Pathik Shah

10 Reasons Why I’m Buying the Samsung Galaxy Tab (And You Should Too)

Samsung Galaxy Tab Review

1. Android

It’s the first serious Android tablet that can go head to head against the iPad, and probably win. It runs the latest version – Android 2.2 Froyo, and comes with the TouchWiz 3.0 UI optimized for a higher resolution display and Swype for text input.

2. Hardware

It has much better hardware specifications than the iPad. A 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor coupled with a PowerVR SGX540 graphics processor with 512 MB RAM (the iPad has just 256 MB RAM). It comes with 16 GB internal storage and support for 32 GB microSD cards.

3. Apps and Games

The Galaxy Tab supports all apps and games from the Android Market (many other Android tablets don’t). Most existing apps scale up properly to the larger resolution. As the display isn’t as big as the iPad’s 9.7 incher, even the scaled up apps won’t look as ugly as iPhone apps looked on the iPad. Besides, Samsung has included enough apps on it tailored specifically for the tablet form factor.

4. Multitasking

As it runs Android 2.2 Froyo with 512 MB RAM and a 1 GHz processor, you can easily multitask dozens of apps. The iPad can’t (though it will get multitasking with the iOS 4.2 update by the end of 2010, I don’t think 256 MB RAM will be enough).

5. Connectivity

It offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB and 3G connectivity. It can also function as a phone, and you can also make video calls using the built in camera. It also has built in GPS. Pretty much everything you will need.

6. Multimedia

It offers much better multimedia capabilities than the iPad or any other tablet. Like the Galaxy S, it can directly playback MP4, DivX, XviD, MKV and even RMVB in 720p. No need to convert any videos, you can directly transfer them to the Galaxy Tab and watch them.

7. Camera

It has two cameras – a front facing VGA camera and a 3.2 MP camera on the back. The front camera can be used for video conferencing while the one of the back can be used to record video and capture casual shots. (The iPad has neither).

8. Display

It has a 7 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels (higher pixel density than the iPad). A SuperAMOLED display would have been awesome, but I guess the shortage of SuperAMOLED panels didn’t help.

9. Portability

It is much more portable than the iPad. It weighs close to half what the iPad does and is also much smaller. Perfect for one handed usage, ebook reading and watching videos. It is also pretty stylish.

10. Pricing and Availability

Very few tablets are available internationally. The iPad still isn’t available in India officially and neither are most of the el cheapo Android tablets. Getting one from the grey market is very expensive. The Galaxy Tab should be available in India soon, and is expected to be priced around $500.

Unless Samsung screws up the pricing, I’m definitely getting the Galaxy Tab. Are you?

The early reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Tab are already out (and they are looking great).

Check some out:

Mobile Review – Samsung Galaxy Tab – First Look

Engadget – Samsung Galaxy Tab Preview

Gizmodo – Samsung Galaxy Tab – Quick Look

Samsung Galaxy Tab vs Apple iPad: Comparison

In this post, I will compare the Samsung Galaxy Tab, an Android tablet by Samsung which will be launched on September 2, and the Apple iPad, which is the best tablet available currently.

Apple iPad vs Samsung Galaxy Tab

Display

The Apple iPad has a 9.7 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. The Samsung Galaxy Tab, on the other hand, will have a 7.0 inch SuperAMOLED display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The SuperAMOLED display of the Galaxy Tab will definitely trump the TFT display of the iPad. The display of the Galaxy Tab is smaller but I would prefer that as it’s more portable.

Hardware

The Apple iPad has a 1 GHz A4 processor and comes with 256 MB RAM. The Galaxy Tab will have a 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor and will have 512 MB RAM. The Galaxy Tab clearly wins in this aspect.

The iPad is available in 16, 32 and 64 GB versions while the Galaxy Tab will have a 16 GB version with support for up to 32 GB microSD cards.

Operating System

The Apple iPad runs the older version of iOS – iOS 3.2.2 which doesn’t offer features like multitasking and folders. It should get the iOS 4 update soon though. The Samsung Galaxy Tab will come with Android 2.2 Froyo and will probably also get the upgrade to Android 3.0 Gingerbread. It offers full multitasking and folder support as well as many other features. I would go with the Galaxy Tab on this one.

After iOS 4 releases for the iPad, the scales may tilt in the iPad’s favor.

Applications and Games

The Apple iPad can run almost all of the 200,000 apps and games built for the iPhone. It also has over 12,000 native applications written specifically for the iPad.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab will presumably support applications from the Android Market, which add up to about 80,000. However, Android apps customized for bigger displays with higher resolutions will be hard to find initially. The iPad definitely wins this one.

Multimedia

Watching videos on the iPad is a huge hassle, as it doesn’t support most video formats. You have to convert videos to M4V, MP4 or MOV using the appropriate codecs (H.264, MPEG-4). On the Galaxy Tab, we will have support for H.264, XviD, DivX, MP4, MKV and even RMVB videos. You will probably be able to play most videos directly without having to convert them. It also has the better display.

The Galaxy Tab will also have a 3.2 MP camera and a front facing VGA camera. The iPad doesn’t have one. The Galaxy Tab easily wins this round.

Connectivity

The iPad offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity. You can also get the 3G connectivity option by paying $130 extra. The Galaxy Tab will sport Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 and also includes 3G in the base version. The Galaxy Tab also has a GPS transceiver with A-GPS support, which only the iPad 3G model has. It also has an HDMI out.

Galaxy Tab wins!

