Kindle Fire vs Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2: Which is Better?

Kindle Fire is the new darling of the technology world because it is virtually the only device that has been able to carve out a space in the tablet world next to the iPad. That means other devices could potentially do the same, but at what cost? Will people only buy a non iPad tablet if it costs $200 or less? Motorola doesn't think so. That's why they've decided now is the time to release not one but two new tablets into the already overcrowded Android tablet field. Neither of them come close to costing $200 either. They are two and three times that price.

Furthermore, you can only get those prices by signing a two year contract with Verizon and purchasing one of their data plans. We'll come back to that though. The Droid Xyboard is the first 4G capable tablet and comes in a 10-inch version or the 8.2 that we are comparing to the Kindle Fire. Both size Xyboards come in 16 and 32 gigabyte flavors, as well. Xyboard 8.2 has front and rear facing cameras that Kindle Fire doesn't, and it also has a bigger screen. It's even got an HD display at 1280x800p resolution. Additionally, it will get the Android 4.0 update when it comes out, though it could be a couple months. This is a premium device, no doubt, and Kindle Fire is not meant to be that kind of tablet. After all, it doesn't even have access to the Android Market for apps. That said, unless you really need an Android tablet for your job, and you travel quite a bit for that job, there is no way you should even consider the Droid Xyboard.

Even though it can do many things, at 4G speeds no less, it is simply too expensive. $430 for the 16GB Xyboard 8.2 with a two year contract and the data plan (a separate purchase) is quite high. If you can afford it and you really want that 4G ability, obviously, you need to look no further, but otherwise, the Kindle Fire easily wins the recommendation here. To be fair, Xyboard just hit a few stores Dec. 9, so it needs to be put through its proper paces, but on paper, its not a fair fight. It could end up being a must have device, but Motorola laid a bit of a dud with the Xoom tablet, so we'll have to wait for the Xyboard hands on. As with any major purchase, it's best to head down to the store and try it out for yourself. Tell us in the comments if you think the Droid Xyboard seems like a good deal and if it lives up to the Droid name.