Why I HATED the Surface Pro (just in case you were tempted) ... - Galaxy Note 10.1 General

I just had to do it. All the hype, all the articles, the lure of OneNote's full power. I had to drop $1000 on a Surface Pro just to see what the fuss was about. Hell, I could always return it but I had to know for myself.
I truly truly HATED the Surface Pro. Here is as short list of what sucks:
1) It's HOT. How hot? After holding it for 30 minutes I felt like I had grabbed a ceramic cup I heated in the microwave. My hand was actually bright red. I have no idea how any sane person could stand holding this toaster over in their hands for any period of time.
2) It's HEAVY. How heavy? Big piece of metal heavy. Also because of it's hard angles it is no fun to hold.
3) It is IMPOSSIBLE TO USE IN PORTRAIT. I mean, this tablet must be a foot high in portrait. If you are trying to type on the soft keyboard the keys are literally 10 inches from the words you are typing so thumb typing is pointless.
4) Considering this has an i5 CPU it actually lags. Scrolling on web pages stutters and dragging pictures across OneNote jerks around like mad (this may actually be a feature of OneNote as it snaps to a grid - so not a bug necessarily).
5) Firefox (if you like that browser) is a DISASTER on this. Pinch to zoom is total fail. Again a lag fest.
6) 1920 x 1080 may sound awesome but on a tablet this small it's not. Even zoomed at 150% text and icons can be tiny and very hard to click.
7) Windows 8 is a schizophrenic mess even on this. Whoever decided Metro was a good idea HAD to be high.
8) The included stylus has a hard plastic tip. Hard plastic tip on slick glass equals HARD TO WRITE. The Note 10.1's rubber tipped stylus is far better.
9) The Surface Pro is not designed to be a tablet. It is more like an ultrabook with a removable keyboard and a pen that you can hold in your hands (if you must).
Why did I write this? Well, if like me you have felt tempted by the Surface Pro and access to full blown OneNote with inking, I wanted to put your mind at rest - don't. The Note 10.1 is a far more "useable" tablet for half the cash.

I totally agree with everything you wrote. My company has given me a surface Pro to test out and I would add the following to your list:
Battery life is only about 4 hours so you are forced to have extra chargers, one for home and one for the office.
The size of the charger is huge. Its a small brick!
There is no silo for the pen! You are supposed to attach the pen in the magnetized power port which means that any little bump and you lose the pen. I give Samsung a lot of credit of delaying the release of the Note 10.1 to redesign a silo for the Spen.
The things I like about the Pro is having Office 2013 and the keyboard cover. However, I actually do not like OneNote. I prefer SNote a hundred times. There is an SNote app for Windows 8 but only for Samsung branded devices. I wish they would make it available for all.
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mitchellvii said:
I just had to do it. All the hype, all the articles, the lure of OneNote's full power. I had to drop $1000 on a Surface Pro just to see what the fuss was about. Hell, I could always return it but I had to know for myself.
I truly truly HATED the Surface Pro. Here is as short list of what sucks:
1) It's HOT. How hot? After holding it for 30 minutes I felt like I had grabbed a ceramic cup I heated in the microwave. My hand was actually bright red. I have no idea how any sane person could stand holding this toaster over in their hands for any period of time.
2) It's HEAVY. How heavy? Big piece of metal heavy. Also because of it's hard angles it is no fun to hold.
3) It is IMPOSSIBLE TO USE IN PORTRAIT. I mean, this tablet must be a foot high in portrait. If you are trying to type on the soft keyboard the keys are literally 10 inches from the words you are typing so thumb typing is pointless.
4) Considering this has an i5 CPU it actually lags. Scrolling on web pages stutters and dragging pictures across OneNote jerks around like mad (this may actually be a feature of OneNote as it snaps to a grid - so not a bug necessarily).
5) Firefox (if you like that browser) is a DISASTER on this. Pinch to zoom is total fail. Again a lag fest.
6) 1920 x 1080 may sound awesome but on a tablet this small it's not. Even zoomed at 150% text and icons can be tiny and very hard to click.
7) Windows 8 is a schizophrenic mess even on this. Whoever decided Metro was a good idea HAD to be high.
8) The included stylus has a hard plastic tip. Hard plastic tip on slick glass equals HARD TO WRITE. The Note 10.1's rubber tipped stylus is far better.
9) The Surface Pro is not designed to be a tablet. It is more like an ultrabook with a removable keyboard and a pen that you can hold in your hands (if you must).
Why did I write this? Well, if like me you have felt tempted by the Surface Pro and access to full blown OneNote with inking, I wanted to put your mind at rest - don't. The Note 10.1 is a far more "useable" tablet for half the cash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@mitchellvii
Why don't you try out one of the Samsung Atom Tablets and let us know your experience.
The Atom editions should solve issues:
1 & 2.
If you install and Dual Boot Android 4.0 x86, then that should solve issues:
3,4,5,6,7
Thus, you can retain the convenience of the Android OS and have the power of Windows 8 without carrying more than 1 device.

I played with one at local store. Win 8 is just not a touch environment. Metro was a try and fix. Microsoft will have to forget they own windows and start thinking fresh to compete with android and crapple. Which both rather you dislike either of the two are becoming very mature and complete operating systems build around your fingers. Not a true business class os patched to try and compete. I will also add tablet software is getting better at productivity and will eventually be able to compete with the true ms type program's. The power of these device's are amazing. If you need full productive programs for now stick with a ultra book type notebook computer. The note 10.1 is the second best thing to that. There is no 3rd place device
My opinion of course conclusion is get a traditional notebook or a note 10.1 tablet

klau1 said:
@mitchellvii
Why don't you try out one of the Samsung Atom Tablets and let us know your experience.
The Atom editions should solve issues:
1 & 2.
If you install and Dual Boot Android 4.0 x86, then that should solve issues:
3,4,5,6,7
Thus, you can retain the convenience of the Android OS and have the power of Windows 8 without carrying more than 1 device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't say I agree that Android x86 is a solution. I don't even know how easy it'd be to install on the Pro. Android x86 project has come a long way but there are still issues with it, once it's as easy as just compiling it to x86 then let's talk
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

was walking around the mall and finally saw a surface pro. funny thing is i just read the ts mention the things yesterday. the thing that mostly stuck out was the weight. so first thing i did was pick it up. man that is like picking up a plate of iron... couldnt really get anything going well in the few minutes i messed with it. win8 definately not something for me. nor is carrying around an iron plate...

from a traveling salesman's viewpoint, I love it. I am able to install and run various programs such as AutoCAD (with wedge mouse), a custom estimating software...
Granted the battery life could be better, but I'm able to make sales calls and RDP for my office desktop printouts/updates on the unit without having to charge through a moderate days work. I've never had the heat buildup as described in the first post and it does not have the apps you'll find in the play store. but for a laptop replacement you can travel light with, love it.
FWIW

I think Microsoft has missed the boat. They're obviously not getting Voice of Customer, but are getting voice of Developers when they make these products. Apple figured out what MOST people want for a tablet. Android is assuredly closing that gap and raising the bar (S-Pen). I would recommend that Windows quit trying to compete but get smart and work with Android, so both can crush the Apple serpent.

I have been using Samsung's Ativ Pro for some months now... err... not using at all. It just sits there. Microsoft has missed the train of the mobile age. Because of battery issues it just cant stand by like İOS or Android, it just goes to deep sleep and you cant get your push messages from Facebook.. and no e-mail alerts. I agree it is a detachable ultrabook. I love my Galaxy note II and 10.1, and hardly use my Ipad4.

I actually like the Surface Pro, but it's definitely NOT the same as this tablet. I mean, the Surface is definitely not a.. use-anywhere kind of tablet (I mean, its main "attraction" is that keyboard which really just means that it's not in the same tablet market). So, I'd say that you have to change your expectations because it is definitely an ultrabook in disguise.

The battery life would stop me switching. With my screen brightness turned down I can get a full day at uni out of my note (~ 8 hours) which is fantastic

Mixed feelings...
The weird beveled sides are weird and makes it hard to hold.
The battery life is terrible - even for a full i5 slate.
It is chunky.
I have a Samsung Series 7 slate, which was the reference platform for Win8 and it's a lot better.
As for Win8 itself - yep.. schizophrenic is a good description. You're using desktop and suddenly you're in Metro. You're using Metro and suddenly you're in the desktop. You want to run something - and bam back in Metro - except it's not all your apps - just some of them so over to search which shows you all your apps.
Bring up the keyboard in Metro, things work ok (mostly). Do it in desktop - and it's a crapshoot as to whether it'll come up automatically - and when it does it rearranges your desktop.
Bah.

Sounds like its quite aways from general populations
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I purchased this over the weekend the surface pro 128gb version with type cover. im loving the experience with it so far. its a great and powerful device. no lag at all unlike what the op mentioned. lol

I too had the Pro. It was a very good ultra book (the best out there, in my opinion) that had a kick ass Wacom digitizer, awesome specs (the hard drive is fast as ****) and excellent style. I had it for five months and didn't regret it at all. I found it to be quite light, though obviously not as light as my Note.
It was just a ****ty tablet. Heavy (for a tab), terrible battery life and no Metro apps that are worth having. I used the Desktop most of the time, even after moving to 8.1. Shame, really; I think Metro is a fantastic platform for tablets.
I actually didn't know the Note 10.1 existed until I sold it off last week. I would have never bought it if I did, seeing how it is $500 more. The Note is so much better (right now), since it does everything my Pro did but with more battery, less weight and a Chrome browser that is actually functional. In fact, I found my Note to be easier for reading than my Nexus 7 and sold that off too! The Surface was too heavy for me to read on, and there were no apps for that anyway.
Its screen resolution kind of bites and I miss having a kickstand, but other than that I'm super happy to have sold it off.

