Spec:
- 10.1-inch 2560x1600 pixels TFT
- 2.3GHz quad-core
- 3GB RAM, 16/32/64GB user memory
- 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
- 8220mAh non-removable battery
- 243.1 x 171.4 x 7.9 mm
- 547g (3G/LTE)
- Android Jellybean 4.3
- Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n/ac), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX, GPS, GLONASS, MHL, USB-OTG
- No NFC
- IR LED for Universal Remote Control Function
- S-Pen for precise screen controls
- Uses MicroSIM Card
- With MicroSD Card Slot (up to 64GB)
- Uses USB 2.0 data connector
Design
The design DNA totally inherits the Note 3: leather textured back, line textures around the sides, the hardware buttons in landscape mode, the S Pen, the 2.3GHz quad-core processor. The TouchWiz UI is based on the phone version, not the tablet. This means the dropdown notification fills up the entire screen, which is rather overwhelming.
The S Pen on Note 3 works on Note 10.1 but the size is different. Writing on the 10.1 is certainly a better experience and more natural than on Note 3. Like the Note 3, the pen tip produces a slight resistance when gliding on the glass surface.
Speakers are positioned on both left and right sides of the tablet, unobstructed when placed on the table. This allows optimal listening experience, although not as good as front-facing speakers.
Screen
Samsung fits a high-density 2560x1600 WQXGA screen on a 10.1-inch. On paper, it sounds fantastic, as text looks smooth and photos look crisp. In reality, images actually look awful, because it basically enlarges any compression artefacts that are already inherent, just that they are not noticeable on small screens. All Android apps are not optimised to run on such high-resolution screen, so extrapolation results when say, browsing Facebook or Instagram. The only few major benefits with such high-res screen are browsing web, reading ebook, viewing high-res images.
Multi-Window
Running 2 apps side-by-side on such a large device is awesome. You get 1280x1600 worth of pixels on each screen, that's even more pixels than 2 low-end smartphones! It doesn't feel as cramp as the Note 3.Camera
Finally, a large tablet with a top-notch 8MP camera. For years, tablets are armed with 5MP and below, due to the notion that consumers do not use tablets for serious photo or video taking. The Note 10.1 (2014) can do the same advanced shooting features as the S4 or the Note 3, for instance, dual shot - except no UHD (4K) video recording.Battery
The 8220mAh battery size is so huge, it literally takes half a day to get full charge. The included charger is rated 2A, but if you use other 1A USB chargers, it would take a very very long time. Battery drain is normal, lasting 2-3 days with balanced use of content browsing and gaming.Weight
547g (LTE version) is not a weight that you would want to hold on one hand for long period. Due to the relatively narrow bezels, I find it hard to support with my hands without touching the screen. To make things worse, when I hold it at portrait mode, I have to take care not to touch the back button.
Tablets: does it work for me?
I am probably one of the few geeks on the planet that do not find tablets useful. To me, whatever I can do on the tablet, I could already do it on my phone. If I needed to use a large screen for whatever I needed to do, I would probably work better on a laptop, which has a full keyboard an a natural "stand" to adjust the screen angle. Holding a tablet to consume content is just too heavy and I would end up placing it on a table top, making it no different from a laptop. Typing on the on-screen keyboard gives me mental block: I find myself straining my brains to support the tablet with my hands, to hit the right keys, and to apply auto-correct, instead of letting my fingers flow naturally with the content coming out of my mind.But don't let that stop you from owning the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition. It carries the goodness of the Galaxy Note 3 in a larger ultra-highres screen, albeit the same ancient TouchWiz UI template. It is build of durable materials like Note 3, so you do not have to worry about scratches or dings. This is the top tablet with sufficient hardware specs to last you through 2014.
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