Ars Technica goes hands on with the Galaxy Tab 8.9

[Bateluer]

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/revi...roid-pack-hands-on-with-the-galaxy-tab-89.ars

Our experience with the Tab 8.9 has been overwhelmingly positive. It can go toe-to-toe with the iPad 2 in terms of hardware specs (except battery) and bests it in weight and holding comfort. The screen real estate and resulting cramped keyboard can be a little hard to swallow, especially when the Tab 8.9 starts at only $30 less than the entry-level iPad or Tab 10.1 ($469 for 16GB, $569 to 32GB); worse, the Kindle Fire may soon single-handedly dismantle the $500 tablet pricing wall. But for those who have already dismissed Apple and don’t want to wait a year or so for tablet pricing to re-center, the Tab 8.9 is by far the best option for your money.

The Good:

* Tablet feels very light in hand, but not cheap
* Performance is great, every interaction is swift
* Battery life is decent
* TouchWiz is nice, doesn't bog down the system

The Bad:

* Keyboard can feet cramped, though it's fast and responsive
* Camera is a step down in many ways from the Tab 10.1
* App selection still lags the iPad

The Ugly:

* Proprietary dock connector

Had my eye on a number of 7-9" tablets for a while, the Tab 8.9 among them. Looks like we can look forward to a nice device, if a little steep on the cost. Have to see if that 469 price holds after the Fire launches.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

i saw this in bb. its nice but expensive and now that phones will have similar resolutions and cellular data i question whether most people have much use for a wifi tablet

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I played with one of these at best buy for a few minutes and was very impressed. The size is absolutely perfect, it's light and thin enough that it is really easy to hold, and the screen and performance were both great. If I was buying a tablet now this would be at the top of the list.

 

[Red Storm]

i saw this in bb. its nice but expensive and now that phones will have similar resolutions and cellular data i question whether most people have much use for a wifi tablet

Even if my phone had a 1080P resolution, I'm still limited by the physical 4" screen. Hence, tablets, their larger displays, and their rising popularity.

I'm really tempted to get the 8.9, but I just don't see myself investing so much money in a tablet running Tegra 2.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Even if my phone had a 1080P resolution, I'm still limited by the physical 4" screen. Hence, tablets, their larger displays, and their rising popularity.

I'm really tempted to get the 8.9, but I just don't see myself investing so much money in a tablet running Tegra 2.

Yeah, with smart phones now upwards of 5.3 inches and 1280x800 resolution the 7 inch tablets are looking a little pointless and at 10 inches I think a netbook/laptop is the better option so 8.5 would be MY sweet spot for a tabler so 8.9 may be the ticket. I do think the 7.7 inch Galaxy tablet with 1280x800 resolution may be a better, more mobile choice, but once again it is getting down towards the larger smart phones.

I'd like to take a plane ride with both and see for myself...


Brian