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Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 aims to be all things to everyone, but ends up painting itself into an S-Pen niche.

It's sure to become a cult classic for its three killer apps: split-screen note-taking, pressure-sensitive drawing, and a universal living-room remote control. Those features elevate it above other Android models to make it an Editors' Choice for large-screen tablets.

The Galaxy Note is a very good Android tablet that just barely missed crossing the threshold into greatness.

For some, the S Pen and its apps may be reason enough to buy a Note 10.1. However, taken solely as a tablet, the Note 10.1 isn’t compelling enough to recommend over its more powerful rivals...

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is the best Samsung tablet yet. If you can get over its somewhat high price, it's a sound Android tablet investment.

When you factor in the handy stowaway S Pen and Samsung's pen-optimized software, and suddenly the Note 10.1 gets an edge all its own. Throw in the Galaxy Note 10.1 Wi-Fi tablet's solid performance, and the Note 10.1 is squarely back in the mix.

If you're an artist or designer -- or someone who places a lot of importance on the idea of writing or drawing on a device -- then the value of the S Pen might be enough to make the Note worth considering. If you're just looking for an all-around great tablet, though, you can do far better.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 has too many problems to be a great tablet. It's too flimsy and its screen doesn't hold a candle to other similarly priced tablets. It's too expensive as well. The tablet's performance and battery life are good, but they certainly don't blow the competition out of the water...

Simply put, the majority of things on this device don't work as well as they are supposed to.

It's powerful, plays a lot of video back incredibly well, and generally feels responsive. There were hiccups on the side-by-side apps, but nothing serious. Overall, we think this stylus situation could be a boon for Android.

the Galaxy Note 10.1 isn’t really an iPad alternative; it’s more of a tablet specialist — the tablet you go to when you need something very specific, which in this case is drawing, note-taking and multitasking... you don’t get an Apple product if you want to use a stylus...

This tablet-like device, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, is Samsung’s best effort to date in the 10-inch category of devices. You’ve got a fabulous 10.1-inch HD display as well as some excellent front-facing speakers, making this one of the top entertainment devices in tablet form on the market.

With the S-Pen, fun and entertaining connectivity with the rest of the Samsung Galaxy devices for media and communication, and one of the newest versions of Google’s mobile OS onboard, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is certainly the hottest Android tablet carried by Verizon today.

I can’t give an unqualified thumbs-up to any large-screen Android tablet. ... But the S Pen isn’t a gimmick or an anachronism; if you’re smitten with it, and can live with Android’s limitations, you should be tickled with the Galaxy Note 10.1.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is ugly and innovative, powerful and limited, a success and a disappointment. With its superb quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, it’s the most powerful Android tablet yet, while its stereo speakers mean it’s the best-sounding. Its Wacom-based S Pen and tailored...

Here in the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 we’ve got a rather unique experience, with the ability to create as well as consume on one 10.1-inch touchscreen display with a built-in pen to make it all happen ... along with the hardware that just feels nice to use, you’ve got a winner on your hands.

Samsung has created an excellent tablet with the Galaxy Note 10.1, even if it's not exactly a looker in our opinion. It is by far the fastest Android tablet that we've tested until now ... it has the most memory of any tablet we've seen, and it lasts very long on a single battery charge.

Ultimately though, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is another solid product from Samsung that’s worthy of consideration and it shows that the company is actively trying to advance the tablet form factor with innovative features designed to enhance productivity and user experience.

Samsung promised us the moon, and then cut corners everywhere possible, and it's hard to walk away not feeling a little insulted.