Samsung launches Galaxy TabPro S Windows tablet

Do you mean the flash storage fails on Samsung tablets?

I've never heard that.

Android has memory hogging issues and one has to go into advanced options to limit that with each startup.

Jan 9, 2016permalink

AV Janus

Battery just 5200mAh?
In a 12" 700g tablet that runs Windows?
I will wait for 12.000mAh mode before looking twice at it...

This wont hold up til afternoon...

Jan 8, 2016permalink

Tom Hoots

I've got a Surface Pro 2 with an i5, 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM -- I don't use it as a "tablet" hardly at all, but it's a very nice little notebook equivalent. Kept in its desktop cradle, it takes up very little room with the keyboard folded up, and it's very handy as a second computer to have at hand close to my desktop. And it's still very portable on the road, far more so than any of my traditional notebooks. The new Samsung with the wimpy Core M processor doesn't sound like much competition to that. I have no complaints about my SP2, and I truly doubt that Samsung will build the kind of infrastructure for theirs that Microsoft has built for the Surface Pro....

Jan 7, 2016permalink

tongki

It's Surface competitors not Surface Pro
Surface Pro use i3 with dGpu performance and above

Jan 7, 2016permalink

chlamchowder

The Surface Pro line doesn't have dGPUs. Were you referring to the Surface Book?

Also, the Surface Pro 4 has a Core m3 option.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

SeeRoy

Unfortunately I bought an SP2 128. I hear they still haven't managed to get the bugs out of the product line. The SP2 is a bloody disgrace (& I've had two of them.)
The whole concept is an overpriced gimmick. Anyone contemplating buying one of these hybrids would almost certainly be better served by spending a similar sum on a notebook and a tablet of some kind.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

wansai

What bugs are you speaking of? I have a SP3 updated to Win 10 and it's been working flawlessly.

Jan 8, 2016permalink

crinosil

Me too.. My SP3 Pro with i7 and 8GB Ram and 512GB SSD with Windows 10 installed works like a charm... nice travel laptop... took it to china and it was a breeze using Lightroom 6 with it... and that was with huge uncompressed RAW files from my Sony A7R2... lovely product...

Jan 8, 2016*permalink

(unknown member)

Interesting !!!

Jan 7, 2016permalink

tom1234567

I like Samsung BUT there after sales service is NoneEXisting
Just look at how they left the NX1 camera users service and repairs can take up to 3/4 months
Not a company I will use again
Tom G

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Calvin Chann

I have a Surface 3 Pro and before that the first Surface. What I never understood is why the thing didn't automatically pick up the keyboard language and layout and change the config. I use 2 keyboards with different language layouts and have to manually change the config. Not difficult, I know, but it could have been automatic.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Nukunukoo

I dunno, Photoshop and Lightroom in 4GB?

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Chaitanya S

Maybe some free image editing aplication like GIMP or Photoshop elements should work fine with that config.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

SeeRoy

Yes indeed, on a 12" screen. Laughable.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

mikeodial

I have a Surface Pro 3 and it looks visually very similar. It is a great machine and handles Photoshop and Sigma SPP very well. This looks like the first serious competition in the Windows world.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

dark goob

So where are all the Windows fanboys saying they copied surface?

This is much more like Surface than the iPad Pro, which is a completely different product category. Yet no fanboys... still some Apple haters though, I see.

Sigh. At least be consistent.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Look Virginia, a troll!

Jan 7, 2016permalink

mosc

Does it use the S pen?

Jan 7, 2016permalink

jackpro

No1 question!

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Lars Rehm

yes, seems there is an optional Bluetooth Pen

Jan 7, 2016permalink

mosc

Seems like they'd be more excited to say that if it were correct, right? Or maybe the optional bluetooth pen is not like the one on the galaxy tab? Better way to say the question is "does it have a digitizer layer"?

Jan 7, 2016permalink

The number one thing you need to know about the high end Samsung tablets is that if you break the screen Samsung will charge you about 3/4 the price of a new tablet as the cost screen replacement. Same goes for third parties.

