So here is the deal, my laptop is done for, too many things wrong with it to fix. So here my my situation, wife is leaving it up to me. She doesn't want both a new laptop and the Xoom, so I have to pick one.
We have a desktop PC down stairs in our living room, so we can use that. So should I buy another laptop or should I get the Xoom?
I am waiting until April, or at least I'm trying my best! Several tablets to choose from should have been released by that time, and Honeycomb should be more mature, app makers given time to update their apps to higher definition, etc.
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Originally Posted by knivesout
iPad 2 release date (unconfirmed).
I am waiting until April, or at least I'm trying my best! Several tablets to choose from should have been released by that time, and Honeycomb should be more mature, app makers given time to update their apps to higher definition, etc.
But the OP was talking about a laptop or Xoom. No mention of an iPad.
Personally I think a tablet is the perfect compliment to a desktop.
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Yeah I am definitely not buying a ipad or ipad 2. The laptop is used mostly for youtube, locking up something quickly. I used it a lot for android forums, facebook, twitter, google, mostly forums.
Wife used it for people.com, google, youtube, perez. Liked it because it was portable.
Just really wanted to know how people thought it compared. Is the Xoom fast at web browsing on wifi? Do you think it would be good for our needs?
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Originally Posted by Wolfedude88
Yeah I am definitely not buying a ipad or ipad 2. The laptop is used mostly for youtube, locking up something quickly. I used it a lot for android forums, facebook, twitter, google, mostly forums.
Wife used it for people.com, google, youtube, perez. Liked it because it was portable.
Just really wanted to know how people thought it compared. Is the Xoom fast at web browsing on wifi? Do you think it would be good for our needs?
I don't own a Xoom yet, a couple days away, but I noticed you mentioned "looking up" quick. A Xoom is just a 1 second button push from being online, no boot up or awaking from sleep like a laptop.
And the things you and your wife do from a LT, can be done on a Xoom. Can't speak for wifi speed yet.
if you have to ask then you dont really have a vested interest in the xoom so i say get a laptop.
the xoom is too new to be used as a laptop replacement right now and for people who are not comfortable with tablets OR the android OS OR a new OS that has little support from content makers and devs (they are working on it, takes time), i can only see headaches for you.
The xoom is very fast surfing the web (this is being typed from my xoom) and youtube is very nice as well. To be honest since I got this on thursday I haven't touched my laptop and the battery life is awesome I have been using almost non stop and only charged once. A laptop would most likely be cheaper to purchase but I'm pretty satisfied with my xoom. :-)
But the OP was talking about a laptop or Xoom. No mention of an iPad.
Personally I think a tablet is the perfect compliment to a desktop.
The point isn't whether he's choosing between a laptop, Android, or iOS tablet - the point is, when there's more (better) competition, the prices will start to drop.
The point isn't whether he's choosing between a laptop, Android, or iOS tablet - the point is, when there's more (better) competition, the prices will start to drop.
The point of this topic is "Laptop or Xoom." That's the point; not when prices start dropping. The OP already lowered his choices. Perhaps the point of your reply is what you said.
If you can swallow the price tag of the Xoom, then get that since from what you said, you simply read and watch stuff on your laptop. The Xoom would be more portable and you could buy a bluetooth keyboard for it if needed. But I do agree with that tablets in general aren't there yet to replace laptops. Since your laptop usage is basically "read and watch," that is why I suggest getting a Xoom. It's your choice though.
The xoom is very fast surfing the web (this is being typed from my xoom) and youtube is very nice as well.
To be honest since I got this on thursday I haven't touched my laptop and the battery life is awesome I have been using almost non stop and only charged once. A laptop would most likely be cheaper to purchase but I'm pretty satisfied with my Xoom. :-)
That's the stuff I'm hearing from two others I know who grabbed a Xoom: "my laptop is going cold," and, "I was surprised at the battery life."
I'm not faced with an "either or," as the OP; my laptops are all fine, but I've decided to get the Xoom based on what I've seen of them, messing around with my co-worker's Xooms, and what they're saying about them.
However, personally speaking, if I were trying to decide on having one or the other, I'd do exactly what I did before I had a laptop, save up for the top of the line laptop, not get a gadget like the Xoom; to me it's an "extra" thing to have in my life, not a necessity.
I take your wife on a nicedate treat her nice and give her the time of her life!!!! Then as she's having the time of her life, slip in you want to buy her a laptop and a Xoom for you!!!!
