Pricing?

[Old Member]

Big deal, I already own a laptop, and I am looking to buy a tablet. That's like trying to convince someone to buy a motorcycle instead of the car they want, when they already own a motorcycle.

You missed my point entirely. I'm not trying to convince anyone to buy a laptop. My point is that both products use many of the same components. IF electronics are roughly the same cost at the distributors level then for this device to cost as much as something that has licensed OS, licensed software, keyboard, larger hard drive, bigger display, more computing power is insane. I could care less if you or anyone ever buys a laptop or a tablet. My point is to say that cost to consumers should be related to cost to produce (relatively speaking) of course you pay for the "cool factor" above and beyond real cost and profit margins. Realistically these devices cost no where NEAR $800 to produce and distribute if a laptops cost is near that amount.

 

[Old Member]

And why do the tablets REQUIRE those peripherals? They are optional.

I'm sorry for the confusion in my typing. I'm saying that in order for a tablet to be used as MOST/MANY intend to use them CLOUD COMPUTING will be required. Not that the accessories mentioned after that are required, but lets face it, if you choose to use it as a laptop/pc replacement as many on here are saying they will, they will need to buy those too.

 

[StreakTheQuad]

I'm sorry for the confusion in my typing. I'm saying that in order for a tablet to be used as MOST/MANY intend to use them CLOUD COMPUTING will be required. Not that the accessories mentioned after that are required, but lets face it, if you choose to use it as a laptop/pc replacement as many on here are saying they will, they will need to buy those too.

it seems like YOU want it as a notebook replacement. I want it to surf the web, play games, read ebooks, and enjoy my Android apps while sitting on the couch or on a plane. If anything, I look at the xoom as a replacement for my og droid. I have a home laptop and a work laptop so I think I'm covered if I want to make some spreadsheets or do some photo editing.

Like ckeegan said, you can own both a car and a motorcycle.

 

[jcash3]

it seems like YOU want it as a notebook replacement. I want it to surf the web, play games, read ebooks, and enjoy my Android apps while sitting on the couch or on a plane. If anything, I look at the xoom as a replacement for my og droid. I have a home laptop and a work laptop so I think I'm covered if I want to make some spreadsheets or do some photo editing.

Like ckeegan said, you can own both a car and a motorcycle.

Ha, good point. I want something that is completely portable. My laptop isn't that big, but I still don't want to get it out while on a plane, or take it around with me. Plus, I am a stickler for a touch screen

 

[Old Member]

it seems like YOU want it as a notebook replacement.

ACUALLY, apparently SEVERAL people are looking to use it as a replacement. I'm looking to use it as a netbook replacement. You are clearly missing the point. I will slow it down for you.

1.) The cost of a tablet at $800 on a PURE equipment basis is ridiculous. Cost for cost, component for component it is astronomically high.

2.) I don't give a CRAP if anyone ever buys another laptop. See point #1.

Even more simply put (in case the above was too quick for you):

Cost of Multi-Touch capacitive screen 10.1" vs. Cost of a 17" high resolution screen. I imagine that the Multi-touch would be more expensive.

Cost of keyboard vs. NO KEYBOARD. I imagine the one WITH the keyboard would cost more.

Cost of LICENSED OS vs. FREE OS, likely FREE costs less than licensed.

Cost of multi-USB outputs and HDMI outputs vs. NO standard USB outputs and no true HDMI out. Likely the former costs more than the latter.

Cost of LARGER more powerful battery would likely cost MORE than a smaller battery.

Cost of 500GB of hard drive vs. 32GB internal memory card. 500GB likely costs MORE than 32GB.

On and on, on a cost by cost basis the laptop is sold for the same cost. Again, I'M NOT ADVOCATING ANYONE BUYING A LAPTOP INSTEAD OF A XOOM. What I'm saying is that clearly laptops are sold for profit. Their manufacturers have a desire to make money too. If the Xoom is sold for the same prices or near the same price as a laptop with less expense going into them, they are gouging. That is my frustration.

If something that has MANY more features and standard equipment, that is a quality product with a reputable name can offer it's product near something without that good name, a brand new product, with fewer features, but the "cool factor" with nice portability, it seems to me that Motorola is asking it's consumers to pay $300 for product and $500 for new coolness factors. Just my $0.02.

