Are there any other tablets in the same class as the Samsung Tab Pro?

[Arkitech]

I've heard really good things about the Tab Pro, in particular the screen seems to be really nice (2560x1600). I love to read novels and comics, so a good screen is always an attractive feature for me. For people who own a Tab Pro what's your experience like? Is the processor fairly decent? How about web browsing, is it quick and responsive? Also is 2560x1600 too high of a resolution for a 10-12" screen? While the extra pixels definitely sound nice, I wonder if the graphics and icons would be a bit too small to enjoy.


Thanks for any feedback. I'm hoping to make a purchase maybe next week. Right now the Tab Pro is at the top of my list. Some of the features I'd like on a tablet"

Decent screen and resolution
Fairly snappy cpu for gaming and video
Decent battery life (I spend about 2 1/2 hours a day on the train)
Superior wifi ability (my current tablet is slow as molasses over wifi)

 

[master7045]

the new Surface 3? Not android though, not sure if that is a must or not.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Doesn't really seem to be much competition on the high end for Android. Xperia Z2 tablet is nice, but starting at $520 (on Amazon right now) it seems ridiculous compared the Samsung Tab Pro 10.1 at $400 (it's on sale at the moment). On paper the ASUS TF701T looks good and it's only $300, though ASUS has quality control issues and always seem to fubar one big detail on each generation of tablet, so not sure about that one either.

So the main competition would probably be the iPad Air. Which is pretty nice if you don't mind the cons of using iOS. And I think gaming is much better on this than on Android tablets.

2560x1600 should be fine. Android has had tablets supporting that resolution for a couple years now and normally things scale just fine. I using a 1920x1200 resolution on my 7 inch tablet, which is an even higher DPI, without any problems.

 

[s44]

Resolution is great, wifi range and speed is excellent, and none of the Android (or iOS) competitors has multiwindow. Don't game much on mine but it powers through daily use pretty well.

Which size are you looking at?

 

[IamDavid]

the new Surface 3? Not android though, not sure if that is a must or not.

This. I played with one the other day and WOW! I can't wait.

 

[TreVader]

Ipad Air has comparable performance and screen, however it's iOS. The Tab Pro appears to stand out.


At it's price point, very hard to beat. SP3 is IMO in another category and the iPad kinda in between the two on price, but with less battery life than the Tab.



I would wait for Adreno420 or better GPU for 1600p in android. Android lags at 1080p on my SGS4 (a bit).

 

[cbrunny]

I'd opt for the z2 if money was no option. Actually, that's not true. I'd get a surface 3. But android choice would be the z2. No touchwiz and better specs than the tab pro, save for screen resolution - z2 is still higher than 1080p tho. They have a really poor multi window thing but its pretty bad - wouldn't even consider it as valid really.

 

[Commodus]

Sounds like you want an iPad Air. An important consideration for reading is the aspect ratio -- you want something fairly wide in portrait mode so that comic book pages (and to a lesser extent, book pages) fit properly. That and the iPad is still the better gaming platform, if primarily due to selection. The only catch is that Amazon forced Comixology to pull in-app comic purchases from the iOS version, so you'll have to buy titles on the web (if you use Comixology in the first place, of course).

 

[MrSquished]

the LG Gpad 8.3 Google Play Edition needs to be put into the mix. thin, powerful, naked android, micro sd card slot.

https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=lg_g_pad&hl=en

 

[Arkitech]

the new Surface 3? Not android though, not sure if that is a must or not.

The only thing holding me back from purchasing a Surface is the lack of software in contrast to iOs and Android.

 

[Arkitech]

Resolution is great, wifi range and speed is excellent, and none of the Android (or iOS) competitors has multiwindow. Don't game much on mine but it powers through daily use pretty well.

Which size are you looking at?

I'm thinking of going with the 12", I'd like to find a place where I can actually see it in person first though.