If that doesn't work get the Xoom. It fits everything you mentioned, and it's alot easier to carry around then a laptop... But the nice date is a worth a shot!!!!
BTW the Xoom is not good at locking anything up except on a 2 year contract if that's what you want, lol.
Since you have a desktop a tablet would be a perfect complement to it for browsing and media consumption. As long as you are fine with loosing the option of having a full blown portable computer I would say go for it. I haven't touched my laptop since picking ups zoom on thursday.
I would never never never replace a laptop, desktop or even a mac with an iPad. Way too limiting in terms of connectivity and abilities. If you can replace a laptop with an ipad, you probably didn't need a laptop to begin with.
An small argument can be made for replacing a laptop with a tablet, but it really depends on your usage and satisfaction. I still would not do this yet but I think android tablets are heading in the direction of being able to make a stronger case for replacing a laptop for many (but not all) folks.
So - I think it simply depends on the OPs usages of his laptop. If it is dead anyway, then go ahead and replace it with an android (not Xoom until and unless it has host USB capabilities) tablet like the upcoming Toshiba.
Then keep us posted with any and all things you get stuck on where you cant do it on the tablet but could on your old laptop. It would be a great experiment.
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What is your budget? If your budget allows why not get both? In addition to my xoom I bought an Alienware m11x for my wife. The little thing is powerful enough to do just about anything you need it to do and the battery lasts a good 6-8 hours. Plus she will like the pretty colors she could change the keyboard . That way I get my Xoom she gets a top notch lappy all for around $1400 and we are both happy .
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Quote:
Originally Posted by knivesout
The point isn't whether he's choosing between a laptop, Android, or iOS tablet - the point is, when there's more (better) competition, the prices will start to drop.
The price won't drop anytime soon. It certainly won't drop when iPad 2 is out. Maybe 10-12 months from now and marginally at that.
Last edited by Mitchrapp; February 27th, 2011 at 09:08 AM.
If you are a gamer, a better bet would be an Alienware M11X laptop. Killer battery life and game chops for a small device and same price as Xoom.... Well, at least until the wifi only Xoom comes out.
If not a gamer, wait for the wifi only version of the Xoom, or the iPad 2 if you ARE a gamer.... I guess then it depends on how important Flash is to you...
What is your budget? If your budget allows why not get both? In addition to my xoom I bought an Alienware m11x for my wife. The little thing is powerful enough to do just about anything you need it to do and the battery lasts a good 6-8 hours. Plus she will like the pretty colors she could change the keyboard . That way I get my Xoom she gets a top notch lappy all for around $1400 and we are both happy .
I have an M11X that I got last year and it rocks real hard
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Originally Posted by rushmore
If you are a gamer, a better bet would be an Alienware M11X laptop. Killer battery life and game chops for a small device and same price as Xoom.... Well, at least until the wifi only Xoom comes out.
If not a gamer, wait for the wifi only version of the Xoom, or the iPad 2 if you ARE a gamer.... I guess then it depends on how important Flash is to you...
Choices are good.
How many times does he have to say it, he doesn't want an iPad or iPad 2 or iPad 3
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The price won't drop anytime soon. It certainly won't drop when iPad 2 is out. Maybe 10-12 months from now and marginally at that.
I agree with you somewhat on the iPad 2 not necessarily forcing the price drop, but I think it may contribute, based on how many people buy an iPad 2 versus the Xoom - especially if the iPad 2 has a "surprise" release next week. Most people you'll meet on the street don't care as much about Android as those of us on these forums do, and many of them know exactly what to expect from an iPad.
So, the way it looks to me:
March: iPad 2 releases, more hype builds over new Honeycomb/Tegra 2 tablets, release dates get confirmed, etc. April: A new Android tablet or two get released, and so on for the next 6 months.
Motorola will be forced into conceding their high prices throughout the next 3 months, IMO.
if you have to ask then you dont really have a vested interest in the xoom so i say get a laptop.
the xoom is too new to be used as a laptop replacement right now and for people who are not comfortable with tablets OR the android OS OR a new OS that has little support from content makers and devs (they are working on it, takes time), i can only see headaches for you.
if you need to buy something now, get a laptop...
I am very big into Android and root every phone I have, and use custom roms and kernels. I have been following the Xoom just not as much as I would have liked.