 

[howarmat]

the cost of the xoom (699) is right in line with the cost of the tab (500) and the ipad (629) when you look at the teardown and actualy costs. You can compare the xoom to a netbook if you want but to me they are not the same purpose really. So comparing cost doesnt make sense either then

 

[Old Member]

You can compare the xoom to a netbook if you want but to me they are not the same purpose really. So comparing cost doesnt make sense either then

Costs are costs, components are components. The price of electronics and electronic components are pretty much equal. Are there some components that are different? YES. No doubt. Machining and manufacturing components to fit in the Xoom are at a cost, but surely no greater cost than any other electronics maker.

I'm not comparing refrigerators to ranges. I'm not comparing air compressors to automobiles. I'm comparing the cost of a processor to the cost of a processor. The cost of a nvidia graphics card with another nvidia graphics card. The cost of a display with a display. You can say they are not the same and I say bull. They are the same. Made to compute, socially network, process information and do it quickly.

 

[murraj2]

ACUALLY, apparently SEVERAL people are looking to use it as a replacement. I'm looking to use it as a netbook replacement. You are clearly missing the point. I will slow it down for you.

1.) The cost of a tablet at $800 on a PURE equipment basis is ridiculous. Cost for cost, component for component it is astronomically high.

Do you have any idea what you're talking about?

2.) Cost of Multi-Touch capacitive screen 10.1" vs. Cost of a 17" high resolution screen. I imagine that the Multi-touch would be more expensive.

Most of the screens we see on these laptops are 1366x768, which is absolutely pathetic for a screen that size. If you compare just the amount of pixels between that and the 1200x800 resolution of the Xoom the 17" screen would have about 8% more total pixels while being 70% larger. Pixel density is the most expensive part of making a display and the Pixel density on the Xoom combined with the being a Capacitive touche screen you're looking at at least triple the cost of the laptop display.

Cost of keyboard vs. NO KEYBOARD. I imagine the one WITH the keyboard would cost more.

A laptop keyboard probably costs about a dollar or less to make.

Cost of LICENSED OS vs. FREE OS, likely FREE costs less than licensed.

The cost of the licensed OS this is on an OEMed laptop or computer is about $30 if not less.

Cost of multi-USB outputs and HDMI outputs vs. NO standard USB outputs and no true HDMI out. Likely the former costs more than the latter.

You realize that when you're talking about all this stuff you're really talking about the cost of the motherboard right? And that integrated into this motherboard is the dual core Tegra 2 chip as well as the 3G/LTE/Wifi/BlueTooth radio. That this is all being custom made and designed into a brand new form factor and device size.

Cost of LARGER more powerful battery would likely cost MORE than a smaller battery.

It's all about size, shape and density. The laptop battery is probably larger overall, but for size and performance there tablet battery is almost surely far more dense than the laptops. It's also is likely to be made in a shape unlike the traditional laptop battery to fit the tablet and is more expensive.

Cost of 500GB of hard drive vs. 32GB internal memory card. 500GB likely costs MORE than 32GB.

Have you ever compared the prices of an SSD vs a standard HDD? I mean the Tablet has flash memory and not a pure SSD, but I'd be willing to bet the 32GB is as expensive if not a bit more expensive than a 500GB HD these days.

What I'm saying is that clearly laptops are sold for profit. Their manufacturers have a desire to make money too. If the Xoom is sold for the same prices or near the same price as a laptop with less expense going into them, they are gouging. That is my frustration.

Ever heard of R&D costs? You know you can't just pick 10 components off the shelf at Microcenter like you're building a desktop and throw them all into the form factor of a Wired magazine. There's a lot that goes into the different components and specs. And unfortunately we also have to cover the costs of marketing as well (aren't people in here complaining that they haven't seen any commercials and that they want a superbowl ad?).

If something that has MANY more features and standard equipment, that is a quality product with a reputable name can offer it's product near something without that good name, a brand new product, with fewer features, but the "cool factor" with nice portability, it seems to me that Motorola is asking it's consumers to pay $300 for product and $500 for new coolness factors. Just my $0.02.

Number of features != quality of product. Sure, Motorola is trying to make a profit on this device, but what you're doing is trying to compare Apples with Steak. Why not make the comparison of a cell phone to the Tablet? Most smart phones these days cost $580-600 unsubsidized. The difference between that and a tablet? 4-4.3" screen vs 10" screen and some additional battery for the most part. Difference in that cost is probably about $100-150 for the manufacturer. Looks like we can see where that would put us for a price range on the device.

If this all continues to bother, you probably really don't want to know the cost of the metal, plastic and leather that goes into making a 20K car.

