Atrix v. Thunderbolt

[civprod]

I am looking to get my first android phone after having iPhones for the last 3+ years. These appear to be my two best options (I know about the Inspire as well, but the Thunderbolt appears to be the biggest android offerings coming out in the near future). I don't mind switching carriers as I have a low ETF fee at this time. I will just use the phone for my own personal use, not business. Right now, I am leaning towards the Atrix, but I am starting to worry that it can't live up to the hype.

I have looked at the stats and know the obvious differences. However, being new to the android operating system, I don't know how big some of those differences are, such as the difference between Android 2.2 and Android 2.3? I also have read about the differences (potentially) in the bootloaders but practically speaking, if I am not wanting to install alot of custom rom's, how big of a difference would this make? How much bloatware do Motorola phones generally come from and how hard are they to get rid of? Is this easier on the Thunderbolt? How big of a difference is there between the 4G LTE standard and the AT&T 4G? How much of a difference is there between the two GPS programs?

I guess basically what I am asking is what are the biggest advantages that the Atrix has over the Thunderbolt and vice versa. Sorry about all the questions and the basic nature of some of them, I am just trying to make sure that I make the right choice. I also apologize for the very broad nature of this question.

 

[kb58]

No one knows and all we can do is compare spec sheets, data plans, and provider coverage, and speculate a lot... Gonna have to wait for the reviews to start popping up.

 

[Tempusfugit]

However, being new to the android operating system, I don't know how big some of those differences are, such as the difference between Android 2.2 and Android 2.3?

Basically they OS just gets faster, more efficient, and better on battery. 2.2 blows 2.1 away, can't imagine having dual core, more RAM, AND 2.3

I also have read about the differences (potentially) in the bootloaders but practically speaking, if I am not wanting to install alot of custom rom's, how big of a difference would this make? How much bloatware do Motorola phones generally come from and how hard are they to get rid of? Is this easier on the Thunderbolt? How big of a difference is there between the 4G LTE standard and the AT&T 4G? How much of a difference is there between the two GPS programs?

Removing bloatware, rooting, and flashing are about the same on any phone. Different steps, but usually around the same degree of difficulty. One thing to note, none of these will be available til someone from the dev community figures out how to do it on a specific phone, but they are getting ridiculously quick lately...(less than a day for the evo shift iirc)

GPS should be about the same on both(which should be as good/better than my EVO, which is insanely good, always accurate to inches)

Difference between the 4g speeds - I'll leave this one, but I wouldn't let that make your decision. I'd worry more about actual coverage in your area (for phone and 3g, THEN maybe worry about 4g). Its cool, but most people quickly realize how little they use 4g, and when they do, they usually don't NEED it.