Engadget reviews the Xoom 2.

[Bateluer]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/motorola-xoom-2-review/

Is £396 ($620) now too much to pay for a 16GB Android tablet that's merely dual-core? We'll be sure to try and answer all these right after the break.

Uh, 620? Steep pricing.

The Xoom 2 is a stylish successor to the original Honeycomb tablet. The build quality is much improved, and Motorola is on the right track with those oddly shaped corners and built-in IR emitter. There has been an explosion in Honeycomb tablets since the first Xoom launched, and while the sequel does plenty right, it isn't enough to claim the head seat at the Android tablet family table. Fortunately, the Xoom 2 has bypassed Moto's tendency to over-tinker with the core Android experience on its phones, resulting in a pretty reliable tablet, although it still behaved erratically with video content.

While camera shortcomings on a tablet may not be a massive deal-breaker, lack of tap to focus and poor auto-focus on the video camera are frustrating. Because of a lack of expandable storage (and beefier models), users will be drawn into the world of cloud media management, whether they want to or not. It's telling that the Google Music app comes preinstalled on this UK review model -- somewhere the beta isn't yet available. While the Xoom was -- for a time -- the best Honeycomb tablet, it was also the only Honeycomb tablet. But competition's a lot tougher, and while Motorola's upped its game, it's not by enough to come out on top.

I find it interesting that those angled corners were an aspect that every here ranted on when the first pictures surfaced, and they're something the Xoom 2 gets praised for.

Still, with that 600 dollar price tag, it seems like Motorola didn't learn from the Number 1 thing that crippled the original.

 

[vshah]

price tags in gbp don't usually translate directly to USD...

is 620 usd the actual us price??! stupid if so.

 

[dainthomas]

I find it interesting that those angled corners were an aspect that every here ranted on when the first pictures surfaced, and they're something the Xoom 2 gets praised for.

Since Apple patented rectangles, they didn't really have a choice.

 

[smartpatrol]

I can't think of a single reason to buy this rather than the Transformer Prime.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[Bateluer]

price tags in gbp don't usually translate directly to USD...

is 620 usd the actual us price??! stupid if so.

Also true, the Engadget article didn't list the direct MSRP in USD though. 600 USD is a complete fail when the Xoom 2 would be displayed next to a 500 dollar Prime and a 400 dollar Transformer.

Since Apple patented rectangles, they didn't really have a choice.

I was trying to avoid saying that. Personally, I think the angled corners give it a little style and differentiate it from other tablets. From my perspective, they look kinda cool. But, like I said, when the first Xoom 2 pictures surfaces, those same angled corners generated a LOT of hate from MD&G posters.

 

[Red Storm]

I can't think of a single reason to buy this rather than the Transformer Prime.

Me either.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

I wish.

 

[micrometers]

it looks like they didn't even upgrade the processor, just over clocked it a bit on a more mature manufacturing process.

 

[Bateluer]

it looks like they didn't even upgrade the processor, just over clocked it a bit on a more mature manufacturing process.

So far as I know, its a 1.2Ghz Tegra 2.

Makes me wonder what the XYBoard is? Verizon branded Xoom 2?

 

[Mopetar]

But, like I said, when the first Xoom 2 pictures surfaces, those same angled corners generated a LOT of hate from MD&G posters.

Two things:

Engadget will praise just about anything regardless if there's any good reason to do so. It's something entirely subjective though, so perhaps the reviewer just likes the way it looks. Maybe he's one out of ten, but he's entitled to his own opinions on matters that can't be measured quantitatively. Unless the physical design of the device makes it difficult to use, it's just a matter of personal taste.

Someone on a web forum will always find a reason to crap all over just about anything regardless if there's any good reason to do so. Most people don't really care too much about the design of corners, especially on tablets that they probably won't own, so no one bothers saying nice things about it. The result is a thread full of people heaping as much bile as they can muster on something and a false impression that something must be bad because there's an internet forum thread full of snarky comments.

 

[Bateluer]

Two things:

Engadget will praise just about anything regardless if there's any good reason to do so. It's something entirely subjective though, so perhaps the reviewer just likes the way it looks. Maybe he's one out of ten, but he's entitled to his own opinions on matters that can't be measured quantitatively. Unless the physical design of the device makes it difficult to use, it's just a matter of personal taste.

Someone on a web forum will always find a reason to crap all over just about anything regardless if there's any good reason to do so. Most people don't really care too much about the design of corners, especially on tablets that they probably won't own, so no one bothers saying nice things about it. The result is a thread full of people heaping as much bile as they can muster on something and a false impression that something must be bad because there's an internet forum thread full of snarky comments.

This is true. But, some of those iFans were claiming the Xoom 2 was DOA because of the 'ugly corners'.

The Xoom 2 will be DOA, but from underpowered hardware combined with a high price tag.

 

[poofyhairguy]

So far as I know, its a 1.2Ghz Tegra 2.

OMAP

http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/xoom-2-vs-ipad-2-how-the-specs-compare-20111130/

 

[Mopetar]

The Xoom 2 will be DOA, but from underpowered hardware combined with a high price tag.

The biggest problem is that for ~$200 anyone can get a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet, and now a Playbook. Also add in a growing list of previous generation tablets that are getting price cuts to clear out inventory.

At the high end, the Transformer Prime (and previously the transformer) provided better hardware and features at a lower price. The only reason I can see someone picking up anything other than a Prime if they're shopping for a high-end tablet is that they're unaware of the Prime or because it's already sold out.