If it wasn't for the battery life, I would have bought the surface pro over the note, although I don't plan on using the metro UI at all. I've used it for a total of about an hour and while using the regular desktop in touch mode I didn't run across any issues. Most things there an app for on android you can do through a full Web browser or there's a regular windows program for.
Part of me wants to say that if you're just Web browsing and watching movies then android is a good pick, but I'm getting fed up with pages not loading correctly when trying to browse the Internet. Half of the Web based ebooks I use for school either don't load or have issues.
From a hardware standpoint, I'm never holding my tablet straight out without it resting on something, so weight wouldn't be a issue. If I personally wanted a super casual tablet, I think a cheap 7" tablet like the Nexus 7 would be much better and more comfortable.
It amazes me how quick people are to criticize windows 8. All the metro UI really is is a new start menu that's more touch friendly. Tablet users complain there are no apps, yet have thousands of full blown windows apps they can use. Desktop users complain the start button is gone when all they have to do is hover in the same spot and it appears.
I've been researching for a new tablet or convertible to bring to school there are too many negative reviews for windows 8 for ridiculous reasons. No YouTube app? Guess what, I can play flash in the web browser. The drop box app isn't very good? Guess what, I can install the regular windows program and get two way sync. No email notifications in standby mode? My guess is you have an android phone going off right next to wherever your tablet is anyway.
Lastly, the surface pro is a hybrid device. So it isn't going to be the perfect tablet or the perfect ultra book. Its for people who want a mix of the two. For a device that's been out for nearly nine months, some of these complaints shouldn't be much of a surprise. I don't think its justified to make a thread bashing the product because you failed evaluate your wants and needs and didn't research a $1000 tablet.
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Sher The Love said:
If it wasn't for the battery life, I would have bought the surface pro over the note, although I don't plan on using the metro UI at all. I've used it for a total of about an hour and while using the regular desktop in touch mode I didn't run across any issues. Most things there an app for on android you can do through a full Web browser or there's a regular windows program for.
Part of me wants to say that if you're just Web browsing and watching movies then android is a good pick, but I'm getting fed up with pages not loading correctly when trying to browse the Internet. Half of the Web based ebooks I use for school either don't load or have issues.
From a hardware standpoint, I'm never holding my tablet straight out without it resting on something, so weight wouldn't be a issue. If I personally wanted a super casual tablet, I think a cheap 7" tablet like the Nexus 7 would be much better and more comfortable.
It amazes me how quick people are to criticize windows 8. All the metro UI really is is a new start menu that's more touch friendly. Tablet users complain there are no apps, yet have thousands of full blown windows apps they can use. Desktop users complain the start button is gone when all they have to do is hover in the same spot and it appears.
I've been researching for a new tablet or convertible to bring to school there are too many negative reviews for windows 8 for ridiculous reasons. No YouTube app? Guess what, I can play flash in the web browser. The drop box app isn't very good? Guess what, I can install the regular windows program and get two way sync. No email notifications in standby mode? My guess is you have an android phone going off right next to wherever your tablet is anyway.
Lastly, the surface pro is a hybrid device. So it isn't going to be the perfect tablet or the perfect ultra book. Its for people who want a mix of the two. For a device that's been out for nearly nine months, some of these complaints shouldn't be much of a surprise. I don't think its justified to make a thread bashing the product because you failed evaluate your wants and needs and didn't research a $1000 tablet.
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Click to collapse
Well said!
-Sent from my laptop running Windows 8

Sher The Love said:
The drop box app isn't very good? Guess what, I can install the regular windows program and get two way sync.
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Click to collapse
This feature was an unexpected gem for me. Before if I drew something in Sketchbook on the Note, I had to hit the share button, and pick a format to export to the cloud. Now, I just save it to my Dropbox folder (which I set as the default location), and it'll show up in on my desktop when I get home.
I've been using a Samsung Ativ 500T for a few weeks now, and I actually really like it. The main reason I bought it was I was getting tired of my Note botching all the formulas when I tried to open up an Excel spreadsheet in Polaris, QuickOffice, Google Doc (or fill in your Office Suite). The formatting also became funny on Word docs after opening in one of the above mentioned apps. I'm even able to run PS7 (I'm an amateur, so I don't need CS5 or later).
Of course this device is not perfect. As a straight replacement for a Note or iPad on the go, I still like the Note better. Screen rotation is a bit wonky sometimes on the Ativ. Although the wide screen is great for productivity, it's a bit unweildy, especially in portrait. There is connected standby, but not sure if it stays connected even in deep sleep. So, e-mails don't get come in when I'm asleep. Certain functions also don't work while in deep sleep: I haven't found a decent alarm app I can use (I used my Note as a backup alarm in case I didn't wake up to my phone).

jedah said:
This feature was an unexpected gem for me. Before if I drew something in Sketchbook on the Note, I had to hit the share button, and pick a format to export to the cloud. Now, I just save it to my Dropbox folder (which I set as the default location), and it'll show up in on my desktop when I get home.
I've been using a Samsung Ativ 500T for a few weeks now, and I actually really like it. The main reason I bought it was I was getting tired of my Note botching all the formulas when I tried to open up an Excel spreadsheet in Polaris, QuickOffice, Google Doc (or fill in your Office Suite). The formatting also became funny on Word docs after opening in one of the above mentioned apps. I'm even able to run PS7 (I'm an amateur, so I don't need CS5 or later).
Of course this device is not perfect. As a straight replacement for a Note or iPad on the go, I still like the Note better. Screen rotation is a bit wonky sometimes on the Ativ. Although the wide screen is great for productivity, it's a bit unweildy, especially in portrait. There is connected standby, but not sure if it stays connected even in deep sleep. So, e-mails don't get come in when I'm asleep. Certain functions also don't work while in deep sleep: I haven't found a decent alarm app I can use (I used my Note as a backup alarm in case I didn't wake up to my phone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sold my note and got a 500T a little over a month ago. While I'm not completely satisfied due to the speed, it's far better than the note was for school. I knew it would be slow, but I got it to hold me off till some newer haswell convertibles came out. Glad I bought the note and 500T refurbished for under $360.
In my opinion, Onenote is much better than anything on android. Especially being able to print full webpages to it. It helps when most of my accounting homework is online based. I can print to onenote and have detailed notes and the problems worked out. I could even get these pages to load correctly on my Note.

I just pre-ordered the Surface Pro 2 for my wife. We got the 256GB option. She wants to be able to consolidate her notebook and Note 10.1 into 1 device. She's a mechanical engineering major and will be running CAD, Matlab, etc and also has a lot of Office oriented and online homework. I think mainly she wants a computer where she can take equation heavy notes on without having to worry what to do on which device and forget about file syncing. Her current notebook is heavy @ 5lbs. Does this seem reasonable or are we asking for a $1500 headache? I keep saying it's going to a heavy tablet. She keeps saying but it's going to be a light notebook. Notifications don't matter since she has an Android phone. We're selling her Note 10.1 to a friend to help finance the Surface Pro 2 so that won't be available to her. I'm excited but nervous at this point.

