Decisions: iPad 2 16g $499 or Xoom wifi $539?? **Pics added**

[dwsolberg]

You are like me. On one hand I'm WOW'ed by the Xoom specs. 1 GB ram, Flash, much higher specs for there camera, flash, and a slight higher resolution. I really would like flash to watch videos on the go when I want instead of waiting when I get home. I would also like to see how honeycomb for tablets works.

Question: What effect will 1GB of RAM have? What is it that you'll be able to do? Not theoretically, but actually, in practice on the Xoom?

Higher specs on the camera are nice, but again, how often will you use it to take pictures vs. the camera on whatever phone you have? Personally, I have not yet come up with a need for a camera (other than facetime, but I don't understand the need for that, either. I mean, really, it's just annoying to have to hold the phone or iPad and look at the person you're talking to.)

Flash — well, if you need it to watch video that isn't on youtube or in html5, then you need it. Also, some people just need to use Flash for business or other reasons. Personally, other than not viewing annoying ads, I've never noticed that I was lacking Flash when browsing on the web. Maybe it's just that most big sites are optimized for the iPad.

In short, buy something that will make you happy based on what you want to do with your tablet. If you want Flash for an important reason and can think of something you want to do with the extra RAM and better camera, then buy the Xoom. If you want to have lots of apps and games and you like a smooth user interface, buy the iPad.

 

[pundit]

Apps are overrated. Most of the time they are either webpage surrogates or poor imitations of real pc apps. Portability is useful, and location awareness is great, but then every mobile platform has those fundamental apps.

A high quality high functionality browser is ideal... if you can get both flash and silverlight on an android tablet, that solves most problems.

 

[PhoneI]

Apps are overrated. Most of the time they are either webpage surrogates or poor imitations of real pc apps. Portability is useful, and location awareness is great, but then every mobile platform has those fundamental apps.

A high quality high functionality browser is ideal... if you can get both flash and silverlight on an android tablet, that solves most problems.

Um, no. I would say that practically all of my iPad apps could not be done without some serious compromise with current Web technologies. Jeez, where do you guys get this stuff?

 

[pundit]

Um, no. I would say that practically all of my iPad apps could not be done without some serious compromise with current Web technologies. Jeez, where do you guys get this stuff?

Which apps?

 

[PhoneI]

Which apps?

Well should I leave out all the games which have no shot being done with flash, html, CSS, javascript and other Web technologies?

 

[fertilized-egg]

Apps are overrated. Most of the time they are either webpage surrogates or poor imitations of real pc apps.

I don't know. Some of latest apps actually seem to make more sense on the iPad than they do on Mac/PC or anywhere else, GarageBand, iMovie, Elements, etc.

 

[pundit]

Well should I leave out all the games which have no shot being done with flash, html, CSS, javascript and other Web technologies?

Sure games are a good example of apps requiring an app model, but (1) the tablet is a substandard gaming platform. You won't see more serious gaming (FPS, MMOs) on tablets because the control schemes don't work and (2) how many of the iPad games are worthwhile and not derivative? Any really good game is going to be really popular and through financial viability going to appear on multiple platforms.

As for the vast vast majority loaded in the 5 pages of apps on this iPad... The vast majority are web analogs or, as you said, a game. This isnt because I'm anti-app. It's how I've found the iPad useful. Since google developed touch gesture aware web pages, all of the BBC/NPR/USA Today/NY Times and booj reader apps can be achieved just as well with a web page. Netflix is a compromise for not having Silverlight on iOS. The task managers and mail programs are done just as well on the web... and the iPad chokes on the hotmail site... and doesn't handle the gmail site fully.

I think the iPad was revolutionary. I just think a better web browser would make the experience much more complete. The majority of apps I and my friends use.. Yes excepting games are essentially glorified repackaged websites.

 

[pundit]

I don't know. Some of latest apps actually seem to make more sense on the iPad than they do on Mac/PC or anywhere else, GarageBand, iMovie, Elements, etc.

All of those are better on a real PC as are real office apps, for either interface or resource reasons

 

[fertilized-egg]

All of those are better on a real PC as are real office apps, for either interface or resource reasons

GarageBand, iMovie, Elements turned into "real office apps?" Are you sure you're not thinking of iWork?

 

[pundit]

GarageBand, iMovie, Elements turned into "real office apps?" Are you sure you're not thinking of iWork?

Read up. I said 'all of those'. They all have fuller more functional personal computer versions. I kind of laughed when the iPad 2 commercial had scrolling on the guitar band keyboard.

As for iWork... I've been using Office since the mid 90s. Numbers and Pages don't compare... Unless you're doing very basic stuff.

 

[luvmymacbook]

I'd suggest the iPad for several reasons. First, the specs on the Xoom won't matter as much as you think they will, but the OS will certainly make a big difference. iOS has a lot more apps, a lot more harmony with the Apple tablet than can be said of Android and the 3rd parties that create tablets for it. Secondly, you can always jailbreak your iPad. It's NOT locked down if you do this. There's even an app that'll let you play flash video in a web browser that's been approved by Apple!

Next, space really won't be that big of a deal unless you make it one. I use my iPhone religiously, similar to the way many people use an iPad, and 32gb is HUGE, something I still can't fill up (I only put recent playlists on it though, so that might be a big thing). Believe me if you care about space, get the 32gb one and forget it, or 16gb for 100 less and just take off apps you don't use that take up a large amount of space.

The iPad will be the device you're speaking of,with most everything you need on it. If you need more than what an iPad can do, you probably need a full computer anyway.

I fill up more than 32 GB all the time on one of my ipods and it drives me nuts that I have a 16GB phone because I would love to fill both with music, podcasts, and videos. For those of us who are super busy and travel all the time, and don't have time to "re-sync" frequently to get new content, it can be a big deal.

