Hands-on: Galaxy Tab Big Note Pro and Pro 12.2 inch - Nutech

Samsung announced at CES in Las Vegas four new high-end tablets in sizes of 8.4, 10.1 and 12.2 inches. Nutech took the devices already briefly examined.

conspicuous among the new models are the Tab Pro and Pro 12.2 inch discs. The tablets are a lot bigger than most devices that are now available, often ending at 10.1 inches.

Note Pro and Pro Tab by 12.2 inches are equal to each other, except for the stylus that comes. in the Note

The larger size of the tablet is clearly suitable for watching videos or using the tablet as a PC replacement. But despite its size, the Note Tab Pro and Pro does not become unreasonably heavy. With 750 grams, they are a lot lighter than an average ultrabook. With a thickness of 7.9 millimter nor are they pretty thin.

In appearance similar devices on the Galaxy Note 10.1 (review), with its rear of faux leather. It should be noted that the white version is much smoother, making it clear that the “doctrine” is just plastic. The black version feels stiffer and knows how to imitate.

feel of leather better

Screen

Both tablets have a screen of 2560 by 1600 pixels. This high resolution ensures that text and images stay sharp even on the large size. Despite the high-resolution performance of the tablets seem fine, though extensive testing will have any more clarity brag about.

Specifications are not wrong in any case: there are fast Exynos processors and 3 GB of RAM on board. The battery is a hefty 9,500 mAh large.

Magazine

The larger screen size allows for a different look, Samsung UX Magazine calls. Actually, that is a collection of widgets that can fill. Home screens in different ways

Some widgets are interactive, such as email or calendar. Many other apps, such as Flipboard, showing an image or text, which can be pressed to open.

the app

magazine appearance looks nice and makes the home screens as interactive. However, there are fewer apps than fit on a traditional home screen. Therefore, Samsung has also made it possible to make, which can be filled with small app icons.

‘normal’ home screens to

On other points, the software Samsung renewed. There is a new virtual keyboard, which is the size of the screen is quite easy to use with two hands. Well it looks pretty ugly, with 3D effectien a physical keyboard to emulate.

The appearance of the settings menus and the notification center are made correctly tightened. Where previously many dark blue and green were used, parts of the menus are white with bright colors and the design is flatter.

That looks a lot better and make it a little clearer menu instantly. However, keep the tablets of their abundance of functions and menu structures themselves are often unclear.

Multitasking

the tablets also possible to turn up. four different apps side by side While that is useful on a big screen, is driving the apps quickly difficult if more than two are open. The apps do not scale with the overall size of the window and so are many details beyond the edges. It is convenient that you can open a browser window next to another app, just as fast but more than two windows of the utility function.

disappears soon

However

useful is a new way of sharing apps. It is possible to see. A bar recently opened apps at the bottom of image You can quickly switch from app without having the entire screen is taken over by a list of apps.

Stylus

the Galaxy Pro is the only one of the four new tablets a stylus. Which can be used to call, which makes it possible for example to draw on the screen or to write a note.

a special menu just like the Note 10.1

Note Pro 12.2 inch for 749 euros will be placed in the store, while the Tab Pro of the same size will retail for 649 euros. The stylus so costs 100 Euros, a price that is not justified by the limited additional functionality.

Smaller

addition to the large tablets Samsung also launched at CES Tab Pro’s 10.1-inch and 8.4 inch. Where the Galaxy Tab series normally includes tablets from the middle class, the specifications of the Pro variants almost equal to that of the Note and Tab Pro Pro 12.2 inch. The small models only districts with 2 instead of 3 GB of memory.

The high resolution of the 12.2-inch tablet is preserved in the smaller models. The pixel density is even higher, so in those devices. That makes the variation of 8.4 inches for the largest number of pixels per inch that we saw in one tablet so far.

The appearance of the Tab Pro 10.1 is exactly equal to that of the Note 10.1. The 8.4-inch version is simply a compact version of it. Both tablets are light and are comfortable in the hand.

smaller tablets have the same software with magazine appearance. That was made clear for larger screens and looks at the smaller tablets less natural. Nevertheless, it is good to see that Samsung is working on its software and try to add new features to Android.

The price of 479 euros that the Tab 10.1 inch Pro gets a lot more attractive than the 599 euros of the pricey Note 10.1, which differs only in stylus and memory. The Galaxy Tab 8.4 inch Pro gets a price of 389 euros. Thus, the tablets exactly the same price as the iPad Air (

Preliminary conclusion

Samsung focused in the past, especially on relatively inexpensive tablet with average specs. The Note Pro and various Pro Tab Samsung is focusing on the more expensive end of the market.

terms of hardware, Samsung makes a good first impression. The Note Pro and Pro Tab contain the very latest, and it is particularly impressive that the 8.4-inch variant in terms of specifications do not have to compromise.

The tablets also distinguished themselves with their software. Although in the past was often a weak point of Samsung, there are the new magazine looks good ideas incorporated. Some functions, such as opening multiple apps at the same time, are less successful.

A comprehensive test remains to be seen how the new tablets will perform in everyday life. In particular, whether it is convenient to drag a tablet of 12.2 inches in everyday life is not yet clear.