Motorola Xoom Review

Motorola Xoom Review

The Motorola Xoom was one of the first major Android tablets on the market, and still does well despite strong competition from the likes of Samsung. It has got a number of excellent features that make it a genuine rival to the iPad 2, but you will have to take a look at the pros and cons below before you decide whether this is the right tablet for you.

Key Specs For The Motorola Xoom

* Roughly $588 – $799
* Released in 2011
* Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS
* 9.8 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches in size
* Weighs 1.61 lb. / 0.73 kg
* 10.1 HD screen
* 1280 x 800 resolution
* 32 GB storage
* NVidia Tegra 2 Dual 1 GHz Processor
* Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connection as standard – can also buy 3G/ 4G model
* Two cameras: 5MP & 2MP
* 10 hours battery life

What’s Great About The Motorola Xoom

Processor: The processor is among the best in the world of tablet computers today. The Xoom features a Tegra 2 Dual Core processor, up with the best of the Android tablets with regards to speed.

Connectivity: The Xoom comes in two main forms. You can get the Wi-Fi only option for around $600, or you can opt for the Wi-Fi + 3G/4G option for $800 (both also come with Bluetooth). The latter option is an excellent addition for anyone looking to connect to mobile broadband on the move, though you’ll have to sign up with a Verizon Wireless contract to do so.
Note that 4G is not yet available but will be added with a free upgrade in the coming months. This is something not yet featured on many tablets (the iPad, Samsung Galaxy and others don’t yet have it) so is a real plus point for the Xoom. It’ll mean that you can download large files, such as movies, within minutes. Verizon currently advertises speeds of around 5-12 megabits per second. And songs will take just a few seconds to download!
(Remember, the 4G network currently reaches around a third of Americans but is expanding all the time)

Motorola Accessories: Although the accessory market is not as developed as those for the iPad, there are still a good number of useful accessories available to expand the power of your Xoom. Some notable accessories include the speaker dock and other stations used to charge the tablet. The dock can even send content from the Xoom directly to your television. Motorola have also developed specific cases, though remember that tablet sizes are pretty standard and you can use a whole range of generic cases to keep the device protected.

Camera: The Xoom comes with two cameras. The rear-facing camera is suitable for taking photos and recording videos, coming in a 5 megapixels (very impressive when compared to other tablets on the market) with a dual-LED flash, auto-focus, and digital zoom. You also have the ability to capture HD 720p videos, and see them in all their glory on the Xoom’s HD display!
The front-facing camera is there so you can make video calls when connected to the internet. This camera comes in at 2 megapixels, which is more than adequate for its purpose.

Flash Support: Unlike the most famous iPad, the Motorola Xoom does support Flash. This means you have the added flexibility of being able to watch Flash movies and videos, play Flash games and view Flash websites. This is a massive benefit for users who know they browse a lot of Flash content – but do bear in mind that non-Flash supporting devices such as the iPad can still let you view YouTube and other online videos in a different format.

Battery: The advertised battery life is 10 hours – impressive in the world of tablet computing. This is up with the best of them. Of course, you’ll see the battery drain if you’re using more intensive operations such as games or playing movies, but the device charges very quickly which also comes in handy.

Micro-SD Card Slot: Some people are disappointed by the fact that the Motorola Xoom doesn’t come with any storage options beyond the default 32GB. If you’re the kind of person who needs more space for your music, apps and videos then don’t worry, because the inclusion of a Micro-SD card slot means you can expand your memory up to another 32GB, matching the iPadís top 64GB option.

Ports: The Xoom trumps the iPad in terms of ports, including a micro USB port (not used for charging). It also features an HDMI audio/ video port to allow you to connect up to a big screen via a separate HDMI cable.

What’s Not So Great About The Motorola Xoom

Cost: The price of the Motorola Xoom may put some people off. The cheapest Wi-Fi only option is still almost $600, which is a lot compared with other tablets on the market. However, the 3G/4G option is more cost effective given that it will include 4G functionality that other tablets don’t have, and you can save up to $200 when you purchase the tablet on a Verizon contract.

