Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 2014

[Zaap]

Does anyone have one? If so, how do you like it?

I'm curious to know people's opinions on this tablet.

I'm just in the beginning stages of looking around for what I might get, and the 10.1 2014 Edition at a glance seems to have what I'm looking for.

Wanting:
1. Larger size, 10"
2. Decent screen resolution and stats
3. Digitizer and pen suitable for drawing.
4. Decent speed, comparible to my Note 3, better than my Nook HD+ that I'm used to.
5. mSD expansion if possible (not a deal killer if no, but a definite plus)
6. Decent name brand (Samsung, Asus, etc. so long as it fits my needs)
7. Budget range from $500-$1000


I don't care about camera(s), but would be a nice extra.

I mainly want a better all-purpose tablet than my Nook HD+, but also something I can draw with better than my 2007-era Tablet PC (Motion Computing LE1600).

The Note 10.1 seems to fill my needs perfectly. I like the design of it, like that it compliments my Note 3- not crazy about the hard buttons on the front (seems asinine to me in portrait mode, but just a minor quibble).

I'm also curious: are these things root/ROM-able? Is there any need for it, or is the default software fine? (I'm guessing based on my Note 3- still stock- that it would be for me). Clearly, no matter what I wouldn't be giving up any Samsung pen features.



I'm also open to the possibility of a decent Windows tablet- but as nice as those are, I think I could easily have my needs met by the Note 10.1 without spending as much as a full x86 tablet.

For anyone that's had experience with both: any argument for just jumping into a full Windows x86 tablet vs. a decent Android?

As for software, I own all of the major apps I need for either Android or x86, so I could go either way.

In a nutshell: would it be somehow stupid to get the 10.1 2014 in say, a month's time because of some glaring flaw I'm not aware of, or because something orders of magnitude better is available (or will be soon ) that I should consider instead? I don't keep up with mobile tech nearly as much as many around here so seeking some informed opinions before I pull the trigger.

 

[Dari]

For that price range I'm sure you can do better, especially with Windows tablets.

 

[Joe1987]

The Note Pro(s) are due out soon, I'd wait for them.

The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO tablet line will be offered globally and will be available starting from Q1, 2014.

http://www.samsungmobilepress.com/2...-rule-for-the-tablet-experience-at-ces-2014-2

 

[s44]

Friend has one, which I've tried out. I just bit on a Groupon refurb deal ($390/420, 3 days left).

If you like and are used to your Note 3, this is a near-perfect complement because it's a bigger version of the same thing. And everything syncs. Only drawback (which everything except Asus tablets has) is lack of real keyboard dock.

Android options: IMO the only serious ones are the upcoming NotePRO (12.2") and two bigger TabPRO models (10.1" and 12.2") from Samsung, likely to be released in a few weeks. The problem with non-Samsung options is that without multi-window, the functionality of a tab this size is severely reduced. The next Nexus 10 may have something, who knows?... but there's not even a hint of imminent hardware update, much less the new Android version windowing would require.

Windows: Not great unless you need specific legacy x86 apps. Classic programs don't work well with touch, and Metro apps don't come close to Android. Plus at the size you want you'll pay too much for either too low specs or way too much weight.

I was torn between this and the 12.2" options (and a mythical better-specced Chromebook) for a while. This is just a bit too small to be a full piece of virtual paper, but has a compensating weight advantage (19oz vs. 26.5). Plus you can actually buy the 10.1, while it's not clear when and at what price (though definitely more -- rumor is $750) the NotePRO will come in. The Groupon deal was just too good to resist.

There's a root, custom recoveries, and at least one TouchWiz ROM. Don't think there's enough demand for much AOSP development.

TLDR: $390 refurb or wait for the NotePRO

 

[Zaap]

^ Thanks! You guys are right, I'm going to wait for the Note Pro. (I didn't even know about those.)

Have to say, $390 for a Note 10.1 is seriously tempting. But I know I'll kick myself if I don't just wait it out.

Went to Best Buy today and played with the Note 10.1 and a Surface Pro 2. Both were pretty awesome, but clearly for different needs.

For just drawing at a desk, the Surface clearly wins. But it's too heavy to be a practical tablet for media consumption. I like the Note 10.1 as a good combination of both, but the Note Pro looks like it might be the perfect match. If it does turn out to be around $750 it may fit the bill perfectly.

 

[ControlD]

My wife purchased this tablet last week. She needed something for work that she can easily take notes on and this one seemed to fit the bill. Right now the jury is still out. The tablet gets inexplicably hot at times, even when it is not being used. This morning I found that it had gone into thermal shutdown and couldn't be powered on for quite some time, and all it was doing was sitting on a shelf charging.

Other than that weird issue the tablet is quite nice. We also have an iPad at home and this tablet sort of makes the iPad look like a toy.

