Reboot and Rally: Verizon Motorola DROID XYBOARD 8.2 Review
It’s official: the entire world is tablet crazy. Countless tech companies are struggling to outdo each other by producing the most technologically advanced tablet computer for the least amount of money. Competition spawns innovation, and the past year has given birth to the most impressive line of technology since Bill Gates launched the first Windows computer (probably an over exaggeration, but you get the point).
This year, Motorola launched its latest family of tablets: the DROID XYBOARD. The DROID XYBOARD comes in four unique models that cater to different price ranges. Today, it’s my job to determine whether the device lives up to the excellent DROID reputation established by the popular series of Android mobile phones. Although there are four different models available, I will exclusively review the XYBOARD 8.2 with a 32 GB hard drive.
Before getting to the review, I want to describe the new rating system for Reboot and Rally. Every device reviewed will be graded on a scale from one to ten cups. Eight cups and higher will receive the Silver Shrub award, nine cups will get the Silver Tree award, and a perfect 10 out of 10 cups will receive the prestigious Golden Tree award. Anything that receives one of these awards is a must-buy item for Dartmouth students.
Design
For the most part, the screen size wasn’t an issue. Watching movies and surfing the web was very easy and nothing appeared cramped or cropped out. Typing on the DROID XYBOARD seemed a little slow compared to larger tablet devices, but I had no other issues with it. People with smaller fingers didn’t seem to have a problem, but I often felt myself accidentally hitting keys while typing longer emails. The best part about having a smaller screen is that it makes the device incredibly portable. I found that the XYBOARD fit into every pocket in every bag I own and it could even fit in my pocket when I wore baggy jeans. I guess two inches doesn’t make that much of a difference after all (that’s what she said).
The XYBORD is incredibly light and thin. It’s as skinny as the iPad and slightly lighter too. As a result, I never found a situation where I couldn’t use the XYBOARD. The brilliant screen can be seen in almost any light condition, which makes the XYBOARD a very versatile device.
My major gripe with the DROID XYBOARD’s design is the awkward placement of the power button and the volume rocker. Instead of placing the buttons on the side of the device, Motorola chose to put both on the bottom of the tablet. The buttons are completely flush with the back cover and are hard to locate by touch. After two weeks of use, I still found it difficult to turn on the device without flipping it over to find the button. This is a small inconvenience that only wastes about five seconds, but it’s a significant flaw — one that doesn’t plague its peers.
Performance
My favorite feature of the XYBOARD is its blazing fast 4G LTE connection. Although you won’t find 4G in Hanover (not Verizon’s fault, we live in the middle of nowhere), you can find it in most major cities across the US. I spent a day in NYC testing out how fast this connection really was, and calling it fast doesn’t do it justice. 4G internet allows you to do just about anything you want on the web. With 4G LTE, I am able to stream my entire music collection using Google Music in high quality with zero lag. I was able to stream a full-length movie on Netlix in full HD that only had to buffer twice. On an unrelated note, add Revolver by Guy Richie to your Netflix queue — you’ll thank me. The DROID XYBOARD has a great WiFi connection that can connect to Dartmouth Secure, so you can take advantage of these features around campus. The best part is, whenever you leave the Dartmouth bubble, the internet comes with you.
The audio quality of the XYBOARD is very good. When watching movies or listening to music, sounds are sharp and clear. I never once heard any audio distortion or muddled noise. The sound was even better when I plugged in headphones. I was amazed at how there was no quality drop-off between the sounds generated form my computer and the XYBOARD. If you are an audiophile, this tablet will not disappoint.
The camera on the XYBOARD is fairly average. Although it records 720P video, I often found that the colors never quite seemed vibrant enough. The 5 megapixel rear camera takes decent pictures, but small details are sometimes blurred together. The front-facing camera is great for video calls, but it is by no means the primary option for photography. The XYBOARD will take pictures that accurately capture a moment, but don’t expect it to replace your current digital camera.
Features
The XYBOARD also comes bundled with Verizon’s VZ Navigator GPS software. VZ Navigator will get you from point A to point B without any problems, and it has a few nifty features such as audio traffic warnings and three-dimensional city maps. Despite the cool features, most users will use Google Maps instead because of how familiar the program is.
The Bottom Line
Being a student, I understand that $530 is most likely your entire budget for two consecutive terms. If you’re looking for a tablet that’s smaller than the iPad but still packs a great punch, this is the device for you. Price aside, the XYBOARD is a stellar tablet that can do basically anything at the fastest speed possible (this year). If you can afford it, try one out — you won’t be able to put it down once it hits your palms. If you don’t need a 4G tablet, I suggest searching for a cheaper alternative; however, don’t expect a device of the same quality.
Reboot and Rally Ranking: 7.5/10 Cups
This would be an 8.5, but the high price makes it very hard to recommend to students who don’t have full time jobs yet.