Weight: Although there’s very little in it between the biggest tablets on the market, you will notice that this tablet weighs more than other big names. This is something you’ll notice in terms of how comfortable it is to use and carrying it around with you wherever you go. The screen is also thicker than tablets such as the iPad 2, but it isn’t noticeably thick. The Xoom does, however, feel solid in your hands (in a good way).

Operating System / Ease Of Use: Whether the operating system is a pro or con does really depend on what you’re used to. If you’re used to iOS on the iPhone then you may find that Honeycomb isn’t as easy to get your head around. Of course, the Android store still doesn’t match up to the iPad App Store in terms of sheer numbers of apps available, but the choice is still more than good enough for most users.

Charging: Many users have complained that the Xoom doesn’t charge via its included micro USB port. This is down to how much charge is required, so you’ll need to use a separate charger.

Conclusion

When it comes to the inclusion of 3G and 4G technologies on an Android tablet, the Xoom is pretty much your top choice available (until Samsung release their 3G Galaxy). It has some notable features, looks sleek and performs well. You cannot really go wrong with this tablet.

Acer Iconia Review

Acer Iconia Review

If you’re already familiar with Windows 7, and would like some continuity in your choice of tablet, then the Acer Iconia is the only feasible choice on the market today. But aside from the fact that it runs on the Windows operating system, is this really the tablet you should spend your hard earned cash on?

Key Specs For The Acer Iconia

* Costs $449
* Released in 2011
* Runs on Windows 7
* 7.48 x 10.83 x 0.63 inches in size
* Weighs 2.14 lb. / 0.97 kg
* 10.1 inch screen
* 1024 x 768 resolution
* 32GB storage space
* AMD C-50 1 GHz processor
* Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connectivity
* 1.3 MP cameras
* 6 hour battery life

What’s Great About The Acer Iconia

Screen: The Acer Iconia looks and feels surprisingly good, with bold colors. Although it’s not an HD screen, HD videos look great. You do have to make sure your finger touches are very precise, however, which could take a little getting used to.

Sound: As far as tablets go, the Iconia features a good set of speakers. That said, no tablet speakers are designed for perfect sound quality, so you’ll want a good quality set of earphones if you want to enjoy your music or movies in all their glory.

Ease of Use: The screen works well to get to where you want to go, and many users will be happy that a more high-end tablet finally features Windows 7. If you’re used to using Windows 7 and its applications then you’ll be glad to find a tablet that provides some continuity between tablet and your standard computer.

Keyboard Attachment: One of the real benefits of the Iconia comes from the add-on that’ll turn your tablet into a small laptop. It attaches to the base of the device and makes it extremely easy to type on your keyboard. Perfect for anyone who’d like to work on their tablet like a laptop computer, typing emails or documents with ease (though bear in mind that the accessory will cost you more money).

SD Slot: Having a full-sized SD slot is a great addition for many. Most of the tablets that do feature a slot choose to include a micro-SD slot instead. Although the latter is good for adding external memory, it’s not compatible with most camera memory cards. Having a full SD card slot means you can transfer photos from your camera directly (and you can purchase an adapter if you’d like the ability to use micro-SD cards, too).

USB 2.0: There are two USB 2.0 ports on the Acer Iconia, which is useful for connecting external peripherals or storage (this is especially important for users with a lot of files – see below).

What’s Not So Great About The Acer Iconia

On Screen Keyboard: Although no on-screen keyboard is perfect, and it’s always easier to type on a physical version, there have been many complaints about the Iconia’s virtual keyboard. This is bad news for people who can’t afford the extra keyboard attachment!

Storage Space: 32GB is by no means a bad option for hard disk size, but you need to know that Windows 7 takes up a lot of space on the tablet – far more than Google Android or Apple iOS. You’ll only really be left with just over 19GB of space for your own files!
19GB will be enough for some music and a lot of apps, but if you like to store movies or have a particularly big music library you’ll probably find this very limiting (especially as there are no higher storage options available to buy). The good news is that you can expand the storage space with an SD card, or by plugging in a USB storage device.

