Gadget Lab Show: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet Review

Summary

In this Gadget Lab show review, Michael Kellor and Nathan Olivarez-Giles introduce the latest Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet equipped with a stylus called the S Pen. The device is similar to the previous Galaxy Note smartphone, but with an improved and optimized S Pen. It features S Pen enabled or S Pen optimized apps, which comes pre-installed, and is great for drawing, navigating, and some types of browsing. The hosts also discuss the tablet’s specifications, including a quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a 1280×800 display. They evaluate the tablet’s performance and compare it to other high-end devices on the market.

What is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet and S Pen?
How does the S Pen perform for drawing and navigating?
What are S Pen enabled or S Pen optimized apps?
Is the tablet hardware comparable to other tablets on the market?
Does the tablet perform well in everyday use and how is its browsing ability?
What other features, aside from the S Pen, does the Galaxy Note 10.1 have?
Is the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet worth its price point?
Conclusion

What is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet and S Pen?

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet is a device that comes equipped with a stylus called the S Pen. According to Samsung, the S Pen is more than just a stylus and has been said to use Wacom technology found in Cintiq tablets. Moreover, the Galaxy Note 10.1 features S Pen enabled or S Pen optimized apps, which comes pre-installed with the device.

How does the S Pen perform for drawing and navigating?

The S Pen is pressure-sensitive and has better control, which could achieve more detail than the average capacitive stylus. However, the S Pen is nowhere near as powerful as professional graphic tablet brands like Wacom Intuos or Cintiq tablets. Although, the S Pen has its niche in the market as a drawing and navigational tool.

What are S Pen enabled or S Pen optimized apps?

S Pen enabled or S Pen optimized apps are apps that have been programmed to work with the stylus. It comes pre-installed with the tablet and varies from drawing apps like S Note to pre-installed browsers that can make use of hovering to enable users to see changes when hovering over a webpage’s dropdown menus.

Is the tablet hardware comparable to other tablets on the market?

The tablet’s hardware boasts a quad-core 1.4 GHz Samsung Exynos processor and 2 GB of RAM. However, the Galaxy Note 10.1 lacks speed, and the difference is noticeable when compared to the Nexus 7, which is priced lower than it. It also has a 1280×800 display, which is rather outdated when compared to other high-end tablets on the market.

Does the tablet perform well in everyday use and how is its browsing ability?

The tablet performs similarly to the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 but has an upgraded stylus. The tablet lags, which could be frustrating for everyday use, and its browsing ability is limited as the optimised apps are only applicable to the stock browser. The S Pen’s navigational control works, but Samsung needs to open up access to developers to make the stylus more flexible.

What other features, aside from the S Pen, does the Galaxy Note 10.1 have?

The Galaxy Note 10.1 has an IR blaster that could turn it into a remote for your other devices within its range. Moreover, it has a micro SD card slot and screen mirroring capabilities. However, both features are also available on similarly priced and faster tablets on the market.

Is the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet worth its price point?

The Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet is priced at $500 for the 16GB version and $550 for the 32GB version. Comparatively priced tablets on the market offer more for less, faster and better imaging capabilities. The S Pen is a niche feature that would only appeal to those who want the stylus for drawing or navigational use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet is a device with an upgraded S Pen, but it lacks performance when compared to other tablets at the same price point. The S Pen’s usage is limited to a few apps, which makes it less flexible, and it has an outdated display quality. The tablet’s other features do make up for the lag, but they are also available on other devices. Therefore, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is not a bad device, there exist better options available that offer better value for the price.