Alternatives to Xoom!!

[jimbo1mcm]

Sometimes early adopters pay a huge price. This may be the case with XOOM, if the rumored $799 price is a fact. Even if Verizon knocks off $200, and they stick you with a $30 a month data plan for 2 years with high penalties for cancelling, it will be brutally expensive. It is now reasonable to really look at alternatives. The Ipad 2 will be out, probably in April, and will definitely have a wifi only and have about the same hardware as the Xoom, and maybe $200-300 cheaper. I've had an Ipad and would buy another. The Acer 10.1 inch Android, with similar or better hardware than the Xoom is also supposed to be out around April. Acer usually prices VERY competitively. There are also a few others in the 10 inch form. Are we all going to jump on the Xoom?

 

[swagner53]

I am considering the same issues. There will undoubtedly be wifi only Android tablets that are significantly cheaper. The Archos 101 is currently $300 - granted it is not of the same quality, but there are many others coming. The galaxy tab can be had for $499.

As for the iPad- the base model- no 3g - may be 200 cheaper, but put in comparable memory and 3g and the price is just as high as the Xoom.

The Notion Ink should be out at $425 for the 3g LCD model.

I simply think its not time yet- this summer will be the mark. By then we should see a plethora of competitive android tablets, the ipad 2, and most carriers on board. The early adopter costs should be gone by then as well once the competition of actually shipping devices heats up. Additionally we should see Gingerbread at leat and maybe even Honeycomb by then.

I think anything you by now would be simply a "test" device just to begin to assess the true viability of an android tablet as a netbook/laptop/e-reader replacement. It will allow you to explore possibilities of android in this form factor, but by summer it will likely be either outdated or, in the case of the Xoom, you will have paid a high price for early adoption.

 

[bucketheadmn]

Seeing the Xoom price takes it out of my radar. While it would be nice to have a Google Experience tablet, not paying a premium for one. As it stands now the Notion Ink Adam is looking more and more attractive as is waiting 6 months for the rest of the Android tablets to be released.

 

[jimbo1mcm]

This looks very interesting with very good specs, comparable to Xoom. Wonder what the price will actually be.

From Engadget:

.at15t_email{background-position:0px -4120px}

Tablet PCs
ASUS Eee Pad Slider and Transformer arrive for those that can't imagine using a tablet without a physical keyboard

By Joanna Stern posted Jan 4th 2011 5:33PM
Breaking News

​

Here they are: ASUS's duo of Tegra 2-powered, 10.1-inch tablets with unique physical keyboards. Starting with the craziest of them, is the Eee Pad Slider (pictured on the left), which reminds us a lot of HTC's old school Shift with its slide out QWERTY keyboard. The device is planned to run Google's Honeycomb, sports a IPS, 1280 x 800-resolution display, and houses mini-HDMI and miniUSB ports as well as a microSD card slot. The 2.2-pound / .5-inch thick slab also has dual cameras -- a 1.2 megapixel front-facing one and a 5 megapixel one with an LED flash on the back. We have to say we love the idea of always having that keyboard around, but if you don't want to drag along a physical keyboard all the time, ASUS has something for you too. It's the Transformer, and like the Eee Pad we saw at Computex, it's a 10.1-inch tablet that will come with a laptop like dock with a full size keyboard and touchpad. The tablet part -- like the Slider -- will run Android 3.0 and packs a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, two cameras, and a 1280 x 800-resolution IPS display, however, the dock has an integrated battery that will keep the tablet running for 16 hours on a charge -- the tablet on its own should last eight. We're obviously aching in our seats here waiting to get these two in our hands so stay tuned for some crazy videos of the two in action -- until then we leave you with the specs after the break.

Update: How much will it cost you to keyboard-ify your slate and how long will you have to wait? ASUS says the Transformer will run between $400 and $700 and the Slider from $500 to $800. Expect them in April and May respectively.
ASUS Eee Slate Slider and Transformer













ASUS Eee Pad Slider and Transformer

​

 

[Don S]

That does look compelling in a way. Though the broad "$500 - $800" price tag makes all the difference. At $800, I'll definitely take the XOOM (though that keyboard is compelling on the Slider).

It's odd, I definitely read about this during CES, but never really considered it because I was so fixed on the XOOM. Now that the XOOM seems to have a $800 price tag, I suspect others may do what I am doing - namely going back to see what other options exist for comparison sake..

