>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.
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.]
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Haha…
Xoom is up for 799 at best buy..
um….no its not.
You know that Anti Apple zealots will explain this by saying it has more connectivity, a dual core processor, etc. but the average customer will say, “you mean I can pay 1200 dollars for a knockoff, or much less than that for the real thing??”
Yeah I don’t care what the specs are. That is way way way over priced. At least the galaxy tab was somewhat reasonable in price, this thing is stupid over priced.
Wow, I don’t think that thing has any chance whatsoever.
Agreed. These guys are nuts.
When two iPad purchases need no further justification.
Why not just get a MacBook Air?
Does it really have a hard drive? What are they thinking?
It appears the waiting line was too long for Motorola to use flash as the storage media. It’s much easier to use the hard drive option. Other than the weight factor, the 13″ MBP is a better option for a similar purchase price.
That’s what they were saying when Apple introduced the first iPod… The line for buying flash storage media was too long, so Apple went with a hard drive…
Moto is having an Apple moment.
Oh! I’m sorry… I didn’t notice that you get licorice with it! Yum!
Whisky Tango Foxtrot. $1200 for an iPad wannabe? I guess they’re trying to take advantage of a few gullible fools. How are they going to feel when iPad2 arrives with the same (or better) specs as Xoom at two-thirds to one-half the price?
Oscar Mike Foxtrot Golf.
That was Foxtrot-ing hilarious.
Thanx, FG.
Sierra Hotel India TangoTangoTangoTango!!
Lima Oscar Lima!!!!!!!
Romeo Oscar Foxtrot Lima !!!
Delta Oscar Alpha
Brilliant.
I like reading the special features section. Out of all of them the only thing the iPad doesn’t have is HDMI output. And, if you ask non geek consumers HDMI output is irrelevant. I have a better idea… How about an iPad and an Apple TV with AirPlay for half the price. There is your HDMI output apple style.
Rumour is this is just a place holder
Still, $800 still sounds expensive plus the mandatory one month with Verizon
t’s not a placeholder, click on the picture in the article and you’ll be taken to the best buy site where you can preorder at 1199.
Are they NUTS!
Maybe a fake price. Getting lots of free online exposure. At $799 they will want it to seem like a bargan. What do you think?
In their dreams… It is, after all, a Motorola…
Wrt!! I thought this would be a potential contender but the price point would have be in $5-600 not $1200. Seriously?
Looks like they’re borrowing a page out of Apple’s 1997 pricing playbook.
You have to wonder two things about this. 1. Who at Motorola set a price point at twice the price of the superior iPad and thought it was a great idea…and didn’t get fired for it. 2. Who at Best Buy decided to waste valuable shelf space to put this over-priced non-selling gem up for sale…and didn’t get fired for it.
Are u serious? I think The iPad has made a lot of IT giants lost their minds!
Lemme see…mba, or zoom…hmmmm…
Tards!
No thanks, I will take a 11.6″ 128gig Macbook Air for the same price, thank you.
Sheer brilliance!
They have just doubled their profits on the few that they will sell!!!
They’ve also increased their ‘exclusivity’ appeal, in that only a few very touched individuals will have the kind of priorities that would cause them to be seen walking around with one.
DOA, simple as!
It must be a mistake on BestBuy’s part, $1,299.99 for a MOTO tablet, WTF?????, or any any tablet. For that price and a bit more, I can get an iPad 16GB WiFi and an iPad 64GB 3G. Or I can get an Air.
This is unreal! They think that this will compete with the iPad? I would sooner purchase a MBAir AND an iPad with 3G than get one of these! Price plus taxes would almost be the same, but well worth the overage for the Apple products. How is anyone in their right mind going to spend $1,200 on an unproven product on a fragmented OS is beyond me.
Does it come with a pony? unicorn?
If this is the real pricing info on Xoom, Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, Johny Ive…etc must be laughing their as$ 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 😉
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
Did someone just say “Apple’s prices are notoriously low”?
http://www.google.com/images?q=shovel&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbs=isch:1&ei=Sx5YTfn7FIq4sAPpp4miDA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CBkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1236&bih=1068
Ha!
Yes. It appears that HP has already put one of those to extensive use.
wups…moto is also selling these…
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…
How will ever survive at this enormous price?
Yes for this you might as well buy a macbook.
Insane
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.
I like the target customers implied by the ad – “great financing offer”, “DVD and CD players not included”.
Well if it’s delivered by Bree Olson and she stays over night, I might be interested. I can always throw the phone away.
Thumbs for Bree 🙂
I expected a hot babe, not a porn star.
The best reason I’ve seen yet to buy an 11″ MacBook Air or 2 iPads.
Link to Best Buy’s Moto Xoom page is kaput.
Page is taken down…… sold out or mistake??
nevermind link broken but bestbuy page still there…..
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Motorola+-+XOOM+Tablet+/1946179.p?id=1218305636450
This link kaput as well.
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.)
Seriously… $1,200?
just pop in an extra couple bucks and buy the new Macbook air. or 2 iPads lol
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 …
Rich Fandroids? That’s the very definition of an Oxymoron.
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.
If this isn’t a typo….
LOL
Maybe it’s
lol
OK, maybe it’s…
😀
It is! It is! It is!
ok, the Xoom is totally gone from BB site now. whatddya think happened?
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…
Well, sure. At $800 it will be cheaper than the 64Gb, 3G iPad.
A knockoff for $29 less than the original. And NO apps written for the machine? Sign me up.
Not.
Marketing doesn’t have to make sense, if it can “fool” some of the people. 🙂
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.
This is too hilarious to be true. Can’t be true.
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?!
