News - Samsung announces the Galaxy Tab4 range, available this month

[HEXUS]

These 10.1, 8 and 7-inch tablets use WXGA 16:10 displays, quad-core SoCs and 1.5GB RAM.

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[abychristy]

So basically in few years these Tabs will be the size of a Desktop PC because thats the difference I see from every tabs.

[DemonHighwayman]

I'm not seeing GPS on any of those, which would be the only way to get me to ever buy another tablet.
And I am browsing just now for a 7-10" tablet to build into my cars dash to use for sat nav and stereo.

[MaverickWill]

So basically in few years these Tabs will be the size of a Desktop PC because thats the difference I see from every tabs.

Erm, what? The first-gen iPad was released 4 years ago (4 years tomorrow, in fact) and was a 9.7" design. Throughout the Android ecosystem, 10.1" has pretty much been the standard. This is no bigger than the original Galaxy Tab.

On topic, these tablets aren't exactly a push forward. All the numbers in the specs increase ever so slightly, and not much else changes. Here's hoping the mobile industry starts innovating pretty fast once 64-bit processors come out in to the mainstream.

[crossy]

I'm not seeing GPS on any of those, which would be the only way to get me to ever buy another tablet.
And I am browsing just now for a 7-10" tablet to build into my cars dash to use for sat nav and stereo.

Some of the US-based review sites - like Twice.com - are stating "GPS" in the spec sheet. Can't see why Samsung would remove it, since it's surely useful for all those location-based services that the NSA, sorry the manufacturers, want us to use?

So basically in few years these Tabs will be the size of a Desktop PC because thats the difference I see from every tabs.

If by that you mean 21" sized screens then you're behind the times my friend. HP's had this out for a while:

An HP Slate 21 - yours for £249 including keyboard and mouse. That's a Tegra4-based tabletop running Android 4.2 . You'll also find this referred to as the Slate 21 Pro.
Sorry about the size of that image.

[aidanjt]

Good lord, what is it with Samsung and releasing weak-ass tablets? I understand that they're interested in the budget segment of the market, but surely they can put out a flagship product with competitive components?

[kompukare]

Good lord, what is it with Samsung and releasing weak-ass tablets? I understand that they're interested in the budget segment of the market, but surely they can put out a flagship product with competitive components?

That's because the Tab is like the Galaxy S series now: no longer the flagship. The Notes are their flagships:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3...&idPhone2=6239

2560x1600 (299ppi) versus 1280x800 (149ppi)
3GB RAM vs 1.5GB RAM
2.3GHz Quad Krait vs 1.2GHz Quad

Samsung seem to believe in having tons of models. A GSM Arena search for Samsung & 'available' gets 493 hits. Doubt anyone can keep track of them.

[crossy]

Good lord, what is it with Samsung and releasing weak-ass tablets? I understand that they're interested in the budget segment of the market, but surely they can put out a flagship product with competitive components?

Urm, not to be a nuisance but - last time I looked - the "Tab" range were the budget models, and it's the "Note" tablets that are the high-end gear. Especially judging on the price differences between 8" Tab and 8" Note - the latter is more than £100 more expensive on Amazon.

[3dcandy]

As said multiple times the Note range is the halo product!

[heXuser]

"They all feature a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, a WXGA screen (1280x800 pixels), a 3MP FF + 1.3 MP camera combination"

That`s not all that for the price Samsung is asking, there are better alternatives out there. Am not happy the performance and features people get for the price they have to pay. A Tablet is the same price as a mid PC and its getting worse from the big giants. The smaller companies are actually giving better bang for the buck and most importantly; specifications are much better.

[heXuser]

That's because the Tab is like the Galaxy S series now: no longer the flagship. The Notes are their flagships:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3...&idPhone2=6239

2560x1600 (299ppi) versus 1280x800 (149ppi)
3GB RAM vs 1.5GB RAM
2.3GHz Quad Krait vs 1.2GHz Quad

Samsung seem to believe in having tons of models. A GSM Arena search for Samsung & 'available' gets 493 hits. Doubt anyone can keep track of them.

These Giants are having to compete with the smaller companies who actually give you a better deal. What the bigger companies are doing to compete is give you less or the same for the same price. I don't call that competing or progress..

[dcwt2010]

Basically they're filling every available niche on the market. We just need to stop buying from this crappy Tab range to make them know we want better.

[MrRockliffe]

"They all feature a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, a WXGA screen (1280x800 pixels), a 3MP FF + 1.3 MP camera combination"

That`s not all that for the price Samsung is asking, there are better alternatives out there. Am not happy the performance and features people get for the price they have to pay. A Tablet is the same price as a mid PC and its getting worse from the big giants. The smaller companies are actually giving better bang for the buck and most importantly; specifications are much better.

People buying these tablets in general won't care about specs or performance - the usability is more important to them, and Samsung on the whole do a good job of that, plus they're a know brand - people of 60 years aren't going to be searching round for the best bang for buck tablet, they'll buy from a make they've heard of before.

[crossy]

Basically they're filling every available niche on the market. We just need to stop buying from this crappy Tab range to make them know we want better.

Agreed, and it's the same deal in the phones. Whatever budget you have it seems that there's a specific Samsung model to suit. Maybe that's why there's so little innovation - because they're wasting effort on umpteen different models.

These Giants are having to compete with the smaller companies who actually give you a better deal. What the bigger companies are doing to compete is give you less or the same for the same price. I don't call that competing or progress..

You keep saying this, but don't back it up with ANY clarification. "Smaller companies" like who for example? A criticism that I often hear is that if you buy some second or third tier manufacturer product - like Archos etc - that you get a pretty poor experience. Strangely enough the most satisfaction seems to come from the likes of Kindle Fire HD and Hudl - essentially "budget" brands - but those are "pocket" tablets, not available in a usable 10" size.

[flufflogic]

13.3" is another popular "large" size of tablet, and that's where most stop. Couch and bed still the most used spots for them, so going too big is a waste.

[Saracen]

People buying these tablets in general won't care about specs or performance - the usability is more important to them, and Samsung on the whole do a good job of that, plus they're a know brand - people of 60 years aren't going to be searching round for the best bang for buck tablet, they'll buy from a make they've heard of before.

And there's a LOT of people of 60, or more, and as a population group, they're probably less kitted out than 'kids' .... which makes them a tempting target market.

Also, as with PC's, quite how much 'bang' you need rather depends on what you'll be doing with it. What I'd pay for a general-purpose office machine running Office, Accounts and an email app, will be very different from what I'd pay for a heavy duty server, a graphics workstation or a state-of-the-art gaming machine.

I have a Tab 2 10.1, and it cost me £125-ish, though admittedly that includes getting the VAT back. Call it £150 without that. And I got it locally, from a trusted store that offers very good customer service.

The biggest thing, though, is that it does everything I need from it or expect of it. So, why would I wanted to pay three times as much for a more muscular brand icon? Or, why would I take a chance on an unknown quantity for the sale of saving a relatively trivial amount?

A friend did that with an e-reader, and regretted it. It turned out that while it worked, it wasn't easy to use and didn't support file formats he wanted. He ended up buying another device.

Buying into obscure brands might save money, but it also might end up leaving the buyer dissatisfied. Those that are risk-averse will tend to go for known quanties rather than risking an unknown brand .... especially when buying it from certain shops means you can take it back if it's not suitable, once you actually get to try it.