In fact, the full Windows runs more efficiently than Android. Yes, it does use up more space, though with Wimboot and Windows 10 it's only a couple gigs more. But as for usage of RAM , CPU and GPU, even Windows 8.1 is easier than Android 5.1. This is obvious in designs which have both Android and Windows versions and identical otherwise such as the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2.
One often overlooked fact is that the Windows tablet app ecosystem is healthier than Android's where few apps are optimised for tablets, most just run in their phone modes. Both still lag behind iPad though. Windows does have the option of falling back on Win32 apps although they are a bit of a handful on touch.
This is not the 19th century, portable application dev frameworks exist. All people really need is a minimal Linux install + device drivers - that would take less space and resources than any existing mobile OS. From then on it is just a matter of releasing different GUI shells for this "platform" - as for the actual applications, they would still run regardless of the shell.
I personally am not happy with none of the corporate GUI shell solutions currently on the market. They are all mediocre by the standards of a decent GUI / UX (user experience) designers.
That's what the world needs - just the OS and the drivers with NO BLOATWARE WHATSOEVER. That being available, we will quickly see a variety of competing GUI shells for it.
As a windows Tablet owner (and iPad and former Android tab owner), I have to say that Windows still has a long way to go on the tablet side. It generally run efficiently, but I've had many times where something happened that caused it to eat up battery for no known reason. The Windows store is still full of too many crap (or over priced) Apps. Falling back on Win32 is the saving grace, and a nice feature, and I'd still take a WIndows tablet over Android for that reason. But when I really need to get things done (tablet-wise) I reach for the iPad.
TabletBlue . com is one site worth reviewing and has some really nice deals on Android tablets, including the Pipo P8 8-inch model for $159, which matches most of the specs of the iPad Mini 3, including a Retina display; plus includes GPS and Dual Band Wifi —
TabletBlue also has two new Dual Boot tablets, which is the newest trend in tablets and makes it easy to use both Windows 8.1 and Android OS Apps on the same device — with tablets that launched this month that include an 8″ model for $164 and a 10″ model for $229 — both which are powered by an Intel processor, offer HD screens and have long battery life.
Other sale items include an ultra-size 11.6″ Android tablet with an HD display and Intel CPU for $179 (normally $279) and also a premium iPad case with Bluetooth keyboard for $19 (reg $59).
Yeah, right. You keep thinking an OS that requires a 3.6gb dl + 2hr install time is lighter than an android update to lp from kk taking 200mb + 10 min to install.
Why don't you tell MSFT to get an oled display driver then??? Dell tells us the reason they didn't go windows on their oled Venue is due to the lack of an oled driver. Come on MSFT.
Lol, yeah that Dell rep wither was messing around with you or had no idea what he was talking about because that statement doesnt even make sense. The display driver is for the GPU, not the screen, in fact you don't need drivers at all for the screen as the interfaces to drive them are all standardized, whether it be LCD, or OLED, whatever.
Hmm, I think you got a point there. We know that there is a decline in tablet sales which, in my opinion, is due to smartphones getting bigger and sufficiently fast. When I got my Nexus 5, my Asus tablet has been rarely used anymore. Anyway, it seems to me that the tablet form factor is ready for Windows, now that the hardware and OS has come together to make it a quality experience.
Odd that they totally copy ipad the screen size/aspect/resolution. I was hopping more people would go 3:2 like the Surface. I really think that is the best compromise.
It better be RGB stripe instead of Pentile, because I can already see the grainyness of my buddies Galaxy S1 8.4 2560x1600 screen and it is because of pentile.
I have the Galaxy Pro 8.4 LCD with RGB stripe and it has no graininess. Pentile cuts much of the effective resolution.
Yes, Surface has nailed it with 3:2. 16:10 is awkward for portrait, while 4:3 is terrible for landscape, especially for movies and multitasking. I mean it reminds me of them 80s - with massive letterboxes on CRT TVs. The latter is not an issue for Android generally but Samsung do have a split view feature.