I was more curious to see how fast the browsing speed can be. I know it wont do everything a laptop can, which I am totally fine with. I just want to know if the web browser loads quickly, some have said it does, and wanted to see how youtube runs on it.
I have seen the reviews, but I always think it is best to check the forums and get first hand user experience. I have owned 6 android devices and know how to operate them all. I just want to make sure this tablet isn't going to be a waste, I want to make sure that the speed is sufficient. I am not talking about lag or flipping through screens. Just making sure the actual web browsing is good, stuff like that.
Also I know flash doesn't work yet, no biggie. I know the circumstances with the Xoom, just want real user feedback.
Sorry if I have confused anyone and not given a lot of information. My PC is a great PC and will do everything I need from it. The laptop vs Xoom debate is just something I wanted to make sure of. I like having something portable, which both would be.
I dont need it for music editing/microsoft office or anything to that nature. My PC is seriously 5 to 10 feet away. I just want something that I can use on the couch and surf the web, that isn't slow, and youtube, stuff like that.
Seems like most are saying the Xoom will be fine for that, which is what I was worried about. I don't want an Ipad or netbook, not for me, fine for others.
I just needed to make sure buying an Xoom would be justified and wouldn't be disappointed with browsing with it. Heck if I bought a laptop it would have been cheap because like I said my PC is more than capable for most things.
Thanks everyone I appreciate everyone's feedback no matter what it is.
What is your budget? If your budget allows why not get both? In addition to my xoom I bought an Alienware m11x for my wife. The little thing is powerful enough to do just about anything you need it to do and the battery lasts a good 6-8 hours. Plus she will like the pretty colors she could change the keyboard . That way I get my Xoom she gets a top notch lappy all for around $1400 and we are both happy .
I will eventually get both, wife just likes to not buy two big items at once, even if we have the money. I figure since she will let me, I can honor that. I want to buy the Xoom, just making sure it would be suitable.
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I always find it worth the money, for me it replaces a laptop. Once we get flash a d I can find a good RDP I'm good to go. And its cheaper than a good laptop. So I stead of updating my 3 year old laptop which can cost anywhere from 1200$ to 2000$, I save. And that's on the cheap side.
I always find a tablet compliments the PC perfectly.
we use tablets as a laptop/ x-terminal replacement on-site at clients. With a bluetooth keyboard, they replace laptops for us.
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Why not just cheap laptops, it seems like you guys could really use them in this situation...I'm of the opinion that the current Android/iOS tablets aren't really intended to be laptop replacements. Web browsing/reading/music, and anything more than that I would consider a luxury on them. They're also much more expensive than the kind of laptop you guys would need to perform the same function more smoothly, and probably faster to boot.
ಠ_ಠ
Why not just cheap laptops, it seems like you guys could really use them in this situation...I'm of the opinion that the current Android/iOS tablets aren't really intended to be laptop replacements. Web browsing/reading/music, and anything more than that I would consider a luxury on them. They're also much more expensive than the kind of laptop you guys would need to perform the same function more smoothly, and probably faster to boot.
Because these are perks of the job. We already have laptops.
Boss: "You need to be on-call and have available access to our servers at moment's call."
Me: "I don't plan to carry a laptop w/ me 24/7"
Boss: "What 3G tablet will give you want you need. It needs to be on you, or in your car."
Me: "Sure, let me research that"
The 1st gen iPads have already proven themselves during server meltdowns.
I was travelling abroad and paid $15 for a 3G SIM that gave me Internet access in Latin America. I had to actually VPN & SSH once and the company saw the value in that. In fact, the iPads saved me a few times.
It is like being a fireman. You don't realize how important they are until there is a 5 alarm blazing fire. We have admins & developers that take extended leaves like Sailing the America's CUP or hiking Nepal and having a 3G tablet as the umbilical cord to the world is important.
Boss said, "Hey the XOOM is out and the iPad 2. Get One and give your old iPad to one of the sales people to use. My answer was, oh hell yes"
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Quote:
Originally Posted by knivesout
ಠ_ಠ
Why not just cheap laptops, it seems like you guys could really use them in this situation...I'm of the opinion that the current Android/iOS tablets aren't really intended to be laptop replacements. Web browsing/reading/music, and anything more than that I would consider a luxury on them. They're also much more expensive than the kind of laptop you guys would need to perform the same function more smoothly, and probably faster to boot.
You'll be surprise how many people use a laptop for those very reasons, web and reading and music and email.
