Motorola Xoom Android Tablet
The Motorola Xoom was among the first main Android tablets available in the marketplace, but still does nicely despite powerful competition from the kind of Samsung. It is got numerous outstanding features that make it a genuine rival to the iPad two, but you’ll have to take a appear at the pros and cons below before you determine whether this will be the correct tablet for you.
Key Specs For The Motorola Xoom
- Roughly $588 – $799
- Released in 2011
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connection as standard – can also buy 3G/ 4G model
- Two cameras: 5MP & 2MP
- Android three.0 Honeycomb OS
- 9.8 x 6.6 x 0.five inches in size
- Weighs 1.61 lb. / 0.73 kg
- 10.1 HD screen
- 1280 x 800 resolution
- 32 GB storage
- NVidia Tegra 2 Dual 1 GHz Processor
- 10 hours battery life
What’s Great About The Motorola Xoom?
Processor: The processor is probably the best on the planet of tablet computer systems today. The Xoom functions a Tegra 2 Dual Core processor, up with the best of the Android tablets with regards to speed.
Connectivity: The Xoom comes in two main forms. You can get the Wi-Fi only option for around $600, or you can opt for the Wi-Fi + 3G/4G option for $800 (both also come with Bluetooth). The latter option is an outstanding addition for anyone looking to connect to mobile broadband on the move, though you’ll need to sign up with a Verizon Wireless contract to do so.
Sidenote: 4G is not yet accessible but will be added with a free upgrade in the coming months. The iPad, Samsung Galaxy and others don’t yet have it, so is a real plus point for the Xoom.
This means that you can download large files, such as movies, within minutes. Verizon currently advertises speeds of around 5-12 megabits per second. And songs will take just a few seconds to download!
Motorola Accessories: Although the accessory marketplace is not as developed as those for the iPad, there are nonetheless a good quantity of useful accessories available to expand the power of your Xoom. Some notable accessories include the speaker dock and other stations used to charge the tablet. The dock can even send content from the Xoom directly to your television. Motorola have also developed specific cases, though remember that tablet sizes are pretty standard and you can use a whole range of generic cases to keep the device protected.
Camera: The Xoom comes with two cameras. The rear-facing camera is suitable for taking photos and recording videos, coming in a five megapixels (very impressive when compared to other tablets on the market) with a dual-LED flash, auto-focus, and digital zoom. You also have the ability to capture HD 720p videos, and see them in all their glory on the Xoom’s HD display!
The front-facing camera is there so you can make video calls when connected towards the internet. This camera comes in at two megapixels, which is more than adequate for its purpose.
Flash Support: Unlike the most famous iPad, the Motorola Xoom does support Flash. This means you have the added flexibility of being able to watch Flash movies and videos, play Flash games and view Flash websites. This is a massive benefit for users who know they browse a lot of Flash content – but do bear in mind that non-Flash supporting devices such as the iPad can still let you view YouTube and other online videos in a different format.
Micro-SD Card Slot: Some people are disappointed by the fact that the Motorola Xoom doesn’t come with any storage options beyond the default 32GB. If you’re the kind of person who needs more space for your music, apps and videos then don’t worry, because the inclusion of a Micro-SD card slot means you can expand your memory up to another 32GB, matching the iPad?s top 64GB option.
Ports: The Xoom trumps the iPad in terms of ports, including a micro USB port (not used for charging). It also functions an HDMI audio/ video port to allow you to connect up to a big screen via a separate HDMI cable.
Battery: The advertised battery life is 10 hours – impressive in the world of tablet computing. This is up with the best of them. Of course, you’ll see the battery drain if you’re using more intensive operations such as games or playing movies, but the device charges very quickly which also comes in handy.
What’s Not So Great About The Motorola Xoom?
Weight: Although there’s very little in it between the biggest tablets in the marketplace, you will notice that this tablet weighs more than other big names. This is something you’ll notice in terms of how comfortable it is to use and carrying it around with you wherever you go. The screen is also thicker than tablets such as the iPad two, but it isn’t noticeably thick. The Xoom does, however, feel solid in your hands (in a good way).
Operating System/ Ease Of Use: Whether or not the operating system is a pro or con does really depend on what you’re used to. If you’re used to iOS on the iPhone then you may find that Honeycomb isn’t as easy to get your head around. Of course, the Android store still doesn’t match up towards the iPad App Store in terms of sheer numbers of apps available, but the choice is still more than good enough for most users.
Charging: Many users have complained that the Xoom doesn’t charge via its included micro USB port. This is down to how much charge is required, so you’ll need to use a separate charger.
Cost: The price of the Motorola Xoom may put some people off. The cheapest Wi-Fi only option is nonetheless almost $600, which is a lot compared with other tablets on the market. However, the 3G/4G option is more cost effective given that it will include 4G functionality that other tablets don’t have, and you can save up to $200 when you purchase the tablet on a Verizon contract.
Conclusion
When it comes to the inclusion of 3G and 4G technologies on an Android tablet, the Xoom is pretty much your top choice accessible (until Samsung release their 3G Galaxy).
It has some notable features, looks sleek and performs well. You can’t really go wrong with this tablet.
Tagged: android tablet, android tablets, featured, motorola, tablet computer, tablet pc, xoom
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