Tab Experiences after first couple of days

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Hi. I think I promised to tell my feelings of the Samsung slab after I got it, so here goes:

tl;dr: I like it very much, almost perfect for what I want it to be.

Specs we all know, so not much point brooding over that.
(EDIT: For those of you who want to know: Froyo.XWJJ3 / Baseband P1000XXJID / Kernel 2.6.32.9)

Price: I'm paying 32.90€/month for mine, no other charges. Unlimited data/calls are part of my earlier contract. I think it's worth it, even though the price is quite high compared to, for example, the states.

First impression: Sturdy, heavy. Perfect size. NICE display.

Usage

Browser: Otherwise butter-smooth (pinch-to-zoon is smooooth), but somehow scrolling is really jerky. I don't like that, but it's not THAT bad.

Camera: Sucks balls. It's easy enough to use and that 7" display is a treat to use as a viewfinder, but really, the camera is bad. Much worse than SGS's. (Still pictures, I haven't tried video.) I haven't really tried in good like outside (hard this time of year here), but inside the pictures suck. No way to say it nicer, sorry.

Interface: I hate TouchWiz. The stupid "you-are-on-screen-#" at the top spoils the look and makes it impossible to arrange widgets so that the topmost looks good. The Application Drawer is .. I don't know.. infernal? If there wasn't LauncherPro Plus available for such a small price, that alone would've made me re-think the purchase. I can't comment on the smoothness of TouchWiz on Tab since I installed LP+ after just about 20min of use. LP+ on the other hand, is butter-smooth. I really like it even though it only supports the standard 4x4 grid of icons (or, with the option I always keep selected, 4x5 grid).

I don't use the included mail client since I only use Gmail. No comments on that. The calendar is really good, it fits my usage perfectly. the Notes app is about the same as in SGS and I couldn't really live without it anymore. I use it too much

The reader's hub is rather pointless here, since the newpaper AND magazine parts aren't yet activated. Only the books work, and since it's the Kobo reader, it only supports the kobo-store and can't import ePubs (at least I couldn't find the option). Sucked balls, but at least Samsung included the "eBook" app by Aldiko.

Which, weirdly, is NOT the same app that is included with the SGS. The Tab's version is waaay better with more options to view/arrange the books and looks nicer with page transition animations. Weirdly though, it takes RREEAALY long to load a book if it has many pages. Much, much longer than the free Aldiko app takes on the same Tab. I like the free app so it doesn't matter that much.

The speakers aren't really that great. Much, much better than SGS, but that isn't much to say, SGS's speakers suck deep. You aren't going to enjoy listening music via the speakers, but I don't think anyone expected that anyway. They are good enough for game sounds and voice calls.

Incidentally, call quality is top-notch compared to Desire or SGS. I can't see why I wouldn't use the Tab as a primary phone al the time (other than the fact that I own the SGS already and carry it with me anyways). If you have something private to talk about, use headset (or a separete phone as I do with SGS. Since they all work with the same contract via MultiSIM, I can use every device interchangeably as they all ring the same time and calls come from the same number regardless of what device I call from.)

Size: YES IT DOES FIT. (sorry) Unlike some other forum members seem to think (and now that I really own the Tab, I REALLY call shenanigans on some parts of that said member's writings, or his sanity, depends) the Tab IS pocketable. I only own TWO pairs of trousers that I can't fit the tab in. I only carry it in front pockets so I can't comment on back pocketing ability) The build quality is SUPERB it doesn't, really doesn't feel like plastic-y like the SGS. When that one member commented something about breaking the Tab in half, he was either Trolling on purpose, or he had been trolled BADLY in the first place. The Tab is really sturdy and I couldn't bend it if I wanted to, much less BREAK it. The front is covered with Gorilla Glass for added protection.

It IS rather heavy, so I don't expect to carry it around in any trousers that don't sport a belt, but that's not really a problem. I don't use jeans at all, so don't know about those.

It DOES NOT recharge when connected to a computer via an USB port. The supplied charger, however is standard-looking adapter that plugs into a mains socket and has an USB-port on the top. I will test to see if the tab recharges from a) two usb ports on a computer connected with y-cable, like some 3G modems need or b) 3rd-party USB-charger like that one Samsung supplied (but goes around 5€ rather than ~30€ for the Samsung one...)

