Which tablet should I buy? Motorola Xoom vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v
- 30 August, 2011 16:24
- Comments 8
With the increasing popularity of tablets in both the home and enterprise, many companies have released their own version of the handheld device — with the exception of Hewlett-Packard, who recently bowed out of the competition by discontinuing its TouchPad range. However, with so many options available, how does one find a tablet that is suitable to their needs?
Read Techworld Australia's Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 review
In this week's "Which tablet should I buy", Computerworld Australia has reviewed the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v to help you find the tablet that's right for you.
See Which tablet should I buy? iPad vs Xoom.
Running on Google’s latest Android 3.0 ‘Honeycomb’ operating system, the Motorola Xoom and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v both have similar key features. These include things like an action bar, which is displayed at the top of the screen; five home screens which can be customised; a recent apps list, making multitasking easier; a redesigned onscreen keyboard, making usage effortless; a new browser, which displays Flash content with minimal delay as well as support of tabbed Web browsing and 3D graphics.
Both the Xoom and the Galaxy Tab 10.1v have very similar touchscreen displays. The screens are both 10.1in in size with a resolution of 1280 x 800. Both the Xoom and the Galaxy Tab 10.1v offer 3G connectivity.
Another similarity emerges when investigating the processors. The Xoom is powered by a 1GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, while the Galaxy Tab 10.1v runs Samsung's own 1GHz dual-core chip. Both tablets have a sizable 1GB of RAM making their performance is therefore very similar.
So, with many similarities, how does the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v differ to the Motorola Xoom?
Perhaps the most notable difference is in their memory. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v has a mere 16GB of internal storage compared to the Xoom, which has a more impressive 32GB. The Galaxy lacks a microSD card slot for extra storage. This is disappointing if you are after a tablet which can store a large amount of digital media.
The Xoom, conversely, comes with a micro SDcard slot for memory expansion. It also has a HDMI-out port whereas the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v lacks both HDMI-out and USB ports. Hence, the Motorla Xoom is a far better choice in these arenas.
If it is essential that you have a good camera then this is where the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v stands out. It has a rear 8-megapixel rear camera that doubles as a 1080p HD video recorder, and a 2-megapixel front camera for video calls. The Motorola Xoom has a 5-megapixel rear camera for photographs and video, and a 2-megapixel front camera for video calls. The Xoom can record 720p HD video which is only slightly less than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v.
The Galaxy weighs less than the Xoom (600g vs 730g) making it more portable. The difference is small but there. If overall look and feel is important, then the Xoom is the more slick of the two. The Galaxy has a plastic body compared to the Xoom which is metal. This gives it a more chic appearance.
Motorola Xoom vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v: Specs
| Motorola Xoom | Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 249.1 x 167.8 x 12.9mm | 246.2 x 170.4 x 10.9mm |
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 pixels | 1280 x 800 pixels |
| Display Technology | Capacitive TFT | Capacitive TFT |
| Screen Size | 10.1 in | 10.1 in |
| Multi-touch | Yes | Yes |
| Adobe Flash Support | Yes | Yes |
| 3G Networks | HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100 | HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100 |
| Processor | NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core (1GHz) | Samsung dual-core (1GHz) |
| Internal Memory | 32GB | 16GB |
| Expandable Memory | microSD | None |
| HDMI Output | Yes | No |
| Video Recording | Yes, 720p HD | Yes, 1080p HD |
| Front Camera | 2 megapixels | 2 megapixels |
| Rear Camera | 5 megapixels, dual-LED flash, autofocus, geotagging | 8 megapixels, dual-LED flash, autofocus, geotagging |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 730g | 600g |
| RAM | 1GB | 1GB |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | 2.1 with A2DP | 2.1 with A2DP |
| USB port | No | No |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours |
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Comments
Gary W. Revels, Jr.
The moto xoom has micro USB support
Thanks for wasting my time.
WOW how clueless are you? At least do your homework galaxy has a 3 mp camera in the rear. the screen is a lot better on the Galaxy. The Xoom mirco SD slot is a read only. You can add data on the Xoom but you can not load photo's or video from the Xoom to the micro SD card. Your report was a waste of time.........
James Taylor
The author is wrong to suggest 130gms is a small difference. Ergonomics is extremely important as I can attest to personally. I have "Ipaditis" (a RSI injury in the arm, shoulder and neck) caused by lying down and reading from an Ipad Ver 1.
I know this is a self inflicted injury caused by my own carelessness. But my point is a lighter device may have avoided the injury.
Jack of all trades
LOL weak report dude , very weak , what did you do cut and paste from when this was first printed months ago?
let me help you....
3 megapixel on rear , the processor is the same as the Xoom NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core ,the Xoom has a mini HDMI slot , the screen on the Galaxy is way better then the Xoom. Xoom runs Android 3.2 while Galaxy runs 3.1 , anytime updates come out Xoom will get them first while with Galaxy you will have to wait for Samsung to re-write it for Galaxy. Xoom is the true android tablet. The Xoom can on add data to its device from the micro SD card but if you take a ton of photo's or video's you can't put it on the micro SD card to free up space ( that make no sence what so ever ) but then again we are talking about Motorola.......Rumor has it the Xoom 2 is coming out in a couple of months also the Galaxy 8.9 will be out soon.........
Russell
I stopped reading this using my 32G Galaxy w/3mp rear camera about halfway through...poorly researched.
Ryan
I returned my Sammy to get a Xoom.
The screen is definately better on the Galaxy and touchwiz is nice but that's it.
I like the SD card for storing movies so I never need to write too it. Non US users can read write to the SD and so can rooted users.
USB is a requirement for me. Its a micro port but a 99 cent adaptor from Amazon makes it full size. Its nice being able to have the a ps3 controller hooked to the USB and being able to charge at the same time.
HDMI out makes it even better esp. for playing games or have a keyboard and mouse hooked up via USB at the same time for presentations. Just so many options and configurations possible.
Both are great products but the Xoom works better for me right now. Might be a different story when the quadcores come out.
Tab User
Haha.. I think this mindless writer owns Xoom, and to his sheer disappointment with the gadget, he tries to manipulate the readers to look to less favoured Xoom and share his misfortune !! Gal Tab 10.1 is certainly a way better gadget, and possibly to outrun ipad2 in the future. Android is getting bigger and better and will certainly have more apps in no time. Gal Tab 10.1 and Android Honeycomb is a perfect match !
Steve Walker
I wouldn't recommend either. Buy the Toshiba Thrive.
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