Related

Tabs and iPads- A new way of looking at them

Tabs and iPads - The discussion will never stop, the comparisons will go on forever.
But I am beginning to think that there actually is no comparison to be made because the two are totally different products, and have different concepts behind their creation.
First, look at the iPad. Yes, it is better at computing, and has the wonderful iOS and graphic interface that Apple is famous for. It has a faster processor, longer battery life, better display, and so on and so forth. It is a fine computer.
The tab on the other hand has been called an overgrown cell phone, why it even has a cellphone OS.
Of course, it has a bigger screen, cellphone capabilities, and those two cameras (even though the current Tab's cameras aren't great, they are decent). It comes with apps already built in and more available, just like iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad. It is smaller than the iPad, and I have heard one iPad lover say that a 7 inch screen is too small to read on. To that person I say you need glasses because the standard book page prints in a less than 7 inch area and people have been doing fine with that for a few hundred years.
The main difference between the two devices, as I see it, is the iPad is based on an old concept of computing and the Tab is based on a new concept of portability connectivity.
The iPad has been in development for many years, beginning before smartphones were popular and readily available. It was developed based on the computing concepts of years ago, when laptops were still expensive, desktops were the main stay and netbooks were unknown. The iPad was designed to replace notebooks and netbooks, and be more portable than desktops. But they were stilled designed to be a portable desktop computer giving the desktop experience.
The Tab, however, is an outgrowth of the smartphone. The irony of this is that the Tab is an outgrowth of the popularity of the iPhone itself! As the iPhone grew in popularity Apple totally overlooked why it was popular. People didn't need the desktop experience when they were on the go. They wanted a phone in the beginning, but when they saw how much it could do the phone became a secondary part of the iPhone.
So Apple made the iPod Touch. Essentially an iPhone without the phone. Now people began to use these two devices (and all the clones) to do the main things they used the desktop for outside of productivity and work. They began to check their e-mails, get directions, chat, listen to music and watch videos. With the camera they began to take pictures and upload them to the web. And the web was now available anywhere: while waiting on the bus, sitting in the subway, waiting for your food to be prepared, and all the countless other times that used to wasted but now could become productive or entertaining.
Let us not forget the games! When PCs first came out everyone was scared they could somehow break them. After all the movies showing the Evil Supercomputer blowing up at the end with just a few keystrokes from the hero, everyone was afraid they would do this to the extremely expensive box they had just put on their desk. (The truth was that there was a way in some early computers to overclock the CPU that resulted in overheating and burning up the computer.) So games were installed in the OS's to let people become familiar with using the computer and get over their fears of it. Solitaire? It taught people how to use the mouse.
So fast forward to 2010. The iPad is introduced as the first tablet computer to be usable. It's initial success was because of the following that Apple had so carefully built up over the years. Is the iPad a good computer? Is it a good computing experience? The answer is a resounding yes to both questions.
The iPad is a good computer.
The Tab is a good portable computing device.
It is designed to fall into the area of portability and usability. When you are on a train, in a taxi, or in the doctor's office do you really want to work on a document. First of all there is the issue of privacy, and even trade secrets. You would, however, play a game, listen to music, or read a book.
And therein lies the difference between the two devices. The iPad is a portable computer, the Tab is a portable computing device. The iPad was built to replace your notebook. The Tab was built to be usable on the go. Try standing in line at the pharmacy and reading a book on your iPad. How easy it is on the Tab.
To be fair, writing a long document on the Tab is not feasible. But then who can concentrate on their work while they are out and about.
So to sum it all up, I propose that when someone starts touting the benefits of either one, point out that there is no real comparison. To compare them is to compare a notebook with a desktop. Or a stationary desktop with portable connectivity. The iPad has its place as a desktop replacement, and the Tab has its place as a mobile device that supplements the desktop.
I would not replace my Tab with an iPad, I have two notebooks and a netbook for that kind of work. I did replace my iPod Touch with the Tab. Ironic, isn't it?
Take a look at this http://www.pcworld.com/zoom?id=204779&page=1&zoomIdx=1
samspunker said:
First, look at the iPad. Yes, it is better at computing, and has the wonderful iOS and graphic interface that Apple is famous for. It has a faster processor, longer battery life, better display, and so on and so forth. It is a fine computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better at computing? Wonderful ios? faster processor? better display?
samspunker said:
The tab on the other hand has been called an overgrown cell phone, why it even has a cellphone OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same as the iPad then
Using swype on the tab is much quicker than the tapping on the iPad too!
Dude you need to check your stats. Stock galaxy is the same on many stats and performs better on several. Right outta the box it blows ipad away in just the ability to access half the internet that apple products dont allow. Then theres the fact that if you can follow directions well then the lil ol galaxy just drives the last nail in ipads coffin with roms.
But like I said, right outta the box it destroys ipad. And yea I have owned both. And just about every other electronic gadget to come down the pike since comadore ruled the market.
And as far as apple being built to replace a lappy. Dude if thats what they were shooting for then they failed miserably. Tab or pad cant touch a laptop atm. I hope that soon that will change but yea atm no flippin way. So if you think the ipad can I just have to wonder wth your doin on the net. Surely your not playing any games as the pad sure cant handle squat in that department. Must not be doing anything that requores hard proccessing power cause it sure isnt up to snuff there. Decoding, burning, oh my list goes on and on. Pad or tab arnt in the league of a laptop. So where you got that notion baffles me
So as far as I or most any thinking person who isnt deluded by mass marketing media is concerned the conversation is ended on that subject. Ipad got owned. Perhaps if apple would open up a bit and allow flash content as well then they would have a chance. As it stands now they dont stack up at all.
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Opps- My bad- I thought I remembered the iPad had a faster processor. The screen resolution is a little more on the iPad. And the battery life is greater on the iPad.
has the wonderful iOS and graphic interface that Apple is famous for
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Click to collapse
Perhaps you misunderstood that I meant this as sarcasm.
But I think both of you missed the point I was trying to make. That is that given all the stats you want to call forth, to compare the iPad and the Tab is like comparing a Lamborghini and a Rolls Royce.
There is no comparison because they are different products, aimed at different groups, and with fundamentally different purposes for existing.
Personally, I would never purchase an iPad because I already have my portable computers called laptops and netbooks. And after Mr. Jobs reaction to the antennae problem, I would never again buy any Apple product.
To make my point as clear as possible I don't think we should be comparing the two units because they are different products. The iPad was built to replace laptops and the Tab is an expansion of the mobility afforded by the smartphone into something far more usable.
It is unfortunate that the term "tablet" is a hot catch phrase right now as these two products are being lumped together, when, IMHO, they are not the same.
The ipad doesn't even have USB ports... that alone puts it below a laptop. Also, lack of flash, physical keyboard, and the fact that is it apple.
I say that tabs win easily. Yeah, they don't have a keyboard, but swype is fast and you can actually customize things how you want with android.
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samspunker said:
Opps- My bad- I thought I remembered the iPad had a faster processor. The screen resolution is a little more on the iPad. And the battery life is greater on the iPad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The screen resolution is higher on the ipad as it has a 10inch screen, but the pixel density is greater on the galaxy tab, and its only bigger by 148px. The only thing that is better is that its a IPS display.
Battery life isnt better either, my tab lasted a whole day of video recording and games at a festival on half back light.
ipads are gay tbh.
My galaxy tab pretty much replaced my laptop and netbook for on the go use
Mainly because the battery life is way better on the tab and its smaller and more uses like using it as a mp3 player ya i use it as a mp3 player which i have big pockets that fits the tab perfect and i also use Pandora with 3g
I was thinking of getting a ipad before i knew about the tab but than saw the tab and figure the 7in screen is more portable and yep it was, The ipad would be a bit to big because at work i mess with one for a bit and it did feel nice and all but it was heavier and more awkward and i preferred my tab over it.
Plus i got a really good deal for mine from hsn Should be around 320 so so when i get the 300$ back from sprint And payed with flex pay.
I got to thinking about this when I saw two high school boys at McDonalds. One had the iPad and the other had the Tab.
Both were busy doing what ever they were doing, but the iPad was laying on the table, taking up most of the room. The boy using it was bent over it and typying with both hands. All of his attention was focused on the screen, and being bent over was not comfortable for long, I'm sure.
The Tab boy was sitting back in his chair, holding the Tab with one hand. The other hand was busy touching the screen, holding his drink, eating his fries, etc. He would look away from the screen as people moved around him, yet he was paying attention to whatever he was doing.
The Tab boy was still interacting with the world around him, while the iPad boy was falling into the screen, literally.
I still say that they are two entirely different devices and should not be compared so closely.
But I agree, that in the long run the 7" form factor will win out over the larger bulkier unit. Unless you just want a cool looking laptop.
As natious said, greater resolution, but lower pixel density means the tab has a better screen, at least in the way that it is less fuzzy!
I think you've fallen into believing anything Apple is the best on the market in every spec! Not true, but lots of people automatically think that way...
Gotta hand it to their marketing dept.
samspunker said:
I got to thinking about this when I saw two high school boys at McDonalds. One had the iPad and the other had the Tab.
Both were busy doing what ever they were doing, but the iPad was laying on the table, taking up most of the room. The boy using it was bent over it and typying with both hands. All of his attention was focused on the screen, and being bent over was not comfortable for long, I'm sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iPad boy really ought to have invested in a case with kickstand, huh? Also lol high school boys. Children these days sure are spoiled.
samspunker said:
I got to thinking about this when I saw two high school boys at McDonalds. One had the iPad and the other had the Tab.
Both were busy doing what ever they were doing, but the iPad was laying on the table, taking up most of the room. The boy using it was bent over it and typying with both hands. All of his attention was focused on the screen, and being bent over was not comfortable for long, I'm sure.
The Tab boy was sitting back in his chair, holding the Tab with one hand. The other hand was busy touching the screen, holding his drink, eating his fries, etc. He would look away from the screen as people moved around him, yet he was paying attention to whatever he was doing.
The Tab boy was still interacting with the world around him, while the iPad boy was falling into the screen, literally.
I still say that they are two entirely different devices and should not be compared so closely.
But I agree, that in the long run the 7" form factor will win out over the larger bulkier unit. Unless you just want a cool looking laptop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking at the Zoom ads I notice they are all landscape, and the iPad is often shown that way. I only use my Tab in landscape if the app demands it - NFS or Slingbox. Do others think that is part of the portability thing?
Tablets do replace laptops. You just need to focus on the right market, that is the people that need a computer to watch movies, pictures, listen to music, surf the web, email and do a little of word processing. Surprise surprise, that's their target demographic.
But now i laugh a bit, the tab out of the box better than any iDevice for web browsing! Ah! Maybe you meant "random not Samsung Android device" because out of the box the Tab is AWFUL for browsing duty. And with awful i mean slower than an iPhone 3g, roughly surfing at half the speed of a technically inferior SonyEriccson Xperia X10 Mini. That is without the flash on, otherwise it's just masochism. Then you disable the "panoramic" option, start to zoom out to see the whole page, and there it gets his speed back. Or you just download another WebKit browser (not out of the box anymore) and deal with the incredible tendency to crash of the tab's WebKit build (stay away from animated gifs!). Then you download Opera Mobile, lose the flash, gain a working browser.
You lose only half the web with an iDevice? I think that flash ads are more than half the web! But i have to admit it is nice to have it, just download a flash game and play it with a flash player. Can't do that on the Apple side.
The Tab has roughly the same cpu as the latest generation of iDevices. A better video chip. An IMPRESSIVE video decoder that shows with no trouble 1080p h264 videos at 50mbps while iDevices are limited at 720p (unless i got my facts wrong). Back and front camera, that don't record in 720p as opposed to the iPhone4 and relative iPod touch. Still, the iPad has none. Nor it has phone capability.
To sum it up: out of the box the Tab gets beaten on the web, email (Samsung app is really a disaster, slow and memory hogging), picture viewer, os side. Then a new browser and the gmail app "fix" those issues. The gallery app would be fixed using the Android one and not the flashy Samsung attempt. The os... With time, if Samsung dosen't drop the support in just a few months as opposed to the almost 4 years of an iDevice? Or with a custom rom.
I say that an unlikely 7" iPad with similar hardware to the Tab would be the best choice.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
I debated on getting the ipad orig, but my main purpose of getting it was for school and overall netbook activities. Ipad is way too limited in options compared to a netbook, the only downside I saw between the ipad and tab was the screen size, ill take the 7" screen with even 10% of the extra options over the ipad anytime
CASz said:
Looking at the Zoom ads I notice they are all landscape, and the iPad is often shown that way. I only use my Tab in landscape if the app demands it - NFS or Slingbox. Do others think that is part of the portability thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. It's what worries me about Honeycomb--so far, no portrait mode shown at all. What the hell? Using a tablet in landscape constantly is so very awkward without a keyboard dock or kickstand. I mean, balancing that thing on your lap is no fun.
I'm with Sam, the Tab is carryable, I never see people with iPads carrying them around and then it seems like it's an effort for my co-workers to have them out in meetings, again though they use them hunched over a table, and never actually holding them. Even with a stand that holds it up, they only ever have it standing up at like 10 to 15 degrees off the table or desk.
On top of which, my notebook with a 13 inch screen and 0.75 inch thickness was a portable without the power of a desktop replacement for playing games. In fact the Tab actually performs better at games than my notebook used to. When I really want to play a game, I'll play on my desktop system, with a kilowatt power supply and a 30 inch screen. Since I have a bluetooth Keyboard and headphones, the only thing I find I can't do on the Tab as well as on my Notebook is VPN, and connect to a projector at the office. And as was stated above, the Tab beats the pants off my notebook on battery life.
CASz said:
Looking at the Zoom ads I notice they are all landscape, and the iPad is often shown that way. I only use my Tab in landscape if the app demands it - NFS or Slingbox. Do others think that is part of the portability thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hadn't thought about that, but you are right. There were ads here on TV for the iPad. All were showing the landscape mode. In the Motorola Xoom ads all I have seen is landscape.
But the Tab is almost always seen in portrait. The exceptions in the ads are when it is doing the navigation things, cameras, games and the sky maps. They even use portrait mode when doing the walk around the city and the overlay shows you shops and stuff around you.
Just more proof that they are conceptually different products.
Your car has more computing power than my first computer, a Vic20. But I would not call the car a computer or compare it with one. Different designs and different uses.