Somehow the Tab downloads/installs programs REALLY much faster than the SGS and it doesn't have the "SGS-lag" Supercurio is so adapt at fixing. I haven't tried any benchmarks for scoring, but based on pure opinion and usage, I'd bet that the Tab DOES NOT utilize the same RFS partitions as the SGS. At least it doesn't act like the SGS, which is all good and cool

The battery lasts long, but with only two days of use I can't comment more. I'll just say that as it came pre-charged and I played with it the whole day, it was only down to ~45% in the late evening.


Please, do ask questions about the Tab and I'll answer as much as I can. And I'll add more info about it after a few more days of use.

Thank you for your feedback here.
I also own it for two weeks now and I 100% agree with your comments and experience .

It is the best android device I ever owned to date (and I owned MANY).

Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

I agree about that "best android device" statement. I really like this Tab a lot.

A couple more bits of info:

Sadly, no, you CANNOT recharge the thing with either a) or b) options. I was using a Deltaco -branded 5€ mains-socket -style usb charger rated with 1A and the Tab refused to work. Also same when connected to computer via y-cable adapter that came with Huawei's 3G modem (takes power from both usb-ports).

The supplied charger is rated at 2A, which might be the point here. I'll continue to search for a 3rd-party charger that would work because I really, really don't feel like ordering any number of the original Samsung adapters at that price.


The screen: OK - it's not a SuperAMOLED screen, which I'm DEEPLY in love with in the SGS. It is just pure bliss and heaven watching that 4" screen with so vibrant colors and awesome contrast - nothing even comes close.

But. It's no standard TFT either. I'd say it's just on par with normal AMOLED/SuperLCD screens used in the HTC Desire currently. Definitely better than the HTC Hero's screen. The black is not as black as SGS's SuperAMOLED but otherwise the color reproduction is quite close to that. It's crisp and contrasty enough.

I'm not complaining at all

Thanks for the review man

Its great to see that the battery is up to some heavy usage and that its nice and smooth to use.

As soon as vodafone gets its act together and puts them up for order here, I'll have mine 24 hours after that :P Still can't believe that its so close to release and there's no prices *grumble*

This has been discussed before... the tab will charge over powered USB. Just very, very slowly.

The USB can be plugged into an Apple Iphone socket and used in the wall as well to charge....

Originally Posted by ftgg99

This has been discussed before... the tab will charge over powered USB. Just very, very slowly.

Well, I'd really like this to be true. But unfortunately at least my Tab doesn't. Or then it recharges REALLY slow, I mean less than 1% in 3 hours. I tried.

Mine just displays the charge icon overlaid by a circle with a slash when connected to any other than the supplied charger.

I don't own an iphone so can't try that charger.

Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

Just a correction, with launcher pro you can have even a 10x10 grid, the option is under homescreen settings

Sent from my Galaxy Tab

Originally Posted by Azhad

Just a correction, with launcher pro you can have even a 10x10 grid, the option is under homescreen settings

Sent from my Galaxy Tab

Not REALLY, no. It's just a grid to arrange the icons, it's not "the real thing". As in, with that columns/rows option, LP just crops/cuts the icons/widgets and sticks them to the screen. MOST of the time this just looks HORRIBLE. There's another option that allows the real 4x5 grid, and that's what I'm talking about. The columns/rows option is just a "virtual" grid over the "real" one.

Ok, I don't make much sense, but try it. I wouldn't keep those options up more than absolutely necessary, they destroy any semblance of nice visuals there is

EDIT: Hookay, TRY before speaking... I was talking with the experience of using that option in the Galaxy S.. on Tab it ACTUALLY looks kinda good... I admit, my fault. -> I'm now using a grid of 6x7 and it looks mighty good - thanks for that mate!

Originally Posted by AnttiV

Well, I'd really like this to be true. But unfortunately at least my Tab doesn't. Or then it recharges REALLY slow, I mean less than 1% in 3 hours. I tried.

Mine just displays the charge icon overlaid by a circle with a slash when connected to any other than the supplied charger.

I don't own an iphone so can't try that charger.

Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

It will charge faster off a powered hub or one of the ports at the back of your pc. Im using a dlink port replicator and when the tab is plugged in i can play angry birds without losing battery...