[Xoom Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Thalinor:
I really wanted this to be in a "General Android Hardware Forum" instead of the Xoom specific one, but I am not seeing that area here on XDA.

I am on the fence with my Xoom Wi-Fi and have two more weeks before my Costco 90 day return polity expires. First and foremost, the tablet is paid for and not sitting on some credit card collecting interest. On the other hand, financially right now, after unexpected layoff, I could really use the $750 back in my bank account.

For argument sake however I want to take cost out of the picture. My Xoom Wi-Fi is running the latest Tiamat Kernel, which really expands the devices capabilities.

Pro's: Aamazing community support [Tiamat/etc], MicroSD slot, a standard MicroUSB data connection, a HDMI port that works flawless, and is well built accept for that crappy charging plug.

Con's: This thing is a tank, its heavy as hell and much thicker then other upcoming Android tablets.

Wildcard: Tegra 2.5's and Tegra 3's are rumored to be right around the corner; with fall 2011 release dates. That's three months away.

The Galaxy 10.1 is the perfect size and weight, but not having a MicroSD slot is a deal breaker. The 10.1 also lacks a standard MicroUSB data connection, instead using some BS Samsung proprietary connection. That's total crap, in fact while I am located in the USA, I though that the EU passed some law that mobile devices had to use standard universally used [USB/MiniUSB/MicroUSB] connection ports? In any case, the fact they are forcing people to use some special cable only Samsung uses is almost reason alone to pass on the device. I thought we were past that type of nonsense; it feels so 1990's.

I have heard the 10.1 can output to HDMI, but again requires some special cable and/or adapter, again Samsung using non-standard hardware connections for the fail. Also, its unknown how much community support the device will get. Lastly, the back cover for the 10.1 is a really ugly looking design, made from crap plastic instead of a plain piece of Aluminum.

With the 10.1 off the table, there is nothing else that's currently been announced or is on the market which beats the Xoom. Again, IMO Size and Weight are the only real issues I have right now with my Xoom. The Tiamat Kernel boots slower then molasses, but I am sure that will be fixed in the future and the functionality it adds is worth the boot time wait.

The wildcard is the Tegra 2.5's and Tegra 3's that are rumored to be released in devices by this fall. While I don't have an immediate need for the extra hardware specs, an upgraded CPU never hurts. The problem is while there has been rumors of devices with these chips being released in Fall 2011, we have seen nothing leaked regarding any of these devices. I figured by now we would have something to go on, especially with fall being three months away. Taking into consideration the delay of most Android tablets lately, I am starting to think the next round of devices will not hit stores till December or sometime next year.

To return or not return that is the question. If there was a device that was scheduled to be released before Winter, with the same form factor as the Galaxy 10.1, and build quality and features of the Xoom; I would return the device in a heartbeat. I just don't see that happening right now.

There are rumors of the Xoom 2 this fall, but I doubt we will see that before March of 2012. Also, if the photos leaked online are anything like what the device will be, it looks ugly as hell and just as much of a giant tank. Realistically though, what do you expect from Motorola? It's not like they are the number one most technically advanced manufacture of LCD screens, like you can argue Samsung is right now.

On an unrelated note, anyone else getting really tired of the BS with the rest of the world getting the Galaxy S2 yet, no US carrier has bothered to pick up the device? By the time the Function hits Verizon, the technology in that device will be at a minimum over a year old. That's really obnoxious; its not like it hasn't been out in every other country but the US now for months. Then again, who knows with our look we will end up with some POS looking Galaxy S2 like what happened with the Samsung Fascinate, instead of original sleek looking Galaxy S design everyone else got.

Anyway, I know TL/DL but for those who did, thanks for your input.

EDIT: I am sure the rest of you Android fans will love this one: Verizon [Level II] tech support today stated "We dropped the early upgrade option from all our two year contracts to conform with Apples contractual agreement regarding the iPhone". Call me a conspiracy theorist, but if Verizon did not have the iPhone, we would have the Galaxy S2 by now as well as several other Android phones.