Good ideas, middling execution: the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 reviewed
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[trollhide=This level of comment is trolling]But... Apple told me it was just like the iPad.[/trollhide]
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This is more of the sort of tablet you'd expect Samsung to develop on their own. Not bad, but clearly everybody on the design committee had their say.
Hopefully Samsung takes this tablet design further and gives Apple some competition.
Hopefully Samsung takes this tablet design further and gives Apple some competition.
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More over-priced, sub-par crap.
I realize you guys just got sued into oblivion, but Apple is making a killing with a nice device, why has no one figured out a way to make a device not a piece of shit?
I'm sure they don't have a patent on devices that are well made.
I realize you guys just got sued into oblivion, but Apple is making a killing with a nice device, why has no one figured out a way to make a device not a piece of shit?
I'm sure they don't have a patent on devices that are well made.
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It's neat they're trying something new but classes of products like these need support. And there is no reason to believe, unless it's an overwhelming success (not going to happen), that Samsung will properly support this. Even if I tried it and loved it that would make me really reluctant to purchase it.
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I saw what you did there with the fresco... I have to admit I got a bit of a chuckle out of that.
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bartfat":29n3315x said:
Is that why this review talks about shitty, crashing apps (even the built in one, classy), a shitty stylus, a shitty screen and a shitty tablet while the iPad reviews talk about how wonderful they are?
One look at this device and it's obvious why they continue to get rolled by superior products.
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@fsck: Not even remotely. Samsung went with a shotgun approach in their design -- the inclusion of a stylus is proof of this. They don't really know who uses their devices, or for what, and are hoping to appeal to the widest possible demographic as a substitute for doing their market research. The lack of polish also speaks to this -- they spread themselves too thin on the spec sheet, and left themselves no time for getting the user experience right.
Apple devices employ a totally different methodology -- they know exactly who their market is, and will cut and cut and cut until they've got something tailored precisely to that demographic. Then they polish it obsessively.
In a sense, the use of the Jesus fresco "reinterpretation" is a really good metaphor for this device: As a work of art on it's own, it's a very courageous take on a cultural artifact, that could definitely be interpreted to underscore the hypocrisy and contradictions inherent in the institution that created the artifact in the first place, but as a copy of the artifact itself, it's about as close to Caucasian Jesus as an Inuit woman with a face transplant.
edited: minor tweaks to wording.
Apple devices employ a totally different methodology -- they know exactly who their market is, and will cut and cut and cut until they've got something tailored precisely to that demographic. Then they polish it obsessively.
In a sense, the use of the Jesus fresco "reinterpretation" is a really good metaphor for this device: As a work of art on it's own, it's a very courageous take on a cultural artifact, that could definitely be interpreted to underscore the hypocrisy and contradictions inherent in the institution that created the artifact in the first place, but as a copy of the artifact itself, it's about as close to Caucasian Jesus as an Inuit woman with a face transplant.
edited: minor tweaks to wording.
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Ars is being overly nice to this tablet. I think I would have a reaction similar to this reviewer:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/0...iew-an-embarrassing-lazy-arrogant-money-grab/
The title: "Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Review: An Embarrassing, Lazy, Arrogant Money Grab"
Compare Ars review of the build quality to the review in androidpolice.com.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/0...iew-an-embarrassing-lazy-arrogant-money-grab/
The title: "Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Review: An Embarrassing, Lazy, Arrogant Money Grab"
Compare Ars review of the build quality to the review in androidpolice.com.
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That's Samsung right now though. What I'd really like is someone to make an Android with an experience as good as the iPad. I don't think the OS is the weak link anymore. JB has made it about 95% of the way there. The rest to get some hardware that isn't worthless, and to keep the manufacturers from fucking up the experience. Probably won't happen though.
Nexus 7 is an excellent effort. Too bad we have to wait for Google spearhead something that isn't trash. These OEMs should see such a massive opportunity. I like how all of them probably sit around, scratching their heads as they try to solve the mystery of why their products sucks. Just fucking use them guys, it's really obvious.
Nexus 7 is an excellent effort. Too bad we have to wait for Google spearhead something that isn't trash. These OEMs should see such a massive opportunity. I like how all of them probably sit around, scratching their heads as they try to solve the mystery of why their products sucks. Just fucking use them guys, it's really obvious.
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Hmmm. I might be missing something obvious, but the second photo, while having much more muted colors, seems significantly sharper (look at the text on the Sharpie marker). Noise levels seem about the same to me - if anything, less on the second.
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brazuca":m7vbsj8o said:
I read that review a couple of days back. The thing definitely feels cheap, and it's definitely not good enough for $500, but IMO the Android Police review does swerve into hyperbole a bit.
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Enough with the stupid Apple posts. If you cannot be bothered to make a comparison to Apple at least vaguely on topic then just leave them out of it. It's fair to compare this to the iPad, but posts like "Apple told me it was just like the iPad" are useless noise that serve to do nothing but drag the conversation into the gutter.
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Like most reviews of the SGN10.1, this one completely misses the point.
To begin with the premise of your comparison is wrong. You are comparing the SGN10.1 with other tablets at this price point which don't offer half the functionality. You make light of the s-pen and yet the s-pen is the whole point.
