Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2013
Update 1/11/2014: I just want to add a tip that someone gave me in a comment to another Note 10.1 2014 review. In the review that follows, I complain that Android is not really conducive to developing and editing spreadsheets, That's true ( .for me at least), but the tip was to work spreadsheets with the tablet in portrait position rather than landscape. That really does help.
Update 12/3/2013: First of all, I've downgraded my rating to 4 stars -- for the same reasons many have commented on. I just don't find the problems to be as large or as tedious of some do and I get a lot more benefits from my Note 10.1 than I have issues, so I would really say a 4+.
The biggest issue is that the Note hand writing translation is not anywhere near perfect and does actually have a few naughty problems that will at times slow you down. I find you need to learn how to "write" on the note. For example, it has difficulty between my "i", "l", "/", and even "'" or ",". As I get more meticulous the better the result. My "tt" is done with three strokes, not four. The Note seems to have learned how to handle that. (Good!) Stray spaces or overwrites tend to happen and mostly surprise me and require correction. But at times the Note just correctly interprets the same input. (Strange!)
So for me who uses the Note to communicate with others (not just to take notes for myself) and who tends to perfectionism on spelling and punctuation, there IS a certain amount of frustration and correction that I shouldn't have to do. (I should point out that 45 years ago in college, I learned to print FAST because I couldn't read my own writing when it came time to review/study. I haven't tested Note with my writing, but frankly, I shudder.)
So why a 4-star review? I love it. With some minimal correcting, I generally get what I want properly entered with the s-pen and I feel no need for a real keyboard despite being an excellent typist. I MUCH prefer the s-pen over poking the screen keyboard. Those who complain about lag, even with TouchWiz, clearly are not getting all the Samsung updates or may have other issues. (Incidently, as a new Samsung user, I LIKE TouchWiz and have not felt a need to replace it. I also just got a new Samsung Galaxy S4 and naturally there is almost no learning curve.) Despite TouchWiz, Android 4.3 is simple Android 4.3. Don't bother me with complaints otherwise.
The screen is great, the size is perfect for me (where the Nexus 7 was just too small), the feel is good and after 3 weeks I still don't understand why people complain so vehemently about accidentally pressing fixed button or soft keys. Some adaptability in life is a good thing. I won't say that accidental key presses have not happened, but no more than using my 6 year old laptop (still getting occasional use).
The speakers puke, but that's why I bought a Logitech Bluetooth Speaker for my Nexus 7. I use my devices for music access, not for quality sound. You need to find your own sound quality. A photographer or a smartphone owner may not want to use the onboard camera, but it is definitely useful at times with reasonable results.
My other use for a Note is for woodworking design. The is no replacement for Sketchup -- that's the only software for which I need to find an Adroid option. However, some limited use of the S-note and Sketchpad have been very promising and hand drawings are basically how I start everything and sometimes the only thing I use.
I'm a retired programmer/project manager and now have only an irregular need for a full computer system though I have been dependent on a PC and then a laptop for more than 30 years until 3 weeks ago. My laptop still suffices when needed, but I've hardly used it at all since getting the Note. My biggest issue is with the extensive spreadsheets that I would like to be able to use, edit and update on the Note. Spreadsheets in general are not well supported by the Note software (or any other Android software that I have found). Spreadsheets are not pure text input and Samsung or someone else should provide a "Cell Based" input means that doesn't cover half the visible spreadsheet with an input area. So there is some spreadsheet utility, but at this point, I still must go to the laptop for major updates.
I don't see that as particularly a Samsung problem although they could (and should) certainly provide the solution. The Android spreadsheet software is just lacking for advanced work. Most of the FUNCTION is there, but as I said, the interface is weak. This typically would only affect me about 3 - 4 times a year. My spreadsheets have 10 years of development and use in them for budget management. I can still see my results (including the graphical analysis) and do limited inputs with what is available on Android.
So this spreadsheet limitation is the ONE item that prevents ME from COMPLETELY replacing a Windows based computer with the Note 10.1. It may not work for others, others may feel more limited, it may be necessary to adapt to new software and techniques (cloud usage) but I am very satisfied with the Note. Improved S-pen software and a good spreadsheet interface, would complete my requirements.
I've never been an Apple user though in my technical days did involve early Macs. I'm in the camp that the the iPad bigots should "get over it". If you like your device, fine. It's not better than mine for my purposes -- I like to be able to manage my own device.
(It suddenly strikes me to say that MY usage has almost NOTHING to do with media entertainment. Interesting!)
