Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Pro Reviews

This isn't the device to get if you're only looking for a simple tablet to meet simple needs as its features are much closer aligned to those of artists and content creators. The Verizon Wireless version is just as much a quality product as the Wi-Fi version, but unless you have specific need of a 4G tablet, the cheaper, more flexible Wi-Fi version is the way to go. However, there's an 8-inch version of the Note tablet coming soon. Keep that in mind when deciding where to spend your money.

With the Galaxy Note 10.1 you’ve got another excellent entry into the Samsung hero line of Note devices. This remains the largest Note-branded smart device on the market, and is now part of the 4G LTE family as well. Samsung continues to be the biggest opponent for the iPad on the market and – if they were both running the same software and we had to decide between the two – we’d have a relatively tough decision on our hands. But because they aren’t, and because we’re truly lovers of a unique experience, it’s easy to recommend this tablet as one of the most versatile smart devices on the market today. With the S-Pen, fun and entertaining connectivity with the rest of the Samsung Galaxy devices for media and communication, and one of the newest versions of Google’s mobile OS onboard, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is certainly the hottest Android tablet carried by Verizon today. Have a peek and start penning away!

In the ultra-competitive tablet world of today you can easily find a tablet that suits all budgets and wish lists. From the top end with the iPads, to basic generic tablets for under £100, there are now offerings from a huge range of manufacturers covering all prices, specifications and performance classes. To stand out amongst the crowd, a tablet has to offer something unique or do something that much better than the competition. Samsung have definitely done most of that with the Galaxy Note 10.1, which is currently priced at around the £380 mark for the 16GB version. The Galaxy Note comes with a very fast 1.4Ghz Quad-Core processor and 2GB of RAM which means it is exceptionally quick and also comes with the latest Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS and 16GB of internal storage. Everything we threw at it ran with flawless ease, intensive games just flew along with no frame rate issues or freezing; the same was true of videos, web browsing, scrolling and pretty much anything else we tried. Even more intensive tasks like the split screen multitasking feature running a YouTube video one side and web browsing on the other didn't cause this tablet any problems. The Galaxy Note really is one of the fastest tablets we have reviewed to date.

When it comes to its features, practicality and performance, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 leaves its competitors a long way behind. On the other hand, the same cannot be stated for its display, which is solid, yet not nearly as impressive. The conclusion is clear -- this is an excellent tablet, one of the best offered at the moment, even when all available mobile operating systems are taken into account (iOS, Android OS and Windows 8 RT), but there is still room for improvement. Users who will be using the S Pen frequently will be most satisfied, given that this provides the Galaxy Note 10.1's greatest advantage, despite all other qualities hardware or software-wise, with excellent S Apps. Those who do not require the S Pen will also be pleased with this device, but they could be equally pleased with other devices, regardless of the manufacturer, and even saving a few bucks at the same time.

It's been a long time -- six months, to be exact -- since Samsung first gave birth to the Galaxy Note 10.1. Our initial reaction was one of intrigue; a risky bet we were eager to see play out in final form, especially given stiff competition from various quad-core competitors. So, does the Note 10.1 manage to overcome its well-matched rivals and carve out its own spot in the crowded tablet space? Ultimately, no matter how deftly executed and streamlined the S-Pen experience may be, this tab still feels like a niche device, especially since the suite of compatible applications is still pretty small. This is the sort of purchase early adopters and creative professionals are likely to make based on their familiarity with Android and the additional flexibility afforded by that stylus. Yes, it's neat to have access to apps like PS Touch and S Note or even tinker with that newly baked multi-screen functionality, but we suspect that won't be enough to sway average consumers. People creating content (read: the very segment Samsung's going after) are already well-served by traditional PCs, mice, keyboards and Wacom pads and again, the Note 10.1 doesn't have that many optimized apps in its own right. At $499, meanwhile, there are a host of other tablets with sharper displays, equal or greater built-in storage and quad-core CPUs. To seal the deal and move units off shelves, Samsung should've priced the Note 10.1 at about $100 less. Instead, it stands on even retail ground with higher-end rivals, forcing you, the consumer, to choose between the finger and the pen.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is the highest-performing Android-based tablet we have tested to date. In all but two tests, the Galaxy Note 10.1 bested every other tablet we’ve tested, occasionally by wide margins. Web browsing and JavaScript performance in particular were very strong, although graphics performance was also very good and trailed Apple’s A5 and NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 in only two instances. Battery performance was excellent on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 as well. Despite being powered by a quad-core SoC that clearly outperformed competing tablets, the Note 10.1 also offered the best battery life of any Android-based tablet we’ve ever tested. Getting a full day out of the Galaxy Note 10.1 with light to moderate use should be no problem and stand-by time is exceptional. The Galaxy Note 10.1 can sit for days with minimal effect on its battery.

