Samsung Galaxy Tab - The AnandTech Review
by Vivek Gowri on December 23, 2010 9:48 AM ESTSamsung Galaxy Tab - Size Really Does Matter
The Galaxy Tab is almost exactly half the size of the iPad.
So the Galaxy Tab, as one of the first 7” tablets to release, brings up a new concern in the tablet space - how much does screen size change things? This is the first real 7” tablet I’ve played with for any length of time, but my first reaction when I pulled the Galaxy Tab out of the box was “dang, this thing is a lot smaller than I expected”. It’s literally half the size of the 9.7” iPad, dimensionally. It’s interesting to see two supposedly competitive devices have such different form factors, completely at odds with how the notebook market works.
The sizing thing is going to be a big deal for tablets going forward, and I think eventually we’ll see the market split into two or three segments based on size. It looks like some companies are already choosing one camp or the other; Apple appears staunchly in the 10” camp after Steve Jobs ripped on the entire 7” form factor, RIM is going 7” for its PlayBook, Dell started with 5” and are adding 7” and 9” models, HP took the middle road with its 8.9” slate, Samsung is adding a 10” Galaxy Tab early next year. So we’re going to be seeing tons of both 7” and 10” form factors on the market.
So why choose one form factor over the other? They’ll likely have similar internal hardware and the same WSVGA resolution on differently sized screens, so it won’t be on specs, and based on the current device pricing, I don’t expect that to be terribly different either. So, really, it comes down to whichever suits your use cases better.
Three tablets, three screen sizes. Pick your form factor wisely.
Honestly, here’s what I found: it’s more comfortable to use the 7” tablet in portrait mode, whereas it’s easier to use the 10”ers in landscape. This is true for both the 4:3 iPad or any of the 16:9 10” widescreen tablets. Part of it is in the keyboard - the 7” portrait keyboard is just comfortable enough to use with two thumbs, whereas in landscape its a bit too wide. The 10” has the opposite problem - too wide for two thumbs and too narrow for normal typing in portrait mode, but just about perfect with two handed typing in landscape. The difference is that with the 7” tablet, you can use it like a large smartphone, whereas the 10” tablets are more suited for use on a desk or table. The iPad and other 10” tablets are better as standalone netbook replacements, while the 7” Galaxy Tab almost feel like a device that’s meant to be carried in addition to a notebook.
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Shadowmaster625 - Monday, December 27, 2010 - link
I dont get what is wrong with these people. This is even worse than apple. How is this any better than an iPod touch, which costs less anyway?nycmetroconsumer - Monday, December 27, 2010 - link
i have a t mobile galaxy tab, paid full price contract. it has wifi and broadband, that was the only version available at the time, bought from amazon about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I have not picked it up and used it in 2 weeks due to t mobile BS crippling. I probably spent a total of 2 hours messing with it and when i found out that i needed to spend $$broadband money in the form of a prepaid broadband card to use about all of its features, including registering my email accounts. i have started packing it away for the return to amazon. i cant say much about it, since i refused to activate the broadband sim card that came preinstalled, knowing i would probably get a restocking fee or some BS if i needed to return it. i could only use it on the only Wi-fi function that were not crippled, the proprietary browser, Which sucked. Last week i verified with T-mobile that this mandatory broadband service was the only way i could use the boradband/wi-fi no contract , full price , $700 with tax, Samsung Galaxy Tab. It took me quite a few calls before i finally got a department that verified i had to use broadband even when wi-fi was available. So back to Amazon it will go.i had used the ipad, which was great , fantastic response on the touch screen, easy and intuitive, and that was all on wi-fi. The only reason i still have the Galaxy Tab , i was hoping t mobile would realize that they made a mistake and either provide me with a free broadband card to register the device, or change their network to allow wi-fi full capability. This galaxy tab is set up like charging prepaid cellphone users minutes to call 611, and spend a hour and $$ while they send you around the t mobile departments. i am a t mobile pre paid user , with a wifi nokia , and i do not pay to dial 611 and i can use my wifi at any location. The only reason i didn't get an ipad was i liked the open source of android, i don't see how they are allowed to cripple android devices. They should not be allowed to use open source, yet cripple its features to make money.
All the American carriers crippled the voice capacities of the samsung tab, in Europe they can all make voice calls with the Galaxy Tab. IMO this is a anti trust violation, however the FCC has been bought out by these corporations after the AT&T forced breakup in 1983. for those that don't know the AT&T breakup, which was the biggest monopoly in the USA was broken up due to a case where they would not let a customer use their own answering machine, in those days an answering machine was huge and cost around $900. AT&T forced the customer to rent all their telco equipment , no -one was allowed to hook up non Western electric manufactured equipment to the telephone lines. Western electric was the manufacturing and central office installation division of all telco equipment. I worked for AT&T long lines and was divested to new york tel.
dmjazzijeff - Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - link
Nice review, Vivek. Do you think the Tab is worth the price in its current configuration, with the proviso that I'm not really looking for anything more than a really portable MID? I have a 32GB 3G iPad and I like it very much, but it's a little too large to use comfortably while out and about. I'm looking for something larger than my iPhone, but perhaps not as large as the iPad. I hate carrier subs so I'd be looking at getting one off-contract. I don't really need to be able to put the number (or type) of apps that I've got installed on my iPad on it; just really looking for something with a decent web browser and email client that's easy to carry and use while on public transportation and such.JumpingJack - Friday, December 31, 2010 - link
First, thanks for the review, I basically agree with the assessment overall.I did find a Galaxy Tab on the display floor recently and spent a fair bit of time checking it out. Right around the corner was the iPad. My, obviously subjective, opinion is that the iPad is an order of magnitude better overall.
It really came down to responsiveness. The galaxy tab seemed very sluggish overall, video's chopped a bit here and there, and the screen transistions were delayed. Scrolling was not smooth and the overall experince was just better on the iPad (I own neither BTW).
Apple will likely dominate the tablet space for many more moons.
digitalicecream - Sunday, January 2, 2011 - link
I purchased the nook color last month and rooted it. Now that Froyo is confirmed for it this month it will go from being a cool reader/hacked tablet to an actual tablet (hopefully with market support)Still, it doesnt have bluetooth, vibe, camera, or microphone... but I already have that on my Incredible and I really dont want to duplicate my efforts.
7" screen Angry birds with pinch and zoom and multitouch? for $250 no contract? Heck yeah!!
CyberAngel - Tuesday, January 4, 2011 - link
USA models doesn't have it?This is the most stupid thing ever!
Why would anyine buy any smaller tablets in the US is beyound me
but when I tried G Tab on a huge store in Helsinki
I just barely fitted into my suit pocket but was not too heavy
To be able to browse using the display of 1024 pixels (sideways) is great!
Combine this with a BT headset and also make calls (and receive them)
Wonderfull!
About the camera: very dissappointing compared especially to Nokia N8
which currently has the best camera
Now I'm waiting for dual-core LTE models (maybe also dual-SIM)
ACER seems to have a nice 7" Tab coming.
I hope it's not wide because I want it into my pocket
My Tab is going to replace my Nokia 7110 (90-series) touch phone
which is already about six years old
Deepthi - Tuesday, November 1, 2011 - link
Just put in.simple words. Apple =limitation. Restrictions. Galaxy tab with android = unlimitation, open source , custom roms ! Freedom. So yeah i choose freedom over a 'famous mob recognized' brand name, coz following crowd mentality doesnt make me love what is true for me which i absolutely enjoy tab!! i chose it over ipad ;)