Meet the Motorola Xyboard, iPad's latest rival
— -- Get ready to get acquainted with the Droid Xyboard 10.1 and Droid Xyboard 8.2, the long awaited double follow-up to the very first real iPad competitor, the Motorola Xoom. The two tablets have a few differences that we'll explore. Most of the features are identical between the two, (including support for 4G LTE, the fastest flavor of mobile network around), but the 10.1 is targeted more toward business users who need portable office computers, while the 8.2 excels in the multimedia department.
Sizes and display
The new Droid Xyboards are only 0.34-inch thin, similar to Apple's iPad 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1, which are the two thinnest tablets that money can buy. Like the Galaxy Tabs, the devices' numbers indicate their sizes, giving you a choice between one version with a larger screen and something that's a bit more portable. Although the 8.2 is larger than 7-inch tablets like the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet, it's still a tad easier to slip into small bags than a 10-inch device.
You don't have to worry (much) about carrying the tablets anywhere either. Even if you're accident prone, the scratch and damage-resistant Gorilla Glass used for the displays (which are also coated with a water-resistant substance) are tough enough survive minor spills and slips of the hand.
Operating system and processor
Motorola's Droid Xyboards run Honeycomb 3.2, which is the latest version of Android's operating system optimized for tablets. But if you're hesitating to pick up a Droid Xyboard because you'd rather have the upcoming Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 (and its host of more advanced features!) don't worry — both tablets are slated for the upgrade.
Motorola equipped both Droid Xyboards with a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor for a smooth experience in running apps, and playing videos and games, or multitasking.
Storage capacity, camera, and multimedia
With a 64GB option, the Droid Xyboard 10.1 may be the better choice between the two when it comes to storage capacity, while the Droid Xyboard 8.2 is only available in 16GB and 32GB flavors. The tablets don't have SD card slots, so you can't expand their storage space, which is worth keeping in mind if you plan to stuff your tablet to the gills!
If you don't know how much space you need, think of how many videos and music files you'd like to save on your tablet. Remember, though — you'll have access to high speed internet, so you don't always have to save what you can stream. The tablets are also pre-equipped with a Motorola app called MotoCast that you can use to remotely access non-DRM protected music, videos, pictures and other files stored on your computer.
Both Droid Xyboards boast a 5 megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, both of which have the capacity to record high-definition video clips. You can play any video you take with the cameras (or any video at all) on a high-definition TV or monitor directly from the tablets using their HDMI output connections.
Battery life
Between the two Droid Xyboards, the 10.1 has a better battery life, with a high-end estimate of 10 hours. By contrast, the 8.2 clocks in at around six hours, but both estimates can vary wildly depending on what you're using your tablet for.
Availability and pricing
Both Droid Xyboards 10.1 and 8.2 are currently Verizon-exclusive, and come with the company's high-speed 4G LTE connection. Aside from the high-speed Internet itself, a great thing about the tablets is that they can act as mobile hotspots for up to eight devices on 4G, and up to five devices on 3G. This means if you have Wi-Fi-only devices, you can bring them anywhere, and surf the web on them using the tablets' mobile internet.
The bad news is that Verizon's 4G LTE coverage doesn't yet fully blanket the U.S., but you can check if your location is included on the carrier's website. If your location doesn't have 4G coverage, your mobile Internet connection will default to 3G. Even if it's the slower option between the two, it's still fast enough to stream music and videos without being bothered by excessive buffering.
The Droid Xyboard 10.1's pricing scheme goes toe-to-toe with the iPad 2 — not too shabby considering that you'll also get 4G support, unlike Apple's 3G-only slate. The 10.1 will set you back as follows: $529.99 for 16GB; $629.99 for 32GB; $729.99 for 64GB.
The Droid Xyboard 8.2 tablet boasts both a smaller screen and a smaller price tag: $429.99 for 16GB; $529.99 for 32GB.
If you're also considering a new Droid Razr Android smartphone, this may be the most opportune time to make the plunge. For a limited time, Verizon will slash $100 off the price of a Xyboard if you purchase it along with a Razr. All of these prices are subsidized, which means you'll only get them with a two-year Verizon contract that will set you back at least $30 per month. The carrier does sell unlocked tablets, but you have to add $120 on top of the prices stated above.
Which of the two Droid Xyboards is for you?
It's pretty easy to choose between the two Motorola Droid Xyboards if size is your only consideration. If size is irrelevant, you could take into account each tablet's exclusive offerings: Motorola markets the 10.1 Xyboard as an off-site office, and bundles it with a stylus for "faster and more accurate on-screen writing and editing capabilities." Conversely, the 8.2 Xyboard's exclusive feature is an adaptive 3-D surround sound with a built-in digital subwoofer, making it the better choice for playing music and watching movies.
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