Motorola Xoom Review Roundup: Does This Android Tablet Best The iPad?

The Motorola Xoom tablet has landed.

The device, now on sale in the United States, is the first to run Google's Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating software that's designed specifically for tablets. Analysts have been buzzing about the Xoom's dual cameras, roomy 10.1-inch display and dual-core processor.

The Xoom makes its debut as a 3G device, but Motorola has built in 4G compatibility, so customers have the option to upgrade in the future. And while the device doesn't yet support Adobe Flash, Motorola assures buyers that Flash will be available for the Xoom in "spring 2011."

A major tripping point for the Xoom could be its price tag: $599 with a two-year Verizon contract; $799 without. A Wi-Fi version will eventually make its way to market for a reported $600.

Can the Xoom live up to the buzz? Will it best the iPad 2, expected to be unveiled at Apple's March 2nd event, as well as the crush of other tablets coming to market? Check out our review roundup (below) to see what critics like Walt Mossberg, Joshua Topolsky, Robert Scoble have to say about the Xoom so far. Are you excited for the Xoom tablet? How do you think it will fare in the marketplace? Let us know in the comments.

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Walt Mossberg

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In a review posted on All Things D, Mossberg writes that the Xoom is "the first truly comparable competitor to Apple's hit iPad." He also praises the device's hardware and its "elegant" Honeycomb operating system. But the review is not a total lovefest. Mossberg laments Android's lack of native apps, versus Apple's overflowing (and growing) roster. The Xoom's price tag is what really has him worried. "[T]he base price of a Xoom without a cellphone contract is $800--60% more [than the iPad's entry model]. And even with a Verizon two-year contract at $20 to $80 a month--depending on the data limit you choose--the least you can pay for a Xoom is $600, or 20% more [than the iPad] before counting the contract costs." His final word for prospective buyers? Hang tight, for now. "Wait to see what Apple has up its sleeve next before committing to a higher price for the Motorola product," he concludes.

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In a review posted on All Things D, Mossberg writes that the Xoom is "the first truly comparable competitor to Apple's hit iPad." He also praises the device's hardware and its "elegant" Honeycomb operating system. But the review is not a total lovefest. Mossberg laments Android's lack of native apps, versus Apple's overflowing (and growing) roster. The Xoom's price tag is what really has him worried. "[T]he base price of a Xoom without a cellphone contract is $800--60% more [than the iPad's entry model]. And even with a Verizon two-year contract at $20 to $80 a month--depending on the data limit you choose--the least you can pay for a Xoom is $600, or 20% more [than the iPad] before counting the contract costs."

His final word for prospective buyers? Hang tight, for now. "Wait to see what Apple has up its sleeve next before committing to a higher price for the Motorola product," he concludes.

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Comments

[Jesus Lopez]

12:23 AM on 04/13/2011

I really cannot wait to get the Motorola Xoom; it is definitely the best Android tablet out there. I really can wait to try the DISH Remote Access app from DISH Network with it so that I can stream live and recorded TV to my Xoom. I have and work at DISH and you can use the app wherever you have 3G coverage or WiFi.

[SuperBenFranklin]

02:48 PM on 04/05/2011

I have yet to see an Xoom in the wild. Does any normal person even have one?

[Wuud52]

03:37 PM on 04/05/2011

I have one, and I do like it. Work issued an iPad 2 to everyone on Friday, and my Xoom arrived at my door on Saturday. There is some tightening that needs to happen with the operating system, but all the parts are there. Also the apps do need to pick up, but there are a lot of people working on that. I owned an early Android phone, and the apps came quickly. Lastly, it would be great if the price came down.

[clarke90]

01:00 PM on 04/05/2011

I'm looking for a Tablet with a laptop-like feel and look. does anyone know of anyone that makes something like that? or will i have to wait? i do like android but i would rather have a laptop than a large phone type tablet.

[Eric Zachary Ryder]

02:40 PM on 03/13/2011

The other thing to consider is the HP Touchpad. If HP was smart, they'd partner with Amazon for an app store and try to get some good app developers to put out some high quality apps. That's a combo that could take on the iPad, because it has the same form factor and the same sort of user experience and integration. It's like the best of both worlds - an iPad with USB storage and not tied to iTunes for everything, yet still has pleasing icons and real multi tasking.

[adrianrf]

12:50 PM on 04/05/2011

HP?
puh-leeease.

"If HP was smart"
- well, then pigs would fly.

HP has always sucked at software.
what they're really good at being:
 the more-expensive-than-liquid-platinum printer-ink company.

[Eric Zachary Ryder]

02:39 PM on 03/13/2011

Xoom = Fail. I hate to say it, but it's true. It's way too expensive. It needs to be under $400 for WiFi only. The iPad has way too many advantages in apps and interface and integration; the Xoom has to compete on price. The form factor is better on the iPad, I think - 4:3 instead of 16:9, basically - and Honeycomb might be overkill on the widgets and all that. I love widgets, but not at the expense of simplicity - the screen can get a little messy on the eyes. I personally prefer Froyo, to some degree. A little widgeting goes a long way. My biggest problem with the Xoom is that everything is too small - icons and especially text. It's all "readable", but for me, I want it to jump off the device comfortably, like on the iPad. Maybe that can be changed in a config, but I couldn't find it.

