subject: Head to Head Tablet Wars: Apple iPad 2 vs Motorola Xoom [print this page] Head to Head Tablet Wars: Apple iPad 2 vs Motorola Xoom
Unveiled on March 2, the iPad 2 features many improvements over its previous version. However, it remains to be seen if these improvements will be enough to keep Apple's share of the tablet PC market intact. The first iPad was a booming success with global sales reaching 14.8 million in 2010. The original iPad was so successful with the estimated of 75% of the tablet PC market are owned by Apple.
The iPad's commercial success, has attracted a lot of competitors on the tablet PC market. With many companies joining the tablet bandwagon and offering their version of the iPad killer, many are eager to see how the iPad 2 fares against the improving competition.
We made a review, a head to head comparison between Motorola Xoom that are considered to be the strongest competitor and iPad 2.
1. Processor
The iPad 2 is fitted with Apple's dual-core 1GHz A5 chip, a marked improvement from the previous iPad. The A5 chip is reported to clock ten times the graphical performance of the older tablet. As of this writing, there is no report yet on RAM size but 512MB is quite a possibility.
Motorola Xoom are build with a 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 CPU. At 1GB of RAM, this chip along with the Android 3.0 OS affords the Xoom to multi-task effortlessly.
Advantage - Xoom
2. Display
The iPad 2 has the same 9.7-inch backlit-LED IPS display that are similar to iPad 1, it's fantastic because it's the best in it's class.
The Xoom has a standard 10.1-inch TFT display. Excellent for watching movies and browsing but does not offer the kind of viewing angles we are accustomed to in the iPad.
Advantage -Apple iPad 2
3. Camera
One of the biggest drawbacks of the older iPad was the lack of a camera. Apple has responded by incorporating not one but 2 cameras in the iPad 2. The iPad 2's dual cameras are a 0.7-megapixel main camera with 720P movie capture capability, and a secondary VGA camera that serves well for other video-calling purposes.
Motorola has upped the ante in this category. With an impressive 5-megapixel main camera and are equipped with dual-LED flash and autofocus and a secondary 2-megapixel camera for video conferencing, the Xoom is definitely the winner here.
Advantage - Motorola Xoom
4. Design and Build
On the design category, Apple will not disappoint you. iPad 2 looks and feel are simply amazing. The iPad 2 may be 33 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, however it is still made from the same top-notch materials.
Because of it's slimmer design, iPad 2 now are more comfortable to handle with the same solid feel.
The Motorola Xoom is just as well constructed. The chassis is solid. It does however feel bulkier and heavier than the slim-built iPad 2.
We give this round to the Apple tablet.
Advantage - Apple iPad 2
5. Operating System
The iPad 2 is equipped with the new iOs 4.3 which features better browser and web application performance.
The Motorola Xoom comes with the Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" OS which boosts multi-tasking capabilities and of course more user friendly.
We feel Xoom have the advantage because of the Honeycomb OS. The iOs 4.3 feels like its just a minor tune-up for Apple.
Advantage - Motorola Xoom
6. Connectivity
The Apple iPad 2 comes with Wi-Fi a,b,g & n, and Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities with A2DP and EDR. It als has HDMI-output. However, it lacks a MicroSD slot, card reader and has no USB port.
The Motorola Xoom has the same capabilities as the iPad 2's but none of its shortcomings. The Xoom has MicroSD support, Micro USB port, HDMI-out, Wi-Fi a,b,g & n (dual-band) and Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR.
Advantage - Motorola Xoom
7. Price
This is where it gets interesting. The Apple iPad 2 has an introductory price of $499 for its base Wi-Fi unit.
The Motorola Xoom's introductory price is $599 for its Wi-Fi only base unit.
The iPad 2 price is one that many did not expect especially its competitors.
Advantage: Apple iPad 2
Verdict: Out of 7 categories, the Motorola Xoom bested the Apple iPad 2 in 4. Function and feature wise the Xoom are definitely a batter Tablet. However, because of Apple's excellent pricing strategy, we would not be surprised that the iPad 2 will remain to be the best seller in tablet PC market (yet again).