Cameras: The camera quality isn’t the best on this device, with both the front and the rear-facing cameras coming in at 1.3 megapixels. This is unusual since most tablets go for a higher quality camera at the back.

Battery Life: Unfortunately, the battery life isn’t great on the Iconia and it simply can’t compete with the best competitors on the market. The advertised six hours still means you can get a lot of out of the device, but many testers have confirmed that it usually lasts for more like four hours.

Size / Weight: This really isn’t a lightweight tablet, and there’s no getting around it. There are far lighter and slimmer tablets on the market. As such, this doesn’t feel as comfortable in your hands. Again, this is another situation where the added keyboard dock is going to make the tablet a lot easier to use.

Conclusion

The best thing that this tablet has going for it is that itís a relatively high-end Windows 7 tablet – the only one available. If you’re looking for other Windows tablets, you’re going to find it difficult to find many decent options. Unfortunately, there are some big disadvantages to the Acer Iconia. If you’re looking for something more user friendly and still good value for money then you might consider an Android tablet, such as the Xoom or Galaxy Tab, instead.

Ipad 2 review

Apple Ipad 2 Review

In the world of tablet computers, the Apple iPad currently holds the crown. The current generation (the iPad 2) saw a number of improvements to the original iPad, notably the addition of two cameras and an improvement on the original processor to boost speed. It’s also sleeker and thinner than ever, but is it really the right tablet computer for you?

Key Specs For The Apple iPad 2

* Costs $499 – $829
* Released in 2011
* Runs on iOS 4 (soon to be iOS 5)
* 9.5 x 7.31 x 0.34 inches in size
* Weighs 1.33 lb. / 0.60 kg
* 9.7 inch screen
* 1024 x 768 resolution
* Storage options: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
* Apple A5 1 GHz processor
* Wi-Fi/ 3G & Bluetooth connectivity
* 1MP & 0.3 MP cameras
* 10 hour battery life

What’s Great About The Apple iPad 2

Design: Let’s start with one of the iPad’s most impressive features: the design. There’s no denying that the iPad 2 looks fantastic, and feels great in your hands. There’s now a choice of black or white versions of the device, and the new smart covers (see below) help you to personalize the color even more.
Apple has set the bar high when it comes to build quality. Other tablets come close to the iPad 2 in terms of the way they look, but there’s no denying that the iPad has lead the way in terms of how tablets are expected to look.

Weight: The new iPad 2 is lighter than before, coming in at 1.33 lb. When compared to the other bestselling tablets on the market, this is extremely light (only beaten by the Samsung Galaxy Tab). This is an important improvement, as not only does it make it more portable but it also means that the iPad’s now easier to use for longer periods of time.

Processor: The new dual core processor in the iPad 2 means that itís on a par with the other high-end tablets currently on the market. You can browse the web or load apps with speed (a lot faster than with the original iPad).

Gaming: Many people also use the iPad to play games, and the good news is that the graphics are noticeably better with the iPad 2. Couple this with having the best app store in the world, and the iPad 2 is probably the most attractive tablet option for gamers.

Apps: As mentioned above, the Apple App Store is the biggest in the world. There are hundreds of thousands of apps available: this is where Apple really has the edge over all other tablets. That said, Android Market is catching up and is more open to developers. This means that the Apple App Store won’t necessarily hold the crown forever. For now, however, it will probably have everything you could ever want from an app (and more).

Operating System: The App store isn’t the only good feature of the iOS operating system. iOS is widely regarded as having the best interface among tablet computers. It works well, with a number of inbuilt “gestures” that help you achieve what you need to simply with the way you move your fingers.
That said, there are some complaints of the system. Many people opt for Android because it’s what they’re already used to from their smartphone, or they simply don’t like Apple’s system for notifications and multitasking. There’s no doubt that the operating system you choose does come down to personal preference. But if you already use and love the iPhone, then you’ll be happiest sticking to iOS for your tablet.