 

[Zaggs]

That does look compelling in a way. Though the broad "$500 - $800" price tag makes all the difference. At $800, I'll definitely take the XOOM (though that keyboard is compelling on the Slider).

It's odd, I definitely read about this during CES, but never really considered it because I was so fixed on the XOOM. Now that the XOOM seems to have a $800 price tag, I suspect others may do what I am doing - namely going back to see what other options exist for comparison sake..

I'm thinking the broad range is model choices. Which probably means for the same specs as xoom, that will be $800 please. I'm really going to hate Motorola for setting that price point.

 

[Zaggs]

This looks very interesting with very good specs, comparable to Xoom. Wonder what the price will actually be.


Update: How much will it cost you to keyboard-ify your slate and how long will you have to wait? ASUS says the Transformer will run between $400 and $700 and the Slider from $500 to $800. Expect them in April and May respectively.

So I can't get it without a physical keyboard option? Damn that sucks.

 

[jimbo1mcm]

The other model of Asus comes with a keyboard, but the tablet part separates and you can just use it as a tablet.

 

[jimbo1mcm]

I am posting this because there is not a separate category for the Toshiba Tablet( doesn't have a name yet), but Toshiba's website is alive and showing the product with a spring arrival.

http://thetoshibatablet.com/

This could be the 800 lb gorilla in the room. I was all set to purchase the Xoom, but the price and the arrival of this product will probably change my mind.

Specs: 1280 x 800
Tegra 2
Honeycomb
Replaceable Battery
10.1 inch
2.0MP front camera, 5.0 back camera
Mini USB
Full size USB 2.0
Full size HDMI
SRS suround stereo speakers
Wifi connectivity
Full size SD or microSd expandable to 128GB
Bluetooth, GPS, Accelerometer
Haptic feedback on typing
Flash

They are targeting around 1.76 lbs. No RAM stated yet.

No 3 or 4G now, but if there is a full USB port, maybe you can use a 3 or 4G adapter or a hotspot from your smartphone. There are plans to have 3 or 4G in the future.


I used to have a Toshiba laptop and it was a workhorse. When the CPU overheated, they sent a box the next day and repaired it very quickly. I have full confidence in their product support. I think that this product might be the next best alternative to the xoom, because it will probably be cheaper not having 3 or 4G and it will be sold direct from Toshiba or probably Best Buy. I noticed that the demonstrator at CES said they were going to have a 16GB and a 32GB model to start. This should make it well less than the Xoom in price. I think that with Toshiba's world wide buying power and its experience in making tablets and laptops, it will be able to deliver a superior product at a competitive price.

Due for a spring arrival. I don't believe I will be in the early adopter line at Verizon. This tablet is worth waiting a couple of months for.

http://www.intomobile.com/2011/01/04/toshiba-tablet-ces-2011/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/215562/toshiba_showcases_first_android_tablet.html

 

[bucketheadmn]

I am posting this because there is not a separate category for the Toshiba Tablet( doesn't have a name yet), but Toshiba's website is alive and showing the product with a spring arrival.

Toshiba Tablet

Funny - was just coming to add this to the thread as well. So now we will have a few good Alternatives to the Xoom:

-Asus Transformer
-Notion Ink Adam
-Toshiba Unnamed

While the Xoom will be the first to market I will be waiting for one of the other 3. No sense in paying the HUGE early adapter tax it looks like Moto is going to be charging.

 

[Zaggs]

The other model of Asus comes with a keyboard, but the tablet part separates and you can just use it as a tablet.

Sorry, more to the point can I just buy the tablet without having to buy some sort of physical keyboard because somehow I think they tack that on to the price.

 

[Zaggs]

Funny - was just coming to add this to the thread as well. So now we will have a few good Alternatives to the Xoom:

-Asus Transformer
-Notion Ink Adam
-Toshiba Unnamed

While the Xoom will be the first to market I will be waiting for one of the other 3. No sense in paying the HUGE early adapter tax it looks like Moto is going to be charging.

Of the 4 you list the Adam is technically first to the market as they have already begun shipping. People are waiting for the next round of pre-orders.

 

[bucketheadmn]

Sorry, more to the point can I just buy the tablet without having to buy some sort of physical keyboard because somehow I think they tack that on to the price.

I would assume that Transformer is going to come sans keyboard. I think I remember reading somewhere that it will be like $200-$300 to add it - along with a keyboard it adds in like 16 hours of battery life in addition as well.

Of the 4 you list the Adam is technically first to the market as they have already begun shipping. People are waiting for the next round of pre-orders.

