker is also a major plus, I like how to plug it to my TV all I needed was a 8$ Mini hdmi wire, Pretty sleek body, the 32gigs of space is plenty I can't seem to even fill 5Gigs of space, Idk why people are crying for the SD slot so much, Just root it and install the kernal, No hacking is required for the Xoom just get what you want and be done. My own thing I don't like about android in general, is their apps. but its w/e
also on the new 3.1, there is next to no lag or you can hack it and make it speedier its all up to you.

Thanks I think i'm going to pick up the Xoom soon! Man Samsung ALMSOT had me sold....they always seem to **** SOMETHING up...its like they can't have their cookie and eat it too, something always have to give....**** they better start eating them cookies lol.. Oh well XOOM it is..

Oh yes, definitely!
Had mine for almost 3 weeks and for me, this is the best $600 investment I've done. Touch screen response is excellent, I have yet to experience any lags and it feels (in regards to quality and workmanship) every bit as I expected it to be. In some aspects, it has even surpassed my expectations in performance and battery life! Not regretting in any sense the money spent and all the accessories I got for it (leather portfolio case, car charger, mini HDMI cable).
At work, I had the opportunity to play with iPads, iPads 2, Playbooks and I do not regret my decision to go with the Xoom. Everything I need to do I can do with it, that was one of the considerations I made while "checking out" all the alternatives out there and I'm really happy with the end result. Using it daily for EVERYTHING, it complements my HTC G2 phone perfectly and can't hardly put it down.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

The xoom is a great device but I don't like that there are two types of screens, neither of which are as good as the in-plane switching TFT design or the PLS in the new samsungs. Vertical viewing angles on the xoom are subpar, especially for the price point, in my opinion.
The light leakage issues on all these tablets is also a concern of mine and seems to be directly related to QC issues with the panel manufacturers.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App

Im on week 3. This Xoom wifi is my first tablet but I played with them all and liked the xoom better. I love it. I think the market will come with time. Devs are starting to get into honeycomb. There are a few software quirks with exchange 2003 and FB,for instance, for me, but I have no lag at all and I love this machine.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

This $500 Xoom sales is still ticking..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250829943160

If you are in the US, then maybe.
Otherwise avoid Xoom at all cost.
Also if you don't mind paying overpriced device with non functioning hardware and promised hardware upgrade which is not happened after couple of months.
timo2387 said:
Recently I was waiting til the new Samsung Galaxy tab was officially announced to see if it would come with sd card and/or usb....which it didnt so now i dont know what i want...I dont want to acer iconia because it just looks ugly...and same thing for the transformer...they both just look like ugly devices to me..so my only other pick is the Moto Xoom which i actually like the way it looks. But is the Xoom worth the purchase...i hear its a lil slow and jerky...has the 3.1 update fixed that issue?? and does the sd card slot work now??
Click to expand...
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Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Why is the Iconia so far behind?

I still cannot understand why the A500 is not in the top 5 tablets, rarely in the top 10. I love my a500 and I think it out beats any other tab. It has all the ports you need, its fast, just as fast as an overclocked Xoom or G-tab, and it cant be overclocked yet!!!!!! Wait till the new kernal comes out! But so far the Xoom, Eee Pad, Playbook and Galaxy 10.1 are always beating it. The A500 has all the features of all these tablets combined. The Xoom sd doesnt work and no usb port, same with the Eee pad, Galaxy has not ports at all (damn you apple for influencing such a stupid idea)! and the playbook is half the size and lacks everything, more like a big phone. It might be heavier (by an arm tearing, wrist breaking, cardio session .25lb) than all these tabs but who cares if you get all the ports, cameras gps, gyroscope, accelerometer and compass.
Why is the Acer not acknowledged for what it has?! I think it is the king right now.
What do you guys think?

