Motorola Xoom or Samsung 10.1?

Dr.Winston O'Boogie

Looking into buying a tablet and from what I can gather these are the best 2 android versions.

Just wondering what is considered more up to date of the two? Basically what would be the better purchase.

From reading bits on here it looks like the Motorola has an sd card but the Samsung doesn't? This would be a big factor for me. Any other obvious pros and cons?

Zonda999

Well the samsung is a few months newer alright. Bear in mind the Xoom 2's launch is imminent, and will probably be one of the launch tablets with Ice Cream Sandwich. I suspect there might be a Samsung "Nexus" branded tablet coming too.. Thats not to say that the xoom 1 and the galaxy 10.1 wont be getting an update to Ice Cream Sandwich, i suspect they will...

If you were buying now though, and there was a good price difference( and there appears to be some good deals going on the xoom), i'd go with the xoom, even though i find the 10.1 to be a much nicer looking device..

pickarooney

The lack of SD/USB connectors on the Galaxy make it a no-go for me. The Xoom has pretty much everything and is selling for about 350 now making it just about reasonable IMO. The issues with playback on some videos is a problem though.

I'm hoping by Christmas there'll be an affordable android model that does everything!

MaceFace

I got the Xoom about three or so months ago.
At the time I investigated this versus the Samsung which was not out here but was available in the States.
I read a number of stories from people who bought the Samsung and exchanged it for the Xoom. Build quality and lack of SD card slot were noted as problems.

I only recently heard of the video playback problem but I guess this is only with Hidef videos. I never thought my tablet would be able to handle them as my desktop won't even do it (thats a quad core dual CPU monster), but they play no problem on my popcorn hour.

Absolutely no issues with the Xoom in my experience - does everything I want of it and more.

Dr.Winston O'Boogie

Cheers guys...one other question actually...can either be used as an e-book reader? I know google have their own e books store, are they compatible with the 2 devices? Because I am in the market for an e book reader too, but if I can kill two birds with one stone all the better.

Having said that I had a glance at googles e book store and it doesn't look like it has a good selection just yet!

NeitherJohn

niallo24 wrote: »

Cheers guys...one other question actually...can either be used as an e-book reader? I know google have their own e books store, are they compatible with the 2 devices? Because I am in the market for an e book reader too, but if I can kill two birds with one stone all the better.

Having said that I had a glance at googles e book store and it doesn't look like it has a good selection just yet!

You could download the Kindle app from Android Market onto the tablet. That gives access to the Kindle store!

Tom Dunne

I don't like the Xoom.

I had it for a week to play around with and I just felt a bit "plasticky". It seemed a bit slow in comparison to the Asus Transformer I currently have (I've a great job ).

The Kindle app and Press Reader were noticeably less smooth than the Transformer too. The screen just didn't seem as good either.

I reckon these "issues" are due to the fact that it is that bit older that the Transformer. The Xoom2 is romoured to be way better.

Professey Chin

MaceFace wrote: »

I got the Xoom about three or so months ago.
At the time I investigated this versus the Samsung which was not out here but was available in the States.
I read a number of stories from people who bought the Samsung and exchanged it for the Xoom. Build quality and lack of SD card slot were noted as problems.

I only recently heard of the video playback problem but I guess this is only with Hidef videos. I never thought my tablet would be able to handle them as my desktop won't even do it (thats a quad core dual CPU monster), but they play no problem on my popcorn hour.

Absolutely no issues with the Xoom in my experience - does everything I want of it and more.

Whut? O_o

cormacjones

Looking at the xoom reviews on Amazon there seems to be an issue with Android updates outside the US. Does anyone know if this is still the case?
I'm trying to decide between this and the Galaxy for my first tab.

NeitherJohn

I wouldn't worry too much about that cormacjones.

The lads over on the Motorola Xoom forum on xda developers could probably sort you out with any updates should they be pushed out.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=945

twerg_85

Have a look at the new Archos G9 if it's out yet.
Specs should be just as good and at a lower price.

pickarooney

The G9 is a bit cheap feeling and to me it's an ugly piece of kit but it offers good bang for buck otherwise (if you don't mind not having a USB port).

Nelson Muntz

The Archos G9 101 seems to have everything including USB, 3G & 250Gb HDD

http://www.archos.com/products/gen9/archos_101g9/index.html?country=ie⟨=en

Professey Chin

pickarooney wrote: »

The G9 is a bit cheap feeling and to me it's an ugly piece of kit but it offers good bang for buck otherwise (if you don't mind not having a USB port).

The USB port hidden on the back for the 3G stick works as a regular port

pickarooney

Mega Chin wrote: »

The USB port hidden on the back for the 3G stick works as a regular port

Aah, didn't even cop that.