The Samsung Galaxy Tab
Image courtesy of Expansys
The Samsung Galaxy Tab range got off to a slow start with the original seven inch model launched last year. However, the trio of new Galaxy Tab devices are aiming to take the tablet PC market by storm with revised hardware, cutting edge software and killer looks. While the wealth of apps and iPad accessories may make Apple’s tablets the obvious mainstream choice, Samsung is looking to tip the balance in its favour.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 fits right into the middle of this range, between the petite Galaxy Tab 7 and the iPad-esque Galaxy Tab 10.1. This means it should have a niche all to itself. As its name suggests you get an 8.9 inch touchscreen display and it is all powered by a dual core 1GHz processor, which is all part and parcel of modern tablet PC specifications. A three megapixel camera on the rear and a secondary front-facing camera for video calling are anticipated, so the Galaxy Tab 8.9 is easily a match for its contemporaries.
What really stands out about this tablet PC and its stable mates is the chassis size and design. Measuring just 8.6mm thick, there are few devices which can boast such a slim built and still provide all the power you need within. Scaling down the size of a tablet PC to such a degree does add to the cost of the device as it is likely to be over £600 when it launches if you want the edition with 3G and Wi-Fi onboard.
The operating system behind the Galaxy Tab 8.9 is Android Honeycomb and Samsung has delved into the software, applying its own TouchWiz interface to put its own stamp on the platform. This means you will get plenty of customisable homescreens, with swiping and scrolling all handled beautifully by the dual core CPU.
The one thing which might make the Galaxy Tab 8.9 a cult rather than a mainstream tablet is the fact that it is only a touch smaller than the 10.1 inch edition and has all of the same functions. The only different is the size and this could be seen as negligible enough to make the 10.1 more desirable because of the increased onscreen real estate. Meanwhile standardised iPad accessories could sway buyers away from the diversity of the Galaxy Tab range. If you want portability you might rather choose the Galaxy Tab 7, not the awkwardly proportioned 8.9. this is largely a matter of personal taste, although pricing may come to play its part once retailers have settled upon a standard bracket for this device.
The dominance of Apple’s tablets has left rivals like Samsung struggling over a paltry share of the remaining tablet market. However, the Galaxy Tab brand is definitely moving to establish itself alongside Apple devices and as such third party add-ons should become as widely available as iPad accessories, allowing you to avoid generic carry cases as can be necessary with other tablets.
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