GADGET WATCH: Samsung Galaxy 10.1

With all the controversy surrounding the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet these past few weeks, and the revelation that Apple is attempting to block sales of the device in Europe as well, it’s a good time to sit back and find out whether this tablet is actually worth the hype.

While critics say the 10.1 is a rip-off of the iPad, others say it’s just as powerful and even better to use. So is the Galaxy 10.1 for you?

Hardware and features

The Galaxy 10.1, the second version of the original Galaxy tablet, comes with a 10.1-inch screen, 1280×800 resolution, and comes with a 2.1 megapixel camera. A 3.0 megapixel camera is located on the back of the device, which is made from a mixture of metal and plastic.

The device itself is thin and light, weighing only 565 grams and measuring either 0.4 or 0.3 inches. There are few buttons apart from volume controls, along with a headphone jack.

Powered by Honeycomb software, the 10.1 tab is powered by a 1Ghz processor, is WiFi compatible and stores either 16GB or 32GB of data. It features a gyroscope, an accelerometer and plays back 1080p video.

What’s the consensus?

There’s a lot to like about the Galaxy 10.1. Reviewers praise the lightweight build and the thin construction, saying it’s easy to hold and carry around. TechRadar writes that the tablet is designed to feel more comfortable than some other Android tablets.

“The device just feels right. Unlike the Acer Iconia A500 and the Motorola Xoom, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 finds that ideal balance between a pick-up-and go eBook reader such as the Amazon Kindle 3 and a 10-inch tablet that’s perfect for watching movies on a long car trip.”

While CNET criticised the lack of USB ports or a MicroSD slot, it said the Honeycomb software was easy to use, and noted that the five home screens allows plenty of customisation.

“Unlike the iPad version of iOS, Honeycomb takes full advantage of the screen real estate, with quick access to messages and settings in the bottom right of the screen. Navigating the home screens and app drawer is made even easier, just touch the left and right sides of the screen rather than swiping your finger across it.”

However, it also said that some apps don’t necessarily scale well to the device’s screen.

Engadget praised the quick software, including the speediness of playing back audio and video over home networks, along with support for different file types. It also praised the lengthy battery life.

“We’d love a microSD slot, but we can’t help but applaud Samsung for pushing Android tablets to a level they’ve never reached prior to now.”

Overall, reviewers say despite the lack of features including USB ports and a MicroSD slot, the Galaxy 10.1 tablet is the best Android-powered device on the market, with responsive software powered by an impressive processor, along with a comfortable, lightweight build.

Who’s it for?

The tablet market is dominated by the iPad, and will be dominated by Apple for quite some time. However, with the number of Android-powered tablets coming on the market, it’s only a matter of time before a worthy competitor appears.

The consensus is clear – the Galaxy 10.1 tablet is the best iPad alternative on the market. If you want a lightweight but powerful tablet that isn’t an Apple product, then the 10.1 is definitely worth a look.