 

[StreakTheQuad]

Cincy, I don't mean to be argumentative. I'm not thrilled about the high price ever.

However, if a top smartphone retails at $500-600 unsubsidized, I guess I'm just not surprised that a top tablet may be priced at $700 to $800. To me that is a better comparison, but we can agree to disagree

 

[xmr405o]

Do you have any idea what you're talking about?



Most of the screens we see on these laptops are 1366x768, which is absolutely pathetic for a screen that size. If you compare just the amount of pixels between that and the 1200x800 resolution of the Xoom the 17" screen would have about 8% more total pixels while being 70% larger. Pixel density is the most expensive part of making a display and the Pixel density on the Xoom combined with the being a Capacitive touche screen you're looking at at least triple the cost of the laptop display.




A laptop keyboard probably costs about a dollar or less to make.


The cost of the licensed OS this is on an OEMed laptop or computer is about $30 if not less.


You realize that when you're talking about all this stuff you're really talking about the cost of the motherboard right? And that integrated into this motherboard is the dual core Tegra 2 chip as well as the 3G/LTE/Wifi/BlueTooth radio. That this is all being custom made and designed into a brand new form factor and device size.


It's all about size, shape and density. The laptop battery is probably larger overall, but for size and performance there tablet battery is almost surely far more dense than the laptops. It's also is likely to be made in a shape unlike the traditional laptop battery to fit the tablet and is more expensive.


Have you ever compared the prices of an SSD vs a standard HDD? I mean the Tablet has flash memory and not a pure SSD, but I'd be willing to bet the 32GB is as expensive if not a bit more expensive than a 500GB HD these days.



Ever heard of R&D costs? You know you can't just pick 10 components off the shelf at Microcenter like you're building a desktop and throw them all into the form factor of a Wired magazine. There's a lot that goes into the different components and specs. And unfortunately we also have to cover the costs of marketing as well (aren't people in here complaining that they haven't seen any commercials and that they want a superbowl ad?).




Number of features != quality of product. Sure, Motorola is trying to make a profit on this device, but what you're doing is trying to compare Apples with Steak. Why not make the comparison of a cell phone to the Tablet? Most smart phones these days cost $580-600 unsubsidized. The difference between that and a tablet? 4-4.3" screen vs 10" screen and some additional battery for the most part. Difference in that cost is probably about $100-150 for the manufacturer. Looks like we can see where that would put us for a price range on the device.

If this all continues to bother, you probably really don't want to know the cost of the metal, plastic and leather that goes into making a 20K car.

For the most part, this is a really well thought out response to why tablets cost more than laptops.

 

[fltblkvic]

Damn, talk about a social experiment, make a flawless product, as shiny as mercury snow, be as secretive as possible about availability and cost and see what happens. I'm just as pissed as everyone else is, of course it's expensive, I don't get to live that guys life where everything he ever wanted was exactly how he wants it. I do think it's kind of funny that the anger felt over the corporate marketing ass4oles who set the price on this thing has spilled over into the bickering I've seen here. For whatever reason the price is what the price is, opinions over why it is are just that, opinions. I sure hope that everyone who has a love of android and a yearn for this device gets one, but until then let the complaining/bitching/debating continue cause it sure is funny as hell! Just throwin' my 2 cents in

 

[ckeegan]

The funny thing to me is that some people keep saying they can buy a good laptop for that price. I mean, what kind of piece of crap laptops are you people buying? I've never spent less than $1,200 for a laptop, and no, I don't own Apple products.

I wish those people would just admit they can't afford the Xoom, and stop beating around the bush, whining about what else you can get for that price. This is the flagship Android tablet, and the hardware Google is using as they develop Honeycomb. What'd you think, they were going to price it close to the Adam or Viewsonic G-tablet? Give me a break. Go buy your tablet at Office Depot, or the one with the hand-spliced wires, made in India.

Sorry, had to get that out.

 

[xmr405o]

The funny thing to me is that some people keep saying they can buy a good laptop for that price. I mean, what kind of piece of crap laptops are you people buying? I've never spent less than $1,200 for a laptop, and no, I don't own Apple products.

I wish those people would just admit they can't afford the Xoom, and stop beating around the bush, whining about what else you can get for that price. This is the flagship Android tablet, and the hardware Google is using as they develop Honeycomb. What'd you think, they were going to price it close to the Adam or Viewsonic G-tablet? Give me a break. Go buy your tablet at Office Depot, or the one with the hand-spliced wires, made in India.