You are comparing a utility device with consumption devices. If you know anything about HD screens you would know that it would be impossible to marry a Wacom digitizer pen with an HD screen with this processor and expect anywhere near acceptable performance. Even the upcoming surface tablet requires an Intel chipset at twice the price to drive an HD screen with quality pen input.
I agree to a point. If you want a toy that is long on pretty and short on functionality get the iPad or Infinity. However, if you want a tablet that is actually a tool you can use everyday in business or school, get the SGN10.1.
Go over to xda sometime where the real users of the SGN10.1 hang out. They are raving about this device. Go time Bestbuy's website where the SGN10.1 is getting 4.5+ stars from real owners.
To begin with the premise of your comparison is wrong. You are comparing the SGN10.1 with other tablets at this price point which don't offer half the functionality. You make light of the s-pen and yet the s-pen is the whole point.
You are comparing a utility device with consumption devices. If you know anything about HD screens you would know that it would be impossible to marry a Wacom digitizer pen with an HD screen with this processor and expect anywhere near acceptable performance. Even the upcoming surface tablet requires an Intel chipset at twice the price to drive an HD screen with quality pen input.
I agree to a point. If you want a toy that is long on pretty and short on functionality get the iPad or Infinity. However, if you want a tablet that is actually a tool you can use everyday in business or school, get the SGN10.1.
Go over to xda sometime where the real users of the SGN10.1 hang out. They are raving about this device. Go time Bestbuy's website where the SGN10.1 is getting 4.5+ stars from real owners.
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mitchellvii":39a1gxq6 said:
Why can't I use my toy for everyday business or school? I don't get it.
Also, I think we should just go by Best Buy's review scores going forward.
The fact that the Android fans get all irritated at the mention of the iPad, while the iPad users are happy and ignore the Android stuff should tell you something.
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I honestly don't get the criticism of the display resolution. This is Samsung's Note line of products... what do you need an insanely high resolution for? Instead you get the pen thingy.
A high-resolution display will be in their next Tab product, if that's the type of use one is looking for.
A high-resolution display will be in their next Tab product, if that's the type of use one is looking for.
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I probably should be surprised that most of the people commenting on this review are Apple fanboys, but I'm not.
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If someone likes an Apple product, they are a fanboy.
I'd only dock it because it's lower comparatively. I doubt it makes a usability difference as 1080p is already insanely high for a 10" device.
Even at normal distances the 1200x800 on the Nexus 7 looks as crisp (to me) as the New iPad.
edit: Oops, I noobed it up and misread, it's only 1200x800. Yeah, that's a bit low IMO.
jwcalla":1japse87 said:
I'd only dock it because it's lower comparatively. I doubt it makes a usability difference as 1080p is already insanely high for a 10" device.
Even at normal distances the 1200x800 on the Nexus 7 looks as crisp (to me) as the New iPad.
edit: Oops, I noobed it up and misread, it's only 1200x800. Yeah, that's a bit low IMO.
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I'm going to have to try one of these out. I could really use the pen in my day to day work.
Also the Iphone pic definitely has more noise in it.
Also the Iphone pic definitely has more noise in it.
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Stylus is a stupid concept for a general-use tablet. It has a niche in graphics design, I get that, but everywhere else it just gets in the way of the user experience. It's also that thing you are most likely to misplace. What are they taking us back to ~2004?
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One would be crazy to spend $500 on this. Who is the audience for this? If you locked the Samsung execs in different rooms and asked them that question, you wouldn't get two similar responses. Even if I had no investment in the Apple ecosystem, this tablet would be entirely unappealing.
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fsck!":2pfpkrvs said:
No, a UI which requires a stylus is what gets in the way. I know someone said "if you see a stylus, they blew it," but that doesn't make it the absolute truth. There are applications which work better with a stylus and the option to have one available is a nicety.
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The article was well written, but I have to admit I immediately googled for the "a Fresco in Span Is Ruined" article because of the amusing image of a monkey wearing a rotten pumpkin rendition of Jesus.
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The stylus is their way of trying to differentiate themselves from Apple and provide something better. Unfortunately, a stylus isn't what people want on a tablet.
One of the problems is that not only is Apple pretty good and bringing out new or emerging technologies quickly, but they bring up the support for it too. I don't know if you can do that when your device is one of hundreds on the the market and your only real control are the variances in hardware. No one's going to roll out anything to support feature X on a single new tablet in a space of many.
This all brings me back to the assumption that Samsung is content where they are. They have the resources to build excellent hardware. Start with something that feels like a million bucks and people will notice.
They keep pushing out this warmed over crap. They don't care it's buggy or an awful product, they'll just release a new one next month.
One of the problems is that not only is Apple pretty good and bringing out new or emerging technologies quickly, but they bring up the support for it too. I don't know if you can do that when your device is one of hundreds on the the market and your only real control are the variances in hardware. No one's going to roll out anything to support feature X on a single new tablet in a space of many.
This all brings me back to the assumption that Samsung is content where they are. They have the resources to build excellent hardware. Start with something that feels like a million bucks and people will notice.
