Motorola Xoom Tablet Review
$799.99
- Sections:
- Device & Specs
- Screen
- Battery
- eReader
- Internet
Device & Specs
The two devices are about as different as you can get, with the DX sporting a massive eInk Pearl display, physical controls and very limited processing power. The Motorola Xoom is very different, but then again, the two tablets were meant for different uses. Picking one based on device performance alone really only matters if you're looking for a tablet only to read books.
Screen
The huge, eInk Pearl screen of the DX is not only more detailed, but also far less reflective than the Motorola Xoom . Granted, it's not a 720p touchscreen with multitouch interface, but it gets the job done and is extraordinary when it comes to legibility and performance in high sunlight. The Kindle DX will be much more readable in most lighting environments as it is not a backlit LCD display that gets washed out in the sun.
Battery
Despite the good battery life of the Motorola Xoom , it really can't compare to the performance offered by the Kindle DX. Because it doesn't have a backlight, and its screen doesn't draw that much power, the DX can read books for days on end, as well as listen to music for a long time period before having to recharge. If you're going on an intercontinental flight, the DX may be the better pick here.
eReader
This one is tough, but eventually it really boils down to how much you read, and in what type of lighting. If you want to go outside, go in varying brightnesses or like to read huge novels, the Kindle DX is absolutely the clear choice, as its eInk screen looks much like an actual printed page, and only uses ambient light to make the screen visible. Motorola Xoom owners will notice that their picture gets washed out in bright sunlight, as most LCD-screened tablets do. Though the Motorola Xoom offers a more natural interface, the manual controls of the DX are responsive enough, and really won't leave you wanting for a better eReader.
Internet
This one goes to the Motorola Xoom , no question. The Kindle DX just isn't ready for primetime with its limited internet features, but why should it have to be? It doesn't really need to. If you're looking for apps and other internet content, the Motorola Xoom is the better buy.
