Unveiling the Motorola XOOM MZ600 Features Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to Motorola XOOM MZ600

The Motorola XOOM MZ600, released in early 2011, marked Motorola's ambitious entry into the tablet market. With cutting-edge technology for its time, this device showcased Android's then-new operating system, Honeycomb, which was specifically developed for tablets. In this detailed review, we'll delve into the features, specifications, and overall impact of the Motorola XOOM MZ600, providing an overview of its capabilities and examining how it stood against its contemporaries.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Motorola XOOM is characterized by its robust build and sleek appearance. It measures 249.1 x 167.8 x 12.9 mm and weighs 730 grams, making it relatively heavy compared to modern tablets but typical for its time. The use of high-quality materials contributed to a solid feel, while the device's black color gave it a professional and understated look. The tablet featured a minimalist design with rounded corners and a clean appearance, embellished only by the Motorola logo and the camera lenses.

Display Features

The XOOM boasts a 10.1-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 149 pixels per inch. While the pixel density isn't exceptionally high by modern standards, the display quality was notable for its time. The screen's size and aspect ratio of 16:10 provided a good balance for multimedia consumption, web browsing, and productivity tasks, making it a versatile option for both personal and professional use.

Performance and Processors

Under the hood, the Motorola XOOM is powered by the Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 chipset, which includes a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and ULP GeForce GPU. This combination offered considerable performance capabilities when it was launched, delivering smooth multitasking and graphic processing for games and media applications. The device came with 1GB of RAM, which was adequate for its time and allowed users to run multiple applications with relative ease.

Storage Options

Available in three internal storage variants—16GB, 32GB, and 64GB—the XOOM provided flexibility based on user needs. Additionally, it supported storage expansion via a microSDHC card slot, allowing users to add up to 32GB of extra storage. This was a crucial feature for users requiring additional space for apps, media, and documents, as cloud storage was not as prevalent or widely adopted in 2011.

Camera Specifications

The XOOM tablet is equipped with a 5-megapixel rear camera featuring autofocus and dual-LED flash, capable of shooting 720p video at 30 frames per second. While not primarily marketed as a photography device, the camera served well for basic photography needs and video capturing. The 2MP front-facing camera provided decent quality for video calls and self-portraits, which was a useful feature for personal and professional communication.

Software and User Interface

The Motorola XOOM was the first to run Android 3.0 Honeycomb, optimized specifically for tablets. The user interface took advantage of the larger screen size with a more interactive and complex system compared to previous Android versions. Despite being discontinued before receiving updates beyond Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, the XOOM's software was advanced for its time, incorporating elements like resizable widgets, a dedicated browser, and Google services integration.

Connectivity Options

Regarding connectivity, the XOOM supported various network technologies, including CDMA, EVDO, and LTE (upgradeable), providing broad coverage possibilities for wireless communication. It featured dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, GPS with A-GPS support, and a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging. These options ensured that the users could stay connected, share files, and navigate effectively when needed.

Battery Life and Usage

The device included a non-removable 25 Wh Li-Ion battery, offering up to 336 hours on standby and up to 9 hours of talk time on 3G. Additionally, it allowed for 80 hours of music playback, which was significant compared to many other tablets at the time. Such battery performance made the XOOM a reliable companion for daily use, whether for consuming media, communicating, or using productivity applications.

Audio and Media Options

The XOOM provided an enjoyable multimedia experience with stereo speakers for robust and clear audio output. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack allowed users to connect earphones or external speakers for enhanced audio enjoyment. These features, combined with its sizable display, made it an excellent choice for media consumption, including videos, music, and games.

Conclusion

The Motorola XOOM was a pioneering device in the tablet market, showcasing innovative hardware and the first version of Android designed for tablets. Although its lifecycle was short-lived due to rapidly advancing technology, the XOOM set significant standards for future tablets in terms of versatility, connectivity, and build quality. It remains an important part of tech history, demonstrating the transition from early portable computing to more advanced mobile solutions. Despite being discontinued, the impact of the Motorola XOOM can be seen in the evolution of both Android tablets and the broader mobile device landscape.