Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 - Review
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is a tablet that will feature support for the Wacom-based S Pen first introduced with the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note. It's little more than a Galaxy Tab 10.1 in that regard, but it still turns out to be one of the more interesting digitized tablets on the market.
In addition, users will be able to take advantage of multi-screen functionality. This will enhance multi-tasking potential and allow users to run multiple apps in a divided display. But display's pixel density isn't good, pixel densitiy of screen is below 180ppi.
The standout feature of Samsung's latest offering is the S Pen, which opens a new dimension of functionality and creativity, thanks to Samsung's preloaded software and Android tweaks. Since the tablet was introduced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Galaxy Note's specs have changed. Six months ago, Samsung said that the Note 10.1 would pack a dual-core CPU and 1GB of memory, and have internal storage of up to 64GB. For its final release, though, Samsung has bumped the Note 10.1's processor to a quad-core Samsung Exynos with 2GB of system memory, making it the first shipping tablet I've tested with that much RAM. Gone is the 64GB internal storage option; instead, the Note 10.1 comes in 16GB ($499) and 32GB ($549) versions, expandable by up to 64GB via MicroSD card.
The S Pen
Samsung's S Pen is based on a Wacom's pressure-sensitive technology. The pen felt highly responsive, with little lag and with integrated palm-rejection--a useful productivity feature that capacitive-touch styluses can't provide. In the new tablet, Samsung has significantly improved on the original Galaxy Note phone's pressure sensitivity, offering 1024 levels of sensitivity, compared with the original's 256 levels. The Galaxy Note 10.1 pen's detection distance is better, too, at 14mm versus the Galaxy Note phone pen's 8mm.
Basic specs
The screen measures in at 10.1 inches, hence the name, and has a resolution of 1280-by-800. It also has 2GB of RAM, 16 GB or 32GB of onboard storage and a microSD card slot. It has a 5 MP rear-facing and 1.9MP front-facing camera and a 1.4GHX quad-core processor. It runs Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich with a planned upgrade to Jelly Bean. It starts at $499 , and the 32-gigabyte WiFi model is $599.
Software
With the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, Samsung offers its most tailored OS and locked-and-loaded app selection yet. Samsung ships the Note 10.1 with Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich on board. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will come, according to Samsung, by the end of the year.
Hardware
The tablet is light and thin, especially given its screen size. The device weighs about 1.3 pounds and has a thickness of .35 inches. That’s lighter than the iPad’s .37-inch thickness and its weight of 1.4 pounds.
Part of the difference comes in materials. Samsung tends to use more plastic in its devices to cut weight, but that decision can have unintended consequences. The most common complaint about the tablet is that it feels cheap and somewhat flimsy.
Features:
- 10.1-inch LCD display running at 1280 by 720
- Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich with Samsung’s custom UI (Jelly Bean coming later this year)
- 1.4GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor
- 16 or 32GB of internal storage, accepts microSD cards as large as 64GB
- 5MP rear camera, 1.9MP front-facing camera
- MSRP: $499 for the 16GB model, $549 for the 32GB model, available on August 16
Pros:
- The S-Pen is a joy to use on a big screen
- Strong spec sheet means great performance
- Split-screen multitasking!
Cons:
- Build quality doesn’t inspire confidence
- The cameras are underwhelming
- Samsung’s UI can be a bit overbearing