And Samsung has almost no retail repair/support network of its own - and absolutely no equivalent of "Applecare".

They like to price things high and position them high - but its just a facade. An empty shell. They are slipstreaming every time Apple jacks up its own prices. But the things around the product that a high end company should have - they dont have.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

Bet it plays h.265, so unlike any Apple so far. (This will change for Apple.)

Jan 6, 2016permalink

My Galaxy Tab S did a lot of things that the Ipad didnt do - problem is that includes being ridiculous to fix when the screen breaks.

Caveat emptor. Shiny stuff, cool features - NOT built to last.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

Osa25:

Have you seen the new Galaxy tablets with AMOLED screens?

Apple should be embarrassed.

As far as I know Android 5 and IOS9 don't play h.265 video.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Apple should be embarrased - no doubt. So should Samsung. Its ridiculous to market a nice screen and then have crappy support when it breaks.

Jan 7, 2016*permalink

Osa25,

There's no real repair of an iPad either.

But true, Apple has in place a system for replacing your iPad, if you bought insurance and you smash it.

Jan 7, 2016*permalink

(unknown member)

Hmmmmm. When I accidentally wiped out the contents (O/S, Apps, and files) Samsung Tech support walked me through the process the O/S and Apps were restored. Since I opted against the auto-backup on Google, I have to load the files from my portable drives.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

maximme

i HATE Apple
but i completely agree with you there.
As for as Apple warranties and service, there is nothing out there that compares....

Jan 7, 2016permalink

maximme:

My HP laptop warranty was better. This was before the split.

And even today in the pro line of HP, they have more serious warranties, ones not voided if you've opened up your laptop. Any you can pay even more for damaged in the field warranties.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

SSantana75

please... just buy insurance and be done with it, if it breaks get a replacement, crApple charge you this 'insurance' as part of the RRP whether you like it or not.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Buy from best buy and get the protection for tablets. Free replacement. There are better protection plans from other places too. Or put it on your insurance

Jan 7, 2016permalink

0MitchAG

Microsoft also has a terrible tech support record even though their store managers seem to have a good rep for excellent customer service and replacements. Sadly, not every one of their markets has a real presence - making replacements and refunds next to impossible. Even Google provides better customer and product service in Australia.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Calvin Chann

HowaboutRAW

Rejoice NX1 owners. Shame it came too late to save the camera.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

SeeRoy

If you want a laugh, try asking MS how much they charge for a battery replacement on a Surface Pro.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Calvin:

The NX1 still for sale in the USA.

Also my comment was about better HP (and Lenovo) tablets.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

guest2015

Is there a tempered glass or regular film screen protector on the market for these tablets? I always use protectors on my phones and tablet. Never had a broken screen.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

I consider a broken screen terminal on a phone or tablet -they aren't designed for replacement.
As others have mentioned, insure it if you're hard on them.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

BS.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Calvin Chann

HowaboutRAW
My camera store (the largest in my city) saw one when it was originally announced. The usual "rep taking it around". Since then, nothing.

Jan 8, 2016permalink

PhotoKhan

There's a little more to it.

I had that precise experience and, because of it, they've probably lost a customer that is on his 4th Samsung tab.

...but, the reason I got an outrageously expensive quote for a screen repair, at their official agent, here in Portugal, was because my tab is rooted and they claim they've an internal policy to not let the device out of the door, once repaired, still rooted.

Ok..but do they bring the unit back to original state by flashing the original FW and charge a small fee for it?...No, they actually have the nerve to impose a PBA physical exchange for that effect.

Current price of my tab: 420 EUR. Initial quoted price of the screen replacement: 156 EUR. Revised quote on account of the imposed PBA replacement 280.

I cancelled the repair, went to a 3rd party shop.

I find their policy abusive and obscene and now make a point of publicizing it by every possible means.