3:2 is the perfect compromise. Works well in both modes. Amazingly, Google and Microsoft are the only two vendors who use this, and both are primarily software companies. I suppose the software guys have spoken - 3:2 is ideal for the OS we are writing.
Personally, I watch a lot of Youtube videos and movies. I would pick 16:10 with AMOLED.
Can't see the reason for disliking the 16:10-format. My old LG G Pad 8.3 is using a 16:10-screen and at 8.3 inches it's perfect for holding in one hand. My iPad Mini on the other hand has always felt a bit too wide for comfortably holding like that.
At 7" I actually prefer 16:10, at 9"+ I think 4:3 & 3:2 make more sense, at 8" it's a toss up IMO depending on what you do most. I basically never use my Nexus 7 in landscape mode unless it's for movies, I'd probably treat an 8" tab the same but I notice others do use landscape within the UI.
Yes I do read the news, thank you. The current exchange rate of 1.09 dollars for every euro is not enough to cover up the much higher taxes we have in Europe.
Yes, this is such a tired effort from Samsung I'm not sure it's even worthy of comment time. Tablets are second class citizens in the digital landscape. I'm using a 2013 Note 8 LTE as phablet, and what Samsung has come up with so far is totally pathetic. I realize this is no Note, but still. Who cares if it's 5.6 mm thick? I'd like the maximum amount of screen space in the minimum amount of device size. The bezels are thinner than on my 2013 device, but the aspect ratio changing makes it only 1.1 mm more pocketable. Pathetic. Furthermore, it doesn't have APTX. The camera has 3mp more resolution, but that's up from a poor 5mp, and still no flash. Good luck Samsung, I will not open my wallet for this.
The battery capacity is really strange. Four years ago you could get a Samsung Tab 10.1 with a 7000mAh battery. And it didn't have to push two million pixels. As a bonus: 1. These are AMOLED. 2. AMOLED uses more power to display bright images. 3. Lollipop is all white.
Still no official h265/hevc support in the OS or drivers? What's holding them? I 'd like to see support for this with e.g. MXplayer in HW+ mode. Ah well, 4:3 is not suited for moviewatching. Better wait until they come with a proper 3:2 format. Neeext..
Lollipop has support for H265, I'm not sure what you're talking about. As for 4:3, I have watched movies exclusively on a 4:3 TV for about 20 years. I assure you I could see them just fine.
I mean h265 hardware decoding support, not software support only. Only some recent processors do have a hw hevc decoder. As the article states, Samsung decided to let the decoding be done via sw, the same as with the Galaxy Note 4. I have the Tab S now, which can sw decode hevc up to 720p reasonably well, but it eats battery power. This can only improve by hw decoding.
It took Android tablet manufacturers way too long to start making high end 4:3 tablets. Add to that the fact that there still are way less tablet optimized apps for Android compared to iOS, and that is why Android tablets are still considerably behind iPads. I love Android, but I unfortunately still have to own an iPad just to get an overall good tablet experience. I did buy a Galaxy Tab S 10.5 for watching video content though, and that was the reason why I was hoping they wouldn't go 4:3 with the new model line, so I could upgrade. Looks like the new Sony tab is the only way to go at this point if you want a good high end Android tab for consuming media content. In any case, IMO, Android tablet manufacturers still shouldn't charge the same entry-level price as an iPad -- even if it does have more memory -- it's just an overall lesser tablet experience. The new larger Samsung tab should be coming in AT LEAST $50 less than the iPad Air 2, if not a full $100 less.
Just don't understand why Samsung keeps putting inferior chips in their top of the line tablets. That's not a way to challenge the iPad. Apple treats iPad as their true leading edge product, showcasing their very best and latest in SoC development. The next generation will simply humiliate this performance wise.
"I've already noted several times in previous tablet reviews that 16:10 is an aspect ratio that is good for watching videos and really nothing else..."