Sorry, had to get that out.

Damn, what a jerk. Lol.

Sorry, had to get that out.

 

[ckeegan]

Yeah, it was kind of rude, but it doesn't make it less true. I know this is a pricing thread, but every thread and news story about the Xoom ends up becoming a pricing debate, and for the people who know they're getting it, it does get pretty annoying. Especially in thread when we're talking about things we're excited about, speculating about features we don't already know about Honeycomb.

 

[xmr405o]

Yeah, it was kind of rude, but it doesn't make it less true. I know this is a pricing thread, but every thread and news story about the Xoom ends up becoming a pricing debate, and for the people who know they're getting it, it does get pretty annoying. Especially in thread when we're talking about things we're excited about, speculating about features we don't already know about Honeycomb.

I never disagreed with you.

 

[ckeegan]

I never disagreed with you.

Oh, I know. I just don't usually say stuff like that, or at least not in that way.

Honestly, it'd be like someone complaining about the price of the M37 (in an Infiniti forum), saying it should be priced like an Altima.

 

[Zaggs]

The funny thing to me is that some people keep saying they can buy a good laptop for that price. I mean, what kind of piece of crap laptops are you people buying? I've never spent less than $1,200 for a laptop, and no, I don't own Apple products.

I wish those people would just admit they can't afford the Xoom, and stop beating around the bush, whining about what else you can get for that price. This is the flagship Android tablet, and the hardware Google is using as they develop Honeycomb. What'd you think, they were going to price it close to the Adam or Viewsonic G-tablet? Give me a break. Go buy your tablet at Office Depot, or the one with the hand-spliced wires, made in India.

Sorry, had to get that out.

You can get a HP dv5t (dual core 2+ghz, 4 GB ram, 500gb hard drive) for the same price as the Xoom subsidized. May not win any awards but its far from crap.

 

[Zaggs]

Do you have any idea what you're talking about?



Most of the screens we see on these laptops are 1366x768, which is absolutely pathetic for a screen that size. If you compare just the amount of pixels between that and the 1200x800 resolution of the Xoom the 17" screen would have about 8% more total pixels while being 70% larger. Pixel density is the most expensive part of making a display and the Pixel density on the Xoom combined with the being a Capacitive touche screen you're looking at at least triple the cost of the laptop display.

3 times? Huh? Depending on the model of netbook it may just be $30 more, or even the same cost (going off the $95 for the Ipad's screen and HP mini screen retail costs)

A laptop keyboard probably costs about a dollar or less to make.


The cost of the licensed OS this is on an OEMed laptop or computer is about $30 if not less.

Isn't Windows like $5? Maybe thats just for the government.

You realize that when you're talking about all this stuff you're really talking about the cost of the motherboard right? And that integrated into this motherboard is the dual core Tegra 2 chip as well as the 3G/LTE/Wifi/BlueTooth radio. That this is all being custom made and designed into a brand new form factor and device size.

They're not making a new space shuttle. Xoom has a 10in screen yes? So total width is probably at least 11in right? I'm pretty sure 11 inch devices have been around for a bit with all of that or similar devices put in.

It's all about size, shape and density. The laptop battery is probably larger overall, but for size and performance there tablet battery is almost surely far more dense than the laptops. It's also is likely to be made in a shape unlike the traditional laptop battery to fit the tablet and is more expensive.

Thats stretching a bit about the shape. Battery life, some yes, some no.

Have you ever compared the prices of an SSD vs a standard HDD? I mean the Tablet has flash memory and not a pure SSD, but I'd be willing to bet the 32GB is as expensive if not a bit more expensive than a 500GB HD these days.

32GB USB flash drive is like $50 on Amazon. $59 is the cost for the 32GB in the Ipad. Seagate 500GB at 7200rpm laptop drive, $150. 5400rpm about the same as the flash in the Ipad.

Ever heard of R&D costs? You know you can't just pick 10 components off the shelf at Microcenter like you're building a desktop and throw them all into the form factor of a Wired magazine. There's a lot that goes into the different components and specs. And unfortunately we also have to cover the costs of marketing as well (aren't people in here complaining that they haven't seen any commercials and that they want a superbowl ad?).

