Galaxy Tab vs iPad
Unless you’ve been living deep in the Himalayas, you may be aware that a tablet is flat, super-slim, sub-1kg, instant-on computers featuring 7-10-inch touchscreens that can used for on-the-go web browsing, e-mail, e-book reading, audio-video multimedia playback, as well as general applications and gaming. While the landscape is cluttering up with this genre, the best known of this breed so far has been the Apple iPad. And the first serious challenger to it comes in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Ruling the specs sheets
None can deny that the 7-inch multitouch screen Galaxy Tab rules the specs sheets: A 1GHz processor, Android 2.2 OS that offers full Flash support in the web browser, 16/32 GB of memory plus support for up to 32GB storage on a microSD slot, two cameras (3.1 megapixel and 1.3MP), LED flash, along with voice and data connectivity over WiFi as well as 3G. So, apart from mail and browsing etc., you can also use it for making calls and sending SMSes. Then it offers GPS abilities, full HD (1080p high-definition) video support, and video recording (at 720 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second). But there’s more to gadgets than just specifications.
The Achilles Heel
Unfortunately, or fortunately, the iPad has become a default benchmark of sorts for tablets. So comparisons with it are inevitable. Having lived, worked and walked with both devices for a few weeks simultaneously, we feel that the Achilles Heel of the Tab. is primarily what runs on it: i.e., Android as the tablet’s operating system. Unlike the iPad’s iOS, Android is a phone OS that has not been rejigged for tablets. The polish and refinement of Apple’s iOS is missing. As also are the apps and the reams of rich multimedia content that the iPad has had a headstart with.
Yet, judging the Samsung Tab on it own merit is important. If you haven’t pawed an iPad before this, you won’t realise it. We also can't ignore the fact that the iPad is not yet officially available in the country. Other than the fact that the build and quality of the Tab is second to none, the Tab scores over its more popular ri-val on two fro-nts: portability and connectivity.
Easy to operate
One of the best things about the Galaxy Tab is its very handy form factor. Eminently luggable and manageable with one-hand, it is far easier to carry, use and handle when you are on the move. On the connectivity front, Samsung has worked out special connectivity offers from Airtel, Vodafone, Aircel, Tata Docomo, and Reliance. We found data connectivity speeds over an Airtel EDGE/GPRS connection surprisingly good. The Tab also has an excellent battery life, easily surpassing 10 hours of actual use. Yes, the Tab is an extremely desirable gadget to own — until you spot that heavy `38,000 price tag weighing it down. To make this rather steep cost more palatable, the tablet comes bundled with a stereo Bluetooth headset as well as a leather case. Is that enough to make the Tab appealing to most prospective users? Naah, not really…
The writer is a part-time publishing consultant and a full-time devotee of all things tech. Contact him at
ashishone@gmail.com
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