Motorola's Xoom Family Edition Review: Not Just For The Kids

Is The Xoom Family Edition A Second-Gen Tablet?

As the first Android-based tablet, Motorola's Xoom represented the hopes of all tablet vendors vying to compete with Apple. Unfortunately, no matter how we looked at it, the Xoom was at a disadvantage as soon as it launched. Compared to the iPad 2, it was thick and heavy. It wasn't complemented by as many third-party apps. And it was priced comparably to the iPad 2, rather than more aggressively. As a result, it was hardly a surprise that the Xoom didn't take off in the way Motorola and Google had hoped.

We wrote Motorola Xoom: The First Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) Tablet back in July, and a lot has changed since then. Third-party application support is expanding and prices are starting to fall. The only remaining piece of the puzzle is a compelling-enough tablet design. On cue, enter Motorola's Xoom Family Edition.

Motorola isn't keen on calling this a second-generation tablet because it doesn't want to one-up the flagship Xoom. Plus, the Xoom Family Edition features applications specifically tailored for kids, and it's difficult to get adults without children on-board with an angle like that.

When you get right down to it, though, the Xoom Family Edition gives you similar specs as the original Xoom, only at a lower price. The principal differentiator is flash-based storage: we reviewed the 32 GB Xoom. This one only comes equipped with 16 GB. Hardware-wise, nothing about this tablet is specific to families, then. That's why we're so anxious to take it for a spin.

Add up the ecosystem changes, the qualities we enjoyed in the original Xoom, and a price point we can really get behind ($379), and this becomes one of the best tablets we've tested to date.

Meet Motorola's Xoom Family Edition

According to our lab scale, the Xoom Family Edition is exactly 2.2 ounces lighter than its predecessor, and while the official specs suggest otherwise, it also sports a thinner form factor.

The Xoom's tapered back cover obscures the thickness measurement because Motorola's spec sheet reflects the dimensions taken from the edge, rather than the tablet's middle.

When you stack the Xoom and Xoom Family Edition on top of each other, the difference is obvious. Motorola's Family Edition product is thinner by a noticeable amount. The company also had the sense to improve ergonomics by tapering both edges of this newer model, making it easier and more comfortable to hold, whereas the original Xoom's sharp display edge dug into the space between your thumb and forefinger.

There a number of physical differences that distinguish the Xoom Family Edition from its predecessor. The original's exterior was half rubberized plastic (top) and half brushed aluminum (bottom). The Family Edition has a brushed aluminum base with a rubberized plastic border, which also surrounds the display as a beveled edge. Since your hands make contact with the rubberized plastic border of the tablet and not the brushed aluminum, Motorola's Family Edition is more comfortable in your hands than the original.

So, even if it isn't considered a second-gen tablet by its manufacturer, the Xoom Family Edition incorporates a number of improvements that we happily consider indicative of a more aesthetically-evolved offering. 

There's still a case to be made that the iPad/iPad 2's 4:3 aspect ratio because of the display real estate it facilitates. However, we still haven't seen any Android-based tablet deviate from the 16:10 screen, and Motorola's Xoom Family Edition is no different. Google and its hardware partners are all intently focused on video content, which means you're going to spend most of your time using the Xoom in landscape mode.

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The Xoom Family Edition's layout is a little different than the Xoom's. Its power button and headphone jack are now found on the tablet's left side. The right side appears bare, but you'll find a microSD card slot behind a protective rubber cover.

The volume rocker on the Family Edition's top edge might take some getting used to.

On most tablets, the scale for volume increases from left to right, which matches what you see on the screen. However, Motorola didn't have the foresight to automatically correct for orientation, so increasing the volume is achieved by pressing to the left, corresponding to "up" in portrait mode.

An orientation lock is found immediately to the right of the volume rocker.

Unlike most other Android-based tablets, the Xoom Family Edition uses the same microUSB port for synchronizing and charging, which is great because you only have to carry around one cable. Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Asus' Eee Pad Transformer enjoy the same benefit. However, they both employ a cable that converts a proprietary connector to USB. In other words, you have to carry around a specific cable, and if it goes bad, you have to buy another one from Samsung or Asus.

The Xoom Family Edition's standard connector makes everything easier. Additionally, it's the first Android-based tablet that lets you charge through a PC's USB port. This is a feature missing on all other tablets, except for Apple's iPads. With the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Transformer, you can only charge when you use the included AC-to-USB adapter.

The Xoom Family Edition's camera specs are similar to its predecessor's, though its single-LED flash and lower resolution front camera do represent unfortunate compromises.