What R&D cost? Again, not making a new space shuttle. What are they R&D'ing? using Tegra-2 in a tablet? Already been done (and used in Zunes). Android 3? No R&D from Motorola for that. Again you seem to be thinking they're using brand new components for the Xoom. They're not. I'm willing to bet their wifi and bluetooth have been seen before.
Marketing? How much did Motorola spend marketing the Droid? Alot of that was by Verizon. Maybe they share marketing more on the Xoom. But laptop makers also have to market their wares as well so again you're talking similar costs.

Number of features != quality of product. Sure, Motorola is trying to make a profit on this device, but what you're doing is trying to compare Apples with Steak. Why not make the comparison of a cell phone to the Tablet? Most smart phones these days cost $580-600 unsubsidized. The difference between that and a tablet? 4-4.3" screen vs 10" screen and some additional battery for the most part. Difference in that cost is probably about $100-150 for the manufacturer. Looks like we can see where that would put us for a price range on the device.

You actually make more sense with this point then any other.

If this all continues to bother, you probably really don't want to know the cost of the metal, plastic and leather that goes into making a 20K car.

So one must ask, do you have any idea what you're talking about? The prices I've looked up are if I were to buy the product, so retail prices. Not bulk. If your costs aren't adding up with retail prices, I can't imagine this thing comes near the price they want when they're buying in bulk.

 

[lodestar]

...for the people who know they're getting it, it does get pretty annoying....

From your post, it sounds like you know you are getting it, and also that you could care less what it costs. Well, good for you. And I mean it, not in a bad way.

Let me throw in my $699-$799 worth of 2 cents here, at least from a business perspective.

If Motorola is basing their pricing strategy on people like you, they are screwed. Why? Because the vast MAJORITY of people "who don't care what a product costs cause they're getting it anyways" have already signed away their life and loyalty to another company. These people likely won't care that the XOOM will have cutting edge specs, or that the component costs justify the $699-799 price tag.

The premium that Apple commands, and people sheepishly pay for, does not come from costlier hardware, or cutting edge R&D (well maybe a bit here). It comes from their marketing, the coolness factor they have developed, and the perception that their products are better. Moto is going to need to go a little further than pricing "competitively" if they hope to seriously capture any market share.

So, ckeegan, why should you care whether anyone else on this forum can shell out $699 or $799 for the XOOM? I'll tell you why. If the XOOM ends up being purchased by a small population, guess how many accessories will come out for it? How many apps? How long will MOTO support this product with a customer base of 200,000?

 

[ckeegan]

If the XOOM ends up being purchased by a small population, guess how many accessories will come out for it? How many apps? How long will MOTO support this product with a customer base of 200,000?

I think I'm good with the keyboard, speaker dock, standard dock, portfolio case (two types), gel case, and chargers that Motorola already has featured on their website. What else would an owner need? The accessories already exist, and many are already in Verizon's inventory system.

You comment about apps would make sense if Honeycomb was exclusive to the Xoom, but it's not. There were a solid number of developers on hand at the Google event last week, who were already working on apps optimized for Honeycomb. I'm sure that was just a handful. Apps are not made specific to a piece of hardware, but to the OS, and this will not be the only tablet running Honeycomb.

Why would I care how long Motorola supports the Xoom when it's a pure Google Experience device, that Google used as their standard when designing Honeycomb? That would be like being concerned that the Nexus S was built by Samsung. Who cares? It's a Google Experience Device, so unless you hate Samsung hardware, the manufacturer is irrelevant to the software when it comes to Google Experience Devices.

I highly doubt Motorola is basing their pricing strategy (still all rumor at this point) on people like me. By the way, I do care how much it costs, I just never was naive enough to think it should be priced like a Viewsonic or Notion Ink product. I still think it will be $699 at launch, which would be $129 less than the comparable current-gen iPad, $120 more than a Droid X full retail price, and $200 more than an unlocked Dell Venue. Only ignorant people think they're going to buy a Lexus for the price of a Camry.

 

[gobluejd]

Well said ckeegan. I HATE MOTO Blur, but have always been a fan of motorola products in terms of build. I am excited to get this. Also I do care what the final cost is, hopefully it will be $699, and I will probably get the dock and keyboard, and throw it on my BB card for a year no financing. I was planning on spending $600 to $1200 for a laptop anyway this year.

God I am so GLAD I did not by the Adam.

 

[lodestar]

...I just never was naive enough to think it should be priced like a Viewsonic or Notion Ink product. I still think it will be $699 at launch, which would be $129 less than the comparable current-gen iPad, $120 more than a Droid X full retail price, and $200 more than an unlocked Dell Venue. Only ignorant people think they're going to buy a Lexus for the price of a Camry.