[Q] Note or Laptop for digital art? i cant decide on this one

What do you guys think, should i go with a note like i was planning too or get this laptop?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834310625
theres pros and cons to both but i just cant decide x .x
I have a wacom pad already on my desktop and is the reason i like the GNote
I have tons of games for both android and windows and either one would be able to play all the ones i have for either OS. The laptop will be able to run my adobe suite though and the GNote wont.
What do you guys think? stick with my GNote plan or might i be short changing myself in the productivity department?
Are you planning to replace your desktop with it? The note is definitely not a desktop replacement (no proper adobe suite etc, apps still have a bit of a way to go but are getting much better) but as for laptops... nowadays i hardly ever use my laptops unless i want to do a lot of typing. if you want the note as a side sketchpad or to do work up to a certain extent then it's a fantastic tool... the only thing similar is a tablet pc and those are $$$ and comparatively horrible for battery life so.
Personally i use my desktop anytime i need to get big things done fast but use the note 10 for quick sketches, small pieces and to draw on the go, or while sitting on my couch. Then i usually add the last few touches on my desktop.
Hope that helps.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app
fishgimp said:
Are you planning to replace your desktop with it? The note is definitely not a desktop replacement (no proper adobe suite etc, apps still have a bit of a way to go but are getting much better) but as for laptops... nowadays i hardly ever use my laptops unless i want to do a lot of typing. if you want the note as a side sketchpad or to do work up to a certain extent then it's a fantastic tool... the only thing similar is a tablet pc and those are $$$ and comparatively horrible for battery life so.
Personally i use my desktop anytime i need to get big things done fast but use the note 10 for quick sketches, small pieces and to draw on the go, or while sitting on my couch. Then i usually add the last few touches on my desktop.
Hope that helps.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually yea it does.... Ty
No I'm not b trying to replace my desktop, just be a bit more productive with my some of my work when not near it and get rid of the needed to carry a sketchbook.
Think I'm gonna stick with the plan of getting the note. The power of the laptop would be nice but I think the portability of the note out weighs the potential benefits of the laptop. I can also save about 100$ getting the note xP
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Note all the way mate. Was in a similar situation last year. Bought a laptop in the end, because I just couldn't see how the note would do what I wanted it to. Then I got a note a few weeks after and tbh the laptop is just sitting gathering dust.
For drawing I use either sketchbook pro (note version) or infinite painter pro and when combined with photoshop touch (which comes with the note) you get a hell of a lot of productivity on your hands, rarely needed to use the desktop. You will be amazed at just what you can achieve, well i have been anyway. Only package I'm really missing is a proper animation one. But I'm sure with time that will come and if not, theres the trusty ol PC in the corner.
I might be able to help, seeing as I had the same decision to make a handful of months ago, It really depends on the type of art your trying to make. I'm an illustrator that recently bought a Note 10.1 to do some sketching on the go. I use my Note to start the sketching stage of an illustration.I would not be able able to complete an entire illustration on the Note. It can't handle large files with a lot of layers(80mb). I normally use Photoshop and on the tablet I would be missing too many tools that I normally use. Only a handful of Android apps can open a pre-exiting .psd files with layers intact. Plus the screen is to small. My desktop setup is a triple 28" monitor setup with an Extra Large Intous4 tablet and 2 x-keys.
I used to use a laptop with an extra wacom, but unless your planning on sitting still for extended periods of time its not practical. It take as while get going each time and pack up. With the Note I'm able to use it while walking. The perfect example is shopping with my woman. While I'm waiting for her to move to the next store I can sit in the corner and sketch. This would not be practical with a laptop.
Even if that was not a issue, most laptop have a screens that have bad color shift when you move your head from side to side. I have messed up an illustration that I was working on because of this. Also the battery life on my laptop with constant use is a little over 2hrs. which is terrible.
Another option was to get one of new tablet pc's (slate) or new windows 8 pro tablets. I didn't go that route because of price. I don't want to be lugging around a 1000+ piece of tech around. Because I dismissed this as an option I didn't use any of these product hands on, so I don't know if there are any issues. There are some videos on youtube.
I mainly use PS Touch and LayerPaint. They work best with my work flow. I would only use PS Touch If it could open .psd files.
The android apps the the other poster mentioned are also the ones that I recommend. I would also like to add Layerpaint to the list. It's one of the few apps that can open .psd files with layers intact(PS Touch can not, it flatten the image).
If you want the natural media look I would go with Infinite Pro or Sketchbook Pro.
I your just using it for light sketching the think the Note 10.1 would be better. I you want to do completed work you might want to look into the new windows 8 pro tablets.
Here's a link to my Deviantart gallery to see the level of my illustrations http://r-tan.deviantart.com/gallery/.
rtan73 said:
It's one of the few apps that can open .psd files with layers intact(PS Touch can not, it flatten the image).
Here's a link to my Deviantart gallery to see the level of my illustrations http://r-tan.deviantart.com/gallery/.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol PS Touch can't open layered psds??? that's so stupid. (you can see how much I use it, haha)
ps awesome gallery!
ECOTOX said:
Actually yea it does.... Ty
No I'm not b trying to replace my desktop, just be a bit more productive with my some of my work when not near it and get rid of the needed to carry a sketchbook.
Think I'm gonna stick with the plan of getting the note. The power of the laptop would be nice but I think the portability of the note out weighs the potential benefits of the laptop. I can also save about 100$ getting the note xP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no problem, as the other posters here have commented I totally agree with them, laptop + wacom = sucky. a tablet PC would be better... but I had tablet pcs, didn't like the weight + heat + noise + battery life and the digitizer is exactly the same. having the tablet pc would not be worth the doubled price IMHO unless you plan to be doing full work while you're travelling a lot? also, the new slate screens are not much bigger than the note, and usually stretched in a weird long portrait dimension it seems...
pretty sure you'll love using the note as a mini-cintiq (eg. i have a 20 inch cintiq on my workstation but i often just use my note instead cause it's so easy to whip out /turn on/ take anywhere)
I have been using Clover Paint on my note (cannot open psds or transform yet (in development) but i've found it great to work with once it's all set-up the way you want)
rtan73 said:
I might be able to help, seeing as I had the same decision to make a handful of months ago, It really depends on the type of art your trying to make. I'm an illustrator that recently bought a Note 10.1 to do some sketching on the go. I use my Note to start the sketching stage of an illustration.I would not be able able to complete an entire illustration on the Note. It can't handle large files with a lot of layers(80mb). I normally use Photoshop and on the tablet I would be missing too many tools that I normally use. Only a handful of Android apps can open a pre-exiting .psd files with layers intact. Plus the screen is to small. My desktop setup is a triple 28" monitor setup with an Extra Large Intous4 tablet and 2 x-keys.
I used to use a laptop with an extra wacom, but unless your planning on sitting still for extended periods of time its not practical. It take as while get going each time and pack up. With the Note I'm able to use it while walking. The perfect example is shopping with my woman. While I'm waiting for her to move to the next store I can sit in the corner and sketch. This would not be practical with a laptop.
Even if that was not a issue, most laptop have a screens that have bad color shift when you move your head from side to side. I have messed up an illustration that I was working on because of this. Also the battery life on my laptop with constant use is a little over 2hrs. which is terrible.
Another option was to get one of new tablet pc's (slate) or new windows 8 pro tablets. I didn't go that route because of price. I don't want to be lugging around a 1000+ piece of tech around. Because I dismissed this as an option I didn't use any of these product hands on, so I don't know if there are any issues. There are some videos on youtube.
I mainly use PS Touch and LayerPaint. They work best with my work flow. I would only use PS Touch If it could open .psd files.
The android apps the the other poster mentioned are also the ones that I recommend. I would also like to add Layerpaint to the list. It's one of the few apps that can open .psd files with layers intact(PS Touch can not, it flatten the image).
If you want the natural media look I would go with Infinite Pro or Sketchbook Pro.
I your just using it for light sketching the think the Note 10.1 would be better. I you want to do completed work you might want to look into the new windows 8 pro tablets.
Here's a link to my Deviantart gallery to see the level of my illustrations http://r-tan.deviantart.com/gallery/.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was considering won 8 pro tabs but looking at the price and the fact that i tend to work in alot of layers the atom processors would take a dumper in my case. I usually work in large dpi/res images with many layers which my desktop is perfect for. I'm wanting something with protability and the power to do alot of the desktop stuff but i suppose ill have to make a bit of sacrifice which is ok, the note will be a good way to start my images with sketches and such and i can do the painting and effects on my desktop
