ipad2 or xoom?

mrjk322

My dh is considering getting one or the other.  He is trying to do some research but any input from you gals would be appreciated

Julia_JJ

Honestly, I'd just try them both out before buying. You can't just look at the specs and price to see what the device will be like - they have totally different experiences. Apple has *way* more table-specific apps available (not just universal apps that run on both a phone and a tablet) which greatly effects what you use the tablet for beyond reading or browsing the web. My husband works for a company that develops software frameworks for web app developers, and they were underwhelmed when testing the Xoom's built-in web browser. I love my first gen iPad, and will probably be buying the iPad 2 in the next month and handing the "old" one off to my husband so he doesn't have to bring his laptop to bed to read an eBook in the Kindle app.

starburst2785

DH is getting a Xoom as soon as the wifi-only version comes out.

 Xoom has HDMI out, iPad doesn't.

Xoom has Android OS, iPad has MacOSX or whatever version they are on.

As far as I understand, those are the basic differences.  I know Xoom also has a quad core processor.

mrjk322

What do you mean by wi-fi only?

Julia_JJ

starburst2785:

 Xoom has HDMI out, iPad doesn't.

The iPad (and iPhone and iPod Touch) now *do* have HDMI out.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/03/02/apple_brings_hdmi_output_to_iphone_4_ipad_ipad_2.html

starburst2785

mrj322:

What do you mean by wi-fi only?

 The Xoom that is currently out is 3/4G and wifi capable, but you need to buy the data plan from Verizon for like $30/month to actually have a 3G or 4G connection. This requires a contract with Verizon (similar to a cell phone contract), for 2 years.  Buying it with-contract from Verizon brings the price down to like $575 or something (cant remember what DH said).  Buying it without the Verizon contract from Motorola would be $749 price point, this would be wireless only (since the contract is the way you get 3/4G).

They are coming out with a version you can buy without a contract (wifi only), that will be more like a $549 price point (down from the $749).  DH is waiting for this one to come out since he doesn't want the Verizon contract.

 

starburst2785

Julia_JJ:

starburst2785:

 Xoom has HDMI out, iPad doesn't.

The iPad (and iPhone and iPod Touch) now *do* have HDMI out.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/03/02/apple_brings_hdmi_output_to_iphone_4_ipad_ipad_2.html

 Good to know they're catching up with Motorola!

emisi

starburst2785:

mrj322:

What do you mean by wi-fi only?

 The Xoom that is currently out is 3/4G and wifi capable, but you need to buy the data plan from Verizon for like $30/month to actually have a 3G or 4G connection. This requires a contract with Verizon (similar to a cell phone contract), for 2 years.  Buying it with-contract from Verizon brings the price down to like $575 or something (cant remember what DH said).  Buying it without the Verizon contract from Motorola would be $749 price point, this would be wireless only (since the contract is the way you get 3/4G).

They are coming out with a version you can buy without a contract (wifi only), that will be more like a $549 price point (down from the $749).  DH is waiting for this one to come out since he doesn't want the Verizon contract.

 

 

Actually, you can get a month to month contract with the Xoom.  But I'm also waiting for the wifi only version (Rumor says April 3rd!) because I don't need the connectivity of the 3G/4G. 

mrjk322

Thanks for the info on the wi-fi capabilities