At a simplistic level, the Apple iPad 2 and Motorola Xoom happen to be quite similar. The iPad 2's 9.7" display is not much smaller than the Xoom's 10.1" (even though differing aspect ratios generate marginally differing dimensions). They each are supplied with 1GHz, dual-core processors. They have both got front and back cameras, Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth, together with access to big app shops: the iOS Apple App Store in relation to the iPad 2, and the Android Market on the Xoom.
And yet there are numerous critical distinctions between the devices, that you'll like to take into consideration. The most major is the OS: Android is a good deal more responsive, easy to customize platform than iOS, and yet also has some drawbacks. iOS gizmos are likely to be updated more frequently, on the grounds that the entire ecosystem is under Apple's control. In contrast, you've got to depend upon Google, Motorola, and Verizon for getting your Xoom updated.
Google Android 7 Tablet
The Xoom is without a doubt the finest Android tablet you can buy right now. The dual-core processor helps it to be seriously quick and receptive (something alternative Android products have struggled with), and Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) was developed specifically for tablets, in contrast to old models of Google's OS. There are several glaring omissions in the Xoom - there's at the moment no Flash facility, the SD card slot won't function right now, and also the 4G radio isn't even inside the device yet - but in spite of those setbacks (ones Motorola guarantee to correct) it's still a robust choice.
The iPad 2 is a modest advance from its predecessor, utilizing a variety of specification enhancements and several additional features, including dual cameras. Version 2 of the iPad is leaner and less heavy in comparison to the Xoom, and has improved processing capacity across the board. Yet user experience won't end up being substantially different from the earlier iPad - which you'll consider either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your opinion of the first iPad.
Here are some features to help you find out which product meets your needs:
1. The Display Screen
Despite being only a tiny difference, but it is important for potential buyers to take into account that the Motorola Xoom has a marginally greater display screen than Apple's iPad. The Xoom boasts a 10.1-inch display screen, whereas the iPad comes with a 9.7" display screen. In theory, that might not seem like much, yet whenever you clutch the pieces of kit it's actually quite noticeable. The added space is valuable any time you're taking a look at video or surfing the web.
2. 4G
Xoom at the present time only gives customers the power to attach to Verizon's 3G mainframe whenever they are not at home. Interestingly, Motorola has said that it will provide a free update to 4G during the foreseeable future. Following that upgrade, end users will have the ability to communicate with Verizon's ultra-high-speed networking system.iPad end users, however, will not enjoy that add-on. While Xoom consumers will be utilizing the net at ultra-high speed, iPad 2 individuals will be stuck on 3G.
3. Android 3.0 Honeycomb Against iOS 4.3 OS
When Apple Boss Steve Jobs showed off his iPad 2, he reported that the device would be packaged with iOS 4.3. The Xoom, however, is sold with Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb. That OS offers a handful of noteworthy upgrades, such as a reworked layout, measurably better surfing, somewhat improved multitasking, and several other functions. Anyone who has gotten their mitts on the updated system point out it's a large improvement over Android 2.2. Due to Google's intent to make the platform a whole lot more like a desktop in its features, iOS 4.3 will likely feel relatively obsolete alongside it.
4. The Applications
Apple pointed out that it gives you 65,000 applications on the market for consumers. They declared the Android Market at the moment only has about one hundred applications designed for Xoom consumers. And yet, Apple decided not to point out that a lot more web developers are migrating to Android to take their apps to the general public. Soon enough, the discrepancy in mobile applications won't be even close to as great as Apple want people to imagine. It's a problem at the moment, however it will not be considered a major issue near the end of the year.
In closing, the Xoom and the Apple iPad are fairly similar regarding key components and useful functionality. Where they contrast is in display size and definition, operating systems, and their capacity for long-distance roaming. Most of all, the Xoom allows 4G high-data transfer rates, where the iPad 2 isn't going to. The true distinction between tablets is how they feel to you personally - so, based on that, I believe the Xoom is the greatest tablet computer on the market.