Boss: "You need to be on-call and have available access to our servers at moment's call."
Me: "I don't plan to carry a laptop w/ me 24/7"
I dunno man, I'm in the same situation. Although I need special software for some of the stuff I work on (stuff that will NEVER be found in an app market of any kind), I tote the laptop to and fro and it's really not a big deal...I suppose you're probably used to the iPad at this point, but it seems like that would be a hindrance at times. Typing would be especially annoying, and lack of window management would probably come in second, but if you're carrying around an iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard, you have 2 halves of a better tool in one product.
I think laptop is best for you because it is new generation gadget and all things and all software are available in it. If you get xoom then you will not get most usable software. So keep in mind and think some for laptop.
If you went with the Xooom - I'd agree. You said you have a desktop - since purchasing my Xoom I haven't turned my also new laptop on. If I really need computing the desktop is there, but for everything else the Xoom is sufficient.
I have been a power laptop user for many years including photo editing and video, so I've always had a fast/big laptop to enable that need. But...on business trips I don't usually have to do this work but I've had to carry the massive laptop with me.
I just returned from a two-day business trip with my Xoom plus Bluetooth keyboard - the first time I've never carried my laptop. I am now convinced - most all business trips I can take my Xoom (only) and solve all my needs.
1. You can pull it out comfortably on the airplane - no way I can even open the lid of my laptop.
2. All reading material is present - no magazines/books to lug around.
3. Tether through my rooted Evo4G makes communication anywhere a piece of cake.
4. Bluetooth keyboard makes text entry easy/fast - really seemless. I do find this important for some work I do.
5. Using Dropbox on PC/Xoom means all my key documents are easily synchronized.
I'm a convert to traveling with Xoom. I'll only lug my laptop around if I need to be a power user on the road, which isn't all that often. I encourage you to try it!
I actually have kind of the same choice to make but different...See, I already have a Xoom and I finally have enough money for a new laptop(bc the one I am on now is about 8 years old), but the ipad 1 is about the same price as the laptop I wanna get....
Now, I found that my Xoom can be hooked to a external drive, so it could be used as my main computer like my laptop is now, but I have kind of grown use to a laptop to be honest, so idk what to do...
And before you ipad fans say it, no I don't care that the ipad 2 is a bit faster and thinner then the ipad im deciding to get or not.
I actually have kind of the same choice to make but different...See, I already have a Xoom and I finally have enough money for a new laptop(bc the one I am on now is about 8 years old), but the ipad 1 is about the same price as the laptop I wanna get....
What do you need the laptop for? Why would you buy iPod 1 when it is less functional than both your Xoom or new laptop would be? Your logic is flawed man.
What do you need the laptop for? Why would you buy iPod 1 when it is less functional than both your Xoom or new laptop would be? Your logic is flawed man.
lol, yea, I agree, but the thing is that I am tired of the iOS(ipad) having games like Peggle, PvZ, Pocket God(theirs has more episodes), Pocket Devil, etc...
But, then again these games will all most likely come to android sooner or later...I suppose.
So here is the deal, my laptop is done for, too many things wrong with it to fix. So here my my situation, wife is leaving it up to me. She doesn't want both a new laptop and the Xoom, so I have to pick one.
We have a desktop PC down stairs in our living room, so we can use that. So should I buy another laptop or should I get the Xoom?
Would like to get some feedback from the users.
Thanks
I was in the same position.. I caved into the XOOM but now Im thinking of taking it back today ( only 1 day later )
1. Because no android 3.1 has been rolled out to me
2. Because 2 of my top movie/tv show sites that I watch and use all the time on my laptop without issue... are having major issues on the xoom ( they stutter and when they do play... they finally stop after about 3 or 4 mins and dont ever start again! )
Very disappointed in it.. I love the rest of the things on it but im afraid I need functionality and its just not giving me that.
So i may take it back and get a laptop ( windows )
2. Because 2 of my top movie/tv show sites that I watch and use all the time on my laptop without issue... are having major issues on the xoom ( they stutter and when they do play... they finally stop after about 3 or 4 mins and dont ever start again! )
I agree that this is a big problem on the Xoom (and presumably Android in general maybe...?). But this seems like such a narrow use case compared to all the great things the Xoom does. Did you really only buy this to watch TV on? I mean, I know you gave it a tremendous amount of test time before returning it, but did you find the Xoom useful for anything else?
Laptop or Xoom?
.