(Begin original thoughts:)
It's hard to add any to the good reviews that have already been made, so mostly I'll first recommend that you read the first 5 - 8 reviews under the default "Most Helpful First" sort. At the end of this preliminary review, I'll add the many suggestions I collected from reading ALL the reviews and comments -- that should help some of you who are new or still trying to learn. And I strongly recommend that anyone watch the 48 minute YouTube review that I have posted as a comment. There is more good information and orientation in that video than you'll find in maybe any other.
Despite some dissenters on this idea, I'm using the Note 10.1 as a replacement for my venerable Win7 on Sony VAIO laptop. The laptop is beginning to show it's age and wear after 6 years. Still runs better than my wife's new Lenovo Twist with Win8. I've been using a Nexus 7 for the past year and this Note is much nicer.
So related to this laptop replacement, one question I have up front is whether any of those who rate this tablet at 5 or 4 either have or plan to get a bluetooth keyboard to use with it. At this point, I'm not in a rush, but as a typist, a keyboard CAN be nice. For me, the keyboard would stay in my living room like my laptop does -- I definitely will use the Note and stylus for portability and convenience. (Edit: You can get a keyboard, but I now don't think it is necessary.)
The most difficult concern with this tablet is it's complexity (I've commented about this in a number of other reviews). After that concern, there is a nice "feature" that got in the way -- once you follow the introductory setup, if you already have had a tablet, the Note will go out to Google and/or Samsung and start downloading your configuration and apps. Nice (it took several hours to get all mine from my Nexus 7) but interferes with getting the new updates from Samsung.
As others said, there are currently three updates which eliminate the lag and add multi-tasking. If your new Note is clean, you will have no issues with doing a factory reset after getting those updates as some recommend. But if you spent hours getting your apps in place, you probably won't want to start again from scratch after a factory reset. Despite that (wanting to be sure I had the best possible performance) I decided to do the factory reset -- after all it was just a matter or waiting for all those downloads again as I hadn't really done any special customization.
In the end, I found that doing the factory reset didn't seem to provide any better performance for me -- it was great before and after with no lag. I suspect that those who did get an improvement had not downloaded all 3 updates before they did a reset. Can anyone confirm or deny that? (Edit: Max posted agreement with this. Thanks, Max.)
So now I'm into seriously configuring this thing. Since the Nexus 7 doesn't have a memory card slot, all my apps were downloaded into the Note main storage. Any suggestions on what and how to best transfer stuff to the 64 Gig microchip? I assume some apps will run better from main storage? I plan to put all my data, music and pics on the microchip.
I'm not having problems or lag with Touchwiz, but I'll try another launcher and post about that later. (Edit: Not sure now that I will actually bother -- TouchWiz is fine for me.)
So that's my preliminary rating based on the fact that everything I've done and tried out has gone well and the device itself appears to be in perfect condition. I'll edit this in a couple of weeks to update my experience, but up front, I TOTALLY disagree with the review that complained extensively about the poor build quality. Sure it's plastic, but the fit and finish is great. NOTHING appears to be loose or vibrates.
I also want to comment about the experience I had with Amazon on the shipping. UPS completely screwed it up and reported the tablet as delivered on time even though I never saw it. The first Amazon CSR seemed to get things all taken care up, but I didn't get any followup. After I called back AGAIN, the support team worked together to first of all ensure I got to someone who would take care of the problem and each person involved took responsibility to see that the handoffs were completed properly. Not ideal, but I got my Note 10.1 with only a small delay.
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Ok, these are the suggestions I gleaned from the reviews and comments of others. Feel free to use or not as you choose -- these items are copied as found from different people so they are a bit disjointed and redundant:
NOTE: There is an UPDATE from Samsung dated November 1 that adds MULTI-USER and resolves most of the sluggishness issues. Go to Settings/General/About Device/Software Update to get it. Mine did not automatically update.
If you continue to have issues, you should do a factory reset after installing the newest update for the device. To check for updates manually, go to about device in options.
Before you start using the device, I highly suggest doing a factory reset after you've updated to the latest firmware.
If you are still complaining about lag, I would recommend downloaded a custom launcher like Nova Launcher.
NOVA is good, but I've always liked Apex better. With Apex, I turned on "Tablet UI" mode, which makes it look like stock Android (no bottom bar, no dock, app drawer icon in upper right, square-outline tablet animation for panning desktop, etc). I love stock Android so for me, Apex in tablet-UI mode is great.
After getting rid of Touchwiz (for shame Samsung) and putting Nova Launcher Prime on it, it ran great.