Keyboard: The iPad keyboard works very well. Not only is it extremely responsive, but Apple also has a good autocorrect function when you type things incorrectly (which is very important on a touchscreen keyboard). If you do a lot of typing (emails, documents and so on) then a good quality keyboard is a must. You can also get hold of a keyboard dock or wireless keyboard to turn your iPad into a more powerful desktop computer alternative.

Accessories: Because the iPad is one of the most popular tablets on the market today, there is a huge range of accessories available (both official and third-party). Whether you want a trendy case for your iPad, a keyboard dock, speakers, car charger or anything else, it’ll be easy to find it.
With the release of the iPad 2, Apple also unveiled the new Smart Cover. Although it doesn’t come cheap, it is somewhat unique in the world of tablet computers. It attaches to your iPad magnetically, and automatically wakes up or puts your iPad to sleep when you remove it or put it back on. This is a great, colorful way to keep your screen scratch-free (unfortunately it will scratch if you leave it uncovered).

Battery Life: The battery life on the iPad 2 is second to none. There are currently only a few other tablets that can match the advertised 10 hours (namely the Samsung Galaxy and Motorola Xoom). This is good news if you want to be able to take your iPad out and about for long periods of time, away from a power source.

What’s Not So Great About The iPad 2

No Flash Support: Any review of the iPad has got to include one of its biggest complaints – there is no Flash on the device! Apple have purposely chosen not to support Adobe Flash, despite the fact that it’s used in many games, websites and videos around the net. Thankfully Apple does employ technology that means you can watch videos from YouTube and other websites. However, if you’re into Flash games then this could be a deal-breaker for you.

Screen: There’s no denying that the screen looks great, and has a good viewing angle. However, at 9.7 inches with a resolution of 1024 x 768, there have been no improvements since the original iPad. Many people have questioned why Apple didn’t bring out an HD screen, even though the camera can record HD quality videos.

Cameras: Many people have also questioned Apple’s choice not to include cameras in the original iPad. Although the cameras make a welcome addition to the iPad 2, they are still far behind most other tablets on the market. The front-facing camera (designed for video chats using FaceTime) is extremely low quality. And the rear-facing camera, for photographs and videos, isn’t much better. These don’t make for fantastic photographs, but they do the job.

No USB: This is another common criticism of Apple’s iPad. USB ports are something that many of the iPad’s rivals have chosen to include. The lack of USB ports means that you can’t attach flash storage drives or external peripherals (unless they use Apple’s specific connection), and there’s also no memory slot for adding additional storage space.

Conclusion

As you can see from this review, even the king of the tablets is far from perfect. There really is no such thing as a perfect tablet computer. For many people who already enjoy the Apple operating system on their smartphones, the iPad does come pretty close. It’s very hard to match it in terms of user interface and sheer style, though you may choose to go elsewhere if features such as Flash, USB ports or expandable memory are something you’re really looking for.

Dell Streak 7 Review

Dell Streak 7 Review

The Dell Streak 7 is one of the smallest tablets on the market, with a 7-inch screen. To some this may be a drawback, but for many it makes it a very portable device. It also boosts a number of top specs, such as 4G connectivity, a powerful processor, lightweight design and a relatively low price tag. But how does it match up to the other high-end Android tablets on the market today?

Key Specs For The Dell Streak 7

* Costs $298 – $450
* Released in 2011
* Runs on Google Android 2.2
* 7.87 x 4.72 x 0.49 inches in size
* Weighs 1 lb. / 0.45 kg
* 7 inch screen
* 800 x 480 resolution
* 16GB storage (up to 32GB additional)
* NVidia Tegra 2 Dual 1 GHz processor
* Wi-Fi/ 4G & Bluetooth connectivity
* 5 MP & 1 MP cameras
* Battery life has not been publicized – tests suggest around 3.5 – 4 hours

What’s Great About The Dell Streak 7

SD Card Slot: Although the Dell Streak 7 only comes with one base option for inbuilt memory (16GB) you can expand this by as much as an additional 32GB thanks to the included SD card slot. This slot supports SD, MMC and SDHC†memory card formats, and is useful for those who wish to transfer photographs (as SD cards are more common in cameras than micro-SD that many other rival tablets use).

