Best Reviewed
Tablet Computers
- Budget tablet computer Amazon Kindle Fire *Est. $200
- Best tablet computer Apple iPad *Est. $500
- Best Android tablet Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime *Est. $500
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- Lightweight and easy to hold
- Supports Flash
- Dual cameras
- Good overall performance
- Sluggish eb browsing experience
- Shorter battery life than the iPad
- Few optimized apps
- Operating system not designed for tablets
Although reviewers prefer the Apple iPad 2 (*Est. $400 and up) and the newer Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (*Est. $450 and up) , experts say the original Samsung Galaxy Tab is a good alternative for those who prefer a smaller tablet. The 7-inch display looks great and has very good viewing angles, and the tablet is more portable and easier to hold with one hand than the iPad 2 or the larger Galaxy Tab. The Tab uses Android's Gingerbread operating system, which was designed with smartphones rather than tablets in mind, and experts prefer the tablet-specific Android Honeycomb OS used by its newer Android competitors -- including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.
The Galaxy Tab has dual cameras and you can take pictures and videos or chat on the web. Performance is good in most areas -- videos play smoothly and Flash is supported. The on-screen keyboard is also relatively comfortable for typing short documents. However, reviewers do have a few complaints. For one, the web browser can be slow, especially when navigating sites with Flash videos. Some reviewers also think the interface isn't as smooth as that on the iPad 2.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab comes in 16 GB and 32 GB capacities and is offered with Wi-Fi and 3G compatibility, as well as a Wi-Fi only model (*Est. $280) . It is sold by most of the major wireless carriers, including Sprint, Verizon, U.S. Cellular and T-Mobile. Verizon and Sprint currently have the cheapest offerings, selling the Samsung Galaxy Tab for $200 with a two-year contract. If you want to avoid a lengthy contract, U.S. Cellular has the Galaxy Tab for $600 with no-commitment data plans. Most reviewers test the Sprint version.
Numerous reviewers evaluate the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The best coverage comes from PCMag.com, which tests several versions of the tablet from different wireless carriers. Other reviewers weigh in with worthwhile, hands-on reporting as well, including CNET, TabletPCReview.com and Laptop Magazine. Most reviews predate the launch of Android tablets running the tablet-optimized Honeycomb OS, including the newer Galaxy Tab 10.1.
| Samsung Galaxy Tab (T-Mobile) | |
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The Samsung Galaxy Tab earns a good overall rating from PCMag.com and a Best of the Year Honorable Mention for 2010. Although he thinks the tablet has a number of benefits, Sascha Segan says the overall experience is not as polished as the iPad. It also needs more apps designed specifically for the device. This review centers on the Galaxy Tab paired with Sprint service. Links are provided for reviews of the Galaxy Tab with other carriers.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab (Sprint), Sascha Segan, Oct. 27, 2010
2. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Laptop Magazine gives the Samsung Galaxy Tab a 3.5-star rating (out of 5). Mark Spoonauer praises the stylish design, gorgeous display and features -- like dual cameras -- that the original iPad lacks (a shortfall that's since been addressed with the release of the iPad2). However, he says he thinks the size is too similar to a smartphone.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab (Sprint) Review, Mark Spoonauer, Oct. 29, 2010
3. CNET
CNET gives the Samsung Galaxy Tab a very good rating -- 3.5 out of 5 stars. Donald Bell says that the gorgeous display, Flash compatibility and a relatively small design (for a tablet) are benefits. However, he notes that the size might be a disadvantage for some, and that the Galaxy Tab overall behaves a little too much like a "supersize Android phone."
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab (Sprint), Donald Bell, Updated April 13, 2011
TabletPCReview.com gives the Samsung Galaxy Tab a 3.5-star rating (out of 5). Jamison Cush says that while the site's earlier 4-star review remains valid (praising its performance and form factor), the Android 2.2 operating system is a major limitation due to its smartphone-like capabilities and limited tablet-specific applications.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab Second Look Review: Apps and Features, Jamison Cush, Dec. 15, 2010
The Samsung Galaxy Tab earns a 7.5 rating (out of 10) from DigitalTrends.com. Stewart Wolpin says he thinks the tablet's portability shouldn't be underestimated, adding, "The Tab's pocket friendliness could end up being its biggest draw." However, he does think it is overpriced.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab Review, Stewart Wolpin, Nov. 22, 2010
6. Engadget.com
Engadget.com says the Samsung Galaxy Tab is "the best Android tablet on the market" (though this comment was made before the debut of the current generation of Android Honeycomb tablets) and a competitor to the Apple iPad. However, Joanna Stern says it doesn't have as many apps as the iPad and many of those available aren't optimized for the Tab's beautiful but larger-than-smartphone display.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab Review, Joanna Stern, Nov. 1, 2010
John Biggs at CrunchGear.com says the Samsung Galaxy Tab has a great interface and a nice display, but he says the tablet has some "glaring problems." His biggest complaint is that the web browser is sluggish, especially with Flash.
Review: Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab on Sprint, John Biggs, Nov. 10, 2010
Wired gives the Samsung Galaxy Tab an overall rating of 7 out of 10, which translates to "very good, but not quite great." Although he says the web browsing experience is sometimes slow, Christopher Null likes the small size and Flash support.
Review: Samsung's Galaxy Tab: iPad's First Solid Contender, Christopher Null, Nov. 10, 2010
9. Gizmodo.com
Gizmodo.com has one of the harshest assessments of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, calling it a "pocketable train wreck" and "a grab bag of neglect, good intentions and poor execution." Matt Buchanan says the in-between size is awkward and web browsing is slow because of Flash issues.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab Review: A Pocketable Train Wreck, Matt Buchanan, Nov. 10, 2010
10. TechRadar.com
Britain's TechRadar.com gives the Samsung Galaxy Tab a 3-star rating (out of 5). In his lengthy review, James Rivington says the Galaxy Tab is "no match for the iPad." He likes the interface and easy portability, but he says the web experience is slow and the cameras are low quality.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab Review, James Rivington, Oct. 26, 2010
David Pogue says the Samsung Galaxy Tab has a sleek design and a stunning, responsive, 7-inch display. Performance is good across the board, except when browsing Flash-heavy sites. Although he thinks it's overpriced, Pogue recommends the Galaxy Tab for Android fans.
Review: It's a Tablet. It's Gorgeous. It's Costly., David Pogue, Nov. 10, 2010
Walter Mossberg has a positive opinion of the Samsung Galaxy Tab. On the whole, however, he still thinks that the (original) iPad is the better tablet.
Review: Samsung's Galaxy Tab is iPad's First Real Rival, Walter S. Mossberg, Nov. 10, 2010
13. CNNMoney.com
Seth Weintraub at Fortune Magazine says the Samsung Galaxy Tab is really in a different category than the iPad. To him, the Galaxy Tab falls somewhere between a smartphone and a tablet. While he gives it a positive review overall, Weintraub says it has a few kinks to work out.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab Review: Don't Call It an iPad Competitor, Seth Weintraub, Nov. 11, 2010
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