rtan73 said:
I might be able to help, seeing as I had the same decision to make a handful of months ago, It really depends on the type of art your trying to make. I'm an illustrator that recently bought a Note 10.1 to do some sketching on the go. I use my Note to start the sketching stage of an illustration.I would not be able able to complete an entire illustration on the Note. It can't handle large files with a lot of layers(80mb). I normally use Photoshop and on the tablet I would be missing too many tools that I normally use. Only a handful of Android apps can open a pre-exiting .psd files with layers intact. Plus the screen is to small. My desktop setup is a triple 28" monitor setup with an Extra Large Intous4 tablet and 2 x-keys.
I used to use a laptop with an extra wacom, but unless your planning on sitting still for extended periods of time its not practical. It take as while get going each time and pack up. With the Note I'm able to use it while walking. The perfect example is shopping with my woman. While I'm waiting for her to move to the next store I can sit in the corner and sketch. This would not be practical with a laptop.
Even if that was not a issue, most laptop have a screens that have bad color shift when you move your head from side to side. I have messed up an illustration that I was working on because of this. Also the battery life on my laptop with constant use is a little over 2hrs. which is terrible.
Another option was to get one of new tablet pc's (slate) or new windows 8 pro tablets. I didn't go that route because of price. I don't want to be lugging around a 1000+ piece of tech around. Because I dismissed this as an option I didn't use any of these product hands on, so I don't know if there are any issues. There are some videos on youtube.
I mainly use PS Touch and LayerPaint. They work best with my work flow. I would only use PS Touch If it could open .psd files.
The android apps the the other poster mentioned are also the ones that I recommend. I would also like to add Layerpaint to the list. It's one of the few apps that can open .psd files with layers intact(PS Touch can not, it flatten the image).
If you want the natural media look I would go with Infinite Pro or Sketchbook Pro.
I your just using it for light sketching the think the Note 10.1 would be better. I you want to do completed work you might want to look into the new windows 8 pro tablets.
Here's a link to my Deviantart gallery to see the level of my illustrations http://r-tan.deviantart.com/gallery/.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fishgimp said:
lol PS Touch can't open layered psds??? that's so stupid. (you can see how much I use it, haha)
ps awesome gallery!
no problem, as the other posters here have commented I totally agree with them, laptop + wacom = sucky. a tablet PC would be better... but I had tablet pcs, didn't like the weight + heat + noise + battery life and the digitizer is exactly the same. having the tablet pc would not be worth the doubled price IMHO unless you plan to be doing full work while you're travelling a lot? also, the new slate screens are not much bigger than the note, and usually stretched in a weird long portrait dimension it seems...
pretty sure you'll love using the note as a mini-cintiq (eg. i have a 20 inch cintiq on my workstation but i often just use my note instead cause it's so easy to whip out /turn on/ take anywhere)
I have been using Clover Paint on my note (cannot open psds or transform yet (in development) but i've found it great to work with once it's all set-up the way you want)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i wish i had $ for a 20" cintiq T^T ill have to save because thats the one thing i dont like about my tab on my desktop right now is i feel sorta disconnected from my work. Its also why i was looking at the note as a sketchbook/media device so it looks like im making a good decision skipping the laptop for now. I really like using Sketchbook Mobile on my GNex so i will only like Sketchbook Pro better on my Note im sure
ty guys for helping me decide, and for anyone else trying to decide we can point them here cause you guys gave some good advice
ps awesome gallery I'm just getting back into art after 5 years of not doing it so im a bit rusty and workin on improving my skills
http://joshscranton.deviantart.com/
now in layer paint is it just me or does it not support multiply layers? :3
ECOTOX said:
i was considering won 8 pro tabs but looking at the price and the fact that i tend to work in alot of layers the atom processors would take a dumper in my case. I usually work in large dpi/res images with many layers which my desktop is perfect for. I'm wanting something with protability and the power to do alot of the desktop stuff but i suppose ill have to make a bit of sacrifice which is ok, the note will be a good way to start my images with sketches and such and i can do the painting and effects on my desktop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess it kind of depends on how much you're willing to spend. The more you would want to do on the go, the more you'll have to spend. The Note 10.1 will not exactly handle more than an Atom-based x86 Win8 tablet either. The difference is that because you're running Android, you're not gonna have apps that will overload the processor (aka you can't shoot yourself in the foot). But, one of the major benefits of having Win8 is being able to run desktop class software. It may not be able to handle Photoshop, but it can probably handle the likes of Sketchbook Pro, Artrage, and Paint Tool Sai.. and the desktop versions of these apps will probably be more powerful than their mobile counterpart (not sure if Sai has a tablet version out there).
That being said, I have the Note and an i3 Lenovo laptop w/ an Intuos/22" monitor.. and between these two I'm perfectly satisfied. If you add the multiwindow mod (multiwindow for any app) for the Note, then you'll almost have a desktop like experience on the go.
I think it was already mentioned, but the main advantage of the Note over the Laptop+WacomTablet is the portability. Since it sounds like you're going to use your desktop for more careful work anyway, you probably will get more out of the Note's portability. By the way, how is TVPaint in terms of its usage, relative to desktop class software?
jedah said:
I guess it kind of depends on how much you're willing to spend. The more you would want to do on the go, the more you'll have to spend. The Note 10.1 will not exactly handle more than an Atom-based x86 Win8 tablet either. The difference is that because you're running Android, you're not gonna have apps that will overload the processor (aka you can't shoot yourself in the foot). But, one of the major benefits of having Win8 is being able to run desktop class software. It may not be able to handle Photoshop, but it can probably handle the likes of Sketchbook Pro, Artrage, and Paint Tool Sai.. and the desktop versions of these apps will probably be more powerful than their mobile counterpart (not sure if Sai has a tablet version out there).
That being said, I have the Note and an i3 Lenovo laptop w/ an Intuos/22" monitor.. and between these two I'm perfectly satisfied. If you add the multiwindow mod (multiwindow for any app) for the Note, then you'll almost have a desktop like experience on the go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, my budget is about 500$, so 1000$+ win8 tabs with decent processors won't be an option. Ik the note won't handle more, its just like you pointed out that android apps are lighter. I've use Sketchbook mobile and its for the most part the same as the desktop version. I think from the comments here I'm not gonna regret getting the note c:
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
ECOTOX said:
i wish i had $ for a 20" cintiq T^T ill have to save because thats the one thing i dont like about my tab on my desktop right now is i feel sorta disconnected from my work.
ps awesome gallery I'm just getting back into art after 5 years of not doing it so im a bit rusty and workin on improving my skills
http://joshscranton.deviantart.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember seeing your colours on the paint/sketch thread here, nice work!
anyway, the cintiq I bought secondhand off ebay and it was probably the best working investment ever though the $$$ did hurt somewhat. it was 1200 used, ended up 1600 ish with shipping/tax. would have been cheaper if I didn't live in Canada you can get pretty good deals if you don't mind shopping around on ebay/craigs etc.it speeds up my workflow at least 30%.
I also see people raving about the yiynova now which is 500 bucks or something? http://frenden.tumblr.com/post/38693256477/yiynovamsp19u
asdfuogh said:
I think it was already mentioned, but the main advantage of the Note over the Laptop+WacomTablet is the portability. Since it sounds like you're going to use your desktop for more careful work anyway, you probably will get more out of the Note's portability. By the way, how is TVPaint in terms of its usage, relative to desktop class software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's an open beta that you can sign up for, it is actually THE desktop software ported onto android so it's fully functional afaik and very powerful. but god knows how much they will end up pricing it at.
http://www.tvpaint.com/v2/content/article/downloads/openbeta.php
fishgimp said:
I remember seeing your colours on the paint/sketch thread here, nice work!
anyway, the cintiq I bought secondhand off ebay and it was probably the best working investment ever though the $$$ did hurt somewhat. it was 1200 used, ended up 1600 ish with shipping/tax. would have been cheaper if I didn't live in Canada you can get pretty good deals if you don't mind shopping around on ebay/craigs etc.it speeds up my workflow at least 30%.
I also see people raving about the yiynova now which is 500 bucks or something? http://frenden.tumblr.com/post/38693256477/yiynovamsp19u
there's an open beta that you can sign up for, it is actually THE desktop software ported onto android so it's fully functional afaik and very powerful. but god knows how much they will end up pricing it at.
http://www.tvpaint.com/v2/content/article/downloads/openbeta.php
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh cool! I might actually get one of those to use till I can save to get a cintiq c:
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