I think all the tabs are good to some extent, but it seems the A500 always takes a hit on wieght and the screen. I personally love mine. I have no issues with the videos I have watched and as for speed, I think it is on par to the rest. The reviews that lump the PlayBook and iPad2 in with the android pads are not fair. They are not the same class of tab. Completely different OS. If I was a business man using a Blackberry phone, I would have chose the PlayBook. They play well together because the PlayBook was designed that way. If I want to play a few games, surf the WEB, read a book, or friend then I would choose an iPad or the Galaxey 10.1.
That is not what I wanted. I wanted the flexability to expand and use periferials without a special cable, adapter or such, so I chose the Acer A500 and am quite pleased with it. I with all the useres would quite bashing the other tabs. Each like what they like for what ever reason they like it. No different here. Next year the next great tab will come out. For now, for me, it is the A500. I do not need to defend my decision. It is mine.
Happy tabbing.

I do love mine too, and sincerely, I don´t care to top lists or trendings.
I used to have an iPhone 4, never got used to it. I never got the concept of missing a home screen, the need of iTunes and a lot of other details.
Anyway, if you are happy with your tablet, ignore those lists. It´s your opinion that matters to yourself, period.

I don't know, I just love this fat bus****!

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I ve had the xoom for 10 days i got the sd to work and upgraded to 3.1
the build is quite nice but for the price and the lack of usb i returned it for an a500 and am loving it... Go acer

I for one don't know or care why the Acer is rated so low. I did quite a bit of reading and research before I got mine and compared to the other tablets I was looking at, it had the most features and a really good screen. With the possible exception of the Toshiba tablet which isn't even out yet the Acer has the most bang for my hard earned buck. My one complaint and its a small one is the lack of accessories. I do like me some accessories.

karlkarloff said:
I for one don't know or care why the Acer is rated so low. I did quite a bit of reading and research before I got mine and compared to the other tablets I was looking at, it had the most features and a really good screen. With the possible exception of the Toshiba tablet which isn't even out yet the Acer has the most bang for my hard earned buck. My one complaint and its a small one is the lack of accessories. I do like me some accessories.
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What accessories do you want? You have a case, docking station, screen protector, HDI cable and a pethra of USB items that you can attach. Way more than most of the other tabs on the market. The after market seems to be getting on the band wagon too. Won't be long until you will find anything you are looking for.

maybe some hardcase angrybird, or diamond cover stuff...
hahaha
Actually I will do prefer have more "case, cover" choices, not just a sad black leather things....
but
I have to say
WEIGHT should not be taken as a bad point... for me it's a better point I do love feel what I have in the hand.

i think its just because of the brand...
come on, acer vs apple vs samsung vs motorola
this is all about brand, you know 80% of people in this world are branded mind...

There was an article on Cnet yesterday that says Acer is vieing for the number two spot in the tablet market right now.
http://m.cnet.com/Article.rbml?nid=20073055&cid=null&bcid=&bid=-64

Search for top android tablets on cnet.......a500 is at 5th position....and in the specs.....the ram is given as ddr3...!
Sent from my XT720 using XDA App

Isn't the Xoom barely thinner and the same weight anyway?
Either way i'm happy with my device, and that's really all that matters. Even though some of the others may look nicer and be thinner/lighter, it's not worth the price premium imo.

Xoom has a very poor build, like anything moto.
Either way guys ,perhaps you haven't noticed the price on the Iconia.
Corners have been cut where they've not been strictly essential, eg. no divx support (codec) and especially no ads. This thing hs been available right from the start in my country (some hell hole on the border of the EU) where things always come in last.
If there were no ads, I imagine tech sites like engadget haven't been paid to make a proper review (no, they don't do them for passion for technology, only for cash or when a product reaches critical hype)
That being said, this is a product for the tech savvy who don't get a device just because of the hype. I like my device cheaper and less advertised, thank you.

Bec07 said:
Xoom has a very poor build, like anything moto.
Either way guys ,perhaps you haven't noticed the price on the Iconia.
Corners have been cut where they've not been strictly essential, eg. no divx support (codec) and especially no ads. This thing hs been available right from the start in my country (some hell hole on the border of the EU) where things always come in last.
If there were no ads, I imagine tech sites like engadget haven't been paid to make a proper review (no, they don't do them for passion for technology, only for cash or when a product reaches critical hype)
That being said, this is a product for the tech savvy who don't get a device just because of the hype. I like my device cheaper and less advertised, thank you.
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Omg I want a LIKE Button for can LIKE this post !!!!