Design: The 7 inch screen is noticeably smaller than most other tablets out there today, and the resolution is proportionately lower too. However, this is a feature that’s been designed to make this tablet as portable as possible, and the quality of the screen really doesn’t disappoint. The colors look bright and bold, though the viewing angle isn’t as good as some of the other tablets available. It makes use of Gorilla Glass to minimize scratches that inevitably happen with any tablet screen, and it feels like a solid and well-built design (if a little plasticky).

Connectivity: This is one of the most impressive features of the Dell Streak 7 – it has the ability to connect to 4G networks (as well as the standard 3G and Wi-Fi hotpots). So far its only rival in this area is the Motorola Xoom, so this will turn a lot of potential buyers onto the Streak.
4G broadband is a very new technology, and at present is only available to around a third of all Americans. However, the network is growing all the time, and using it means that you’ll be able to download whole movies across a mobile network! This does come at a price in the form of a more costly tablet and a monthly data plan, but it’ll be well worth it for those who wish to stay connected wherever they are. You can’t beat 4G technology!

Camera: At 5 megapixels, the rear camera is among the top for tablet computers. It comes with extra features to help improve photo and video quality, such as LED flash, auto focus and multi-shot mode.  It can also capture HD quality video. The front-facing camera is decent at 1.3 megapixels (enough for the video chats it was intended for).

USB Port: A USB port is also a very welcome addition to any tablet, meaning you can connect it up to mass storage devices for fast file transfers and backups, as well as external keyboards that’ll make your device even easier to use.

Price: Although it does have a smaller screen and less storage space than its competitors, the Dell Streak 7 is far more affordable starting at $300. The 4G option is also good value at around $450 – far cheaper than any 3G versions of the iPad, despite the fact that they don’t even have the option for 4G. This is a good “in-between” option for those on a tighter budget who don’t want to compromise on processing power.

What’s Not So Great About The Dell Streak 7

Operating System: The Streak runs on the Google Android 2.2 operating system. This isn’t as modern as the latest versions of Android, and doesn’t work as smoothly as alternatives such as iOS. However, you’ll still get access to the Android Market app store, with a good selection of apps (some may not work with the older 2.2 OS).

Battery Life: There seems to be a good reason why Dell don’t make it easy to find out how long the battery is supposed to last, and that’s because it doesn’t last long at all. Tests have shown it’ll last around 3.5 to 4 hours on average, which is less than half of what you can expect from iPad, Galaxy Tab or Xoom (all boasting a long 10 hours). This really isn’t great if you’re out for long periods of time, as you’ll frequently need to charge it up.

Ease Of Use: Although the touch screen works well, the virtual keyboard does somewhat let the Streak down. It is cramped, not surprisingly because the 7-inch screen is a lot smaller than what we’re used to seeing on other tablet computers. You’ll want to stay in landscape mode for the bulk of your typing.

Conclusion

The Dell Streak 7 really is a decent tablet with a very good price tag. The price tag alone will be enough to steal a number of buyers away from the likes of Apple and Samsung, onto this smaller yet still well-built tablet. Unfortunately, however, the battery life will turn an equal number of potential buyers away from the tablet.

Overall, this tablet has a good screen, good features and a powerful processor. But the lack of the latest Android version, a smaller screen and the battery life are all important issues for you to consider before making your final decision.

Samsung-Galaxy-Tab

Samsung Galaxy Tab Review

When it comes to the search for a tablet to rival the iPad, the Samsung Galaxy Tab has been billed as the answer. This tablet runs on the latest version of the Google Android operating system – ever growing in popularity – and has a number of features in its favor. It’s a noticeable upgrade to the latest generation of Galaxy tablet, but is it a true iPad rival?