 

[s44]

The tablet gets inexplicably hot at times, even when it is not being used. This morning I found that it had gone into thermal shutdown and couldn't be powered on for quite some time, and all it was doing was sitting on a shelf charging.

Exchange it, not normal behavior.

 

[Bateluer]

For that price range I'm sure you can do better, especially with Windows tablets.

If you want to actually use the tablet for something other than a paperweight, Windows tablets should be avoided like the plague. The OS and ecosystem behind the ARM version not only isn't up to par, its a borderline joke.

^ Thanks! You guys are right, I'm going to wait for the Note Pro. (I didn't even know about those.)

Have to say, $390 for a Note 10.1 is seriously tempting. But I know I'll kick myself if I don't just wait it out.

Went to Best Buy today and played with the Note 10.1 and a Surface Pro 2. Both were pretty awesome, but clearly for different needs.

The upcoming Samsung Pro tablets will most likely start at a similar price points to their previous tablets, they're replacing them in their product line.

The tablet gets inexplicably hot at times, even when it is not being used. This morning I found that it had gone into thermal shutdown and couldn't be powered on for quite some time, and all it was doing was sitting on a shelf charging.

Definitely not normal behavior. Give it a factory reset and see if it still has the same problem before you start installing your apps. If it does, its defective, return it.

 

[Zaap]

If you want to actually use the tablet for something other than a paperweight, Windows tablets should be avoided like the plague. The OS and ecosystem behind the ARM version not only isn't up to par, its a borderline joke.

Agreed, anything RT is at the opposite end of the usefulness spectrum.

The upcoming Samsung Pro tablets will most likely start at a similar price points to their previous tablets, they're replacing them in their product line.

Anything south of $750 will be an absolute steal. I hope you're right.

 

[Bateluer]

Anything south of $750 will be an absolute steal. I hope you're right.

The Note 12.2 may start at 650 base, 100 more than the Note 10.1 2014, as its targeting a higher end market. Pricing it too high puts it into serious competition with much more powerful and capable notebooks.

 

[Dari]

Who said anything about Windows RT? I'm talking about the plethora of Wintel tablets hitting the market this spring. I have no idea what the OP intends to use it for but I'm sure the software is better on Windows than Android.

 

[Zaap]

Who said anything about Windows RT? I'm talking about the plethora of Wintel tablets hitting the market this spring. I have no idea what the OP intends to use it for but I'm sure the software is better on Windows than Android.

I'm totally in favor of a Windows tablet as well.

On Android I use mostly Autodesk Sketchbook Pro, ScribMaster, and S-Note, which fit my needs fine. Not really finished professional work, just sketching, brainstorming on the go, light note-taking, etc. A bigger version of what I use my Note 3 for already.

However, of course on x86 I'd love using desktop Sketchbook Pro, Art Rage, Illustrator, etc. That route definitely has its advantages, plus the benefits of a full blown PC in tablet form.

If all I needed was drawing tools, I'd probably go with a Surface Pro 2. I loved the responsive feel of pen- it would be easy to do pro-quality finished work with it. But it's ill-suited for other tablet duties due to weight.

I'm keeping a lookout for any Windows tablets on the horizon, even though I'm mainly thinking the Note Pro.

It definitely looks to be an interesting year for tablets that are work-ready and more than just toys.

 

[s44]

Please delete

 

[Dari]

I'm totally in favor of a Windows tablet as well.

On Android I use mostly Autodesk Sketchbook Pro, ScribMaster, and S-Note, which fit my needs fine. Not really finished professional work, just sketching, brainstorming on the go, light note-taking, etc. A bigger version of what I use my Note 3 for already.

However, of course on x86 I'd love using desktop Sketchbook Pro, Art Rage, Illustrator, etc. That route definitely has its advantages, plus the benefits of a full blown PC in tablet form.

If all I needed was drawing tools, I'd probably go with a Surface Pro 2. I loved the responsive feel of pen- it would be easy to do pro-quality finished work with it. But it's ill-suited for other tablet duties due to weight.

I'm keeping a lookout for any Windows tablets on the horizon, even though I'm mainly thinking the Note Pro.

It definitely looks to be an interesting year for tablets that are work-ready and more than just toys.

Ah, I see now. This appears to be a serious investment. If the Note Pro fits your needs then you should go for it. But, if I was in your shoes, I would take a hard look at what Windows has to offer since the real tools that you need are there and are not limited like they are on Android. Considering your budget, I'm sure you can find something that fits the bill. Have you checked out what all the vendors at CES were peddling?

 

[Joe1987]

Honestly, I'd wait another generation or two before buying a Windows tablet.

 

[Bateluer]

Who said anything about Windows RT? I'm talking about the plethora of Wintel tablets hitting the market this spring.