[Q] What do you think of the Transformer?

So I was just wondering what is the overall feeling about this tablet? I'm thinking about getting it and i was just wondering if everyone likes it or if its 50/50 or what?

I've owned the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Acer Iconia, Motorola Xoom, and the Transformer. I can say that the Transformer is the best tablet for the money on the market. It's not as sexy as the Galaxy, but it's more functional, far more flexible, and a hell of a lot cheaper.

Always hard to get objective views on a product specific forum.
I'm in a love/hate relationship with it at the moment. I love the form factor and the functionality. I hate the lack of tablet optimized apps/games and the awful build quality.
To me, it feels like a beta product. This isn't a bad thing per-se as I like to tinker.

I like mine a lot, and its definatley the best bang for your buck Honeycomb tablet out there right now. Although I do wish it had the form factor / looks of the Galaxy 10.1, the HDMI out and Micro SD card slot are oh so nice to have, especially for $100 less
The build quality and lightbleed issues are the only downsides to the tablet in my opinion. I got one with a few creaks in the back and some light bleed, but I just look past it. Its not enough for me to sell or go through ASUS to replace it. Still works great for me. Also, not all of the tablets have this, and Im hoping the newer builds have been fixed.
If your thinking about getting one, I would definatley consider it. Great tablet and a great price right now.
Other big plus is that Asus is really quick at getting the Honeycomb updates out. We've got Honeycomb 3.2 already which is great.

rilot said:
Always hard to get objective views on a product specific forum.
I'm in a love/hate relationship with it at the moment. I love the form factor and the functionality. I hate the lack of tablet optimized apps/games and the awful build quality.
To me, it feels like a beta product. This isn't a bad thing per-se as I like to tinker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely feel like im a beta tester, but I dont really consider it a bad thing. I enjoy using new equipment and working out kinks. Just wish i didnt have to pay so much for it . That being said, a lot of the kinks are worked out now from my experience.
Keyboard lag is gone. Havnt had a sleep of death since the first update. Everythings running a lot smoother with the last firmware update.
Its replaced my laptop in class more or less completely. I use evernote and ezpdf to take notes and its wonderful.

do you use any of the attachments?

I got a Transformer and didn't regret, that I bought it. I got it without dock, because I only wanted a nice tablet ... for everything else I have an i7 notebook with 6 GB RAM.
If I can recommend it? Maybe ... depends on what you want to do with it.
Regarding quality control ... it's the fortune of the early adopter nowadays to be a beta tester. Example: I also got me a Galaxy S2 and though I'm very happy with it, the S2 forum here at XDA is full of complaints about QC.

jnad32 said:
do you use any of the attachments?
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The keyboard is the big attachment and its really the selling point of the tablet. If you anticipate ever using it then the TF is the way to go, if you dont anticipate ever using it then you could be happy with the Samsung, albeit with no SD card and costing a lot more.
The TF has a great screen, its flexible and its cheap. Its not built as well as an ipad (or the other android tablets) but I havent had any functional issues with its built, its not like its breaking on me. Its just you can feel the difference in the "tightness" between the two.
Being said I ended up buying a second for the girlfriend, tired of her constantly using mine.

I got mine in the first batch to come out- from TD. I have had no real issues accept a tiny light bleed- build quality is great for mine. no creaking etc.
It has done everything i ask of it and thrown at it. I use mine for about 70% work related with notes at meeting, signatures on contracts, email, polaris app etc. Even skype calling..
Constantly listening to music watching movies etc. Never had any issues with Battery usage.
I think it has gotten better with each update. Yes little bugs here and there after an update ut usually fixed or have work around within 24 hours. That stuff doesnt bother me.
I never got the keyboard because i felt it was an option that i would never really use so i invested in a nice case- ( PDAIR ) I love the concept of the keyboard but just wasn;t going to use itand did no need the extra bulk.
For me never needed to root it yet (maybe down the road ) but for now it is great as stock.
Last thing i will say is there have been alot of new choices out since i have bought it... yes they might have had a thing or 2 that the TF did not have but i never have second guessed my choice.
Good luck.

