Article Treasures | Motorola Xoom Versus iPad: Which is the Best Tablet?

At a practical level, the Apple iPad 2 and the Motorola Xoom happen to be reasonably alike. The iPad 2's 9.7" display is not much smaller than the Xoom's 10.1" (albeit differing aspect ratios provide marginally different dimensions). Both come along with 1GHz, dual-core processors. They have each got front as well as rear cameras, Wi-Fi, 3G as well as Bluetooth, and also access to major application shops: the iOS Apple App Store on the iPad 2, and Android Market on the Xoom.

However there are numerous major differences between the products, which you might want to keep in mind. The most considerable is the OS: Android is a somewhat more open, easy to customize system than iOS, yet also has some drawbacks. iOS appliances are likely to be upgraded more often, mainly because the full OS is under Apple's control. Then again, you've got to depend upon Google, Motorola, in addition to Verizon to get your Xoom upgraded.

The Xoom is without a doubt the very best Android tablet you can purchase at this moment. The dual-core processor means it is exceptionally rapid and receptive (an issue a number of Android tablets have struggled with), and Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) is intended explicitly for tablets, unlike earlier models of Google's OS. There are a few evident omissions regarding the Xoom - there's right now absolutely no Flash facility, the SD card port does not function presently, and also the 4G radio isn't even live yet - but despite such stumbling blocks (which Motorola pledge to fix) it is still a competent device.

The iPad 2 is a limited advancement from its predecessor, utilizing a few specification advances as well as some extra features, like dual cameras. Version 2 of the iPad is leaner and more lightweight when compared to the Xoom, and has improved computing power across the board. Still user experience probably won't be significantly different from the original iPad - which you'll consider either a good thing or a bad thing, based on your stance on iPad 1.

Below are a few main features to help you identify which tablet suits your needs:

1. The Screen

Although it's only a relatively miniscule discrepancy, nonetheless it's worthwhile for customers to consider that the Xoom has a marginally greater display screen than the iPad. The Xoom showcases a 10.1-inch display screen, whereas the iPad features a 9.7-inch display screen. On paper, that might not sound important, yet whenever you grasp the tablets it's certainly apparent. Any additional area is comes in handy whenever taking a look at video or surfing the net.

2. 4G

Motorola's Xoom at this time only gives users the ability to connect to Verizon's 3G network system whenever they are away from home. Nevertheless, Motorola reports that it will give a free update to 4G in the near future. Afterwards, Xoom users will have the ability to connect to Verizon's speedy networking system. Apple iPad 2 users, meanwhile, won' enjoy that perk. While Xoom fans are going to be surfing the net with amazing transfer speeds, iPad 2 people will be stuck on 3G.

3. Android 3.0 Honeycomb Vs iOS 4.3 Operating System

When Apple Head Honcho Steve Jobs showed off the iPad 2, he said that the system would be bundled with iOS 4.3. The Xoom, in contrast, ships with Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb. That operating system offers a group of noteworthy improvements, most notably a reworked design, measurably better surfing, enhanced multitasking, and a few other features. Individuals who have got their mitts on the updated platform think it's a sizable advance over Android 2.2. Thanks to Google's wish to make the platform a good deal more desktop-like in terms of functionality, iOS 4.3 could feel quite outdated next to it.

4. The Apps

Apple brought up that the iPad 2 features 65,000 applications available for customers. They insisted the Android store presently has around 100 apps viable for Xoom consumers. However, Apple failed to illustrate that increasingly more programmers are going to Android to get their applications to the general public. Over time, the imbalances in mobile apps will not be even close to as large as Apple would love customers to imagine. It's a problem at present, but it will not be considered a serious problem by the end of this year.

In conclusion, the Motorola Xoom and Apple's iPad 2 are pretty alike regarding general apparatus as well as overall performance. Where they vary is in display proportions and definition, platforms, as well as their proficiency for long-distance roaming. Above all, the Xoom will permit 4G high-data transfer rates, while the iPad 2 will not. The true difference between tablets is how they feel to you personally - so, given that, I consider the Xoom is the greatest tablet out there today.