Portable tablet computers are nothing new having been around for many years. However, functionality and usability has seen a change so drastic that the old tablets are hardly even recognisable. 1989 saw the first real tablet of note, the GridPad, and since then, manufacturers have been striving for perfection.
Samsung Galaxy Tab
Fast forward to 2010 and the battle to produce the most sophisticated tablets is stepping up a few notches with the Galaxy Tab from Samsung here to shake Apple’s world – but is this something that can be achieved?
Once you take the wrappers off both of these devices, the first thing that is apparent is the size difference. Whilst the Apple iPAD offers a 9.7” LED screen, the Galaxy comes in at just 7” and with a slightly lower resolution of 1024×600 (vs iPAD at 1024×768). However, in theory, with a smaller screen, the Galaxy should appear that little bit sharper. You might also be pleased to learn that the Galaxy screen is Multi Touch as well.
Both devices offer a 1GHz processor, the Galaxy with the ARM Cortex A8 and the iPAD with their A4. Both processors are more than capable of powering these devices and the plethora of applications that are available from their respective marketplaces. Thankfully Samsung had the foresight to add GPS in as standard where as this is only available on the 3G versions of the iPAD.
However, many felt that Apple let themselves down by not adding at least a front facing camera to allow for on-line video calls, something that a device like this is screaming out for. Here is where the Galaxy can shine though by offering not only a 1.3mp front facing camera, but also a 3.2mp rear camera as well! We would have liked to have seen a xenon flash over the chosen LED though.
You also won’t feel quite as alone whilst out with the Galaxy either, because you are also able to make calls! However, we are a little unsure how a 7” tablet at your ear might feel though, so we would suggest using the built in Bluetooth and a headset to avoid any unnecessary accidents.
Offering an impressive 7 hours battery life, the Galaxy is not too far behind the iPAD with their claimed 10 hours battery life, although if you read user reviews, many iPAD owners seem to be able to not only achieve this, but exceed as well with many getting close to 12 hours! Impressive by any standards!
Apple iPad
As we all know, you are unable to view Flash content though the iPAD so did Samsung follow suit in restricting the use of Flash through their Android tablet? Thankfully, no… Whilst browsing the web you will be able to make full use of those sites which have flash embedded – something that many incorporate today. This should make for a much more pleasing web surfing experience. But will this make that much of a difference? Studies carried out over the last couple of years estimate around 30% of websites carry flash of some sort. That is roughly one third of all websites!
Both of these tablets offer similar functionality but with the Samsung’s higher spec, will this be a true contender for those who had been considering an Apple iPAD? It is more compact, can take pictures and make voice calls, is tied in with the enormous Android marketplace… Time will tell, but the gloves are on and it is time for these giants to start slogging it out!
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Which Samsung, they even copied the data cable from Apple. That they can come up with yourself?