Cons: Samsung overlays android with their system touchwiz. It has its good but it has its bad like major Memory hog. I'd recommend using one of the launchers such as nova launcher for a more customization of an experience
USB Host is one of the most undernoticed features of Androids and is in my opinion one of the best features compared to iPad lines. What this means you get a USB Host cable also otherwise called OTG (On the Go) cables and plug in your USB thumb drive or other USB devices and the device recognizes it.
Another much ignored feature is the TV-out (via MHL A/V link). Unfortunately the 7" does not support it whereas 8in and 10.1 in supports it. You can connect Galaxy devices to a TV to make it truly a fantastic computer if the device supports MHL. Throw in a Bluetooth keyboard and it is awesome.
Google Music (Awesome, I have now upto 10,000 songs halfway through Google's 20K Limit)
For flash capabilities, I use a web browser called Dolphin Browser, there are others out there for flash capabilities, but i prefer Dolphin for its speed and stability. After installing Dolphin browser which allows flash player to be enabled, I've essentially turned this tablet into a laptop in terms of internet web browsing capabilities. To allow the Dolphin Browser to have its Flash option work, you must download an Android 4.0's version of flash on the tablet, anyone version will do. Google Android flash player archives and proceed to the Adobe site. Flash has no longer made anymore updates for android devices, therefore you must do it this way. Go to dolphin browser, hit menu, hit settings, turn on flash. And now you have flash capabilities on your Dolphin browser, no other browser has flash capability as of now. I must tell you it is a pleasure to watch Amazon prime videos using the dolphin browser, and at the same time multi-task with another browser like chrome to read stuff on the internet or use S Note on the right side while watching a video for class on the left side.
LAG ISSUES CAN BE IMPROVED, READ HERE: -------------
Turn on developer options by tapping "build number" found in the "about" section within options 7 times. Once developer options are turned on, scroll down to window animation transition animation, animator duration and turn each one off. You will notice no more lag for scrolling and exiting apps.
To solve the home button issue where there is lag, go to S voice. Once in S voice, hit the menu button which is located left of the home button. Choose the option to "not initiate S voice by double tapping the home button". You will notice considerable changes in speed of the home button to wake up the screen, however it won't be snappy until there is an update.
In addition, the more apps you have on your device, the more cache data your device will accumulate. Just like your web browser, you should remove your app cache data once a day or every few days to save up space. I suggest AVG memory and cache cleaner, or clean master. -------------
Tips to extend battery life, go to the wifi options and select to turn wi-fi off when device is asleep. In addition, turn off GPS located by networks in the network location options, turn on GPS only for location.
-The Touchwiz gallery app is TERRIBLE, it draws thumbnails every time you open the app, so if you have lots of photos, it hangs/lags sot bad that it can render the device unusable.[I use QuickPic and it handles everything fine](For people that dont have 4K+ photos you will still likely need to disable weather/buddy tagging, dropbox photo displaying, Google+ photo syncing/displaying, Facebook photo syncing/sharing and clear the app cache for the gallery to get decent performance from the stock gallery)
??? If you have the Galaxy Note phone, transitioning to this tablet is super easy in that the user interface is practically the same. And once you link your Google account, it automatically downloads all compatible apps to your device for you. You'll still need to download Amazon apps individually- but you'll need to allow downloads from "unknown sources" to get them.
I will say there are some things you won't discover right away; settings that are buried in other menus and menus that you discover in apps after days of using them.
Many application features are difficult to discover. Always press the menu button, just in case!
Turn off the news/home button association by pressing the menu button while the news is on screen. You'll see the option to turn it off there.
The S-Note can go into what I'd call "Note-Only" mode, meaning neither menu bar nor tool bar shows, only the 100% pure note, so you can literally use it just like using a regular note.
(After going into the edit mode) With 3 fingers tab on the screen holding onto it for about 1 second and then release, and it will go into that note-only mode, and write freely without having to worry about accidentally touching a menu button, and then tabbing with 3 fingers on the screen twice will exit you out of that mode (back to the regular edit mode).
I've only had it a few days and the first thing I did was download Nova Launcher, program it to "remote" my TV and to prevent possible lag went into "Settings", "General", "About Device", tapped "Build Number" 7 x's. This opens the "Developer Options" tab, then under "Drawing" turned OFF "Transition Animation Scale". You can go to YouTube and watch this tutorial presented by TheDigitalDigest. Great series of helpful tutorials for tablet neophytes
To learn more about the Note 10.1 2014 Edition, here is a link to a YouTube video on Samsung Mobile's page:
[...] . [Even better to me, this is the long, thorough review that shows almost everything there is to know: [...] .]