 

[PhoneI]

All of those are better on a real PC as are real office apps, for either interface or resource reasons

How much time have you spent with iMovie and Garageband on the iPad? You made that judgment on exactly 0 time spent.

 

[PhoneI]

Sure games are a good example of apps requiring an app model, but (1) the tablet is a substandard gaming platform.

That's nice. In the meantime I am having a blast playing these substandard games like Infinity Blade, Monkey Island, Dead Space, and my current favorite....World of Goo.

Have you tried playing any games on the iPad?

 

[kdoug]

Um, no. I would say that practically all of my iPad apps could not be done without some serious compromise with current Web technologies. Jeez, where do you guys get this stuff?

Are you high?

 

[alex2792]

I love the concept of honeycomb, but I played with it@BB and I was really underwhelmed. I had the CCN app constantly force close on me and the one air hockey game I tried crashed right away then the browser started acting wonky, basically the software was really beta. What really drove me nuts is the fact that it's pretty much only good in landscape mode and it's really uncomfortable to hold in portrait. I don't like the widescreen format for larger tablets. I have the Galaxy Tab and it works much better with the widescreen format since it's so light and portable. I'm really torn because I REALLY want flash, but the Xoom at $800 is a giant rip off and I don't need/want the VZW contract. I think I'm gonna get the iPad2 and hopefully Frash is much improved with more RAM and dual core CPU.

 

[fertilized-egg]

Have you tried playing any games on the iPad?

Speaking of games, if anyone has played Dragon Quest 9, Phoenix Wright or Hotel Dusk on Nintendo DS, I think those are the games that will be amazing and much better on the tablet format even it means losing the physical controls. Many of the Nintendo DS games would really benefit from the higher resolution, extra screen size and multitouch.

 

[Gix1k]

OK..I bought the xoom and I am typing on it right now. I have to say Honeycomb is a whole new animal. I dunno what to push to get what I want to see...100% different from 2.2.. the market is totally different as well. Each category you go in it shows features tablet apps. News has the most..USA today, CNN, NY times, etc. Very small app selection. It has chrome browser on and you can't change the user agent, it only loads mobile view. I quicly installed Miren. I also thought I'd like this widescreen form factor, but I find I'd much rather have a default portrait view. Its noticeably heavy.
I will take some pics of it next to an iPhone 4, so you all can see the size diff considering the Ipad 2 is said to be smaller. I honestly gotta say I am not dreading returning this for the Ipad. I guess I just don't want to learn a new os. With the lack of apps...I am already bored with it. Its only been like 3hrs. Right now all I can say I like is the speed of it, which will be the same result on the new I pad I am sure.

Pics coming

 

[ZBoater]

It has chrome browser on and you can't change the user agent, it only loads mobile view.

Do a search for "about:debug". If there is one thing Android shines at is letting you change stuff. You can set the browser user agent.

Ironically, I set mine to "iPad"

 

[Knowimagination]

OK..I bought the xoom and I am typing on it right now. I have to say Honeycomb is a whole new animal. I dunno what to push to get what I want to see...100% different from 2.2.. the market is totally different as well. Each category you go in it shows features tablet apps. News has the most..USA today, CNN, NY times, etc. Very small app selection. It has chrome browser on and you can't change the user agent, it only loads mobile view. I quicly installed Miren. I also thought I'd like this widescreen form factor, but I find I'd much rather have a default portrait view. Its noticeably heavy.
I will take some pics of it next to an iPhone 4, so you all can see the size diff considering the Ipad 2 is said to be smaller. I honestly gotta say I am not dreading returning this for the Ipad. I guess I just don't want to learn a new os. With the lack of apps...I am already bored with it. Its only been like 3hrs. Right now all I can say I like is the speed of it, which will be the same result on the new I pad I am sure.

Pics coming

Thanks for the hand on. The thing I think I would have the hardest time getting over is the 16x9 format. I feel like it basically forces you to use it in widescreen mode.

 

[ZBoater]

I have the Galaxy Tab and it works much better with the widescreen format since it's so light and portable.

I played with the Tab at the Verizon store, and I think that form factor is very under rated. 7" was VERY comfortable to hold. I could see myself moving to a smaller form factor for light internet browsing and email. I think I would carry it with me more often than my iPad/Xoom.

 

[ZBoater]

Thanks for the hand on. The thing I think I would have the hardest time getting over is the 16x9 format. I feel like it basically forces you to use it in widescreen mode.

Yes it does, and I wont lie. It feels weird at first, especially me being a iPad user who prefers portrait use. However after a while you get used to it. I am using a custom keyboard called "Thumb Keyboard" that lets me type with my thumbs while holding it with two hands. Actually kinda cool.

But you can use it portrait just fine. I've been playing Air Attack HD all afternoon...

 

[Gix1k]

Here are some pics..for size comparison

 

[jbh142]

The number of Honeycomb apps is well over 100 now...

I less than a month you will have 10,000 apps converted over to honeycomb if not more.

 

[alex2792]

I played with the Tab at the Verizon store, and I think that form factor is very under rated. 7" was VERY comfortable to hold. I could see myself moving to a smaller form factor for light internet browsing and email. I think I would carry it with me more often than my iPad/Xoom.

Yeah my dad likes it a lot thats why I'm giving him my tab. He already has Verizon dumbphone so he'll get the $20 dataplan with it.

 

[bumzo1]

:O will you install my invisible shield? your's is perfect!

Wait I'm confused, your original question was $499 iPad vs $539 xoom yet you just went out and bought the $800 model (I'm assuming)