Nice tablet, I'll wait until CyanogenMod comes out with a supported ROM before I think about grabbing one. Samsung's TouchWiz is not only the worst Android version I have ever used but Samsung is also horrible at updating their software, it will be at least another year before you c an expect to see the first one. With CM, updates come on a regular basis, it's also a vanilla Android build which means it's not only faster but a lot nicer looking than TouchWiz's antiquated Honeycomb look.
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lilmoe - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
Sorry Sammy, but if it ain't running Windows, then no thanks.LordConrad - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
Sorry to Microsoft. A full size, bloated OS crammed onto a tablet, no thanks.trane - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
In fact, the full Windows runs more efficiently than Android. Yes, it does use up more space, though with Wimboot and Windows 10 it's only a couple gigs more. But as for usage of RAM , CPU and GPU, even Windows 8.1 is easier than Android 5.1. This is obvious in designs which have both Android and Windows versions and identical otherwise such as the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2.One often overlooked fact is that the Windows tablet app ecosystem is healthier than Android's where few apps are optimised for tablets, most just run in their phone modes. Both still lag behind iPad though. Windows does have the option of falling back on Win32 apps although they are a bit of a handful on touch.
ddriver - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
This is not the 19th century, portable application dev frameworks exist. All people really need is a minimal Linux install + device drivers - that would take less space and resources than any existing mobile OS. From then on it is just a matter of releasing different GUI shells for this "platform" - as for the actual applications, they would still run regardless of the shell.I personally am not happy with none of the corporate GUI shell solutions currently on the market. They are all mediocre by the standards of a decent GUI / UX (user experience) designers.
That's what the world needs - just the OS and the drivers with NO BLOATWARE WHATSOEVER. That being available, we will quickly see a variety of competing GUI shells for it.
kmmatney - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
As a windows Tablet owner (and iPad and former Android tab owner), I have to say that Windows still has a long way to go on the tablet side. It generally run efficiently, but I've had many times where something happened that caused it to eat up battery for no known reason. The Windows store is still full of too many crap (or over priced) Apps. Falling back on Win32 is the saving grace, and a nice feature, and I'd still take a WIndows tablet over Android for that reason. But when I really need to get things done (tablet-wise) I reach for the iPad.SGreen2k - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
TabletBlue . com is one site worth reviewing and has some really nice deals on Android tablets, including the Pipo P8 8-inch model for $159, which matches most of the specs of the iPad Mini 3, including a Retina display; plus includes GPS and Dual Band Wifi —TabletBlue also has two new Dual Boot tablets, which is the newest trend in tablets and makes it easy to use both Windows 8.1 and Android OS Apps on the same device — with tablets that launched this month that include an 8″ model for $164 and a 10″ model for $229 — both which are powered by an Intel processor, offer HD screens and have long battery life.
Other sale items include an ultra-size 11.6″ Android tablet with an HD display and Intel CPU for $179 (normally $279) and also a premium iPad case with Bluetooth keyboard for $19 (reg $59).
sprockkets - Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - link
Yeah, right. You keep thinking an OS that requires a 3.6gb dl + 2hr install time is lighter than an android update to lp from kk taking 200mb + 10 min to install.Kutark - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
Id take a full size bloated OS if it had more functionality than ios or android, personally. Problem is getting the hardware to run it properly.spectrablue - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Why don't you tell MSFT to get an oled display driver then???Dell tells us the reason they didn't go windows on their oled Venue is due to the lack of an oled driver. Come on MSFT.
Michael Bay - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
What is an oled driver, and how is it different from the usual display drivers?BMNify - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
That Dell rep fooled you mister.extide - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Lol, yeah that Dell rep wither was messing around with you or had no idea what he was talking about because that statement doesnt even make sense. The display driver is for the GPU, not the screen, in fact you don't need drivers at all for the screen as the interfaces to drive them are all standardized, whether it be LCD, or OLED, whatever.zodiacfml - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Hmm, I think you got a point there. We know that there is a decline in tablet sales which, in my opinion, is due to smartphones getting bigger and sufficiently fast. When I got my Nexus 5, my Asus tablet has been rarely used anymore. Anyway, it seems to me that the tablet form factor is ready for Windows, now that the hardware and OS has come together to make it a quality experience.R. Hunt - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
I'd rather have the Amoled screen and a decent selection of mobile apps, thanks.lilmoe - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
I'd rather have a Sammy tablet with AMOLED running Windows 10 :)guidryp - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
Odd that they totally copy ipad the screen size/aspect/resolution. I was hopping more people would go 3:2 like the Surface. I really think that is the best compromise.It better be RGB stripe instead of Pentile, because I can already see the grainyness of my buddies Galaxy S1 8.4 2560x1600 screen and it is because of pentile.
