Samsung intros 'skinnier than iPad 2' tablets
Android 3.0 and low, low prices
Samsung's newly introduced 8.9in Galaxy Tab tablet is a massive, unbelievable 0.5mm thinner than the iPad 2.
Yes, the new Apple tablet is 8.9mm thick, while the as-yet-unreleased Samsung rival is 8.4mm front to back.
Credit where it's due: Samsung deserves praise for for shaving off less than a millimetre of thickness to make the thinnest media tablet yet - watch out, chunky RIM BlackBerry PlayBook - but mathematical masturbation aside, the two tablets are as close as makes no practical odds.
Tab 8.9-incher
Samsung's edge really lies in the weight. The 10.1in Tab weighs 594g to the iPad 2's 601g - not enough to trouble the scorer. But the 8.9in Tab, which is the same size, give or take, as the iPad to is just 467g.
That will make a difference when you're holding the tablet up to read.
That said, it may also indicate a smaller battery, though Samsung claimed today both tablets will deliver ten hours of video playback, which is what Apple also claims for the iPad 2.
Both new Tabs will run Android 3.0 - some Samsung press materials say Froyo - and sport dual-core 1GHz CPUs. Both have 2.4/5GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi. The displays are both 1280 x 800.
The 10.in is priced at $499 (£305) for 16GB and $599 (£366) for 32GB. Knock of $30 for the 8.9in model at those capacities.
Skinny
The prices lack sales tax, but at £286 for the 16GB 8.9in Tab - or £343 including VAT - Samsung has a real chance to undercut its arch-rival. The basic 16GB iPad 2 will retail for £399 here.
The Tab was a good start, but these offerings really do look like they'll give Apple a run for its money. ®
Next page: Samsung Galaxy Tab Picture Gallery
COMMENTS
It may only be a minuscule 0.5mm,
...but it's cost Apple's PR machine the "world's thinnest" accolade.
Re: USD Prices
No, it is much easier than that. You just change the currency symbol.
"itunes...crappy...software"
guess that puts a hex on iPad.
Nice but what will be the resell value
Nice and the kind of competition us consumers like. But 2 questions have to be asked.
1) How does android compare to apples IOS
2) What will be the resell value in a years time.
Personaly I think that with regards to the first question that the `openess` of android will make it more viable for people that can already use a computer to a reasonable degree. As for the second question I feel that in years time the iPad2 will hold more value at resell on ebay and the likes than the Android and this will be due to mostly two factors. One being that at the most thee will only be the iPad 3 to replace it unlike Andoid tablets that due to it's strength of openess also become's a weakness due to a unknown number of competiting models that will arise in the year. Also Apple products due to varoious factors have tend to hold there value more so than less reglated technology. Ok your mostly paying for the name but isn't that how fashion items sell. WIth that what applies best - technology deprecieation cycles of fashion cycles when it comes to Apple products.
I look forward to the hands-hands on review.
As for the thickness, whilst that is nice it is the weigh in a tablet that I find more important. I would also argue that how far it can be dropped and how it reacts to said drops being another area that often gets overlooked in reviews. But for understandable reasons (Not like Apple alor unbiased reporters that kind or level of reviewing).
As it stands I see the year paying out in general with a mix of consumers buying apples/androids dependant upon what store they walked into. Geek types mostly getting androids. Art types getting Apples and those who own blackberry's realy liking the playbook.
Me I'd like a tablet t be able to plug into my pc and be used as another screen ala USB, that is one feature I havn't seen and from my persepctive would add value/extra use to the device.
But remember no tablet will suit all - EVER, if that was going to be the case everybody would be driving the same car already for years and years. In technology, once you get the power you need it fall's down to the same area of fashionitism when it comes to selection.
Hopelessly blue?
Really? I've compared my a friend's Galaxy S with both an iPhone (3GS and 4) and a Desire HD. Eye-wateringly intense colours, maybe, but definitely not "hopelessly blue". Is it some kind of scattering caused by the reality distortion field, perhaps?