If you don’t use the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 as a stylus device, it is a good tablet, but chances are that you can find very competitive offers out there that will outperform it in one way or another. The value of the Galaxy Note 10.1 is clearly not in the “specs” alone. Instead, if you are interested by the idea of using a stylus, Samsung pushed the boundaries by introducing new usage models. By offering a tablet with a quality pressure-sensitive surface and stylus, the Galaxy Note 10.1 lets users use a natural way of creating information in a more comfortable form-factor than the 5.3” smartphone is. Additionally, Samsung did add some very interesting multi-tasking and productivity apps and features which should not be neglected. Finally, we found the infra-red emitter to be an excellent idea. While we may not buy the tablet to be a fancy remote, once you have it, you may as well use it as such, and this is so much better than any Cable or TV guide. I hope that this review was useful to you, and if you have additional questions or if there is something that we have not yet covered, leave a comment, and we will try to reply while we still have the tablet at the office. Thank you!

We’re a bit perplexed regarding Samsung’s naming conventions. A 7.7″ tablet is a Galaxy “Tab”, but a 10.1″ tablet could either be a “Tab” or a “Note”. It would make more sense to us if the smaller tablets were “Notes” and the larger were “Tabs”, perhaps that’s just crazy talk. Odd names aside, in everyday use, the Galaxy Note 10.1 does what you need it to do, is fast enough to not get in your way, and provides a lot of storage space and expandability. The S-Pen is a novel addition that we really enjoy. Unfortunately, stylus-friendly apps aren’t quite where they need to be — not even those included with the tablet itself. Samsung, take a look at the old Newton MessagePad and see what they did with their stylus, then “improve” upon it. Pricing for the Note 10.1 is a bit high when compared to a Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire, but it’s in-line with what we’ve come to expect from the latest and greatest 10-inch tablets. If you want a stylus-friendly tablet, and can overlook a few small shortcomings, you’ll feel right at home with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is perhaps the most powerful of slates. It has RAM that no tablet can match and multi-tasking capabilities better than anything we've seen so far. Heavy browsing and memory-intensive apps, which are key to the tablet experience, are handled with unprecedented ease. Then comes the special pressure-sensitive stylus and an array of well-designed software to put it to good use. Photoshop Touch and Adobe Ideas in the Galaxy Note's bundle add an extra dimension to an already impressive device. In short, the Galaxy Note 10.1 handles all typical tablet workload with ease and throws in a little extra. The thing is that all premium tablets have a few aces up their sleeve and it's really down to how important the pen functionality and that multitasking prowess are to you. Because if you can live without the 2 gigs of RAM and the Samsung software tricks, you can have any of the following devices without paying extra.

It’s pretty clear that people want their tablets to support pen input — the huge market of iPad styluses is proof positive of that. Samsung’s S Pen system is way ahead of the curve in that regard: it’s responsive, it’s precise, and it works well enough, most of the time. But a pretty good pen system built on top of a disappointing Android tablet still makes for a disappointing Android tablet. There’s just no reason to suffer through it: the Nexus 7 costs less than half as much as the Note and is without question the best Android tablet available. The iPad costs the same $499 and offers an unrivaled selection of apps, an industry-leading display, and so many stylus accessories and note-taking tools that you won’t even remember that the S Pen makes them all look a bit primitive. And a regular notebook and pen do not make blooping sounds at the slightest provocation.

So, really, is a stylus enough of a difference to make you choose this tablet over another? Actually, the more you use it, the more natural it becomes. And the nippy processor and extra RAM mean the Note 10.1 flies along very agreeably. The display is good, but not amazing. This tablet won’t win over Apple-fanciers, or those who want the faux-laptop qualities of the Asus Transformer series. But it’s smart, speedy and enjoyable to use.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 lacks one competitive spec that other top-tier tablets--specifically the Acer Iconia Tab A700, the Apple iPad, and the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700--have at the same or a lesser price: a high-pixel-density display. Samsung's rendering enhancements help lessen the sting of that omission somewhat; but the difference remains clear, particularly with text-heavy content. On the other hand, when you factor in the handy stowaway S Pen and Samsung's pen-optimized software, the Galaxy Note 10.1 enjoys an edge all its own. Add to that its solid performance, and the Galaxy Note 10.1 is squarely back in the mix among top-of-the-line tablets.

