Best Buy pre-order price for Motorola Zoom: Just $1,199.99

97 Comments

>Best Buy has begun promoting Motorola’s Xoom tablet. Pre-orders begin on Thursday at Best Buy stores (or so they delusionally dream).

Price: $1,199.99. 1 month data activation with Verizon Wireless required.

Motorola Xoom $1,199.99

Best Buy’s Motorola Xoom page is here.

MacDailyNews Take: No wonder Motorola named it “exhume,” it’s already dead.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]

97 Comments

  1. If this is the real pricing info on Xoom, Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, Johny Ive…etc must be laughing their as$ off by now.

    Most non-tech consumer do not really care or understand the tech spec aspect of any electronic product. They care 1 or 2 things only… Price and user experience where Apple really good at them.

    Good luck MOTO 😉

    Reply

  2. I’ll have to get to BB to see for myself. I’m sure it’s impressive a face value.

    This is not a product designed for you. Many of you can’t even afford the luxury of buying the iPad you want, let alone entertain the idea of buying a tablet worth the price of the entry-level iMac. So stop saying how ridiculous it all seems.

    As for price, what choice do they have? They can’t make it any cheaper using off the shelf parts. Besides, it’s not like they’re gouging their market and even with co-opted marketing and subsidies, it will be a make or break moment for Motorola.

    The recent uptick in profits from the Android platform stalled the spin-off of the mobile division, but if this product fails to gain any traction, we’ll see a split at Motorola for sure.

    I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want to see Motorola fail.

    Reply

    1. Since when does one’s opinion of the Moto Zoom have anything to do with how much cash they have to spend on the product?

      Apple’s prices are notoriously low because it achieves economies of large scale production, both internally and because of agreements with and investments in key parts suppliers. Moto’s use of a hard drive in the Zoom instead of flash memory is evidence of that.

      To date, no other mobile phone or tablet manufacturer has offered a user experience (operating system + apps) that rival Apple’s.

      Recent news accounts suggest that the iPad2 will be out in 2-3 months, and match most of technological advantages the Zoom seems to offer.

      For those reasons, it seems very likely that Moto’s Zoom priced even at $800 (much less $1200) will garner a very small share of the tablet market.

      You suggest that if the Zoom fails to gain traction, Moto could fail. I wasn’t aware of that … but if true, it will not attract buyers for the product.

      Reply

      1. Hey tom don’t lecture me about other’s opinions. If they won’t validate, or defend their own opinions, you can save your breath.

        I want you to re-read what you wrote, especially in the context of Apple and low prices. You’re quite amusing.

        For the last thirty-years, Apple has been taken from pillar to post for overpriced machines! In fact, for the last thirty-years, I have paid an average of twenty-five-hundred dollars for an Apple computer. The price never changed, only the value, the features, and benefits.

        Apple’s prices have been consistently rejected by 90-percent of the computer-buying public because they thought all computers were the same.

        When Apple introduced the iPod, everyone, except Apple fans, thought it was overpriced. Hundreds of dollars for a music player? OMFG! They thought the 5GB hard drive was a total waste and only added to the exhorbitant cost. 

        It wasn’t until Apple opened the iPod to the PC-using community did it realize economies of scale were possible. The value of Apple’s PC-friendly devices not only displaced the buying public’s negative impression of Apple, but it also displaced everyone of its competitors in the marketplace.

        Apple soared to its lofty position in the marketplace because it embraced a PC-using public, and they rewarded Apple with tens-of-billions of dollars in sales. Imagine how big Apple will become when 90-percent of the PC-buying public discovers Mac.

        Will we ever see a 700-dollar entry-level iMac? Of course we will, but not until Apple is selling 25-million Macs each year.

        Motorola would do well to stick with a single SKU of tablet and avoid spreading themselves too thin. Work with channel partners to defray costs where ever possible until they can earn manufacturing consessions.

        People will buy this product. People who don’t have money issues and are dying for a tablet made by anyone other than Apple will justify the expense.

        I hope Moto can sell enough to save a breakup of the mobile division.

        Reply

        1. No sir, I won’t ever lecture you or anyone else by asking a question.

          I’ve been buying Apples/Macs since the early ’80s — never a PC — and have probably paid about the same prices that you describe. However I have never believed — and am not yet persuaded — that the amount of cash in a person’s bank account has anything to do with the quality of their analysis.