A nexus 10 can help me?

I owe a nexus 4 and also owe laptop and desktop pc. Is the nexus 10 gonna help me?
First of all I want it since in august I'll start university so it will help for books on pdf, taking notes and since I'll enter to computer sciences I expect to use it for others things that I'll reach on school.
But I don't really know what is having a tablet, maybe I can do it all with a laptop but sometimes I think watching movies, comics, books, gaming and surfing Web is enough + utilities on school for getting it.
Any advice?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Nethojs29 said:
I owe a nexus 4 and also owe laptop and desktop pc. Is the nexus 10 gonna help me?
First of all I want it since in august I'll start university so it will help for books on pdf, taking notes and since I'll enter to computer sciences I expect to use it for others things that I'll reach on school.
But I don't really know what is having a tablet, maybe I can do it all with a laptop but sometimes I think watching movies, comics, books, gaming and surfing Web is enough + utilities on school for getting it.
Any advice?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got a beastly desktop, laptop, and a decent phone. The tablet goes with me to stores and such so I can look things up on the go, or to work (I'm a teacher) so that I can take attendance on it. Its much more mobile than a laptop while providing, with the right apps. most of the functionality.
I would wait to see what the next galaxy note tablet is going to be. You could use a bluetooth keyboard if you'd rather type your notes and use the spen if you need to jot down formulas or charts.
If you have a newer laptop, I wouldn't recommend getting a regular tablet like the nexus 10 if you want it for school.
Me personally, I have a powerful desktop with two monitors for my main bulk of school work at home. I bring a netbook to class for notes (I download the PowerPoint's and convert them to PDF. Using acrobat pro, I can type notes just like if I were writing on the print out). The netbook is a bit old and weak but gets the job done for now.
With something like the galaxy note, you can have everything consolidated on your tablet(PDFs, PowerPoint's,hand written notes, types notes, ebooks ect) all in a compact device. Then use your desktop for more productive things and you could probably sell your laptop.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Nethojs29 said:
I owe a nexus 4 and also owe laptop and desktop pc. Is the nexus 10 gonna help me?
First of all I want it since in august I'll start university so it will help for books on pdf, taking notes and since I'll enter to computer sciences I expect to use it for others things that I'll reach on school.
But I don't really know what is having a tablet, maybe I can do it all with a laptop but sometimes I think watching movies, comics, books, gaming and surfing Web is enough + utilities on school for getting it.
Any advice?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I don't find tablets with (solely) capacitive touch screens to be useful for notetaking. They aren't accurate enough to take down diagrams and formulas much better than pen and paper. In fact, the best solution I've found has been using a LiveScribe pen to import those kinds of information into OneNote. On the other hand, if you've got any professors who are enamored of open-source formats like PDF, tablets are a great way to read on the go, and for that purpose I highly recommend them.
They're also great for most of what you named, but importantly tablets can go into "tighter" places. Your dorm room bed, a couch, or some other random place on campus are good candidates. If you've got a small bag, they're also one of those things you can toss in as a "just in case" if you need to do something your phone is unsuitable for, but don't want to bring your laptop for.
I'd recommend honestly looking into a Windows convertible, or, if you don't like the big M, go for an active-digitizer tablet. That basically means the Note at this point, unless you go hunting for one of Lenovo's offerings.
The Nexus 10 is a great tablet though, so buy with confidence if you feel a tablet is for you.
Nethojs29 said:
I owe a nexus 4 and also owe laptop and desktop pc. Is the nexus 10 gonna help me?
First of all I want it since in august I'll start university so it will help for books on pdf, taking notes and since I'll enter to computer sciences I expect to use it for others things that I'll reach on school.
But I don't really know what is having a tablet, maybe I can do it all with a laptop but sometimes I think watching movies, comics, books, gaming and surfing Web is enough + utilities on school for getting it.
Any advice?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This hits it on the head:
Rirere said:
They're also great for most of what you named, but importantly tablets can go into "tighter" places. Your dorm room bed, a couch, or some other random place on campus are good candidates. If you've got a small bag, they're also one of those things you can toss in as a "just in case" if you need to do something your phone is unsuitable for, but don't want to bring your laptop for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only use my tablet around the house and it's perfect for the living room or the bed, when I don't want to carry my ultrabook with its superfluous keyboard with me. The ultrabook is pretty light, a little less than 3 lbs, but the Nexus 10 is less than half that at 1.33 lbs. I can have a nice big, high-res screen with me at all times, one that isn't as heavy as lugging my ultrabook around.
With a tablet, you too can have a computer at your fingertips at all times! :victory:
That said, I agree with Sher and Rirere that the Nexus 10 may not be the best for writing with a stylus, though I haven't tried it. I'd guess the Note 10 would be better for that, since it has a digitizer built in. I always suggest that you try these devices out in a store before buying. I don't think an Android tablet will help you in computer science classes either, as they probably don't do anything with Android, plus you'll need a stand to keep the tablet up and a bluetooth keyboard to get any serious typing done. All the other content consumption stuff you mentioned is perfect on a tablet though.
The fundamental question is whether you value having a high-res computer with you in more places, because it is more portable than a laptop but with a bigger screen than a smartphone, albeit a computer that isn't that easy to type on unless you get a bluetooth keyboard also.
I have a Nexus 10, a Kindle, a S4 and a good/average laptop, I can tell you that for what you want the Nexus is amazing, if you want to watch a movie on it you'll see how amazing the screen is, surfing the Web is great too, and Android is with some top games, so you can enjoy it easily. If you most want to read comics and books I'd recommend you a Kindle (not the tablet), which is really the best option. Nexus 4 is already a good cellphone, but there are things that after you get hands on a tablet you see how easily they can be.
About school now. Formulas and such has no better companion than pen and paper, I already played a little with a Note 10 on a store, and it's great to handwrite, but I still think that for my math counts using a paper is the best option. However about the computer classes you can use it! Search on amazon for a case with keyboard and there is one which I really like (and have), which is so good that I typed my fanfictions on it, also I used to learn java on my Xoom with an app called "Droid Edit", which is a text editor with syntax highlight, then I installed Terminal IDE and had compiler and everything ready to learn. Guess what? It worked finely !"
And at least, you can install Linux distros on it, so you can get some more things to be done! And also it works greatly .
Hope it helps
~Lord
"This Story Ends Where It Began" - Octavarium (Dream Theater)
Sent from my GT-I9505
Here's another long response:
I would try and wait till the end of summer to make your decision. Toshiba has just announced three tablets - one lower end tablet, a 2560x1600 Tegra 4 tablet and another identical one, but with a wacom digitizer. Asus has a new 2560x1600 Infinity Transformer also with a Tegra 4. HP has there x2 android tablet coming out which didn't look too bad. Most of these are due for release in Q3 of this year. And on top of it, Samsung is holding a "Galaxy and Ativ" event on the 20th. Ativ will be a Windows device and Galaxy is an android device. Besides the Galaxy camera 2, no one really knows what to expect. Hopefully a new note tablet with better resolution, cause the current resolution is a deal breaker for a lot of people.
The Nexus ten is now a good 7 months old, although will probably be better priced than all of the above. The Tegra 4 could be great, but also could be terrible. I enjoyed my Nexus 10 when I had it earlier this year, but I think there are much better options for a school tablet coming out.
Also, I believe Intel is releasing there updated Atom processor (what Netbooks and lower range windows tabs use) towards the end of the year and is supposed to have greatly improved graphics, power, and battery life. Some of the current lower end Windows tablets run full windows 8 (like the Ativ 500T and also has a wacom digitizer for about $550) and they aren't terrible, though can be a bit sluggish. There battery life is also comparable to an android tablet.
Lastly, for school, a windows tablet may be a better choice since you won't have any compatibility issues like with android browsers. If your teacher uses online problems, demos, or chat rooms, you could run into issues running these things. I'm leaning slightly more towards Windows at the moment just for those reasons, but it all depends on how these products compare. If the android tablet is much smoother and has better battery life for 2/3 of the price, I'll just wait to get home to do something not compatible.
I've been in the same boat looking for something for school and my netbook is holding me off till the new products are released. I would recommend doing the same with your laptop, unless you can't afford more than the $400 for the Nexus 10.
Sher The Love said:
Here's another long response:
I would try and wait till the end of summer to make your decision. Toshiba has just announced three tablets - one lower end tablet, a 2560x1600 Tegra 4 tablet and another identical one, but with a wacom digitizer. Asus has a new 2560x1600 Infinity Transformer also with a Tegra 4. HP has there x2 android tablet coming out which didn't look too bad. Most of these are due for release in Q3 of this year. And on top of it, Samsung is holding a "Galaxy and Ativ" event on the 20th. Ativ will be a Windows device and Galaxy is an android device. Besides the Galaxy camera 2, no one really knows what to expect. Hopefully a new note tablet with better resolution, cause the current resolution is a deal breaker for a lot of people.
The Nexus ten is now a good 7 months old, although will probably be better priced than all of the above. The Tegra 4 could be great, but also could be terrible. I enjoyed my Nexus 10 when I had it earlier this year, but I think there are much better options for a school tablet coming out.
Also, I believe Intel is releasing there updated Atom processor (what Netbooks and lower range windows tabs use) towards the end of the year and is supposed to have greatly improved graphics, power, and battery life. Some of the current lower end Windows tablets run full windows 8 (like the Ativ 500T and also has a wacom digitizer for about $550) and they aren't terrible, though can be a bit sluggish. There battery life is also comparable to an android tablet.
Lastly, for school, a windows tablet may be a better choice since you won't have any compatibility issues like with android browsers. If your teacher uses online problems, demos, or chat rooms, you could run into issues running these things. I'm leaning slightly more towards Windows at the moment just for those reasons, but it all depends on how these products compare. If the android tablet is much smoother and has better battery life for 2/3 of the price, I'll just wait to get home to do something not compatible.
I've been in the same boat looking for something for school and my netbook is holding me off till the new products are released. I would recommend doing the same with your laptop, unless you can't afford more than the $400 for the Nexus 10.
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I honestl yplan to hold on to the N10 until December 2014 and THEN upgrade, since I dropped the $500 on the 32GB model.
dibblebill said:
I honestl yplan to hold on to the N10 until December 2014 and THEN upgrade, since I dropped the $500 on the 32GB model.
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How does the Nexus 10 compare to a Nook HD+?
dalcowboys1993 said:
How does the Nexus 10 compare to a Nook HD+?
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Way above it in every way, so far as I know, as well as more expensive.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app
dibblebill said:
Way above it in every way, so far as I know, as well as more expensive.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind hacking it up though, the Nook HD+ looks like a fun little investment to slap somewhere (like a wall or something as a control panel). It may not make the best tablet but the hardware is good.
+1 for the people recommending paper/pencil. I can't do formulas another way. OP however might want to look into the LiveScribe Sky and a tablet (or use their PC); I believe I saw an ad somewhere showing off live, instant syncing from paper to tablet, which I'll have to look into myself (got a LiveScribe Echo as a work bonus, so I'm sticking with that for the moment).
It's not just a question of having an active digitizer; while the Note pen will wow in stores, writing with a stylus for any duration of time can quickly become, well, annoying. Glass just doesn't have the same tactile feel that a good pen on paper will, you'll get the "clicking" sounds from contact, and you could generally be doing something a lot more useful with your electronic device (like typing bullet points) than scrawling into it with a digitizer.
Unless, of course, by tablet, we're talking about a Wacom drawing pad.
Rirere said:
If you don't mind hacking it up though, the Nook HD+ looks like a fun little investment to slap somewhere (like a wall or something as a control panel). It may not make the best tablet but the hardware is good.
+1 for the people recommending paper/pencil. I can't do formulas another way. OP however might want to look into the LiveScribe Sky and a tablet (or use their PC); I believe I saw an ad somewhere showing off live, instant syncing from paper to tablet, which I'll have to look into myself (got a LiveScribe Echo as a work bonus, so I'm sticking with that for the moment).
It's not just a question of having an active digitizer; while the Note pen will wow in stores, writing with a stylus for any duration of time can quickly become, well, annoying. Glass just doesn't have the same tactile feel that a good pen on paper will, you'll get the "clicking" sounds from contact, and you could generally be doing something a lot more useful with your electronic device (like typing bullet points) than scrawling into it with a digitizer.
Unless, of course, by tablet, we're talking about a Wacom drawing pad.
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Everyone will of course have their preferences, so I'm not trying to argue right or wrong. However, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ATo3ohdwok has certainly influenced me to getting something with a wacom digitizer. She has some other videos showing note taking as well. I hate having a lot of printouts with notes on them. I also don't like typing notes on a computer but then having to draw out charts and math examples on a separate piece of paper. I'd rather have a device I can carry around almost anywhere with great battery life where everything in consolidated. It's also possible to sync to dropbox so you can get the notes on your phone(in PDF, not SNOTE format). Imagine staying on campus for whatever reason and wanting to do work for a class that you didn't bring your notes or text for. You could have everything in your Note tablet to include general handwritten notes.
Also, the note tablet comes with two different tips. One plastic that will feel like super smooth writing on glass and one rubber that has some drag to it that doesn't make "clicking" noises. I would prefer real pen and paper as well mostly because its what I'm used to, but I really like the idea of consolidating everything into one device backed up to the cloud that I can get anywhere. I'm currently doing it with powerpoint notes in dropbox and typed notes in Evernote, but unless I scan or take pictures, I can't get anything I hand write somewhere else.
Edit: I just looked up the Livescribe pen. That is pretty neat. I feel like I'd lose it though. I will continue looking into that as another option.