Well you get 16hrs of battery life with the dock. No other tablet has this kind of a feature at this price point.
The screen quality and responsiveness is in the top quartile of tablets released so far.
I am pretty happy with my purchase. 10x better build quality than the Archos 101 I purchased earlier!

I absolutely love my TF, probably best 399$ I have ever spent on gadget, mine also comes with some light bleed, other than that, build quality is great. Have 2 Ipad2 in the house and they both have worst light bleed.
Would I suggest this tablet to a friend over other Android tablet? Yes, best tablet in the market IMO.
Over an Ipad2? Probably not unless someone familiar with Android and a geek just like me...

tonyz3 said:
I got mine in the first batch to come out- from TD. I have had no real issues accept a tiny light bleed- build quality is great for mine. no creaking etc.
It has done everything i ask of it and thrown at it. I use mine for about 70% work related with notes at meeting, signatures on contracts, email, polaris app etc. Even skype calling..
Constantly listening to music watching movies etc. Never had any issues with Battery usage.
I think it has gotten better with each update. Yes little bugs here and there after an update ut usually fixed or have work around within 24 hours. That stuff doesnt bother me.
I never got the keyboard because i felt it was an option that i would never really use so i invested in a nice case- ( PDAIR ) I love the concept of the keyboard but just wasn;t going to use itand did no need the extra bulk.
For me never needed to root it yet (maybe down the road ) but for now it is great as stock.
Last thing i will say is there have been alot of new choices out since i have bought it... yes they might have had a thing or 2 that the TF did not have but i never have second guessed my choice.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my question to you is my boss has an ipad that we use for our invoices and paper work to get people to sign off on pdf files and what not. Does android have an app that lets you do that? And overall how good is it for work?

I got my U.S. Transformer a few weeks ago, and I enjoy using it very much:
With my PC, most of the time is spent going on the Web, so on the Transformer I just set up bookmarks for my most frequently visited sites in both the stock browser and the Dolphin for Pad (downloaded from the Market) browser and that takes care of my usual browsing needs. Email is now handled through the stock Gmail app, so again most of that can be done on the Transformer side.
For music, I've started using Google Music to upload my stuff, so I can just stream down to my Transformer through WiFi. For videos, I had already encoded a lot of stuff to MP4 format using Handbrake to play on my phone. But with ES File Explorer installed on my Transformer, I can now keep those MP4 files on my networked server and then stream them to the stock video player. This all works great and takes up no local storage.
Games that I had on my smartphone are all installed onto the Transformer and work fine. I've also found that classic game console emulators work quite well on the Transformer.
If I'm desperate to watch Hulu or Netflix (without any hacked or rooted methods), the MyCloud > My Desktop > SplashTop method works acceptably well.
Painting with SketchBook Pro is quite fun with this fantastic paid app, and I'm looking into various do-it-yourself stylus methods to enhance the experience.
I haven't had the need yet to use Polaris Office yet, but after reading user reviews, it looks to be a very capable Office app when compared with other non-free competitors, and I actually appreciate Asus for giving this for us.
The build quality, in my opinion, is quite nice. I don't have any LCD light bleed issues. The LCD itself is great with fantastic viewing angles. The built-in speakers are surprisingly loud. The touch screen is very responsive. And the textured plastic back panel keeps the whole unit lighter and gives it a nice feel.
The only negatives I have are:
Camera - absolutely terrible, especially when using indoor lighting. But I already know that the video and photo taking experience on almost all tablets is not good anyway, so I never expected much. I almost never use the stock camera app. I have Vignette installed on my Transformer for the heck of it, but this rarely gets used either. I leave picture taking to my digital camera and my smartphone.
Browser - for some sites, I get slowdowns with both the stock browser and Dolphin for Pad. With Android 3.1, I experienced quite a bit of force closings with the stock browser. It's improved with 3.2, but it still happens. I find it hard to believe that Google makes such a good browser as Chrome but has such a mediocre one for Honeycomb.
Linux support - the only thing I ask for is the simplicity of plugging my Transformer into my Linux PC and have access to its SD and MicroSD cards. But I have to jump through the hoop of running a few lines in Terminal just to get those drives mounted and unmounted. It's a pain, and I wish it was as easy as the Windows experience.
Since using my Transformer more and more, my smartphone has pretty much been relegated back to being just a phone which is fine. This morning I began charging my Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 once it dropped to 1% battery power...and it had been running on that one full charge for 174-hours-33-minutes! I'll still use the phone for navigation and portable music after I get over the honeymoon period with the Transformer, but right now using my smart phone just isn't the same any more.
So since I've gotten the Transformer, I've made a conscious effort to reduce using my PC and my smartphone, and it's worked out great as a personal computing device. For a business environment, there might not be enough apps to support various needs just yet, but it'll get there, I'm sure. The Transformer is a very good bang-for-the-buck kind of device, and I have no regrets about having it.