Having said this, I would actually buy the Xoom - the only thing stopping me is the price. $399 = Success. And assuming its possible to change the overall size of the text. Otherwise, I would get an iPad2 for the weight difference and the apps. Though I do think it would be better to wait for the next evolution - with better cameras and maybe they'll update the OS to include widgets or better notifications, at least.

[Wendy Dreeszen Wiese]

10:57 AM on 03/01/2011

First of all, if this is a second device and you have wi-fi, you don't really need to lock yourself into a contract. Secondly, I swear all these reviewers are apple fanboys. I love android because it's open sourced where apple is not. I put one of these Xooms through some paces and it performed very well. If you're an apple fanboy, get the new ipad. For the rest of you, you will be delighted with the Xoom

[tomgraber]

07:16 PM on 02/27/2011

Although the Android has succeeded getting many units out there there are strong issues with market fragmentation. The market fragmentation issue will persist in the tablet market for Honeycomb as well. The strength of Android/Honeycomb is the number af device manufacturers that are building, which is also the downside. A developer for the iPad has tight version control with IOS and a limited number of hardware specs, where one could argue has the potential to make a better product. The Honeycomb Marketplace and the way apps are purchased

[AntonioVTorres]

06:54 AM on 02/26/2011

Eh... still waiting for the Playbook. I need a real tablet to use. These overpriced etch-a-sketch toys that Apple and Motorola put out are a waste of time.

[Onutz]

11:26 AM on 02/27/2011

Yes, you're absolutey right. A complete waste of time. 
Unless of course you understand the concept of creativity,Ike acclaimed artist David Hockney http://tinyurl.com/2u6zmrg and the Gorillaz http://tinyurl.com/4tqcy75

[NHBill]

11:42 PM on 02/25/2011

Appleinsider is reporting that the WiFi iPad 2 may be Available Next Week!

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/25/apple_may_surprise_with_near_immediate_availability_of_ipad_2_next_week.html

[Lucille]

01:23 AM on 02/26/2011

I'm bummed that the article says the iPad won't have an SD card slot.

[AntonioVTorres]

06:52 AM on 02/26/2011

I'm not surprised.

[Eric Zachary Ryder]

03:05 PM on 03/13/2011

That'll never, ever, happen on anything but their PC's. And I'm not even sure they have them, though I imagine they must. It's their way of keeping you locked into iTunes.

[Grokenspiel]

09:30 PM on 02/25/2011

I'm not an early adopter, so I'm going to stick with my Newton.

[NHBill]

11:37 PM on 02/25/2011

lol

[Highball]

07:10 PM on 02/25/2011

I think for people who really don't want an Apple product, or really enjoy Android, this is the one (for now).

From a purely objective p.o.v., though, it seems like the iPad is still King of the Mountain in Tablet-World, for now. The new iPad will be announced next Wednesday, so the Xoom is already essentially a whole generation behind.

That doesn't mean that it's a bad product, just that it's got some catching up to do, from what I can tell. I do think that the price is going to hurt it, in the end. If I understand correctly, Apple was able to get such huge numbers when it came to components, it made it very difficult for other companies to challenge them when it came to price.

It will be interesting to see what HP does with WebOS and what other companies do with Android, as they roll out. But there is a rumor (yeah, I know) that this iPad2 is really more of an iPad1.5, with the "real" next iteration coming this winter.

It's a lot of fun watching all of this go down, anyways. And at least Android fans have something to buy now.

[stopgeorge]

03:07 AM on 02/26/2011

The company that builds a solid hybrid is going to win.

[Highball]

06:23 AM on 02/26/2011

It depends on what you mean by "win."

Apple's already won, in that the iPad (and soon iPad2) produces billions and billions of dollars of profits for them. It also has the mindshare victory, in the same way that "iPod" came to be synonymous with MP3 player.

It doesn't mean that Motorola or HP or whoever can't make some profit off of their tablets. It's just that by the time a lot of these will be coming out, iPad3 will already be on the way. Also, you've got a large installed base, as far as the tablet market goes, already with iPad.

And Apple's ability to get components in massive numbers gives them an advantage.

[Max Shaw]

05:17 PM on 02/25/2011

This thing has a long way to go before anyone should buy one. The price doesnt even reflect its shortcomings. Its way too high for what it is....

[Mydian01]

04:02 PM on 02/25/2011

so no flash, no keyboard and i cant tell.. does it have a usb port?

how is this any different from the ipad, except the ipad has apps, a finished OS and a cheaper entry price?

[alienator]

02:03 PM on 02/25/2011

i still dont see the excitement of an ipad (or android)... maybe if it had a stylus?... can someone please explain what the big deal is?

[NHBill]

02:49 PM on 02/25/2011

it would be hopeless if your think a stylus is the key

[alienator]

03:01 PM on 02/25/2011

thanks for the info

[stopgeorge]

03:04 AM on 02/26/2011

It's mostly hype, IMO -- thanks to Apple. I don't think this excitement is going to last. The tablet serves only specialized tasks and is inferior to the laptop / netbook in many ways.

If they develop a hybrid that is decently designed and sturdy, then that might have a future.

[sccerstr09]

01:20 PM on 02/25/2011

Expensive? You can get the current iPad for $830!!!

[NHBill]

02:50 PM on 02/25/2011

or entry of 499

[NHBill]

02:50 PM on 02/25/2011

or refurb for 429

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad?mco=MTM3Njc0MDU