Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (16GB/32GB) Review

November 1st, 2011 Comments off
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (16GB/32GB)

Tablet PC’s are fast becoming very popular today and there is fast emerging transformation of these devices to becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. If you are looking for the perfect Tablet PC then you might have come across the tablet wars between Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab which makes deciding which to buy very difficult.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be coming with a 10.1 inch display that has been improved massively from the 7 inch display that was used in the original Samsung Galaxy Tab.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is an Android-powered tablet, and comes with full access to the Android market. As one of the best tablets on the market, the Galaxy comes fully compatible with Word, Excel, Access, and many other popular media formats. This OS is specifically designed with multitasking in mind, which means that you can surf the web while running music at the same time. The Android Apps market is massive – 200,000 different apps are available for purchase, so you will be able to find something that you enjoy without too much worry. The choice of having a 16GB or 32GB internal memory also means that there will be more than enough space to store all of your apps without having to add a special SD card for more space.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – Specs

Device:                                 Tablet

OS:                                       Android 3.1 (Honeycomb)

Dimensions:                         0.3 x 6.9 x 10.1”

Weight:                                  1.2 lbs.

Display:                                  10.1” Widescreen HD WXGA TFT Display (1280×800 Resolution)

Processor:                            Dual Core Tegra 2 Processor, 1GB RAM, 1GHz

Built-In Storage:                  16GB or 32GB

Camera:                               Front (2MP), Back (3MP, Auto-Focus, Flash)

Connectivity:                        Wi Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4GHz, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR Connectivity

Battery:                                 Li-Polymer, 7000 mAh

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – Performance

When it comes to performance, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 performs better than any other tablet in the market and almost on par with the iPad 2. It has 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, 1GB of RAM and 1280 x 800 screen resolutions. This pushed things along smoothly and allowed for a solid amount of multitasking. You have a choice to have the 16GB or 32GB internal memory depending on your needs. You have to keep in mind however that because the device lacks microSD support, there is no way the storage exceeds 32GB.

One of the best perks to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is that it is designed to be speedy. Many tablets that are currently on the market don’t have too much in terms of speed and storage, and as a result, lag. With a dual core processor, and 1 GB of RAM, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes with around the same amount of power as a netbook, or a low end laptop. Most tablets on the market don’t have that amount of power, and therefore cannot run most of the movies, music, and programs that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1  is capable of running. Along with the speed that allows you to watch streaming videos online, the Samsung Galaxy also comes compatible with Flash player. Apple doesn’t even have this capability.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – Operating System and Applications

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes preloaded with Android’s 3.1 Honeycomb operating system. Honeycomb is the new platform Android uses for mobile devices with larger displays and features an elegant, content-focused UI design. Samsung is pretty much using it out of the box on the Tab 10.1 until they can push a software update with their own TouchWiz UI. This is definitely better than the earlier version because the entire tablet experience is quick and without any delays. The software allows users to handle all the widgets and Android based apps without any problems and it also supports a host of USB accessories.

The v3.1 update offers several notable improvements over the previous release, including resizable widgets and a revamped multitasking interface that provides quicker access to various apps.

The merger between Samsung and Google has made it easier for the people to make use of Android market on Samsung tablets. In this one too, users can make use of the Android market through the App Store but most of the apps are the same as in earlier tablets. There are not many apps available in the Android market which is designed for 3.0 versions and therefore users will have to wait for it. However, you can go ahead and install the apps that can be used on smartphones, but they will not look good on a bigger screen as these smartphone apps are designed for smaller screens.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – Design and Display

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is not only as slim as the iPad 2, but is actually lighter. You won’t feel tired even after holding it for a long period of time for reading or watching movie. The overall design of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is sleek and clean, and build quality is said to be fantastic, although its plastic construction might not feel as solid as the iPad 2.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 features a 10.1-inch Super PLS-based display with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution. Viewing angle is wide and screen quality is great with bright, popping colors and great contrast. Multimedia playback on the screen has abundant clarity from every angle and it is one of the brightest mobile screens we’ve seen.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – Connectivity

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers maximum connectivity through various means. Equipped with WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n and supporting 3G, HSDPA, you have different areas to stay connected. Bluetooth connectivity is also available. Although, this device does not have a USB 2.0 port, an IFI connector which can be connected to a USB can compensate for that.

Web browsing is also at its optimum level as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 eases our worries with its flawless execution as it loads pages relatively quick, offers responsive navigation, and brings the web in full fidelity with Flash support

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – Pros and Cons

Pros: A big plus of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is its slim and sleek design as well as being very light weight among any tablet. The display is also at a high level with its resolution comparable to netbooks and low-end laptops. More importantly, processor speed and memory are optimal and can withstand multiple applications running giving you a tablet experience with speed and fluidity.

