I'm thinking about getting a tablet, and I'm torn between the iPad 2 and the Motorola Xoom (or waiting for one of the others, like the Playbook, to come out). I mainly want it for taking notes at school, but I'd definitely use it for leisure as well.

Anyone have either of the devices and can provide some input? Particularly on the note taking aspect (whether typing on it is faster than writing with a pen/pencil). From the reviews I've read it seems like the Xoom is still somewhat buggy, but I love Android and would like to stay away from Apple if I can.

 

I am fairly unbiased as I am an Android and Mac user. Google rushed OS 3.0 out to market to be able to compete. I think Motorola has the hardware too, but the polish and integration is far and away lacking even if the OS has some very cool elements. I will be getting an iPad 2.

 

Somewhat off-topic, but Apple has some deals on iPads (1 not 2).

Apple Outlet Refurbished Apple iPad Wifi 10 inch Tablet (16GB $349; 16GB 3G $479)
Back in Stock, Will Not Last! Apple Store is offering the Refurbished Apple iPads. To get this deal, click on the jump and look for the Refurbished Ipad on the left-hand column. These Refurb iPads carry the same 1yr warranty as a brand-new iPad. The shell and battery have been replaced and are new. (Thanks Martin)

DISCOUNTED PRICES SHOWS UP IN CART:

16GB $349; 3G $479
32GB $429; 3G $559
64GB $529; 3G $659
Brand New 1st Generation iPads are also available on discount (Click on Clearance section):

16GB 3G $529
16GB 3G $629
16GB 3G $729

Apple Outlet Refurbished Apple iPad Wifi 10 inch Tablet (16GB $349; 16GB 3G $479) Deal - Reviews and Compare Prices

 

iPad /thread

 

Ordered an iPad 2 last week.

 

I finally found an ipad2 in stock at best buy. I love this thing!!!!!

 

ipad if you must, but your reasoning is nonsensical.

have you ever taken notes on an ipad or any tablet for that matter? its a pain in the ass.

they make netbooks for a reason.

 

Same. I love my netbook

 

I considered that, but I need to be able to draw things too (like tables/pictures). I also figured that since I'd already be spending $250-300 on a netbook it's worth the extra few hundred bucks.

 

What about the Asus Transformer?

Edit: Here's a quick comparison.

http://www.tabletvstablet.com/2011/0...d-transformer/

The iPad 2 has recently been released and it’s bound to make a fuss, with 1 million units sold only in the first week-end after its launch. We’ve seen how it compares to other popular slates from important manufacturers, and now it’s time to see the new Apple tablet face to face with its Asus rival – the 10-inch Eee Pad Transformer tablet and keyboard combo.

First of all, let’s see how these two slates compare in terms of design. The iPad 2 is sleek and ultra-thin, with a thickness of only 8.8 mm, and very light as well, weighing in at only 601 grams. Its exact dimensions are: 9.50 x 7.31 x 0.34 inches (241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8 mm) and it comes in black and white color versions. The Asus Eee Pad has the following dimensions: 271 x 176 x 12.9 mm and it weighs considerably more – 680 grams. It’s available in black and it comes with a detachable QWERTY keyboard dock, which adds an extra 8 hours of battery life. So, in the end, the iPad 2 is more portable, ultra thin and lightweight, but the Eee Pad Transformer comes with its own removable keyboard, so you decide what matters most to you.

Taking a look at their display, here’s what we find out. The iPad 2 features a 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD screen, with a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. The Asus tablet comes with a 10.1-inch IPS capacitive screen with a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, so the Eee Pad Transformer takes the cake in this category.

Now let’s see the cameras these two devices come equipped with. First of all, you may remember that the first iPad did not feature any cameras whatsoever, but things have changed, because the new iPad 2 has two cameras installed – a front-facing 0.3 MP camera for video calling and another camera in the back, which supports video recording at 720p. The Asus tablet comes with more impressive cameras, though, a 5 MP rear-facing camera and a secondary 1.3 MP camera up front. So, in the camera section, Asus beats Apple.

We’ve reached another important category in our one-on-one comparison: the processor. The iPad 2′s processor has been upgraded from the first generation iPad, it’s more powerful and snappier. We’re talking about a 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 chip and 512 MB of RAM. The Asus Eee Pad Transformer comes equipped with a 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor with 1GB / 512MB of RAM. As far as storage options are concerned, the iPad 2 comes in the same three flavors: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, while the Asus tablet will be available with 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of internal storage space. The Asus tablet also features a microSD card slot for further storage expanding possibilities.

What about software? The two tablets are quite different when it comes to the software installed. The new iPad 2 comes with iOS 4.3, which brings with it enhancements such as a faster Safari browser, iTunes Home Sharing, or the Personal Hotspot feature. Apple is also known for its large App Store, where you can download thousands of applications developed especially for the iPad. The Eee Pad Transformer, on the other hand, is an Android-powered device, running on the latest version of Android developed especially for tablets – Honeycomb. So it’s up to you to decide which software best suits your needs.

In the end, let’s consider the connectivity options. Both tablets are compatible with Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, and 3G, they both feature HDMI ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. As far as pricing and availability are concerned, the iPad 2 is currently being sold for as low as $499 for the WiFi-only 16GB version, while the Eee Pad Transformer is expected to become available in April, prices ranging from $400 to $700, depending on the storage capacity.

Wrap-up

After seeing the two tablets side by side, we can’t say that they are very different in terms of specs. It all depends on which software you prefer, how much portability you want from a tablet, and, of course, which one will be more affordable. Since the Asus tablet hasn’t been launched yet, it remains to be seen whether it will be able to be as successful as its Apple competitor.