80
Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Features Good ideas, not well executed all the time.
- Display I could see the pixels and regular use distances.
- Battery life No comments
- Ease of use Fine, but felt more like a Honeycomb tablet than ICS.
- Storage capacity 16 GB + microSD is plenty for me.
- Design and form factor Initally, I liked the design (in store). After getting it home, I liked it less and less. The metal border ruins the lines of the product.
- Portability (size / weight) Thin. LIght. Nice
- Durability No real tests, but it seemed sturdy enough. Not iPad solid, but solid none the less.
Detailed review
I went out, bought one yesterday from Best Buy, it is now back at Best Buy, less than 24 hours later. I don't know how they managed to make a quad core Exynos laggy, but they managed it. Home screen transitions still stutter at times. Many apps are not smooth (Netflix, Pulse, etc.). I didn't expect to notice the screen pixel density, but I did -- at normal operating distance for me. I noticed a big difference from my user experiences with iPad2, 3rd gen iPad, and Nexus 7 -- too big to ignore at this point in the development of tablets.
Worst thing was that the S Pen performance was worst than I can get on my 3rd gen iPad with a Bamboo stylus. The pen couldn't always keep up with my writing or drawing, causing skipping in the lines/letters at times (not often, but enough that I immediately noticed it). This is inexcusable for a stylus-oriented device. Really too bad, because I love the idea of an active digitizer layer on a tablet. I would not recommend this to anyone who actually needs reliable pen input.
Maybe this thing will improve once they finish studying Jelly Bean enough to roll it out, but I'm not betting on it. It's too bad, too, they've got some good ideas in there, just still flailing on the execution. I got this because I want to integrate stylus more into my workflow and I wanted to give Samsung a chance (if it went well, I might have gone from iPhone 4S to GS III). As it stands, I've given Samsung 2 chances to get me as a customer this year (Galaxy Tab 7 2.0 and this), and they've failed. I will continue to enjoy my iPad, iPhone and Nexus 7 for now.
For further context, I've been a stylus fan for a long time. I just sold my HTC Flyer recently, which had it's own stylus issues, but actually performed not that far off from the Galaxy Note in many ways -- which is a big deal: the Flyer is single core, Honeycomb. The Galaxy Note should blow its doors off, it doesn't. I have long tried to use stylus input for notes, etc. on my iPad. Current styluses (Bamboo, Adonit) are big improvements recently. I am a lefty, though, so palm/wrist rejection has always been an issue, which is why I appreciate what active digitizers do, in addition to pressure sensitivity, etc.
Worst thing was that the S Pen performance was worst than I can get on my 3rd gen iPad with a Bamboo stylus. The pen couldn't always keep up with my writing or drawing, causing skipping in the lines/letters at times (not often, but enough that I immediately noticed it). This is inexcusable for a stylus-oriented device. Really too bad, because I love the idea of an active digitizer layer on a tablet. I would not recommend this to anyone who actually needs reliable pen input.
Maybe this thing will improve once they finish studying Jelly Bean enough to roll it out, but I'm not betting on it. It's too bad, too, they've got some good ideas in there, just still flailing on the execution. I got this because I want to integrate stylus more into my workflow and I wanted to give Samsung a chance (if it went well, I might have gone from iPhone 4S to GS III). As it stands, I've given Samsung 2 chances to get me as a customer this year (Galaxy Tab 7 2.0 and this), and they've failed. I will continue to enjoy my iPad, iPhone and Nexus 7 for now.
For further context, I've been a stylus fan for a long time. I just sold my HTC Flyer recently, which had it's own stylus issues, but actually performed not that far off from the Galaxy Note in many ways -- which is a big deal: the Flyer is single core, Honeycomb. The Galaxy Note should blow its doors off, it doesn't. I have long tried to use stylus input for notes, etc. on my iPad. Current styluses (Bamboo, Adonit) are big improvements recently. I am a lefty, though, so palm/wrist rejection has always been an issue, which is why I appreciate what active digitizers do, in addition to pressure sensitivity, etc.
good review!
2 people find this review helpful
rubinski
mevensen
B1ackplague
mevensen
Definitely not smooth enough for me (as stated, my point of reference in Nexus 7 (stock) and 3rd gen iPad). I have a feeling this is a combination of ICS 4.0.4 and Touchwiz skinning. I noted scrolling in some apps (which are smoother on Nexus 7). Also, in pinch to zoom and scrolling, it fell behind the Nexus 7. Specifically, I use Citrix Receiver to access work resources. The Nexus 7 have relatively smooth zoom and scrolling in this app. The Note 10.1 was choppy and laggy in navigation within the Receiver screen.
Pen produced writing lag and definitely skipped for me during writing and some quicker movements during sketching. It did not consistently capture all the strokes of my signature, and regular writing produced skipping, particularly on lower case circular letter (o's, a's, etc.). Again reference point is 3rd gen iPad responsiveness with Bamboo stylus (Paper app) and Adonit stylus (Penultimate and iAnnotate PDF) -- while still not perfect, much better, particularly since it wasn't designed and marketed for stylus work.
Battery life was so-so. Nothing to brag about, but also nothing to kill it on, either. Again, reference performance is Nexus 7 and 3rd gen iPad.
The design, however, has grated at me long after returning it. After more thought, I didn't quite know why I disliked it before, now I have more insight. The iPad is a very good aspect ratio for the ~10 inch screen size (4:3). The longer ratio of the Note made it feel unwieldy (this is a common issue with the larger Android tablets). The extra metal border "extended" the border, accentuating the problem (didn't measure, but by feel and visually). Ironically, I like the 16:9 in the smaller 7 inch factor of the Nexus 7, and have my doubts about the rumored iPad mini if they keep the 4:3 aspect ratio (although they may be shrinking the side bezel enough to compensate).
Overall, I don't think this is a bad tablet. It would have been excellent last year. But it is a collection of middle of the road pieces (screen, design/form fact, battery life, UI, stylus performance) that, for me, did not elevate it above average, in comparison to what else is available at this price point. At $300-400, this would have been an easier sale for me, and possible a keeper. The fact is, when I compare to HTC's Flyer from 18 months ago, the Note 10.1 does not represent the significant elevation and progress that I would expect, given the advances in processor, OS, and materials -- not to mention the premium price.
I'm not trying to convince not to like this device, just trying to clarify my thoughts and review.
ampentium2
On the handwriting, I somehow find the experience differ for every person. I haven't tried the S-Note but handwriting recognition works great for me. I have the confidence that the s-note will not be worse than my old 5.3" Note...
As far as the lag goes, I believe it's due to Android... nothing else... I tested Asus' Padfone, Tab 2 10.1 both have pretty bad lag... On this Note 10.1, yes it's there but not as bad as Tab 2 10.1 and Padfone... But I think Tab 2 7" doesn't have similar lag... I guess the resolution makes the lag happen, I think similar lag is also on the old 5.3" Note.