I’m dreaming of getting a tablet for Christmas. I love my laptop but it is huge (17.3″ screen) and heavy (over 6 pounds). I tote this with me everywhere in a cumbersome rolling case. Having a tablet would allow me to leave the laptop at home about 75% of the time-which would be awesome. I’ve been researching tablets for a while and currently, the Motorola Xoom has my eye.
To start my Xoom research I first went to the Motorola website to check out the specs om the Xoom. The Xoom is 9.8 x 6.6 x .5 inches (H x W x D), nice and thin, yet comfortable to hold-at least it seems comfortable to hold while tethered to the display at the Verizon store. The display size is 10.1-in.; WXGA (1280x 800 pixels; 150 pixels / inch), HD 720p. My phone is an Android and so is the Xoom so that is a platform I am already comfortable with. Since I am a Gmail user I love that the Google services are all integrated into the tablet making it easy for me to set up.
Google Talk
The Xoom has front and rear facing cameras so using Google Talk to video chat is a breeze. You can even record video in 720p! The memory on the Xoom is great, it has up to 32GB on on board memory for $499.99. According to the Motorola website you can get a WIFI on Xoom or a 4GLTE version whichever suits your needs best.
Enough of the online research, it was time to play with the Motorola Xoom. I headed into town to the Verizon Wireless store for some hands-on time with the Xoom.
At the Verizon store I was shown to the tablet display by Marcos. I told him I was there to learn more about the Xoom and to play with it for a bit. The first thing I noticed was that both Xoom’s that were on display were the 4G LTE models. I asked Marcos about the WIFI only model and he informed me that they had been discontinued. He said “You wouldn’t have wanted that anyway because it cost $699 and the 4G LTE model is only $499.” I responded”Bbut with the 4G model I’d need a data plan of at least $30/month so in 7 months the 4G LTE model will cost me more than the WIFI model.” He said, “Well that’s one way to look at it but I’m sure you’d want the 4G LTE model anyway.” Not a great salesman 🙂 Marcos left me alone for a while and I checked out the Motorola Xoom on my own. I played with the camera, visited a few websites, watched a YouTube video and even read a few pages from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
I left the Verizon store a bit bummed because I think I’d be perfectly happy with the WIFI Xoom. When I arrived home I went back online to see if I could still get the WIFI Xoom online. The Verizon Wireless website has no mention of the WIFI Xoom but it is still available on the Motorola website.
IF I were to buy a Motorola Xoom for myself for Christmas I would order it directly from Motorola so I could get the WIFI version AND FREE 2 day shipping with the Buy Now & Get Free 2-day Shipping promotion. Unfortunately, unless a miracle happens, I won’t be getting a tablet this Christmas. How about you? Is a tablet on your Christmas shopping list…or is it on your wishlist? Leave me a comment and let me know. If you want to see my photo essay of my research just click the link to see it.
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are 100% my own.
Yes, I think I would prefer a wifi xoom as well (Verizon doesn’t get good signal where I live). However, I know that a tablet is definitely not in the budget this year. They seem cool. So, perhaps in a couple of years we can both get one. 😀
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I think Marcos was just trying to make a sale. I’m really not interested in a tablet purchase. I’m happy with my laptop. But, a new camera would make me very happy.
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I’d love a tablet, but I can’t afford the one I want (Asus Transformer with the docking station/keyboard)
Such a pain when a salesperson doesn’t listen. Seems like the company figured out how to make more money. Sorry you were left disappointed.
ok here’s my two cents, for what it’s worth. I was lucky enough to get an iPad for my birthday this past year AND i have a girlfriend who works at AT&T (my carrier is Verizon) and I often take her advice.
If you ONLY want the WIFI only model, do not be conned into getting a more expensive model. You are RIGHT, they are only trying to make a sale because they work on COMMISSION. They dont care about your needs at all. Only buy what you need and what you can afford. I researched the iPad ALOT and although i WANTED the whatever it was called that allowed me to access internet outside of my home, i couldnt justify the added expense because i knew that i would only use the thing at home. if i’m going to be working on my laptop outside the house, these places (coffee shop, bookstore, YMCA, etc) have wireless (which by the way, would work on my iPad).
i feel like i’m rambling, too much coffee at dinner. i hope you find something helpful in my comment!
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