          On the topic under discussion: The Zoom definitely does have a premium price compared to the iPad and will have to overcome some significant obstacles to succeed. Its powerful processor and ample memory won’t be significant once the iPad2 hits the shelves, and it definitely won’t have the iPad’s thousands of apps or iTunes connection.

          My willingness to pay premium prices for Macs over the years wasn’t based upon a desire for the company to survive, but upon a recognition and appreciation of its superior features. If the Zoom has similar advantages, it’s time they begin sharing those with the world. Without that presentation, the natural conclusion is that Moto is bringing a me-too product to market just like dozens other companies who have little clue about what it takes to succeed in the marketplace. By itself, the Zoom’s hard drive seems like the product is beginning with two strikes against it.

          That’s not based on my inability or reluctance to pay the Zoom’s premium price, nor on a fanboy attitude.

          No lecture … just the way I see it.

        2. “However I have never believed — and am not yet persuaded — that the amount of cash in a person’s bank account has anything to do with the quality of their analysis.”

          Not to beat a dead horse, or to convince you otherwise, the point I am trying to make is that affluence begets knowledge. Those with the wherewithal have greater opportunities to advance their life’s experience than those who can’t afford to pay attention.

          Also, many of the comments postulated are simply knee-jerk reactions over price and speak nothing of the merits of the device. Their superficial observation is of little value to anyone requiring a more in-depth analysis.

          In other words, the weight of their opinion begins and ends with the price tag and we both know if you can’t get past the price there’s not much else to be gained.

          “Don’t cast pearls before swine.”

          I like you Thomas. You’re articulate and it’s refreshing to read something other than the tourette-induced blurts of monosyllabic rhetoric, which is standard fare around here.

          But let me be clear, I am not interested in buying a Xoom, nor do I want, or need one, but neither does anyone else in this forum. MDN drags out a retard so everyone can poke fun at it, which is customary and age appropriate for MDN’s readership.

  5. WTF?! Such a high price, and only available in the US! If you think it’s high there, add another 12-15% (or more) to the retail price; that’s what it will cost in the markets outside of the US, specifically Europe. Talk about DOA…

    Reply

  8. I read this post two hours ago but just now have a chance to respond. I’ve been spending the last two hours chasing down my ass because when I first read this I laughed my ass off harder than I’ve ever laughed in my life.

    Reply

  16. Just read the comments on the BestBuy page.

    One guy said, “This is clearly the most advanced consumer technology of 2011. Ipad 2 OR 3 will not even come close to this product. Verizon’s greed and motorola’s lack of familiarity with PC type sales will prevent this product from being successful. I am still buying one because of the specs; the average consumer Will not.” (A fool and his money are soon parted.)

    Another said, “Hoping that the Verizon and/or Motorola Overlay/Interface can be turned OFF. Price will drop quick as competition arrives. But if you’re rich, buy one now!” (COMPETITION? What’re are they competing for? Top price? I like how this guy believes that this thing is not even in iPad’s league, since they are not competing against each other.)

    Reply

  18. i see the ad is real, but i just can’t believe my eyes. no one on earth – except for rich fandroids – will pay $1200 for the Xoom or any tab. and it can’t cost anywhere near that much to manufacture. this will be utterly DOA. i really don’t get it.

    well, i’m sure we’ll hear more very soon …

    Reply

  19. Reviews at Best Buy are FIXED! This morning there were 3 reviews of the XOOM–all of them 1 star out of 5 with thoughtful comments. NOW two of the 1-star review are gone and two 5-star reviews by other people have been posted. Also, my 1-star review has not been posted to their site.

    Reply

    1. Maybe it was a marketing ploy. The rumor mill starts talking about the Xoom costing $1200, and gets plenty of free buzz (though negative). Then, when the pre-order starts, the actual price is revealed to be $800. In comparison (to the rumor), it will seem like a bargain…

      Reply

  23. iPad is Apple’s answer to “netbooks” (aka cheap laptops). It’s appeal extends beyond just netbook customers, but at least for now, it’s not meant to compete head-to-head with the various MacBook models. Some customers need a “regular” computer, and Apple is perfectly happy if they buy a MacBook (whatever model) instead of iPad.

    But Motorola, who does not make “regular” personal computers, apparently wants the Xoom to displace sales of mid to high -end laptops, and avoid direct competition with iPad. That’s clearly NOT going to work, if this thing actually costs $1200.

    Reply

  25. I see they have two great financing offers just under the price of the image MDN attached…

    Let me guess,

    Finance offer one: an arm and a leg?!

    Finance offer two: your first born?!

    Reply

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