The Verdict

I have compared the Apple iPad with what we know about the Samsung Galaxy Tab so far, and the Galaxy Tab clearly comes out on top. It should be priced lower than the iPad. The Galaxy Tab will also be available in countries which don’t have the iPad, like India, which makes it a much better option for me. I am definitely getting the Galaxy Tab, are you?

The Motorola Droid X is the best Android smartphone yet. This is a comparison of the Motorola Droid X (Verizon) with the Apple iPhone 4 (AT&T).

Display – iPhone 4 wins

The iPhone 4 sports a new 3.5 inch retina display with a resolution of 640 x 960 pixels. It is one of the best mobile displays ever. The Droid X, on the other hand, sports a 4.3 inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. The iPhone 4 display clearly has the upper hand here despite being smaller.

Processing Hardware – It’s a tie

Both the Droid X and the iPhone 4 sport a 1 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM which offer nearly the same performance.

Memory: Droid X wins

The iPhone 4 comes in 16 GB and 32 GB versions while the Droid X comes only in a 8 GB version with a 16 GB micro SD card (with support for upto 32 GB cards).

OS (iOS 4 vs Android): Undecided

The iPhone 4 comes with the new iOS 4 while the Droid X comes bundled with Android 2.1 Eclair but will get an upgrade to Android 2.2 Froyo. They are the two best mobile operating systems. The iOS platform has more applications – 2,20,000 while the Android platform has around 65,000. Android 2.2 was clearly better than iOS 3.1.3 but the verdict on iOS4 vs Android 2.2 isn’t out yet. Android 2.2 will support Flash, can be used as a Mobile Hotspot and also comes with the Swype text input system. iOS 4 now comes with Multitasking, which takes away Android’s major advantage over it.

Camera: iPhone 4 wins

The iPhone 4 has a 5 MP camera with an LED flash while the Droid X comes with an 8 MP camera with a dual LED flash. Both of them can record 720p video at 30 FPS. Both of them capture excellent images. Despite the obvious megapixel difference, the iPhone 4 has a larger image sensor which results in better pictures. It also has a front facing camera which can be used for video calls (Facetime) which tips the scales in the iPhone 4′s favor.

Connectivity Options: Droid X wins

Both of them support the usual connectivity options – GPRS, EDGE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS etc and support tethering.

However, in the US, the iPhone 4 is still tied exclusively to the AT&T network while the Droid X will be available on the far better Verizon network. Also, the Droid X can be used as a Wi-Fi mobile Hotspot.

Infibeam Phi Review – Windows and Android Tablets

Since the Apple iPad launch, many manufacturers have been planning to launch their own tablets. Some, like the HP Slate, have been cancelled, some have been delayed while some are slated to launch soon.

Notion Ink, the original Indian tablet, was one of the most anticipated tablets since its announcement about an year back. However, its launch has been delayed to the end of 2010.

However, there is still hope – After launching its own ebook reader – the Infibeam Pi and mobile phone range, Infibeam has now announced its own Tablet – the Infibeam Phi

Infibeam Phi Preview – Windows and Android

The Infibeam Phi will be available in two versions – the Infibeam Windows Phi and the Infibeam Android Phi.

The hardware specifications of both the Windows and Android version are similar. They comes with 8 GB internal memory (with support for upto 32 GB memory cards), a 7 inch TFT touchscreen display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and come with the Windows CE / Android OS. They support both Wi-Fi and USB connectivity. THe Phi has dimensions of 225 x 175 x 75mm and weighs around 180 grams.

Both of them will have image, audio and video support. You can buy ebooks from Infibeam directly on these devices. The Windows Phi comes with Microsoft Office and GPS while the Android Phi is supposed to support the Android Market. Both the versions are supposed to have a battery life of around 5-6 hours with moderate usage. (1800 mAh Li-ion battery)

Infibeam Phi Price and Availability

Both the Windows Phi and the Android Phi will be available for Rs. 14,999 ($330) with a 1 year warranty and will be available on 30th July 2010.

Preorder – Infibeam Android Phi and Infibeam Windows Phi

Infibeam Android Phi

Infibeam Windows Phi

Processor Comparisons

Intel Core i3 vs Core i5 vs Core i7 – The Difference
Intel Core i7 vs Intel Core 2 Duo – The Difference
Intel Core i5 vs Intel Core 2 Duo – The Difference
Intel Core i3 vs Intel Core 2 Duo – The Difference
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Intel Core i3 vs Core i5 vs Core i7 Comparison- The Difference

This post explains the difference between the Intel Core i3, Core i5 and the Core i7 processors.

Intel Core i3

Codenamed: Clarkdale (Westmere)
Fabrication: 32 nm
Instruction set: X86, X86-64, MMX, SSE 4.2
Socket: LGA 1156
Bus: Direct Media Interface
RAM: DDR3
Chipset Support: P55, H55, H57, Q57

Intel Core i5

Codenamed: Lynnfield (Nehalem), Clarkdale (Westmere)
Fabrication: 45 nm, 32 nm
Instruction set: X86, X86-64, MMX, SSE 4.2
Socket: LGA 1156
Bus: Direct Media Interface
RAM: DDR3
Chipset Support: P55, H55, H57, Q57

Intel Core i7

Codenamed: Bloomfield (Nehalem)
Fabrication: 45 nm
Instruction set: X86, X86-64, MMX, SSE 4.2
Socket: LGA 1366
Bus: Quick Path Interconnect
RAM: DDR3
Chipset Support: X58

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