Hacker News Reader

Comment by necubi | Hacker News Reader

This seems pretty crazy, as the comparable iPad (16GB WiFi+3G) retails for $630. It will also be difficult to build up a large install base without a cheaper, wifi-only model. And while at the moment the Xoom has some features the iPad does not (cameras, for example) the inevitable release of a new iPad in a couple months will no doubt erase that advantage, at the same (or lower, per GB) price.

I can't imagine what Motorola/Verizon were thinking. They're not going to sell more than a few of these without lowering the price drastically.

Edit: Oops, I misread the ad as saying it had 16GB storage. The more reasonable price comparison is then the 32GB iPad, which is $730. More reasonable, but still too much (especially given that you must sign up for a very expensive data plan to even use WiFi).

View on HN

To be fair, it has 32 gigs of internal storage, so comparing it against the ipad with half the storage isn't quite apples to apples (no pun intended.) It would be more fair to compare it with the $730 32gb w/ 3g ipad. When you could that with a higher resolution screen, dual cameras, /and/ a built in barometer, Id say its a near even deal (http://goo.gl/OYVrd for a full comparison chart).

That being said - its still too much. I just hope they give them out at IO this year.

Regarding comparison charts: http://www.marco.org/380868888

Even with the hardware advantage, it's software that makes the device - Honeycomb looks good, but iOS 5 should be nearly around the corner (hopefully with fixed notifications...).

"When you could that with a higher resolution screen, dual cameras, /and/ a built in barometer, Id say its a near even deal"

Remember though that the Xoom will spend most of its life competing against the second generation iPad, so most of these feature advantages are likely to vanish. Throw onto that the fact that judging from Apple's pricing history the next iPad will either have the same or a lower price, _and_ the Xoom will require a cellular contract to use Wifi (!), the Xoom will likely compare poorly to most people.

Although it may still win on the barometer.

I bet someone at Apple is trying to figure out 1) How to include one 2) How to leverage one

[yes, in that order]

very true. But I also guarantee that there will be price cuts almost right after release, much like the galaxy tab, let alone a few months after its release when the 2nd ipad is available.

Frankly, I was all set to buy one, but if I can't even use WiFi from in Canada, that's a dealbreaker.

Everybody is getting hung up on the price of this device, which I admit is high, but a comparison to the iPad's price is not fair. As stated below, the closest iPad is $730. Also the hardware is a generation and a half ahead of the iPad. The iPad doesn't even have a camera, very basic need for any kind of video conferencing (Xoom comes with 2). Please see the comparison chart [1] for more details.

But yeah, having to buy the Xoom from a carrier and paying atleast one month of data plan rate before cancelling it is kinda ridiculous.

[1] http://static.skattertech.com/media/2011/02/infographic-play...

You can’t buy a $500 Xoom. It’s just not possible. I think that matters a lot, I doubt many people will check specs.

Edit: To expand a little on this point, Apple sold 7.33 million iPads in the holiday quarter and made $4.4 billion in revenue which means that consumers paid about $600 (±$8) on average for an iPad. Considering that, I don’t think it is a wise idea to not at least have a base model that is priced at $600 or less.

You're also missing the fact that the XOOM has 1 GIGABYTE of RAM. The iPad has 256mb of ram. The XOOM also has a DUAL CORE PROCESSOR. There are so many hardware differences between the two devices :)

Why a generation and a half ahead? Is it so that when the iPad 2 is released (in a couple months), one generation ahead of the first iPad, you'll say the Xoom is still 1/2 generation ahead of the iPad2?

What about I don't want to pay for 3G, and don't want it? Xoom is not an option... I already pay for a mobile data account (with tethering)... why pay for another account?

Furthermore, iPad 3G requires no contract.

No, there is no real iPad competitor yet.

This.

The main reason that the XOOM, at least at launch, will not snag the top spot is that people will look at it, and then see the more known, cheaper, and contract-less iPad.

Keep in mind, many people dont need 1gHz and 32 GB. I nearly got the 16gb myself, and only went with the 32 because I see myself flying more this year.

While you are all technically right that the iPad 32GB/wifi+3g is comparable to the Xoom, it isn't in the mind of consumers. Consumers will compare $500 v. $800. After all, Apple's $1500 laptop is not spec-wise comparable to a $500 Windows laptop but that doesn't make a difference. I am betting on Apple releasing a $300 iPad in April.

Exactly. The problem isn't the price to features ratio, its the "lowest priced version" option. And somehow, its Apple that's offering the most choice there.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com