Is the Note Pro 12.2 for Me?

I'm in the market for a tablet (or possibly a Chromebook). I'm an editor of a website and need to be able to use it to work on my Wordpress site effectively so strong browser support and keyboard input is crucial.
I like the idea of an Android tablet as I own a Galaxy S4 and have a large collection of Android apps already. Thus, it would also start out with a nice collection of apps.
I'm a bit unclear as to the differences between the Tab Pro 12.2 and the Note Pro 12.2. They seem very alike except for the stylus. Clearly I'm missing something as that's not much to account for the price difference.
I have an iPad 2 and it's nice but I can't really work on it at all. It's too small to enjoy movies on and, sorry, it's Apple so it's too limited.
I'm also wondering about keyboards. If I got this way, should I get the Samsung keyboard, Logitech keyboard or some other keyboard? I'd like to find a very responsive keyboard. It would be an additional boon if it were also pretty quiet. My GF gets disturbed by late night typing on my desktop gaming keyboard.
I'm older so larger is better for my eyes. I'm at a point where I often pretty much need reading glasses for my S4 now.
For ages I was thinking I wanted a Transformer of some design but Asus seems to have fallen behind. Samsung seems to give me lots of potential breathing room.
Any input greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I'm pretty sure the Note Pro and Tab Pro are identical except for the S-Pen and wacom digitizer that powers it. Absolutely if you don't need pen input for notes or drawing then get the Tab.
You can use just about any Bluetooth keyboard with the Pro 12.2. I've had no trouble with several Logitech and Microsoft BT keyboards. I haven't used any of the made-for Note 12.2 keyboards.
My personal fave keyboard is the Logitech K810. It feels excellent for typing, has backlit keys and can instantly switch between 3 different devices.Its very quiet too- keys feel really nice.
Honestly though, if you really want the best laptop style experience, personally I'd opt for a decent lightweight x86 laptop vs a tablet. I'm not crazy about chromebooks though. I'd personally take the Note 12.2 over a chromebook any day, but that's just me.
Thanks. I keep thinking about a laptop but wonder about battery life, weight and the lack of instant-on, etc. I have my desktop always on so x86 isn't a problem. I saw the Tab Pro 12.2 at Best Buy today (they didn't have the Note Pro 12.2) and the size was fine.
However, on your keyboard issue. My concern is that I would like it to be connected so that it can act as a solid laptop replacement. It sounds like you use yours, say, around the house? Not sure how comfortable I'd be transporting two devices like that.
Years ago I'd loathe the thought of converting to Mac but I gotta tell ya, the retina macbook pros are pretty sweet in regards to battery life and instant on . . .
Agree with Zaptoons. Mobile platforms are always a compromise. I have to wonder if you'll be able to do the Wordpress work on Android, though I do see that there are apps for it.
muzzy996 said:
Years ago I'd loathe the thought of converting to Mac but I gotta tell ya, the retina macbook pros are pretty sweet in regards to battery life and instant on . . .
Agree with Zaptoons. Mobile platforms are always a compromise. I have to wonder if you'll be able to do the Wordpress work on Android, though I do see that there are apps for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the Mac, that might be a bit out of the price range for this purchase. I also really despise Apple on too many fronts. I recommend them highly and readily -- just not for me so far, but I will continue to refresh the thinking.
On Wordpress work, it really comes down to the capability of the browser. As long as it supports a solid browser experience, I should be okay. I hit Best Buy today to see if the 12.2 would be "too big" and it wasn't. I loaded the browser and it seemed to be solid. I just wasn't comfortable logging into Wordpress though. No idea about stored accounts, etc.
I hear you on the mac.
Definition of solid performance is subjective, you realize that right?
Let's put it this way; unless there's a tablet specific application to do what you need to on wordpress then nothing other than screen size is going to differ between the Note Pro and your s4. The browsers are going to be about the same.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Leading up to the launch of the Note Pro 12.2 I was eager to get one. Then I stopped by Best Buy and, on a whim, picked up the Acer C720P Chromebook. For a third the cost it doesn't have as big, high resolution or bright of a screen as the Note Pro but it has served me well for everything I need in a mobile device. I even stopped using my Note 10.1 OG. Notice I said mobile device. The Acer has typically given me a solid 7 hours of batter life which is amazing.
Having said that...if you are worried about needing reading glasses and want more screen real estate, the Note Pro might be your path. Though, with a higher resolution type is smaller at normal zoom. You can simply zoom in for bigger text.
If WordPress is your thing, the Chromebook will handle that with no issues. It is a browser afterall.
I'm still contemplating the Note Pro but it is not at the top of my wish list since I purchased the Chromebook. At first it was weird to get used to but it is second nature now and the added offline support for most of the Google apps has sealed the deal for me.
Just my two cents.
Again, great info from all. My thoughts:
1. I haven't had good luck with Android Wordpress apps. To me, they're all a kludge. However, that doesn't mean you can't be productive with Wordpress on Android. The limitation on my S4 is real estate. The browser seems to work fine but I can't be effective with the size of the screen or the keyboard. I suspect a larger screen would work. In part I was hoping I'd get lucky and find another Wordpress user who happened to have luck (or no luck) on this device or a similar one.
2. I have a bit of a klunky Chromebook. A while back I installed Chrome on a eePC -- an entry level Asus T100 or something like that. It's a horrible piece of HARDWARE. I have zero issues with the OS itself and it feels very natural to me. However, I have this haunting feeling that Chrome itself is becoming a dinosaur. As Android continues to prosper, it's dwarfing Chrome to such a point that, I suspect, Android will evolve into being an OS we can use on any device. Maybe I'm missing something entirely about its potential, but that's my thinking. There isn't much going on in the development world for it compared to Android where there's exponentially more options.
Right now, having seen it, I'm concerned about ease of keyboard use (physical). Given the top-heavy design of the tablet having most of the weight, using it on my lap looks pretty impossible. The right keyboard seems an issue too. Samsung's has those raised edges that, I suspect my wrists will want to sit on (ouch). Logitech's keyboard sounds great except for the fact that most of the reviews of it contain horror stories of the Note Pro falling out of its clasps. The other options are all poorly reviewed.
Asus has the combo Android/Windows device but its not all that impressive. Heck, I'd rather it was an Android/Chrome device. hehe
It also appears as if the hybrid options from Asus are cancelled due to pressure from both Google and Microsoft. hehe Neither their Duet or Trio looked all that impressive (lousy battery life, Android 4.2, low resolution, average screens).
Update please
Agrajag27 said:
I'm in the market for a tablet (or possibly a Chromebook). I'm an editor of a website and need to be able to use it to work on my Wordpress site effectively so strong browser support and keyboard input is crucial.
I like the idea of an Android tablet as I own a Galaxy S4 and have a large collection of Android apps already. Thus, it would also start out with a nice collection of apps.
I'm a bit unclear as to the differences between the Tab Pro 12.2 and the Note Pro 12.2. They seem very alike except for the stylus. Clearly I'm missing something as that's not much to account for the price difference.
I have an iPad 2 and it's nice but I can't really work on it at all. It's too small to enjoy movies on and, sorry, it's Apple so it's too limited.
I'm also wondering about keyboards. If I got this way, should I get the Samsung keyboard, Logitech keyboard or some other keyboard? I'd like to find a very responsive keyboard. It would be an additional boon if it were also pretty quiet. My GF gets disturbed by late night typing on my desktop gaming keyboard.
I'm older so larger is better for my eyes. I'm at a point where I often pretty much need reading glasses for my S4 now.
For ages I was thinking I wanted a Transformer of some design but Asus seems to have fallen behind. Samsung seems to give me lots of potential breathing room.
Any input greatly appreciated.
Which way did u decide to go? I'd love to know your thoughts!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only difference is the stylus really. If you plan to be taking this to meetings or digitize any part of your handwriting, then the NOTE pro is the device to get, as the TAB pro has no stylus and thus does not specialize itself in taking handwritten notes. I got the wifi version, im satisfied, although probably the LTE snapdragon version may be slightly snappier. If samsung decides to offer some decent customer support in terms of software then overall this will be a good buy. Other than thati find battery life great. I havent used keyboards yet, however if you plan to be using this at a desk u will find the extra screen size v v useful vs the 10 inches. If u plan to be holding it in bed a lot, it could get some time to get used to,but i did. Multi window is v useful in making the experience more windows like and enhances productivity. Browser support is good but not quite the pc levels yet.
You could not investigate surface pro 3 vs this one.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
nesx87 said:
The only difference is the stylus really. If you plan to be taking this to meetings or digitize any part of your handwriting, then the pro is the device to get.
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They both are called Pro. You meant to say Note Pro if using S pen for note taking. I think there is also difference in RAM, Note Pro has 3Gb, Tab Pro has 2.
ddavtian said:
They both are called Pro. You meant to say Note Pro if using S pen for note taking. I think there is also difference in RAM, Note Pro has 3Gb, Tab Pro has 2.
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Edited and clarified. Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Girl527 said:
I'm also wondering about keyboards. If I got this way, should I get the Samsung keyboard, Logitech keyboard or some other keyboard? I'd like to find a very responsive keyboard. It would be an additional boon if it were also pretty quiet. My GF gets disturbed by late night typing on my desktop gaming keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went with the Note Pro 12.2. I'm very glad I did. Here are same random observations:
1. It's not quite as "polished" as an iPad but it is more flexible in use. I'll take that any day.
2. The size is excellent. Very good for watching a film at the airport, etc.
3. Google seems to be the worst thing about the device. Limitations I find all lead to them at the end. For example, Chrome (the browser) is a cheap imitation of its cousins on PC and Chromebooks. It doesn't do spell checking well, it has odd bugs like opening tabs by using the keyboard. Hit CTRL-T and you'll have to sometimes do it twice to get a new tab and then you get two. Google also doesn't give devs a way to re-assign mouse buttons should you use a bluetooth mouse for a bit of laptop-replacement work. That gets a bit strange as the right mouse button doesn't bring up options (like you get when you hold a screen link or item on the touchscreen) but instead acts like the back button on the device. Doh.
4. The keyboards are all a mixed bag. The Zagg is okay but has annoying raised corners than your hands sit on when typing and its also a bit cheap feeling and not very responsive. The Samsung keyboard isn't really a case. It's more like a snap-on cover that's entirely unconnected when used as a keyboard It just lets the tablet sit at an angle in it which makes it tough to use in bed, for example. It also has the same terrible raised corners. The Logitech is the best of the lot. Quiet, well laid-out and robust. However, it too has its own had-banging issues. You can't reassign its macro keys so if you use a different mail app, tough. Hitting the Mail button will bring up Gmail. The Browser button has an annoying bug that forces you to ALWAYS select which browser you'd like to use no matter how many times you "set the default browser". It also lacks the keyboard app Logitech provides for ALL their other similar keyboards including one made for the Tab 10.1. Go figure. Their own support reps don't even understand this.
Regardless, I'm an old quality assurance professional so I can be very opinionated and a perfectionist so this is a very short list of gripes from me. I still wouldn't own anything else given what I've tried and seen. Very happy customer so far. Having access to all my Android apps is great. I just wish Google would look at Android as a complete OS and stop limiting it to just a hand-held-type OS. Give it a FULL version of Chrome. In fact, just dump the fairly useless Chromium OS and put your efforts into this.
Great info!
Agrajag27 said:
I went with the Note Pro 12.2. I'm very glad I did. Here are same random observations:
1. It's not quite as "polished" as an iPad but it is more flexible in use. I'll take that any day.
2. The size is excellent. Very good for watching a film at the airport, etc.
3. Google seems to be the worst thing about the device. Limitation I find all find them at the end. For example, Chrome (the browser) is a cheap imitation of its cousins on nearly the PC and Chrome books. It doesn't do spell checking well, it has odd bugs like opening tabs by using the keyboard. Hit CTRL-T and you'll have to sometimes do it twice to get a new tab and then you get two. Google also doesn't give devs a way to re-assign mouse buttons should you use a bluetooth mouse for a bit of laptop-replacement work. That gets a bit strange as the right mouse button doesn't bring up options (like you get when you hold a screen link or item on the touchscreen) but instead acts like the back button on the device. Doh.
4. The keyboards are all a mixed bag. The Zagg is okay but has annoying raised corners than your hands sit on when typing and its also a bit cheap feeling and not very responsive. The Samsung keyboard isn't really a case. It's more like a snap-on cover that's entirely unconnected when used as a keyboard It just lets the tablet sit at an angle in it which makes it tough to use in bed, for example. It also has the same terrible raised corners. The Logitech is the best of the lot. Quiet, well laid-out and robust. However, it too has its own had-banging issues. You can't reassign its macro keys so if you use a different mail app, tough. Hitting the Mail button will bring up Gmail. The Browser button has an annoying bug that forces you to ALWAYS select which browser you'd like to use no matter how many times you "set the default browser". It also lacks the keyboard app Logitech provides for ALL their other similar keyboards including one made for the Tab 10.1. Go figure. Their own support reps don't even understand this.
Regardless, I'm an old quality assurance professional so I can be very opinionated and a perfectionist so this is a very short list of gripes from me. I still wouldn't own anything else given what I've tried and see. Very happy customer so far. Having access to all my Android apps is great. I just wish Google would look at Android as a complete OS and stop limiting it to just a hand-held-type OS. Give it a FULL version of Chrome. In fact, just dump the fairly useless Chromium OS and put your efforts into this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome information! Thanks for taking the time to share your impressions. I'm having a difficult time pulling the trigger on this purchase (why??) and your opinion helps a bunch! Thanks again!

Will you be upgrading to the new Note Tablet (Chromebook)?

