Samsung Launch the Galaxy Book 10.6-inch and 12-inch: Windows Tablets with Kaby Lake
by Ian Cutress on February 26, 2017 1:00 PM EST
The announcements this year from Samsung are notably muted without the launch of a new Galaxy smartphone, but despite this being a mobile-focused conference in Barcelona this week, there were a few new Samsung devices to whet the appetite. The first is actually more of a PC, in a Windows-10 based tablet called the Galaxy Book, available in either 10.6-inch LCD or 12-inch Super AMOLED display, firing in the line of the Microsoft Surface range. Samsung is primarily aiming these new devices with a nod towards the professional market, but are keen to say that they’re suitable for consumers as well.
At the heart of each tablet is a Kaby-Lake CPU based on Core m for the 10.6-inch or Core i5 on the 12-inch, supported in various configurations of DRAM and storage but both having an integrated LTE Cat 6 modem for wireless support. Aside from the Core i5, and offering an 8GB DRAM/256GB storage model, the key element of the 12-inch device is the Super AMOLED display running at 2160x1440 which Samsung states supports videos in HDR 10-bit. The 10.6-inch version will use a 1920x1280 TFT LCD display.
The larger device will use a 13MP rear camera with autofocus, and both units have a 5MP front facing camera. Aside from microSD support, users will also get USB 3.1 Type-C ports. Both units will come with Windows 10, support for the next generation S Pen using a new 0.7mm tip and in ‘screen off’ mode which allows for note taking without the display being on.
Battery for the units comes in at 30.4 Wh for the smaller one, and 39.04 Wh for the larger display. Samsung is quoting around 10 hours of use for both and both will have access to fast charging. It is worth noting that with the specifications, Samsung lists the 10.6-inch display as supporting 4K30 playback but the bigger unit, with a faster processor, can handle 4K60 playback. Both units have vents for fans, it must be noted.
We’re awaiting more information about the modem support, pricing and availability. There might also be a chance for some hands-on time with the units, as it will be interesting to see how well that bezel measures up in normal use.
Edit - it seems the Core i5 is a U-series product. That's 15W normal, or 7W/9.5W in cTDP down mode.
Edit 2: The CAT 6 LTE modems are from Intel. Source: Brian Krzanich Twitter
Edit 3: All Books will come with a keyboard and S-Pen as standard.
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Kakti - Sunday, February 26, 2017 - link
The 10.6" model looks like trash to me...1 usb port, TFT screen, m3 processor and eMMC, which needs to DIAF in 2017.The 12" is only marginally better, two USB ports, better screen, an actual SSD. Hopefully it uses a U processor and not the formerly M, now I-5. But who knows.
Also wondering what the 4gb+xx Storage is....is that Optane cache? Either way these need to be cheap because their specs are significantly worse than a Surface Pro 4 or Acer Switch Alpha
Kakti - Sunday, February 26, 2017 - link
Whoops the 4gb is ram, not octane cacheddriver - Sunday, February 26, 2017 - link
It is obviously entry level stuff. They still sell windoze 10 tablets with 1 and 2 gigs of ram. 4 is actually decent for regular users. This is not a gaming machine or a content creation workstation.eMMC can actually be quite fast, certainly much faster than the HDDs many people are still using.
So your complaints are entirely ungrounded. Prices are not yet available, but my guess is this will cost less than an iFad while being significantly more useful.
Octane cache? U mad?
hybrid2d4x4 - Monday, February 27, 2017 - link
Other than the m3 bashing (if Acer can keep it passively cooled, I think it'd be ok), I think his comment is spot on. I have an Asus T100 w/ 2GB RAM and since updating to Win 10, the performance went from 'bad but still usable' to abysmal. 4GB is the absolute bare minimum for W10. And in my limited experience, eMMC is complete garbage and a major regression over the SATA HDDs in older netbooks, which you could at least swap out for SSD. 1 USB is a deal-breaker as well- this trend needs to die or stay Apple-exclusive.mkozakewich - Wednesday, March 1, 2017 - link
Windows 10 takes about 1.3 GB by default, so 2 GB is the "absolute minimum" for good performance. Of course you need 4 GB if you want to run more than a couple things at once, or Chrome. (I'd consider 4 GB to be "acceptable" but not "good".)Sushisamurai - Thursday, April 6, 2017 - link
Windows 10 takes pretty close to 4GB of RAM. I recently did a netbook update for a friend from windows 8 to windows 10, full restore and all, and after driver updates and an antivirus the laptop HDD was running close to 90% trying to offload RAM to HDD, as it didn't have enough RAM.satai - Sunday, February 26, 2017 - link
Edit - it seems the Core i5 is a U-series product. That's 15W normal, or 7W/9.5W in cTDP down mode.Tech-addicted - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - link
At least it correct the TabPro S mistake. A micro SD card slot. But screen resolution are major let down for both models. Where is all those QHD OLED panel they use on android tablet ??Michael Bay - Sunday, February 26, 2017 - link
If only it had a stylus and was priced well.bubblyboo - Sunday, February 26, 2017 - link
"Both units will come with Windows 10, support for the next generation S Pen using a new 0.7mm tip and in ‘screen off’ mode which allows for note taking without the display being on."Read dude.