I want a tablet that can replace my computer when I am traveling. I want to be able to do more than just Email, browse the web, and watch movies. I want to be able to create content as well as consume it. This includes simple photo editing and posting blog entries. I also want to be able to navigate where I don't know my way around. This is an amazing device for the price. Thanks in part to advances in Android Apps as well as many portable Bluetooth keyboards, this tablet can do it all. There are some limitations, but they are easy to work around.
I purchased the 7" tablet because it fits in my pocket. Many people have written about the low resolution of the screen. My previous 7" tablet had a much higher screen resolution. With a 7" display, I can't see the difference. When reading, I do not notice pixelation of the font. If you want a larger tablet, the screen resolution might be more of a consideration.
Navigation is possible, thanks to the new version of Google Maps which allows me to store maps of cities I will visit offline, although you will want a memory card. Unfortunately, the tablet does not include a magnetic sensor, so compass applications won't work.
Office 365, Photo Editor, and other content creation programs work fine. Web page loading seems a little slow, especially for pages with a lot of graphic content. The included Samsung file manager can easily copy photos from my camera to the tablet. (My camera does not have wireless capability. I use an OTG USB cable.) The file manager supports *copying* files but not *moving* them. It takes an extra step to remove photos from my camera. The included Gallery program is very good for flipping through pictures and deleting those I don't want. The photo editor that Gallery links to is seriously deficient in features, but MacGyver's Photo Editor works fine.
My Bluetooth keyboard, which worked perfectly with my previous tablet, periodically disconnects with this tablet. With stock Android software, one can disable the Bluetooth power-save feature to fix this problem. Samsung's software has a "Power Save" menu, but it doesn't give access to this Bluetooth setting. I don't know whether this is the cause of the disconnections, but it is only a nuisance. The keyboard reconnects itself after a short pause.
If the tablet were $300, I would give it 3 stars at most. But for less than half that price, this is a very capable machine. Considering how easily these handy little devices are damaged, price is critical for me. If you are willing to spend more, another tablet might be a better option for you.
| Standing screen display size | 7 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 1280 x 800 pixels |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1280x800 Pixels |
| Processor | 1.3 GHz Tablet_Processor |
| RAM | 1.5 GB DDR3 |
| Hard Drive | 8 GB Flash Memory Solid State |
| Graphics Coprocessor | quad-core 1.3 GHz Snapdragon 410 processor |
| Chipset Brand | Qualcomm |
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Wireless Type | 802.11abg |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 10 Hours |
