Struggling to decide: iPad 2 vs Xoom
I’ve set aside some money for a new tablet, and it’s come down to the $499 Wifi-only iPad 2 or the $599 Wifi-only Motorola Xoom. Either way, I don’t need much memory, and I don’t need a data plan since I can tether via my Nexus S on T-Mobile.
In favor of the iPad 2:
- Thinner, lighter, nicer build, slightly better battery life
- Lots more apps - Wife and kids would almost certainly enjoy it more than they would a Xoom. I would like to have Netflix, which is currently available on the Xoom only by way of an awkward workaround
- Cheaper (since in either case I’m going for the cheapest model)
- I already have an Android tab (rooted Nook Color), so this would be something new
In favor of the Xoom:
- I like to root for the underdog
- Black is more subtle, and the device is less commonly associated with “fun”. I feel like I could bring this thing to a meeting or conference, whereas I’d be embarrassed to bring an iPad 2.
- I don’t like Apple’s approach: Weaken the potential for full-featured web apps (by excluding Flash and similar technologies), thus pushing users to buy iOS apps, which are subject to Apple approval and 70/30 revenue split. In the long run, it’s not good for us users who have to pay more for Apple to get its 30% while getting more and more locked into a platform.
- Most of my use for the tab will be web browsing. The Xoom seems a bit better for that with tabbed browsing, Flash support (as of today in beta), and wider aspect ratio all contributing to this.
In favor of neither: I like the small size of the Nook Color. Not sure how much I’d use a 10” tab.
Already have an iPad 2 on order but thinking about canceling…