At the top of Best Buy’s tablet page, they stil have the Xoom line with a “learn more” link … That’s broken. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/iPad-Tablet-PCs/Tablet-PCs/pcmcat209000050008.c?id=pcmcat209000050008
With similarly configured iPad, it costs about $729 (iPad 32GB 3G), MOTO must be insane to price the XOOM at $1,200. I suspect it is MOTO’s marketing ploy.
BTW, the ad say it has a “32 GB hard drive”. Is it a flash drive? Or the old fashioned platter based hard drive??
can see it now. In 10 years their will be a subject in a Marketing 101 course titled “The Place Holder That Killed A Product”. Better known as how to kill your product before it hits the shelves.
Since it will be available for pre-order on Thursday then the real price is known so there is no reason for a placeholder on a live website.
This will rank right up there as a marketing disaster on the level of the PCjr or the Osborne 2.
The Xoom has been removed for the Best Buy website.
Like driving by a road accident.
Are you kidding? A train wreck drove over here to see what the matter was all about!
This is depressing. How can people be so dumb! Are they really so anti-Apple that they’d jump on anything remotely close, regardless of the cost? Gah!
That’s right. It’s depressing isn’t it?
People are so anti-Apple that they’d jump on anything remotely close, regardless of the true cost of their cheaply-made PC’s.
Unfortunately, I have zero hope for mankind. They’re too f-ing dumb to survive. One can only hope for an intervention from the Greys.
I still doubt the ad’s price is real and suspect the real price will be comparable to iPad’s. Regardless, MOTO still lack Apple’s ecosystem, user experience, support…etc
In fact, HP’s WebOS may have better shot at completing with Apple because now HP has complete control of it’s own OS – WebOS and system hardware. One big unknown will be how HP is able to integrate everything in a coherent manner.
As usual, Apple innovate and others follow/copy…
D. O. A.!!!!!!!
i heard this website got hacked
Many of these comments sound like PC users slamming Apple over their Mac prices… oh wait… Most of you are PC users and you now have someone new to antagonize.
Let me see a show of hands of those of you who were saying the same things about Apple a few years ago.
Heh, heh, heh.
Just for clarification, xoom is pronounced “zoom”, not “x-oom or exhume”
Oh this is a placeholder alright. Don’t worry, it’ll actually cost $800…
….Which is $70 more than the 32Gb iPad 3G (which is unlocked)
You know what really gets me on my nerves?
On Engadget, some rotten-brain Xoom apologist first claimed that the iPad 2 will cost the same as the Xoom if it does have a dual core processor. I can’t understand the “Motorola is ALWAYS CHEAPER BECAUSE IT IS” logic, but that’s just the beginning.
He claimed that otherwise (were iPad 2 to cost $500 and up again) Apple would be ripping off last year’s costumers.
…
Now that everyone facepalmed and laughed, let’s get to the point.
As a final insult, he tried to stab OTHER Apple products “$1700 for an i3 processor?” (iMac), “1900 for 256Mb GPU??”
Not only he is painfully wrong here (the 2k iMac has a 1Gb ATI 5750), but he is doing what 99.9999% PC users do: selective memory about iMac specifications. THIS IS WHAT GETS ON MY NERVES.
Let’s remind him that that i3 is not only clocked at max levels (3,2), but that the iMac is, imagine that, a freaking all-in-one! It means it has a giant, 27″ IPS LCD LED screen that would have cost $1000 if you bought it from Dell alone. For those other $700 you get the 3,2 GHz i3, 4Gb 1333MHz RAM, ATI 5670, 1Tb 7200 rpm HD, SuperDrive, SDXC reader, iSight, Wireless N, Bluetooth 2.1, dual speakers, FireWire, Optical Audio…
Of course some idiot would stop by and say “I can create that same computer for $500”. Fine. No warranty, no costumer service, no iLife, no Aluminum compact case, no Magic Mouse, no bluetooth keyboard then….
I saw that on engadget, too. “The original mac cost $2500, but you can get that much processing power today in a $10 calculator! Steve Jobs [personally, it’s always personal] ripped everybody off for $2400!! Mac users are abused sheep!”
Incredible.
He just sounds like a typical box-builder; someone who is more interested in making a computer, than actually using one.
The real challenge for them is to have a computer boot the first time it’s powered up and it doesn’t end there. There is still plenty of tweaking left to do, in order to exact every ounce of performance from the beast. They’re never satisfied and the process gnaws at them, it consumes all their time, immersed in specs and prices.
That is what computing is all about for box-builders. To you or I, it’s a matter of being productive using the computer. For many of us, the computer is a tool, a means to an end.
For a few box-building 10-percenters, it’s all about pride, self-aggrandizement, the power of mind over matter, and unleashing the beast by unlocking the secrets of the universe, resulting from a serendipitous moment of aligning the pieces of the puzzle in just the right fashion, so as to become a god.
When that doesn’t happen, they start all over again, with better parts, a bit of voodoo, and just a dash of hope. They are the builders of computers for the ages, no-name machines too powerful for mere mortals.
Oh and did I mention, most of them live in their mom’s basement.
Well, problem is even people who buy from brands compare Macs poorly. As in, comparing an all-in-one iMac with a normal tower computer (always ignoring the effin screen, of course), comparing an Alienware with a Mac Pro (ignoring the server parts and other expensive Pro stuff) or an iPad to a cheap notebook (ignoring… well you know what I mean).
I am talking about hypocrites. That’s what they are when they talk crap out of Mac users and calls us “sheeple” when they are the ones blind to reality.
“Exhume”. Nice. That ranks up there with “lazy Adobe ingrates”.