I'm sure there will be some Bay Trail tablets worth looking into, but right now, Windows RT is definitely a No Buy. And Windows 8 is nearly a dead OS walking. Even Microsoft wants to put that disaster behind them. Expect to hear them play up Windows 9 over the next several months.


The Surface Pro 2 might be worth a look, but only if you're interested in a half inch thick, 2lb tablet, with a clunky OS, the worst app store available, and a 900 dollar price of entry.

Microsoft and tablets really don't belong in a serious discussion.

 

[Zaap]

The Surface Pro 2 might be worth a look, but only if you're interested in a half inch thick, 2lb tablet, with a clunky OS, the worst app store available, and a 900 dollar price of entry.

Either I'm missing something, or The Surface Pro 2 runs the full Windows 8.1.

I'm no fan of Metro, but I'd hardly call the rest of Windows a "clunky OS"- my main gripe with Win8 is trying to graft all the tablet stuff onto a desktop computer, not actually using it on a tablet. Mainly it's just a glorified launcher.

I loathe the very idea of a Windows app store anyway, so not really sure why anyone should care if the half-assed Metro app store sucks or not. Personally I'd probably never use it. Windows having a lack of quality applications isn't exactly a problem.

 

[Red Storm]

Either I'm missing something, or The Surface Pro 2 runs the full Windows 8.1.

I'm no fan of Metro, but I'd hardly call the rest of Windows a "clunky OS"- my main gripe with Win8 is trying to graft all the tablet stuff onto a desktop computer, not actually using it on a tablet. Mainly it's just a glorified launcher.

I loathe the very idea of a Windows app store anyway, so not really sure why anyone should care if the half-assed Metro app store sucks or not. Personally I'd probably never use it. Windows having a lack of quality applications isn't exactly a problem.

x86 applications in desktop mode are annoying to use with touch, you need a mouse/trackpad for it. In the typical "Surfing on the couch" tablet use, Metro apps are going to be more desirable, but they are lacking.

 

[Bateluer]

Either I'm missing something, or The Surface Pro 2 runs the full Windows 8.1.

I'm no fan of Metro, but I'd hardly call the rest of Windows a "clunky OS"- my main gripe with Win8 is trying to graft all the tablet stuff onto a desktop computer, not actually using it on a tablet. Mainly it's just a glorified launcher.

I loathe the very idea of a Windows app store anyway, so not really sure why anyone should care if the half-assed Metro app store sucks or not. Personally I'd probably never use it. Windows having a lack of quality applications isn't exactly a problem.

You're not wrong, the Surface Pro line uses Intel x86 chips, either Ivy Bridge or Haswell, and so use the full Windows 8.1. Not the RT ARM version. Windows 8 is still a clunky mis-mash of an OS on the x86 side, but lets try keep the W8 bashing to the OS forums and Reddit.

x86 applications in desktop mode are annoying to use with touch, you need a mouse/trackpad for it. In the typical "Surfing on the couch" tablet use, Metro apps are going to be more desirable, but they are lacking.

Yep.

The Surface Pros are essentially ultrabooks without the keyboard. Since you'll need a keyboard to take full advantage of it anyway, better to just buy the actual ultrabook. And then install Classic Shell of equivalent.

 

[Zaap]

x86 applications in desktop mode are annoying to use with touch, you need a mouse/trackpad for it. In the typical "Surfing on the couch" tablet use, Metro apps are going to be more desirable, but they are lacking.

Good point.

Another reason to stick with Android for a proper balance of useful for work/normal tablet duties.

 

[s44]

NotePro 64gb $850 for pre-order... At Office Depot anyway. TabPro 12.2" 32gb for $650.

Both release next Thursday. Wonder if there's a cheaper 32gb NotePro out then too.

Edit/update: Haha, there's a 32gb NotePro at ABT showing at $750 on Google Shopping, but click through and the page is missing.

 

[cronos]

NotePro 64gb $850 for pre-order... At Office Depot anyway. TabPro 12.2" 32gb for $650.

Both release next Thursday. Wonder if there's a cheaper 32gb NotePro out then too.

Edit/update: Haha, there's a 32gb NotePro at ABT showing at $750 on Google Shopping, but click through and the page is missing.

If it's $650 I was going to think about it, but at $750 for the 32 GB I probably won't bother. More Bay Trail Windows tablets are supposed to come out this year as well, let's see where we are mid-to-late this year.

 

[foghorn67]

$750 for an Android tablet? No way, that's too much money for a largely (and OP admitted) for a consumption device.
There are some BayTrail tablets out there with active digitizers.

 

[ponyo]

Lol. Are we back in 2010/2011? Good luck Samsung!

 

[s44]

$750 for an Android tablet? No way, that's too much money for a largely (and OP admitted) for a consumption device.
There are some BayTrail tablets out there with active digitizers.

The $650 TabPRO 12 is the consumption model.

No Bay Trail has a 12+ inch 1440p screen.