They keep pushing out this warmed over crap. They don't care it's buggy or an awful product, they'll just release a new one next month.
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If it was cheaper this tablet would be great for outside sketching for professional artists. But at this price point it can't beat the old pen and paper.
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Impressive benchmarks, ugly machine. Don't need to touch it to tell the plastic is cheap. I'd expect it to be about the price of my nexus 7. They want $500? Did Samsung do any consumer reaction tests before they put this thing to market?
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I've had plenty of times when I wanted a stylus with my smartphone, for things like taking notes and drawing diagrams, if the original galaxy note were a bit smaller I would probably bought it instead of a galaxy s2.
But this device doesn't seem very good compared with other android tablets and the iPad.
But this device doesn't seem very good compared with other android tablets and the iPad.
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chocoruacal":1yljtwov said:
Samsung has sold ten million Note devices. It's obvious they're trying to broaden that market segment out to a bigger screen.
This is not really designed to be an iPad equivalent, which is why all of these tech reviews are pretty awful.
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Koshchei":hlz0whp7 said:
Needless to say, I was being facetious. This is the classic approach taken by most tablet manufacturers out there. A tablet designed and built around all of the bells and whistles people think they want or need instead of around a well rounded user experience. I am afraid this is why Apple remains triumphant. The iPad design puts so much emphasis on user experience that the device simply disappears. Like others have said, you'd be crazy to shell out $500 for this. The bar has been set pretty high and I have yet to see a solid contender in this market. Some come close, but not quite...
They sure make kick ass TVs though...!
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I'm getting pissed at always reading bad reviews about plastic stuff:
- quality is perceived, actually it's a preconception unless you can backup your negative opinion about it with facts.
- the alternatives are glass (heavy, vulnerable to shocks and pressure) and metal (heavy, frequent issues with scratching or flaking).
I'd rather have a plasticy phone/tablet that can withstand a fall, the a glass one that can't. And a died-indepth plastic that won't show scratches too much, instead of cute metal that'll look like a silver/black zebra after a few months in my pocket.
So, unless you know something I don't (and I'm curious), I think the 'cheap plastic" motto has got to stop. It's probably not only wrong, but exactly the contrary.
- quality is perceived, actually it's a preconception unless you can backup your negative opinion about it with facts.
- the alternatives are glass (heavy, vulnerable to shocks and pressure) and metal (heavy, frequent issues with scratching or flaking).
I'd rather have a plasticy phone/tablet that can withstand a fall, the a glass one that can't. And a died-indepth plastic that won't show scratches too much, instead of cute metal that'll look like a silver/black zebra after a few months in my pocket.
So, unless you know something I don't (and I'm curious), I think the 'cheap plastic" motto has got to stop. It's probably not only wrong, but exactly the contrary.
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I don't understand all the "Unfortunately, a stylus isn't what people want on a tablet". The problem is just that the underlying hardware isn't fast enough and the handwriting recognition isn't good enough. These problems will be solved with time (perhaps after ARM goes away). The 'user experience' is not the problem (so long as you don't make a crappy UI, which seems unlikely now that iOS and android exist).
Someday the technology will exist to do this correctly and some form-over-function company will come along and introduce a tablet that people can actually use as a replacement for pen-and-paper. Of course, that company will be labeled as 'innovative' and 'ground-breaking' with a totally non-obvious user interface, and people will conveniently forget that this Samsung tablet ever existed...
Someday the technology will exist to do this correctly and some form-over-function company will come along and introduce a tablet that people can actually use as a replacement for pen-and-paper. Of course, that company will be labeled as 'innovative' and 'ground-breaking' with a totally non-obvious user interface, and people will conveniently forget that this Samsung tablet ever existed...
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Who makes one and what is that $500 tablet supposed to feel like, and why do you feel the need to compare the look and feel of this one to that one?
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No one wants a tablet with a stylus? *I* do, so I can take notes and make sketches. If I absolutely had to use a stylus to do stuff, that would be bad, but having the right tool for the right job is GOOD.
I don't find the lack of NFC a con. It's a 10" tablet -- I'm not going to wave it at a payment device, and I'm not sure I want NFC anyway. Nor would I plan to take pictures with it -- holding up a device this size to take a photo would be an exercise in frustration.
I don't find the lack of NFC a con. It's a 10" tablet -- I'm not going to wave it at a payment device, and I'm not sure I want NFC anyway. Nor would I plan to take pictures with it -- holding up a device this size to take a photo would be an exercise in frustration.
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mitchellvii":eu7eeg4i said:
This is the same issue I have many of the reviews for it. If the Note 10.1 is going to be marked down for being not the best build quality and having some lag; then other tablets should be marked down for not even having a stylus and the ability to have two apps on the screen at a time (even if the Note's representation of these is not the best (the stylus' pressure levels are more than even those in TabletPCs).
On a different note; I've noticed in the comments here a lot of people are going "but people don't want that", etc. How do you know that? You certainly don't speak for me and it's almost impossible that you speak for everyone else. It also grates me that people seem to think they know all about product design, manufacture and use (the latter is even worse when they haven't actually used said product). Please stop it. You're ruining the comments.
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