Enjoy my tablet a great deal. I actually use it more than i thought i would. Im constantly looking for new apps that will make this into my swiss army knife.
I use splashtop a lot, and now added a Wake on Lan app which now has got me the bright idea to go out and purchase a home server...lol
build quality is definitely not the greatest. Personally, i dont think it compares to the newer tablets coming out. (build)
Dont own the keyboard. Im waiting for a good deal down the road when it drop to around $100. by then, i figure, ill give the TF to my wife (with a keyboard), and ill jump on to the newest tablet. (maybe TF2)
Im a first time android/tablet buyer and user, so i came with no expectations..
Ill know what to look for in my next purchase though.
(so, i guess im a beta tester)

jnad32 said:
So my question to you is my boss has an ipad that we use for our invoices and paper work to get people to sign off on pdf files and what not. Does android have an app that lets you do that? And overall how good is it for work?
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Click to collapse
There are applications that let you fill out and/or sign PDF files. Adobe also has an app that converts things to PDF. Ive used my TF to fill out forms and sign them multiple times.

jnad32 said:
So my question to you is my boss has an ipad that we use for our invoices and paper work to get people to sign off on pdf files and what not. Does android have an app that lets you do that? And overall how good is it for work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are alot of choices for this. I use Repligo PDF and love it.After i sign or client signs,on the TF I email it and looks just as clear as original.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.cerience.reader.app&feature=search_result
worth the $4.99 investment,

Love mine, I'm confident I made the right choice. £400 for a tablet-only device is not a wise spend. £400 for a tablet AND a netbook IS thou...
Aside from the keyboard drain (which is being fixed under RMA as we speak), I have no issues whatsoever with my device, and overjoyed with it.

jnad32 said:
So my question to you is my boss has an ipad that we use for our invoices and paper work to get people to sign off on pdf files and what not. Does android have an app that lets you do that? And overall how good is it for work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be very surprised if there is any app that iPad can do, that Android can't, as because of Android's open and less restrictive nature, you won't find missing apps, because "Apple don't like it, or Apple can't make money from it, or it cuts into Apple's buisness".

My TF is all good I have no problems with my tablet, maybe one of the lucky ones or just the fact that those few who have bad units choose to come to forums like this to seek advice and let everyone know how bad their unit is. With the dock it is an amazing bit of kit, I have tried the xoom, Acer and the Gtab, and unless you want form over function the TF is the best of the current bunch. As all the present android tablets running honeycomb are running the same os and internal spec. My own preference would be ports and functionality, screen, speed of updates and build quality. For me the TF ticks all the boxes.
Xoom, highintial price, lack of support and working ports, poor screen
Gtab, lack of ports, slow updates from Samsung.
I like the design of the TF especially when combined with the dock, equal to any high end net book, Asus have done a great job with amazing fore sight, it is original only the Gtab is thinner and that is purely because it is an I pad clone.
I would think the units with defects are no different to apple I pad or even the Gtab on a percentage basis, plenty of apple units go back to their stores.
With regards to being beta testers, we are with regards android for tablets, like we were back in the 90,s with win 3.11. My recommendation to anyone wanting a android tablet with the best all-round functionality at the best price, get the TF.

Had my TF about two weeks now, and am yet to have any issues with it. I love peoples reactions when I undock the screen though, it's brilliant.