Apple's iPad 2 may be flying off the shelves, but the coming months will see a number of challengers aiming for a slice of the tablet pie. The latest is the Motorola Xoom Android tablet, which will launch exclusively through Telstra in May.
Read our comprehensive iPad 2 review and Motorola Xoom preview, and check out our guide to the best upcoming tablets in 2011.
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The Motorola Xoom is equipped with a 10.1in touchscreen and runs the latest version of Google's Android 3.0 'Honeycomb', software which has specifically been designed for tablet devices.
With this in mind, how does the Motorola Xoom stack up against the iPad 2 when it comes to specifications?
Apple iPad 2 vs Motorola Xoom: Specifications
| Feature | Apple iPad 2 | Motorola Xoom | Verdict? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system (OS) | Apple iOS 4 | Google Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) | iPad 2 |
| Display size | 9.7in | 10.1in | Motorola Xoom |
| Display technology | Capacitive LED-backlit IPS | Capacitive TFT | iPad 2 |
| Display resolution | 1024x768 pixels | 1280x800 pixels | Motorola Xoom |
| Multitouch | Yes | Yes | Draw |
| Front camera | VGA | 2 megapixels | Motorola Xoom |
| Rear camera | 0.7 megapixels, no flash | 5 megapixels, dual-LED flash, autofocus, geotagging | Motorola Xoom |
| Video recording | Yes, 720p HD | Yes, 720p HD | Draw | GPS | Yes | Yes | Draw |
| Internal memory | 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB | 32GB | iPad 2 |
| Expandable memory | None | microSD | Motorola Xoom |
| Dimensions | 241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8mm | 249.1 x 167.8 x 12.9mm | iPad 2 |
| Weight | 607g | 730g | iPad 2 |
| Application store | Apple App Store | Google Android Market | iPad 2 |
| Processor | Apple A5 dual-core (1GHz) | NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core (1GHz) | Draw |
| RAM | 512MB | 1GB | Motorola Xoom |
| 3G networks | HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100 | HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100 | Draw |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n | Draw |
| Bluetooth | 2.1 with A2DP | 2.1 with A2DP | Draw |
| HDMI-out | No (Yes with optional digital AV adapter | Yes | Motorola Xoom |
| Quoted battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours | Draw |
| Adobe Flash support | No | Yes | Motorola Xoom |
Apple iPad 2 vs. Motorola Xoom: Design and display
The new iPad 2 is faster, thinner and lighter than its predecessor. The iPad 2 is 33 per cent thinner than the original iPad, weighs 613g, and comes in both black and white models. The curved design of the back of the iPad 2 makes it comfortable to hold, and it is relatively thin given the size of its screen. The iPad 2 is ideal for use in either portrait or landscape layouts, and its built in accelerometer rotates quickly and without delay.
The Motorola Xoom Android tablet features an attractive, industrial-looking black metal finish on the back and sides, and a front that taken up almost entirely by the 10.1in touchscreen. The Xoom is clearly designed to be used more in landscape mode than it is in portrait, though it can be rotated using a built-in accelerometer. At 730g, the Xoom is significantly heavier, thicker and larger than the iPad 2, which may be a deal-breaker for frequent commuters.
The Motorola Xoom has an industrial-looking design that features an attractive black metal finish on the rear and sides, but at 730g, its significantly heavier than the iPad 2.