Samsung Galaxy Tab Reviews

For a brief period of time, it appeared that the iPad 2 was the end-all of tablets. While Apple's offering may have started the trend, however, the Samsung Galaxy Tab now is its strongest competitor. The Galaxy is a versatile, attractive and portable device that has quickly gained ground among both casual and tech-savvy tablet users.

Overall look and feel

One of the most notable things about the Samsung Galaxy Tab is its size; despite its generous 10.1-inch display, the Galaxy is officially the lightest, slimmest tablet on the market. This makes it ideal for users who are constantly on the move and prefer technology that can keep up. Another key selling point is the 1280 x 800-pixel display, which allows for crisp, well-defined graphics that make viewing media a highly enjoyable experience.

Responsiveness and speed

The Samsung Galaxy Tab operates using the Android Honeycomb 3.1 platform, which creates a distinctly PC-like feel in its navigation and browsing experience. The Android system also lends a familiar touch to online surfing and includes full access to a variety of Google apps, including Maps, YouTube and Gmail. Unlike the iPad, the Galaxy is fully capable of supporting Flash applications--a key selling point when one considers the thousands of popular sites that depend on Flash. Its battery is surprisingly long-lived; Samsung estimates up to nine hours of continuous video display and up to 72 hours of music playback. It lasts for about seven hours with normal usage. Its NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor allows for fairly quick multitasking and switching between applications.

All the extras

The Galaxy Tab is available with storage options that are standard for the market: 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Music lovers and snap-happy photographers appreciate the MicroSD media slot, which allows for storage of more songs, pictures and videos. It also includes access to the expansive Android Marketplace, which features thousands of useful and entertaining apps for download. Another key feature is the combined front- and rear-facing cameras built into the Galaxy, which allow users to record video with 3-megapixel quality.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a breath of fresh air for users who find the iPad's limitations a bit off-putting. It is responsive, lightweight and excellent for multitasking. This is a promising step forward for the tablet market in terms of dimensions, connectivity and user-friendly features.

The Galaxy is a versatile, attractive and portable device

by Kara Godsey, Education writer