Key Specs For The Samsung Galaxy Tab

* Costs between $500-$600
* Released in 2011
* Android 3.1 Honeycomb OS
* 0.3 x 6.9 x 10.1 inches in size
* Weighs 1.2 lb./ 0.54 kg
* 10.1 inch display
* 1280×800 resolution
* 16GB or 32 GB storage options
* NVidia Tegra 2 Dual 1 GHz CPU
* Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
* Two cameras: 3MP and 2MP
* 10 hour battery life

What’s Great About The Samsung Galaxy Tab

Battery Life: With an advertised battery life of 10 hours, the Samsung Galaxy is at the higher end of the scale, and a firm contender to the iPad 2. 10 hours is enough time to keep you occupied through a long plane journey, though activities such as watching movies will deplete the battery faster on any tablet computer.

Cameras: The Galaxy Tab comes with two cameras. The front-facing camera, at 2 megapixels, is designed for chatting via video across the internet. At the back you’ll find a 3-megapixel camera designed for taking photographs or for recording HD quality video. You’ll still want to keep hold of your digital camera for high quality photography, but for a tablet these are good quality cameras that’ll do the jobs you need them to do.

Design: When it comes to size and weight, the Samsung Galaxy is king of the tablet world. Although it’s only slightly lighter than the iPad, it’s a noticeable difference given the fact that you need to lift the devices to use them. It also looks pretty sleek, with a larger screen and a more detailed resolution than the iPad 2.

Storage: There are two storage options available for the Samsung Galaxy Tab: 16GB and 32GB. This will be more than enough for most users, though some may be disappointed that it doesn’t go up as high as 64GB (an option that’s included for the rival iPad).

Samsung Accessories: There are already a huge range of accessories on offer for the Samsung Galaxy Tablet, which has proven to be one of, if not the most, popular of the Android tablets. More buyers mean more scope for accessorizing the device with a wide range of third party offerings.

There are also the official Samsung accessories. The docks are especially notable: it’s important that you can get your hands on a dock if you’re the kind of person who wants to use their tablet to type with ease. Although the on-screen keyboard works well (see the notes below), it’s still far easier to type using physical keys.

Flash Support: Unlike the Galaxy’s biggest rival (the iPad 2), this tablet does support Adobe Flash thanks to the Android operating system. And it performs very well on websites with Flash videos, games or other content.

What’s Not So Great About The Samsung Galaxy Tablet

The Keyboard: Many users have complained about the built-in keyboard, both on this and older Samsung Galaxy Tablet models. The truth is that it can feel cramped, and slow to respond. This isn’t good news if you’ll need to type a lot, but there is a pretty simple solution. Switch to the Android Keyboard option in your Settings menu and you’ll find the keyboard works a lot more as you’d expect it to.

No SD Slot: Unlike older models of this tablet, the newest Samsung Galaxy Tab doesn’t come with an SD card slot. This means that there’s no option to upgrade your memory in future, and no way of transferring files from a memory card onto the tablet.  It also lacks a USB port (though thereís an add-on you can buy for that functionality). Note that these features are also lacking on the Galaxyís biggest rival: the iPad 2.

No 3G/ 4G Connection: Some users wishing to go with the Samsung technology, but also looking to stay connected via mobile broadband, may be disappointed that this feature isn’t yet available. The good news is that 3G/4G tablets are due to start shipping soon. They’ll have exactly the same specs, just an extra requirement to sign up to a mobile contract (and pay a little extra for the privilege of owning the 3G/4G technology, just like the iPad 2).

Design: The Galaxy doesn’t look bad by any means, but some users have complained of a plasticky feeling. It simply isn’t as sleek as it could be. And looks are important in a world where you’re competing mainly with the likes of Apple.

Conclusion

In answer to the question of whether the Samsung Galaxy is a rival to the iPad, the answer is a mixed one. Its specs certainly don’t blow the iPad out of the water (except where Flash is concerned). Its price is pretty much identical for the storage options available. Itís a well-made tablet that looks good (not quite as sleek as the iPad) and performs well. Whether you opt for the iPad or the Galaxy will depend on whether you prefer Android to Apple’s iOS. What’s clear is that the Galaxy is certainly giving the iPad a run for its money.

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