I have the Galaxy Pro 8.4 LCD with RGB stripe and it has no graininess. Pentile cuts much of the effective resolution.
Dobson123 - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
Agree. I can also see the grainyness of the Galaxy S5's screen, only S6 is fine.csroc - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
Agreed on 3:2 and the subpixel arrangement.If someone would come out with an 8-10" lightweight tablet with a 3:2 aspect ratio and front firing stereo speakers, I'd be first in line.
IlllI - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
sony tablets have a resolution of 2560x1600, which is close to the 2160x1440 that the surface pro 3 hasBrandon Chester - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
It really isn't. Large 16:10 tablets are uncomfortable and aim for landscape mode which has pitiful vertical real estate.vips73 - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
Isn't that a surface 3? Or is that not lightweight enough?trane - Sunday, July 19, 2015 - link
Yes, Surface has nailed it with 3:2. 16:10 is awkward for portrait, while 4:3 is terrible for landscape, especially for movies and multitasking. I mean it reminds me of them 80s - with massive letterboxes on CRT TVs. The latter is not an issue for Android generally but Samsung do have a split view feature.3:2 is the perfect compromise. Works well in both modes. Amazingly, Google and Microsoft are the only two vendors who use this, and both are primarily software companies. I suppose the software guys have spoken - 3:2 is ideal for the OS we are writing.
Personally, I watch a lot of Youtube videos and movies. I would pick 16:10 with AMOLED.
piroroadkill - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Like Surface? Surely like Chromebook Pixel! 2560×1700, awww yeah.Calista - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Can't see the reason for disliking the 16:10-format. My old LG G Pad 8.3 is using a 16:10-screen and at 8.3 inches it's perfect for holding in one hand. My iPad Mini on the other hand has always felt a bit too wide for comfortably holding like that.Impulses - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
At 7" I actually prefer 16:10, at 9"+ I think 4:3 & 3:2 make more sense, at 8" it's a toss up IMO depending on what you do most. I basically never use my Nexus 7 in landscape mode unless it's for movies, I'd probably treat an 8" tab the same but I notice others do use landscape within the UI.spectrablue - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Perhaps the rumored Galaxy Tab S Pro will have a better processor than the S2.zodiacfml - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
I wonder it didn't have the Exynos 7420. Supply is probably just enough for its S6 and upcoming Note.Michael REMY - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
the 8" looks like a low-cost version of the xperia z3 tablet compact ! even the specifications lower !jjj - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Ugly, bulky, underperforming, fake resolution and hugely overpriced.BTW by listing that resolution you are participating in the fraud, you should acquire a backbone and list proper specs.
extide - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
What is the proper spec then?Brandon Chester - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
I have no idea what you're talking about.WarlockOfOz - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
I prefer widescreen for small tablets since you get a larger screen while still fitting into a pocket.stlc8tr - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
"I've already noted several times in previous tablet reviews that 16:10 is an aspect ratio that is good for watching videos and really nothing else"I disagree. 16:10 is better than 4:3 for comics and magazines. Especially for those magazines that can do two page displays.