Hello Note Pro users! Around February 13th, Samsung will launch a new Chromebook that appears to be the successor to our now THREE YEAR OLD TABLET!.
Some of the noteable specs that I found worthwhile.
Amoled qHD Display 3:2 Ratio
2 Type C ports.
ARM OP1 Processor,
360 degree foldlable hinge.
AFAIK, One of the first few chromebooks to allegedly support the google play store!
And of course, the MOST important thing : An s pen.
These specs are hard to find in any laptop under 500$, none of which come with a stylus with palm rejection throughout the entire OS.
You can find more information here
Personally, while the battery life on my note pro 12.2 is the best across any device I have ever used (13 hours of SOT/3 Days without charge), performance has become horrible. I can't have more than 3 apps open simultaneously, opening each of those apps takes ages compared to my OnePlus3, and the screen flickers while the cpu is under high load.
I pre-ordered my chromebook through best buy, 488$ out the door, will you be purchasing the new version? Or will you be sticking with the note pro?
Looks OK. The internal memory is listed at 32GB while my Note Pro 12.2 tablet has 64GB. I still want a tablet that looks like this cromebook and costs like this one but does MS stuff without a hiccup. I have so many work related things that only work on a PC and not doable on this tablet. Maybe someday?
treetopsranch said:
Looks OK. The internal memory is listed at 32GB while my Note Pro 12.2 tablet has 64GB. I still want a tablet that looks like this cromebook and costs like this one but does MS stuff without a hiccup. I have so many work related things that only work on a PC and not doable on this tablet. Maybe someday?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing that upset me as well..
32GB internal, probably only 23 will be made available to end user.
Not sure about the 3:2 ratio, I like 16:9 especially for taking notes and watching media..
I think this chromebook might perform pretty well with MS/Google apps. I haven't seen a fast chromebook yet, but I hope 2017 will change that.
when I get mine I'll definitely add some comments here.
It looks nice. I've never tried a Chromebook before. It would be better if it had 64gb or more and it came in black.
I had an Acer Chromebook with the Google Play store. No touchscreen but I got it to see how using Android apps would be. It was ok. Maybe it was my specific iteration (I was using the Beta channel) but it seemed like the Android apps were sandboxed. This meant I couldn't use something like, say, Fake GPS to mock location so that I can play Pokemon Go.
If you are thinking of getting the new Samsung Chromebooks, just know that the Android experience isn't as integrated as you'd think.
No, I am not going to make this change. I have a small 4 year old laptop with an SSD that works just fine when I need a full keyboard device, and for day to day work I just use my 12 inch IPAD pro... I use my Android 12.2 now for the cases where I need to use an android application that needs to use a MicroUSB port... such as my thermal scanner or my SDRs... I had the a note 7, which I miss dearly, and the USB C interface was just not compliant with the hardware devices I mentioned before...
MrWilsonxD said:
3:2 Ratio
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Click to collapse
Absolutely bloody not.
Three reasons:
1) I use this thing for films and series 99% of the time. (I'm not bringing a 40" flatscreen on a train.) Have you tried a 16:9(default size) or 21:9(cinema release) film in a 3:2 window? Go on, try it. Let me know how much you like the big black bars on the top and bottom of your screen.
2) 80% of the world uses the A paper sizes. Not the square B sizes. A-paper is an almost exact match to 16:9. In 3:2 you have to scroll half the page.
3) All websites are designed in 16:9. NOT in 3:2. Half the website will be clipped off.
If I want something that only displays half my screen, I'll could just paste ductape onto my NotePro. Same result, hell of a lot cheaper.
Samsung is trying to be Apple again. Tsk, they still haven't learned.
ShadowLea said:
Absolutely bloody not.
Three reasons:
1) I use this thing for films and series 99% of the time. (I'm not bringing a 40" flatscreen on a train.) Have you tried a 16:9(default size) or 21:9(cinema release) film in a 3:2 window? Go on, try it. Let me know how much you like the big black bars on the top and bottom of your screen.
2) 80% of the world uses the A paper sizes. Not the square B sizes. A-paper is an almost exact match to 16:9. In 3:2 you have to scroll half the page.
3) All websites are designed in 16:9. NOT in 3:2. Half the website will be clipped off.
If I want something that only displays half my screen, I'll could just paste ductape onto my NotePro. Same result, hell of a lot cheaper.
Samsung is trying to be Apple again. Tsk, they still haven't learned.
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I see! You bring up some good points! I have, I had a Samsung 9.7 with the 4 3 ratio, and I loved the in hand feel of it. especially when I was taking notes in class. Squid has infinity zoom, so the aspect ratios for note taking don't bother me. ? (I returned the tablet because I think it had 720P resolution, that screen was awful!! I could see pixelation in pen strokes in s note!)
Movies, I'll have to get back to you on that one! I'm looking forward to seeing things on a larger oled display! I LOVE the size of our screen, but I'm not fond of the ips in this screen.
I thought most websites would simply reflow? They do this with most mobile browsers don't they?
Thanks for your response, it brought good points to light. ☺
No thanks. Look goods, but not worth the money. I think I'll stick with my Note Pro 12.2. Plus, if you try to get MS Office on that, chances are, it'll ask you for a email that has a Office365 subscriptions for it in order to use it.
Due to Samsung's abandonment of the still very capable Note 12.2 tablet they can go screw themselves, so no, I will not be buying the chrome book.
I'll take a look at it when it comes out. Right now I'm very satisfied with my Note Pro running Nougat. That operating system has improved the performance 2 fold. I do like new and shiny things, but this one will have to stand up to my Note Pro.
Chrome is one of those "Hmm... interesting.... but why?" things. Still... Hmm... Interesting.
Here's why I probably won't switch.
First, I *really* like the Note Pro 12.2. I bought mine for under 300 bucks used, and it has served me on a nearly daily basis as email reader / web reader / ebook reader (1000s of title on a handy 128g ext microsd card). Beautiful resolution. Touch screen. And Android.... which despite a few drawbacks, is also endlessly intriguing (yes I rooted my Note 12.2 and run Nougat currently). Did I mention how much I like being able to back the entire thing up in just a few minutes to my ext micro using TWRP? And battery life... even after all this time using it... is great!
Second, I'd have to find a reason to switch. And as one other commenter noted, Samsung's total abandonment of this tablet doesn't lead me to quickly invest in another tablet they make.... because won't they abandon the new one, too, if they don't like sales? If Samsung pledged to update their devices for a longer period of time, it would be more likely I'd (eventually) make the move. Instead, I'd be most likely to save up and buy a Pixel.
Third.... oh, I guess I mentioned that I really *really* like my Note Pro 12.2....
Are you kidding me? A chrome book? To replace the note pro 12.2? Are you kidding me? Did the world suddenly go insane? Did Samsung lose its mind after the last tablet that went with windows 10? And from that debacle, ...they went to chrome? I guess the cleaning dude is running that department now.
Jesus Samsung, you have truly lost your way.
NO:
I want a true tablet!
If i need that form-factor with touch and keyboard, I get a 13 inch Dell XPS ultrabook (i currently own the 15 inch XPS)
I either want a true mobile OS like Android, OR a desktop OS like windows/osx/*nix
I hate ChromeOS. and other power user hate it too, especially the modding scene
Android Apps integration is sandboxed, so forget using for example a Mock-Location android app for the whole device
4:3, are we going back in time? This is primarily a work and note-taking app: I want A4 styled sheets, and I will read Books and PDFs in A4 / A5 / A6 style to annotate them with the S-Pen, this is bull**** on 4:3 and only makes sense on 16:9 or more
The stylus doesn't come with the button on the side. Many functions lost!
Split-Screen (youtube teaching video + note taking app) is bull**** on 4:3
I received my chromebook plus Tuesday, and my goodness, it is fantastic! I like it more than the note pro in every aspect except battery life.
So here's why.
Pros:
The Display and the build quality are excellent! I really disliked watching videos on my note pro because the blacks were so washed out, while the CBP does not have as good a screen as an amoled panel on a phone, it's still much better than the note pro.
This feels like a truly premium device. The hinges are extremely sturdy, and are not easily moved by accident. The screen has a great range, bright enough that I can see it under direct sunlight and dim enough so I can read my notes from class at night without burning out my eyeballs.
Android apps are integrated very well! You can even install apks onto the chromebook Out of all the apps I use, Mobizen screen recorder was the only one that does not work. But given that the whole chromebooks having android apps is a new concept, I'm not surprised by this, I expect it will be compatible sometime in the near future. Meanwhile, I use another screen recording app.
The speakers are actually better than the note pro, which shocked me. The CBP speakers are rear facing, but still, they sound better.
The 4:3 factor? I like it, there is more room on the screen without increasing the size of the device by a large margin. The difference in the total size is hardly noticeable, but the amount of that screen that is dedicated to display is awesome. As far as signing documents are concerned, the width of documents fit the screen regardless if I am using my note pro 12.2 or CBP, but with both devices I have to scroll down to get the entirety of the document on the screen. (Assuming you are on portrait. I almost always use my tablets in landscape.)
The speed of it leaves my Note Pro in the dust. Even when my note pro is overclocked. But not only is it faster, but the CBP is also smoother and far more responsive.
I definitely consider myself a power user when it comes to phones and tablets, up until meeting the latest version of chrome os. I became a power user because I was constantly using devices that I needed or wanted to: remove bloat that carriers/manufacturers installed against my permission, squeeze out more battery life (Via xposed, root, kernels, roms etc,) and to increase system stability. But with the cbp, it's just so simple. I just don't feel the need to do any of the power use activities on it. There's no bloat that you can't uninstall [AFAIK] and performance is fantastic. It's kind of refreshing to take something out the box, use it for a few days, and be satisfied in feeling "I don't need to put cyanogenmod on this device." or "OMG. I NEEDS XPOSED RIGHT NOW!!!" Now, those feelings are dedicated to my phones. Unlike all my Samsung/ZTE/UMI/OnePlus/Nexus devices that I have owned.
The 360 degree gives you way more options of using your device than any of the cases I have tried for the note pro 12.2. It's really nice when tutoring others.
Scrolling is soooper smooth, smooth as my oneplus 3. Smoother than my i7 low end gaming laptop! >__<
Battery life is confusing. With my note pro, I would get HUGE gains when I kept my device off wi-fi all the time, only using it for tutoring others at work in math and taking notes in my math classes. The CBP almost seems invariant in battery life if I am wi-fi or off it the majority of the day. Might be because it's brand new + different operating system, only time will tell, but I'm content to get a full day of use out of a device like this before a recharge. (Especially since I can charge my phone and tablet/laptop hybrid offspring with the same charger again. )
Cons: I'm scared to death to break/drop this thing xD I believe it would survive a fall better than my note pro would, but something about the CBP just makes me afraid to drop it. I've dropped my note pro once in the year and a half of owning it, so knock on wood.
I'm worried about scuffs to the bottom of device (the keyboard) because the keyboard is essentially a stand when it's flipped into quasi-tablet mode, I think over time I might pick up a few scrapes on it. It's lipped so the keys never touch the surface you've set it on, but like I said earlier, only time will tell. (Not particularly hopeful on that)
Button doesn't work. I'm using my full size s pen with eraser (from like 2012) and I can click this thing all I want but nothing happens. Luckily, squid lets you use your finger as a tool also, so I didn't lose much functionality as far as taking notes.
Overall thoughts: For the price and experience, I would definitely suggest giving this thing a look. Our tablet cost almost twice as much at release, was a version behind in android at that, and stopped receiving updates, what, a year later? I've read chromebooks have huge support windows, five years Not even nexus devices get supported that long. Given it's a different operating system, a direct comparison cannot be made, but it's still definitely something worth taking note. The fact that I can be writing notes in math in tablet mode, flip it to type an essay, and set it upside down to watch netflix movies is fantastic.
Any other thoughts I have I will add over time, but a lot of note pro owners have upgraded to this device and have posted some rave reviews on amazon, best buy, and in the chromebook forums. I would definitely giving this device a shot!
globalsearch said:
Are you kidding me? A chrome book? To replace the note pro 12.2? Are you kidding me? Did the world suddenly go insane? Did Samsung lose its mind after the last tablet that went with windows 10? And from that debacle, ...they went to chrome? I guess the cleaning dude is running that department now.
Jesus Samsung, you have truly lost your way.
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I think you should look at some of the reviews of it! A lot of people like it. And google handles the updates from what I understand, I would love more devices with samsung hardware and google software. An s7 edge or note 7 with stock android on it [and oneplus dash charge]? Take my money!!!!
I read they are also coming out with an s3 with an s pen in a 9.7screen, that's likely going to cost north of 800 dollars. If you like touchwiz and have the money to spend on a device I would recommend taking a look at that!
Can you use s-note on the CBP? I have a lot of work notes and I have found I only really enjoy using s-note because of the templates and convert to text function. I don't really like keep at all.
I picked up my Note PRO on release day and I've loved it dearly. It's starting to show its age, now, and I'm looking for an upgrade. The problem is...There hasn't been anything release in the past three years that is BETTER! This chromebook intrigues me, but I agree with other commenters that I just want a tablet.
Probably not unless my phone breaks.
Things I hate:
1. The resolution is worse
2. The aspect ratio is bad for media
3. Doesn't have built-in LTE/GPS
globalsearch said:
Are you kidding me? A chrome book? To replace the note pro 12.2? Are you kidding me? Did the world suddenly go insane? Did Samsung lose its mind after the last tablet that went with windows 10? And from that debacle, ...they went to chrome? I guess the cleaning dude is running that department now.
Jesus Samsung, you have truly lost your way.
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You do know that this Chromebook runs Android apps, right? Whatever the Note Pro does, this one can as well. So it's not a crazy comparison at all and it's understandable if some people consider it a successor of the Note Pro.
(I'm not saying that it is a great device, btw. And my answer to the question is: no. I'm sticking with my trusty Note Pro)

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