Some clever touches and we like the stylus, but it's an expensive tablet and the screen is low resolution compared to the competition

Since Samsung always has something special to offer with its Galaxy Note family of tablets, we also expected the same to be true for the new Galaxy Note 10.1. The exceptionally good performance of the 10 inch tablet did nevertheless surprise us. One thing after another though. Visually the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is very restrained. The manufacturing quality and haptics are however still on an elevated level. A alu-unibody would surely still be a small improvement, but would also increase the weight somewhat. The features are certainly worthy of a high-end tablet. A full-fledged HDMI port would definitely also suite the tablet well though. Adapter solutions are always a compromise. One neat feature is the infrared port, thanks to which the tablet can be turned into a universal remote control in an instant. The internal components are absolutely up to the latest standard. Quad-core processor, 3D capable GPU and two GBs of RAM - great. The internal memory could have been a bit bigger on the other hand, at least optionally. When it comes to WLAN and Bluetooth owners won't have to come to terms with any shortcomings. 3G is available for a fair additional price.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 adds multitasking and stylus control to Android, but it won’t be everyone’s ideal tablet

So let's talk about value, since you know, consumers love things that offer a whole lot of bang for the buck. If you've been paying attention up until now, you're probably thinking that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is well ahead of the curve in this specific aspect, since it offers things that are not available to the iPad – such as the S-Pen, an IR blaster, and some fine-tuned multitasking elements with its software. Surely, those combined features make for one compelling offer, but when you look at the bigger picture, the iPad simply has the balanced value to ensnare a wider audience. Don't get us wrong, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is a remarkable slate and all, but when we think of other stellar Android tablets, it doesn't quite have the same level of appeal as its extended brethren – namely, the Google Nexus 7 or Asus Transformer Prime. Going down further past the hardware specs, the iPad ecosystem helps to liven the experience – and it's especially notable with its refined third party apps selection.

Before we get down to the meat and potatoes, let's be frank here folks! The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is targeting a very specific demographic, such as graphics designers and artists. For them, this should no doubt be high on their tablet must-have list, since its S-Pen features and functionality are vastly ahead of the curve against the horde of other tablets on the market right now. However, once you take away that, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 under the surface is your ordinary middle of the road kind of tablet. Specifically, its design doesn't scream genius, the display isn't high-res, nor does the TouchWiz UX experience greatly differentiate from past offerings. Yeah, we can appreciate that it has been updated with a quad-core processor and all, but when instances of slowdown persist with various operations, it kinda knocks away from its high-end status.

Granted, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 lacks the one competitive spec that other top-tier tablets—specifically the Acer Iconia Tab A700, Apple iPad, and Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700—have at the same or lesser price. Samsung's rendering enhancements help lessen the sting of this omission somewhat, but the difference is clear, particularly with text-heavy content. But, when you factor in the handy stowaway S Pen and Samsung's pen-optimized software, and suddenly the Note 10.1 gets an edge all its own. Throw in the Galaxy Note 10.1 Wi-Fi tablet's solid performance, and the Note 10.1 is squarely back in the mix.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with 16GB of storage for $500 or 32GB for $550, and thanks to its fast performance, sensible design, and a bucketload of features, it's the best Samsung tablet yet. However, as Jessica Dolcourt implied in her review of the original Galaxy Note phone, the S Pen's potential far outreaches its implementation and that price, no doubt driven by the inclusion of the stylus and its supporting technologies, should be about $50 lower. Especially given the limited usefulness of the S Pen for most people, the lack of the Jelly Bean OS at launch, and a lower-res screen than tablets are capable of. If you're looking for a full-size tablet, the Asus Transformer Infinity is still the Android tablet to get because of its beautiful, high-res screen, fast performance, and useful features; however, artists looking to take their portfolios on the go or those willing to put in the time to learn a new type of interface will want to give the Note 10.1 serious consideration.

This tablet-like device, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, is Samsung’s best effort to date in the 10-inch category of devices. You’ve got a fabulous 10.1-inch HD display as well as some excellent front-facing speakers, making this one of the top entertainment devices in tablet form on the market. With the Samsung Exynos quad-core 1.4GHz processor under the hood, you’ve also got the power to work with beastly apps like Photoshop Touch, to play videos at full HD, and to blast your enemies to oblivion in the most high-end games on the market. This isn’t the end – we’re going to continue to analyze this rather important launch for Samsung as long as it takes to answer all of your questions about it. Let us know if there’s anything else that you do not see above that you’d like us to discuss or test on the device – and get pumped up for the final release immediately if not soon!

The Samsung Galaxy Note is the first 10-inch Android tablet to offer compelling, consumer-friendly features the iPad can't match.