yannigr2 - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
The $1=1€ is not followed from all companies these last months. I have seen many cases recently where something costs less dollars than euros.limitedaccess - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
The reason is that the USD has strengthed considerably relative to other currencies over the last year.yannigr2 - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Yes I do read the news, thank you. The current exchange rate of 1.09 dollars for every euro is not enough to cover up the much higher taxes we have in Europe.GabrielGon - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Lower ppi than the last version, over 2k mah less in battery, an outdated soc....W
T
F
Samsung
Gadgety - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Yes, this is such a tired effort from Samsung I'm not sure it's even worthy of comment time. Tablets are second class citizens in the digital landscape. I'm using a 2013 Note 8 LTE as phablet, and what Samsung has come up with so far is totally pathetic. I realize this is no Note, but still. Who cares if it's 5.6 mm thick? I'd like the maximum amount of screen space in the minimum amount of device size. The bezels are thinner than on my 2013 device, but the aspect ratio changing makes it only 1.1 mm more pocketable. Pathetic. Furthermore, it doesn't have APTX. The camera has 3mp more resolution, but that's up from a poor 5mp, and still no flash. Good luck Samsung, I will not open my wallet for this.bug77 - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
The battery capacity is really strange. Four years ago you could get a Samsung Tab 10.1 with a 7000mAh battery. And it didn't have to push two million pixels.As a bonus:
1. These are AMOLED.
2. AMOLED uses more power to display bright images.
3. Lollipop is all white.
muniperez - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
I am the only one who noticed the drop on battery size? It's only slightly more than 60% than what we have on both iPads :OI surely would prefer a thicker tablet if it meant more battery. Samsung is drowning on it's own stupidity.
muniperez - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
* Am I the only one....BMNify - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Windows 8.1/10 or GTFO!!Salipander - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Still no official h265/hevc support in the OS or drivers? What's holding them? I 'd like to see support for this with e.g. MXplayer in HW+ mode. Ah well, 4:3 is not suited for moviewatching. Better wait until they come with a proper 3:2 format. Neeext..bug77 - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Lollipop has support for H265, I'm not sure what you're talking about.As for 4:3, I have watched movies exclusively on a 4:3 TV for about 20 years. I assure you I could see them just fine.
Salipander - Friday, July 31, 2015 - link
I mean h265 hardware decoding support, not software support only. Only some recent processors do have a hw hevc decoder. As the article states, Samsung decided to let the decoding be done via sw, the same as with the Galaxy Note 4. I have the Tab S now, which can sw decode hevc up to 720p reasonably well, but it eats battery power. This can only improve by hw decoding.FlyBri - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
It took Android tablet manufacturers way too long to start making high end 4:3 tablets. Add to that the fact that there still are way less tablet optimized apps for Android compared to iOS, and that is why Android tablets are still considerably behind iPads. I love Android, but I unfortunately still have to own an iPad just to get an overall good tablet experience. I did buy a Galaxy Tab S 10.5 for watching video content though, and that was the reason why I was hoping they wouldn't go 4:3 with the new model line, so I could upgrade. Looks like the new Sony tab is the only way to go at this point if you want a good high end Android tab for consuming media content. In any case, IMO, Android tablet manufacturers still shouldn't charge the same entry-level price as an iPad -- even if it does have more memory -- it's just an overall lesser tablet experience. The new larger Samsung tab should be coming in AT LEAST $50 less than the iPad Air 2, if not a full $100 less.darkich - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
Just don't understand why Samsung keeps putting inferior chips in their top of the line tablets.That's not a way to challenge the iPad.
Apple treats iPad as their true leading edge product, showcasing their very best and latest in SoC development.
The next generation will simply humiliate this performance wise.
Hrafn - Thursday, July 30, 2015 - link
"I've already noted several times in previous tablet reviews that 16:10 is an aspect ratio that is good for watching videos and really nothing else..."It's also good for reading comics on.
calden - Tuesday, August 4, 2015 - link
Nice tablet, I'll wait until CyanogenMod comes out with a supported ROM before I think about grabbing one. Samsung's TouchWiz is not only the worst Android version I have ever used but Samsung is also horrible at updating their software, it will be at least another year before you c an expect to see the first one. With CM, updates come on a regular basis, it's also a vanilla Android build which means it's not only faster but a lot nicer looking than TouchWiz's antiquated Honeycomb look.