Too many manufacturers are churning out product that doesn't sell and eventually has to be deeply discounted, eating into their profits and ensuring that there's one less person to buy their newest product. It will be interesting to see if this effect continues once the third generation of Android tablets are released.

 

[Bateluer]

OMAP

http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/xoom-2-vs-ipad-2-how-the-specs-compare-20111130/

I stand corrected. Performance of the OMAP4s has been well documented though.

 

[s44]

is 620 usd the actual us price??! stupid if so.

No, it's one of Engadget's classic troll moves.

It will be $400.

 

[s44]

bizarre double post

 

[Zaap]

I find it interesting that those angled corners were an aspect that every here ranted on when the first pictures surfaced, and they're something the Xoom 2 gets praised for.

The reviewer deserves a slap for praising them.

I'm willing to bet they even make holding the thing for long periods of time uncomfortable- it seems that angle will create a wedge-point that will dig into your palms after extended use. Awful design. A slap for the reviewer, and another slap to Moto for letting fear of Apple sue-happy stupidity dictate something so dreadful if that was in fact the reasoning. The entire industry should band together and thumb their noses at Apple's 'we own the rights to basic shapes' nonsense.

 

[Bateluer]

The reviewer deserves a slap for praising them.

I'm willing to bet they even make holding the thing for long periods of time uncomfortable- it seems that angle will create a wedge-point that will dig into your palms after extended use. Awful design. A slap for the reviewer, and another slap to Moto for letting fear of Apple sue-happy stupidity dictate something so dreadful if that was in fact the reasoning. The entire industry should band together and thumb their noses at Apple's 'we own the rights to basic shapes' nonsense.

I'm not seeing a wedge that would dig into your palm? They claim its actually easier to hold.

Those corners, apparently "strategically designed" to make the tablet easier to handle do exactly what they're meant to do. We suffered a lot less "tablet palm" from extended gaming and video-watching sessions, although we're not sure why the curves aren't reversed. As it is, the Xoom 2 is super comfortable in portrait mode, but less so in landscape.

Note, I'm not defending the Xoom 2. I'm attacking it for its real flaws, pricing and CPU. The angled corners won't even register on most people's radar as a flaw or issue. The price tag will be noticed immediately. Even at 400 dollars, its still a steep price.

 

[Ravynmagi]

So far as I know, its a 1.2Ghz Tegra 2.

Makes me wonder what the XYBoard is? Verizon branded Xoom 2?

Yeah, Xyboard is Verizon's branding for the Xoom 2 (stupid carriers having to rename everything).

I'm getting the feeling there won't be a wifi-only Xoom 2 in the US for a while at least. Or in other words, Motorola is making old mistakes with a new tablet.

And I love they also included a non-functioning micro SD slot again. Awesome.

Motorola, stop making tablets. You're embarrassing your new parent company.

 

[Mopetar]

I'm willing to bet they even make holding the thing for long periods of time uncomfortable- it seems that angle will create a wedge-point that will dig into your palms after extended use.

Who holds their tablet at the corners?

I think it's a non-issue. Doesn't really matter whether they did it to give the tablet a distinctive look or just to keep Apple off their backs, it is what it is. The Engadget reviewer has at least had some time with it. You would think that if it were a problem to hold the tablet it would have been brought up in the review.

 

[lothar]

That's one ugly looking tablet.

 

[Ravynmagi]

The reviewer deserves a slap for praising them.

I'm willing to bet they even make holding the thing for long periods of time uncomfortable- it seems that angle will create a wedge-point that will dig into your palms after extended use. Awful design. A slap for the reviewer, and another slap to Moto for letting fear of Apple sue-happy stupidity dictate something so dreadful if that was in fact the reasoning. The entire industry should band together and thumb their noses at Apple's 'we own the rights to basic shapes' nonsense.

At first I thought it was just an ugly design trying to make the tablet stand out from others. But I kinda understand now what they mean about it being more comfortable.

I read ebooks and manga a lot on my tablets in portrait mode. And I usually have the bottom corners resting on my palms. Tablets usually have somewhat rounded corners, so it's not really uncomfortable. But with the corners on the Xoom 2, I can see how this design could make holding a tablet in portrait even more comfortable.

Don't think this would really help much in landscape. But I usually don't seem to hold the tablet that much by the corners in landscape anyway.

 

[Zaap]

Who holds their tablet at the corners?

Well for one, the reviewer is in the picture under "Screen". But then for him it's comfortable.


Also from someone in the comment section:

"Motorola FAIL 2.

had a REALLY quick play with it in store today, the edges are sharpened somehow and make holding the tablet really uncomfortable as that sharpened edge gets into the palm of your hand.

I've put it back on shelf in less than a minute.

ipad 2 and samsung 10.1 are just so much better to hold."


Anyhow, I'm sure you guys are right, that it doesn't matter to most people. I personally just think it looks silly and just adds to the popular notion that no one can make a decent tablet besides Apple. All I can say is, thank goodness for Asus right now. If this was the great hope of Android tablets... well... meh.

 

[Bateluer]

If this was the great hope of Android tablets... well... meh.

No one ever said that. Or implied it. Clearly, the Xoom 2/XYBoard were going to fail. We learned that when Amazon and B&N announced the Fire/Nook Tablet and Asus unveiled the Transformer Prime.

 

[mirandu04]

And another fail what i consider from Motorola

 

[smartpatrol]

According to The Verge, Xyboard will run $529 and $429 for the 10.1" and 8.2" respectively. . . WITH a 2 year contract $30/month minimum.

*facepalm*