All the un-naivety or non-ignorance on your part (we really should have better words for that) will not change the fact that at a certain price point, the Xoom will relegate itself to a niche product for a handful of people. It doesn't matter if the Xoom can bake a casserole. (also, I'd be curious to see how many people pay full price for their droid x, and just how well that Dell venue will sell).

I agree that Honeycomb apps are cross platform. But if the Xoom fails to make a meaningful penetration into the tablet market, does this help or hurt the case for future Honeycomb app development? If the majority of people who are in the market for the Xoom, like myself, are priced out, is this a success or failure for Android and Motorola?

Again, this is the business side of the discussion, and from where you sit, I understand why it doesn't matter to you. Everyone has a different budget for their tech. From the fact that you buy accessories from the OEM tells me your budget is different than mine. Good for you. I'd happily buy a good quality third party case for a fraction of the price of the case at Verizon, but no third party will take the time to make one if the market is small.

Finally, I'm sorry if it annoys you that people discuss price for a product you know you are getting. Perhaps we should change the thread title to be more clear.

 

[gobluejd]

All the un-naivety or non-ignorance on your part (we really should have better words for that) will not change the fact that at a certain price point, the Xoom will relegate itself to a niche product for a handful of people. It doesn't matter if the Xoom can bake a casserole. (also, I'd be curious to see how many people pay full price for their droid x, and just how well that Dell venue will sell).

I agree that Honeycomb apps are cross platform. But if the Xoom fails to make a meaningful penetration into the tablet market, does this help or hurt the case for future Honeycomb app development? If the majority of people who are in the market for the Xoom, like myself, are priced out, is this a success or failure for Android and Motorola?

Again, this is the business side of the discussion, and from where you sit, I understand why it doesn't matter to you. Everyone has a different budget for their tech. From the fact that you buy accessories from the OEM tells me your budget is different than mine. Good for you. I'd happily buy a good quality third party case for a fraction of the price of the case at Verizon, but no third party will take the time to make one if the market is small.

Finally, I'm sorry if it annoys you that people discuss price for a product you know you are getting. Perhaps we should change the thread title to be more clear.

Easy.

In all fairness this tablet IMHO should be more expensive the the iPad.

 

[tsanuri]

Easy.

In all fairness this tablet IMHO should be more expensive the the iPad.

Going by specs it should but by public perception is should not. Like it or not apple has a perception that is has the best made and the best tech products and are therefore allowed to charge more. We here know better but also want to see this tablet sell very well. And I hope I am wrong but with the current prices seen I see the Xoom as a nitch product right now. I am sure that AT&T had something to say about the pricing of the Atrix dock but just looking at it and this the $799 price is looking much more realistic.

$500 for a shell and for $300 more we actually put something in it.

 

[Don S]

All the un-naivety or non-ignorance on your part (we really should have better words for that) will not change the fact that at a certain price point, the Xoom will relegate itself to a niche product for a handful of people. It doesn't matter if the Xoom can bake a casserole. (also, I'd be curious to see how many people pay full price for their droid x, and just how well that Dell venue will sell).

I agree that Honeycomb apps are cross platform. But if the Xoom fails to make a meaningful penetration into the tablet market, does this help or hurt the case for future Honeycomb app development? If the majority of people who are in the market for the Xoom, like myself, are priced out, is this a success or failure for Android and Motorola?

Again, this is the business side of the discussion, and from where you sit, I understand why it doesn't matter to you. Everyone has a different budget for their tech. From the fact that you buy accessories from the OEM tells me your budget is different than mine. Good for you. I'd happily buy a good quality third party case for a fraction of the price of the case at Verizon, but no third party will take the time to make one if the market is small.

Finally, I'm sorry if it annoys you that people discuss price for a product you know you are getting. Perhaps we should change the thread title to be more clear.

This makes a lot of sense. Whether or not any of us think the XOOM is priced too high for ourselves to buy is a relevant subject, but also is a totally different question than whether the price is too high to be competitive in an iPad dominated tablet world.

Will many of us Android lovers buy it, love it, support it, at a price we think is fair or even is unfair? Probably yes.

Will the overall public buy it, love it, support it (at any reasonably competitive level) if the XOOM has a price that is around the same as an iPAD or more importantly to the iPad 2? If we are paying any attention at all to the general public and to the market - then almost definitely "no" is the answer, IMO.