 

[Arkitech]

Sounds like you want an iPad Air. An important consideration for reading is the aspect ratio -- you want something fairly wide in portrait mode so that comic book pages (and to a lesser extent, book pages) fit properly. That and the iPad is still the better gaming platform, if primarily due to selection. The only catch is that Amazon forced Comixology to pull in-app comic purchases from the iOS version, so you'll have to buy titles on the web (if you use Comixology in the first place, of course).

I've considered maybe going with an iPad Air, but I prefer Android over the iOS. I just like the feel of Android tablets more so than Apple's

 

[Arkitech]

the LG Gpad 8.3 Google Play Edition needs to be put into the mix. thin, powerful, naked android, micro sd card slot.

https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=lg_g_pad&hl=en

I've read good things about the GPad and the price is pretty competitive, I just wished it had at least a 9" or 10" option.

 

[Roland00Address]

In android no there is nothing really comparable. The closest is the Z2 and the LGpads.

The surface 3 is faster but is heavier and has less apps but then you have windows.

The ipad air and ipad retina mini are similar but are iOS.

So yeah nothing really comparable.

 

[Imaginer]

The only thing holding me back from purchasing a Surface is the lack of software in contrast to iOs and Android.

Anything that is worth working on - is already available.

The question for any platform, is what are you trying to accomplish and what features you need.

I can say this now, there isn't any 3D CAD or Zbrush equivalent in the Galaxy Tab off the top of my head. Nor there is a direct on device programming suite. There is also no fully featured image manipulation or natural painting suite.

On top of that, OneNote is fuller than the default software on the Note.

All of those - one would need to procure separately. Android has spoiled the mentality of users by expecting these to be either included (and some mentality of users claim bloat if they do) or expect to buy for a dollar.

Galaxy Tab - obviously cannot leverage my existing Steam library.

Apps aren't an issue. It isn't a direct comparison in capability when it comes to apps versus applications. Just looking at the store, there maybe an equivalent web app version and some simple utility (I used phototastic at times).

So, in a solely Android form - there isn't any other out there with a pen. But that pen also doesn't have an eraser end or much side buttons. The closest in price versus capability comparison definitely runs into the cheapest configuration Surface Pro 3.

(and if one is REALLY missing the robottablet side, Android can be doable on the Surface Pro lines)

Edit:

When asking for battery life - it depends on what you are doing as well.

From experience - web browsing to light demanding work on my similar hardware Pro 2 runs from 6 to 8 hours. 3D gaming with leveraging the Intel iGPU runs 90 minutes to 2 hours. Just because a CPU included is powerful, that doesn't mean suck battery (all camps have viable ways of controlling electrical usage for processes, priority, and programs).

 

[Zaap]

The only thing holding me back from purchasing a Surface is the lack of software in contrast to iOs and Android.

Wait... what?

Lack of Windows software? Or I guess you mean metro apps?

 

[tsupersonic]

Surface Pro 3 is a full on computer, and shouldn't really be compared with the iPad Air or Galaxy Tab/Note lines (or any tablet running Android for that matter). The SP3 can also be a lot more expensive, and it's far too big to be a tablet. Take it from an owner of a SP2 - it's a pain in the ass to operate as a tablet. In fact I only find myself using the SP2 on a desk the majority of times.

But, yes, metro (Modern) app selection SUCKS. Windows store is just a joke. Luckily, the SP3 has the full on suite of Windows, and you can just download/run any app. like you would on any other Windows computer. You can also consider other tablets like the Dell Venue 7 Pro, which is a small tablet that runs a full Windows (and not the useless Windows RT)

 

[ControlD]

Wait... what?

Lack of Windows software? Or I guess you mean metro apps?

It is a little hard to make the transition from a traditional tablet to something like a Surface. I have a Dell VP8 which isn't anywhere near on the level of a Surface but sort of the same concept. It is a tablet form factor running a full desktop OS. I have to admit I spent some time looking for "apps" to replace what I had been using on my iOS and Android tablets. Then the light clicked on. I have a full Windows device with access to any Windows program I want. After that I felt somewhat liberated but it took a transition period to get out of the "surf the app store" mentality.