If Notion Ink would come out and say 100% for sure that they will upgrade to 3.0 I would get in on pre-order 2. I have been following in the last week or so, but there is to much ambiguity surrounding it at this time to pre-order.

 

[jroc]

I have been wanting the Notion Ink since last year....lol The XOOM looks nice, but I think I would take the Notion Ink over it even if both were priced the same.

I did want the ICD Vega tablet last year too, think its called the Advent Vega now. The name changed so many times I lost track...lol For real, it could be 2 different tablets...

I think the Viewsonic G tablet might be nice too. Its been out for a few months now.

 

[Old Member]

HTC is rumored to be releasing a tablet later this year.

 

[Teegunn]

The Asus transformer is actually at the top of my list right now.... but it could be Q3 before it's even out. As others have said, this summer is prolly when the real competitive options start to become available. And as always, the first run of things usually have a ton of kinks to work out. Also consider this is the genesis of Gingerbread so who knows what kinks that will have to be ironed out also. Unfortunately, 2011 will likely be a year where things take some time to really get up and running properly. Hope I'm wrong and the timeframe is quicker than that.

 

[ctxx24]

Elocity A7 this dont look bad...pretty cheap if you wana make payments


eLocity A7 7" LCD 4GB Flash Wireless Tablet w/ Android 2.2 Technology ShopNBC.com

 

[CriticalMass]

Word on the street is the iPad 2 will have a low end $399.99 version as well. While others are just jumping into the fray, Apple's had time to reduce production and R&D costs due to the success of the original iPad.

Companies like Motorola may end up losing out the same way they did back when Apple introduced the iPod for the first time. By the time they caught up, it was too late. Nobody could produce a device as nice as the iPod for the same price point.

 

[redshift1]

Word on the street is the iPad 2 will have a low end $399.99 version as well. While others are just jumping into the fray, Apple's had time to reduce production and R&D costs due to the success of the original iPad.

Companies like Motorola may end up losing out the same way they did back when Apple introduced the iPod for the first time. By the time they caught up, it was too late. Nobody could produce a device as nice as the iPod for the same price point.

$399.00 ? Possible but the ipad1 refurbs are selling for $429.00 would they actually undercut that price. Maybe a pre-emptive strike for tablet dominance.

 

[Vehtemas]

I love the Toshiba Tablet website intro, it is awesome looking hahaha.

I must admit I didn't even KNOW about this but it looks slick!

 

[Dunbar]

Has anyone heard anything about LG's G slate Tablet? It's supposed to have a 3D screen and the ability to record 3D movies (although it still requires wearing those awkward goggles).

Personally, I think 3D is just a fad. But I have to admit, it would be a nice feature to have on a tablet for watching the occasional 3D movie (especially since I would never buy a 3D tv).

I am pretty set on getting the Xoom, but wonder if anyone had any thoughts on the G slate?

LG’s newest 3D spree: G slate Tablet ? Gizmosync

 

[Teegunn]

3 d means nothing to me at this point either. If you gotta wear glasses then it makes little sense for a tab imho.

 

[bucketheadmn]

I love the Toshiba Tablet website intro, it is awesome looking hahaha.

I must admit I didn't even KNOW about this but it looks slick!

It does look pretty cool. Tough part is getting the Xoom right away or wait to see how Toshiba and others butcher Honeycomb with custom skins....

 

[sc_eveleigh]

This might be a silly question, but will any of these be alternatives to a laptop? Not high performance computing, but internet, email, word processing, excel/powerpoint/school work type things, etc, and basic games?

My laptop is on its last leg, and it's either buy one of these awesome things or a laptop. I am in school and need to write documents and make excel models and powerpoint presentations.

I know about documents to go, but the reviews are hit and miss, and im not sure those programs are completely functional alternatives to the real office programs. I do not do any gaming or anything like that other angry birds type games, but need the office type packages.

Knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bioluminous]

tablets aren't going to be ideal for schoolwork as you describe. Tablets are much more oriented towards content consumption than creation. If you need to type papers etc, get a laptop. you can even get laptops cheaper than a tablet anyway.

And for those that say you can get a keyboard addon for a tablet, its still running android (which has no real office suite) and that can cause all kinds of complications if you need to open/save/print/send office documents in school.

Try looking for a cheap refurbished or used laptop to hold you over, and start saving for a tablet.

you can get a cheap new laptop for $350-450, like this: http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cdetland.to?poid=509558