80
Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Features The tablet is full of usable features. S-Pen, enough said...
- Display Retina looks a little better but, this one is wider and is built to use a pressure sensitive pen.
- Battery life No comments
- Ease of use It's got a learning curb, the features need to be understood to get maximum use out of them.
- Storage capacity No comments
- Design and form factor No comments
- Portability (size / weight) Lighter and more comfortable to hold than an IPad
- Durability No comments
Detailed review
Perspective
Your choice in a device has a lot to do with your experiences and needs. Let me give you a little background so you know where I am coming from and see if my experiences are relevant to you. (They might not be). I have only owned IPads in the past and have upgraded every year as the new models have come out. I have also owned every IPhone until recently opting out of the Iphone 5 for a Galaxy S3. I began missing the functionality I have in my new Android phone while using my 3rd generation Ipad. Seeing what Apple was offering with the 4th Generation Ipad, I decided to purchase the Note 10.1 16GB 3G international version. Network connectivity was very important to me. I primarily use a tablet for business note taking (Evernote), connecting remotely with a Citrix receiver, mail and calendar. For home I use it to watch YouTube, read news, Facebook and surfing the web. I have had no prior experience with non-IOS tablets.
Setup
Configuring the tablet with my Google accounts was fast and easy. There was no problem using an AT&T sim to get service. An Ipad comes with a MicroSim so, you'll need to get them to give you a larger Sim or buy and adapter online if you intend on using the same card. AT&T does classify the device as a phone, not a tablet. Which means that if you have a shared data plan you will be charged $30 to $40 a month to add the phone to your shared data plan, instead of $10. Regrettably, I have to agree with their reasoning, the note is a phone NOT just a tablet. There are benefits to having phone service on your tablet, your going to need to weigh the cost with the benefit. Also understand your dealing with a 3G device with the Note 10.1, it does not have LTE. Where I work and live that isn't an issue since, they are both in 3G H+ areas. I was getting 3MBPS with both my Ipad and Note, no difference. If your in an LTE area then that difference could be significant.
Impressions
Let me say, the note is flat out better for business use. Ice Cream Sandwich build has come along way and in my personal opinion after being an Apple fan boy for years is that its now more functional. The Spen and split screen multitasking the Note offers are fantastic. Keep in mind you can't split screen everything but, most things are there and it seems like Samsung has put a lot of thought into what people would want to use that feature for. Having a real clipboard was the biggest surprise for me. The device is packed with functionality but, there is a learning curb for IOS users. For personal use its also great to have a real YouTube app made for a tablet again. Exchange Mail, contact and Calendar sync work very well.
Hardware
The device is fast and responsive. I receive strong network and WiFi connections. The device feels sturdy. The SPen works flawlessly. You can change the thickness of your lines by applying more pressure to the pen. Screen is bright and wide (I prefer the space over the IPad). Comparing the screen to an IPad 3rd Generation it is difficult for me to tell the difference with the lower resolution. The front mounted speakers are in the right spot. The rounded edges are easier to hold than the sharper Ipad. Its also feels lighter than a 3rd generation IPad. I purchased a removable 32GB MicroSIM card. The Samsung does limit the usage of the external memory, which is a downside of their devices. You can't load apps on the Sim unless of course you root the device. Also, keep in mind this will come with a European charger, you'll need a USB charger to use it. My old Iphone USB block worked fine all I had to do was insert the Samsung cord into it.
Conclusion
I'm extremely happy with my move to the Note 10.1. There is a leaning curb switching from IOS to the Note 10.1. There is simply a lot more that you can do with this device. I can not tell you enough how multitasking and the SPen improve the overall usage for me. All the apps that I used on my IPad are in the Play store as well. Evernote, skitch, Citrix Receiver, YouTube (HD), pulse, Spotify, etc.. You don't have to settle any more for an IPad. Thankfully, resale prices for a 3rd Generation IPad are high. My Ipad lasted 45 minutes on Ebay and netted me most of what I paid for the note.
Your choice in a device has a lot to do with your experiences and needs. Let me give you a little background so you know where I am coming from and see if my experiences are relevant to you. (They might not be). I have only owned IPads in the past and have upgraded every year as the new models have come out. I have also owned every IPhone until recently opting out of the Iphone 5 for a Galaxy S3. I began missing the functionality I have in my new Android phone while using my 3rd generation Ipad. Seeing what Apple was offering with the 4th Generation Ipad, I decided to purchase the Note 10.1 16GB 3G international version. Network connectivity was very important to me. I primarily use a tablet for business note taking (Evernote), connecting remotely with a Citrix receiver, mail and calendar. For home I use it to watch YouTube, read news, Facebook and surfing the web. I have had no prior experience with non-IOS tablets.
Setup
Configuring the tablet with my Google accounts was fast and easy. There was no problem using an AT&T sim to get service. An Ipad comes with a MicroSim so, you'll need to get them to give you a larger Sim or buy and adapter online if you intend on using the same card. AT&T does classify the device as a phone, not a tablet. Which means that if you have a shared data plan you will be charged $30 to $40 a month to add the phone to your shared data plan, instead of $10. Regrettably, I have to agree with their reasoning, the note is a phone NOT just a tablet. There are benefits to having phone service on your tablet, your going to need to weigh the cost with the benefit. Also understand your dealing with a 3G device with the Note 10.1, it does not have LTE. Where I work and live that isn't an issue since, they are both in 3G H+ areas. I was getting 3MBPS with both my Ipad and Note, no difference. If your in an LTE area then that difference could be significant.
Impressions
Let me say, the note is flat out better for business use. Ice Cream Sandwich build has come along way and in my personal opinion after being an Apple fan boy for years is that its now more functional. The Spen and split screen multitasking the Note offers are fantastic. Keep in mind you can't split screen everything but, most things are there and it seems like Samsung has put a lot of thought into what people would want to use that feature for. Having a real clipboard was the biggest surprise for me. The device is packed with functionality but, there is a learning curb for IOS users. For personal use its also great to have a real YouTube app made for a tablet again. Exchange Mail, contact and Calendar sync work very well.
Hardware
The device is fast and responsive. I receive strong network and WiFi connections. The device feels sturdy. The SPen works flawlessly. You can change the thickness of your lines by applying more pressure to the pen. Screen is bright and wide (I prefer the space over the IPad). Comparing the screen to an IPad 3rd Generation it is difficult for me to tell the difference with the lower resolution. The front mounted speakers are in the right spot. The rounded edges are easier to hold than the sharper Ipad. Its also feels lighter than a 3rd generation IPad. I purchased a removable 32GB MicroSIM card. The Samsung does limit the usage of the external memory, which is a downside of their devices. You can't load apps on the Sim unless of course you root the device. Also, keep in mind this will come with a European charger, you'll need a USB charger to use it. My old Iphone USB block worked fine all I had to do was insert the Samsung cord into it.
Conclusion
I'm extremely happy with my move to the Note 10.1. There is a leaning curb switching from IOS to the Note 10.1. There is simply a lot more that you can do with this device. I can not tell you enough how multitasking and the SPen improve the overall usage for me. All the apps that I used on my IPad are in the Play store as well. Evernote, skitch, Citrix Receiver, YouTube (HD), pulse, Spotify, etc.. You don't have to settle any more for an IPad. Thankfully, resale prices for a 3rd Generation IPad are high. My Ipad lasted 45 minutes on Ebay and netted me most of what I paid for the note.
good review!
0 people find this review helpful
review history
- 2012-11-03
-
Edited comment on Portability (size / weight)
Edited comment on Ease of use
Edited comment on Display
Edited comment on Features