Cons: A common response regarding the drawback of this device is its lack of microSD support and mini-USB connectivity. This means that storage cannot be extended over the built-in internal memory. The camera is also so-so however that is decent. Aside from these, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is arguably the best tablet in the market.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – Summary

Not only the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is currently the thinnest and sexiest Android tablet around, it’s also one of the best performing tablet with long battery life and world class touch experience that are on par any tablet  on the market including its Apple counterpart.

 

You Can Get Your Own Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 at Amazon.com!

Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet Review

November 1st, 2011 Comments off
Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet - 7 V2 7" Tablet Computer - ARM9

Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet - Not Worth the Money

Tablets are a hot topic these days, particularly Android tablets. Archos is one of the companies to give rise to affordable tablet PC’s running the Android platform. One of its products, the Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet is gaining quite the reputation of being one of the cheapest tablets there is however there are also drawbacks that people noticed compared to its predecessors.

The Archos 5 Internet Tablet surprised the tech world of how competitive it can be when it was released. Although, many people wanted a screen larger than the 5” it has, so Archos made an upgrade through the Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet. The newer and wider screen version seem to offer a lot of promise on paper, however when it was released, it caused a lot of disappointment leading many to believe that it was really a downgrade. It lacked many hardware and software options that were found on its predecessor.

If you’re looking for a gadget that will blow your mind, the Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet isn’t it. That being said, it’s not a bad little device for the price.

Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet – Specs

Device:                                 Tablet

OS:                                       Android 2.1 (Éclair)

Dimensions:                         8 x 4.2 x 0.5”

Weight:                                13.8 oz.

Display:                                7” TFT LCD Resistive Touchscreen, 800 x 480 resolution

Processor:                            Single Core, 800 MHz, 128MB DDRAM

Built-In Storage:                  8GB (Expandable to 32GB through SD Card)

Connectivity:                        Wi Fi 802.11b/g, USB 2.0

Battery:                                Li-Polymer (Video Playback 7 hours, Music Playback 42 hours)

Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet – Performance

The Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet’s 800MHz ARM 9 processor and 128 MB of RAM aren’t the fastest combo, but they aren’t the slowest either. Most apps take four to five seconds to open, but moving through menus isn’t that sluggish. The system is able to support running multiple applications in the background however, I’m not sure if that is something that you’d have patience for as it really slows down the speed and makes it quite laggy. It is also noticeable how the device easily gets warm. For a handheld device, the Home Tablet got very hot on the bottom. Even with just the browser open and idle, the back right of the slate reached quite the temperature.

Storage-wise, the device has a built-in internal memory capacity of 8GB which can be upgradeable to 32GB using an SD card. It is not that bad as it can support a number of music files and full length movies altogether.

If there’s one thing we’re content with on the performance side of things it’d be the battery life. On a video rundown test the Archos lasted for six hours and 45 minutes, with brightness set at 50 percent and WiFi on. That’s not too shabby, and you can expect to get at least a few hours more of normal usage.

Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet – Operating System and Applications

The Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet comes with the Android 2.1 (Éclair) OS platform. This is quite an upgrade from the previous version that is running the obsolete Android 1.5 however not that up to par with other tablets running newer versions such as Android 3.0. This means you miss out on a lot of the features included in current Android version. And – like the Archos 5, the 7 lacks access to the Google app market – opting to offer downloads through the Archos applib. This means the majority of good apps for Android are unavailable such as Facebook, Gmail, etc. Of course, there are ways around this, but the extra effort involved may not be worth it.

Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet – Design and Display

The Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet feels fairly well made – most of the front and back are covered in polished metal. The design is pretty standard having a power switch on the top, microSDHC expansion slot. Right side of Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet features headphone, power adapter sockets and a microUSB port. Front of the device features speakers. Back part has a plastic kickstand.

The Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet display runs at the same resolution as some Android super-phones. It’s a lot easier on the eyes at 7″, and the display is bright and reasonably sharp. It looks good, though not jaw-dropping when playing video and the built-in photo frame app does a capable job of standing in for a dedicated digital photo frame. A very dreaded drawback of this tablet PC is its resistive touchscreen which is very difficult to use and maneuver. It is not as responsive as many users expected. It didn’t register taps about 25 percent of the time, and scrolling wasn’t always smooth; sometimes the screen stopped responding to our finger partway through a motion.

Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet – Connectivity

As a web browsing tool, the Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet is decent, and we like the large display that makes for readable text without zooming. There is no pinch and zoom, and the browser features are basic compared to recent smartphones running Android OS 2.1. The WiFi 802.11b/g didn’t have stellar range, which is surprising for a device this large with plenty of room for an antenna.

A drawback here is the lack of Bluetooth connectivity and support for Flash which does not permit many flash-based websites to function.

Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet – Pros and Cons

Pros: The Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet is sleek and slim design plus its portability is a big plus compared to other bulky tablet PC’s. Moreover, audio and video playbacks are decent and sharp.  However, the biggest attracting factor for this tablet is its affordability. You can’t find a similar device with the functionality (although not that high-end) in its price range.

Cons: The biggest drawback to this tablet in addition to the resistive touchscreen is the processor. The tablet will occasionally stutter when using applications, or when flipping through screens. It could be a major annoyance if you are trying to run many applications at once. It easily runs hot plus it does not contain many choices for multimedia content. Plus, it lacks Bluetooth connectivity and does not support Flash.

Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet – Summary

The Archos 7 V2 Home Tablet is ideal for users with a limited budget. This is a great buy considering the price, and it works fine. The new model comes with Android 2.1 and new 800 MHz processor. You can surf the web, manage emails, listen to music and watch a movie. If you’re looking for a tablet that is extremely portable, and performs basic functions, this is your product. It’s got the basic features you’d expect from a tablet device (multimedia and connectivity) and the price point is something that could interest a lot of people looking to try a tablet PC for the first time. Don’t expect a lot from it though.

Click Here to See Tablets That are Actually Worth Your Money!

Android Tablet PC: A Guide To Making The Right Choice

October 28th, 2011 Comments off
Android Tablet PC

Android Tablet PC

There is no doubt that today’s era has become very technologically dependent. Everyone seems to be connected and “in the know”. The flow of information has changed the way we live in today’s world and information has become the backbone of every system. The World Wide Web or simply the internet is the major source of information and is used on a variety of levels including personal, business, and political, etc. Having constant to the internet is what most people need and the advent of portable computer devices has made this need within easy reach. Numerous tablet PC’s are available which allow a wide variety of functions people can use on the basis of their needs.

Android Tablet PC - Knowing What You Need

Now, if you are someone looking to get your hands to one of these devices, then you are in for a tough luck as there are a vast number of tablet PC’s around which would make your choice a lot more difficult. It is imperative for anyone to choose the right product depending on personal preference and a lot of factors have to be considered too including quality, function, price and a lot more. Being a wise buyer entails you being assertive in your purchase. This means you should do a little research before you even spend a buck. Researching entails reading product reviews and assessing your personal needs. Reading and properly understanding product reviews are very essential in choosing the right product for you.

When it comes to tablet PC’s, those that are powered by an Android OS, created by Google, are the most commonly used and popular. They open-sourced which means they can be used and edited by anyone making it versatile and easy to use. Additionally, recent statistics have shown that 4 out of 10 portable devices sold in the US are in the Android platform which makes it ahead among its competitors. If you are looking for an Android Tablet PC, you are probably confronted with an avalanche of options. Almost every major electronics manufacturer has joined the race to create an internet tablet with Android.

Android Tablet PC - What You Need In Android Tablet PC

There are a few things to consider when determining if an Android tablet is the proper selection for a particular user’s computing needs. The processing speed of an android tablet PC is the first and arguably most important specification a consumer can use as a benchmark between brands and models.

Another such thing to consider is the size. For the user that needs portability and has the concern of space taken up by their computer, tablets are definitely worth considering. Smaller than a laptop, and most often a lot lighter in weight, they are certainly easy to carry and take up a minimal amount of space.

Another concern is cost. The iPad has a rather stout price tag when compared to Androids. While tablet PC’s are a somewhat costly items, those running on the Android OS are usually very well priced when compared to their competitors. Androids may have a smaller price when compared to others, but this does mean that they are inferior. They usually come pre-loaded with a good set of apps allowing the user to do a lot of tasks, and if the app the user needs is not on the machine right out of the box, it is likely available from a third-party vendor.

The Android Tablet PC battery life is a very important consideration when looking to make a purchase. Most tablets boast a battery life of six hours while in use, and sixteen hours while on standby. Some tablets, however, boast a longer battery life than others. Many less expensive options have a less than desirable battery life, while more expensive options have a longer battery life.

Lastly, you need to consider connectivity which means finding out about how an Android tablet PC connects to the internet. This can be through a WiFi connection, 3G/4G, or packet data provided by a cellular service provider. Carefully considering these factors in choosing the right Android tablet PC can spare you the unnecessary frustration that happens when you choose the wrong device.

Android Tablet PC - Utilizing Reviews The Right Way

The best approach is to carefully study the product before buying any Android Tablet PC. Look for credible reviews and specifications online to make sure you are a knowledgeable buyer. In this way you’ll avoid purchasing a device that is not apt for your needs instead of enjoying the benefits and Android tablet PC can offer. Android tablets are definitely a wise choice for computer users that want to have both portability and power in one device so it is important to make the right choice.