I can't believe the practices the IT industry is allowed to get away with...

Jan 8, 2016permalink

PhotoKhan:

And I saw one (NX1) two days ago.

Jan 8, 2016permalink

@photokhan they cant legally do that. The screen being broken is not effected by the software or firmware. I would have sent a legal letter. I know many people have threatened suits before and gotten their way in this issue with samsung.

Jan 8, 2016permalink

Calvin, I mean.

Jan 8, 2016permalink

PhotoKhan

I placed a formal complaint, where 3rd copy, by our national legislation, actually has to be sent to the supervising authorities for the business in question.
Given how things work around her, I don't have much faith in that.

Jan 8, 2016permalink

crinosil

Ah...just cracked the screen of my Ipad MINI... Apple wouldn't replace it at all... they said I would have to replace the whole thing...which was no longer under warranty.... How is that better? Full price instead of 2/3 the price?

Jan 8, 2016permalink

crinosil:

Have you consulted iFixit's teardown of your iPad model?

The glued together design makes repair very hard for many tablets, but it's worth a look at the website.

Jan 9, 2016permalink

"The glued together design makes repair very hard for many tablets,"
Exactly, and I would not spend the money for a repair it was not designed for.

Jan 9, 2016permalink

E.H.

My point was look at the website to decide if you think you (crin) can do the repair him/herself.

Hot bag of sand seem useful. And if the iPad isn't working anyhow it may be worth a try.

Jan 9, 2016permalink

Got it

Jan 10, 2016permalink

BostonC

And two yrs later, Samsung will drop out the sector w/o announcing.
How many times Samsung has done that? At least for desktop, laptop (in europe), NX, ...

Jan 6, 2016permalink

electrophoto

Well, but unlike a camera, the computer will be pretty much outdated in two years anyhow and you didn't buy into a system (like with a camera).
So who cares if they buy that and the manufacturer drops out in two-three years?
I think it's an issue with their cameras... but smartphones & computers?

Also Samsung has a pretty solid track record with sticking to their Tablet & Smartphone manufacturing.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Tobamory

They use the m for batt life my helix with pro keyboard lasts me 12 hours 8 without, surface you'll be lucky at 3 or 4 if that, but I admit the M is a bit pants annoys me

Jan 6, 2016permalink

Ace of Sevens

If it weren't for the cheapo processor, I might consider this over a Surface Pro.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

BozemanMark

It better be cheap, since it is underpowered compared to a Surface Pro 4. You can get a Surface Pro 4 with a Core I7 processor, 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD for $1599 - pricey, to be sure, but with plenty of power.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

abortabort

SP4 also comes with Core-M in the low end.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

0MitchAG

And we don't yet know the price yet so what basis does your comment even have Mark? Not all configurations of the Surface Pro 4 were available at launch either. We didn't even know what model the discrete GPU was for quite a while even after launch.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

You're thinking of the Surface Book. Different product, and the GPU in the SB doesn't have a model number as it's not a commercially available part. Turns out it's still just a souped up 940-class GPU (which they could have said up front, but didn't - very apple-esque)

The OPs point is that this is a "competitor" only to the value-priced entry model of Surface Pro. if you're going to do any heavy processing, this isn't really an option (core m and 4GB). It's great for low power, good battery life performance on a small battery, though.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

@JordanAT the i5 version of the surface pro is only 10-15% faster than the base model. Not really a big difference at all. Id say the biggest difference is the better ssd and the 8gb ram option.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

you're probably thinking of the i5 vs i7. The i5 is about 40% faster on CPU benchmarks than the m3. It's only about 30% faster than the m3 in graphics (HD515 vs HD520), but that's not counting thermal limiting. I suspect that the thermal envelope on the m3 will ultimately put a damper on bigger CPU or GPU projects (like rendering video).

Sadly (for m3 users) the battery life doesn't really get much better with the slower chip because the i5 throttles back quickly with speedstep, giving the m3 only a couple percent lead in battery life for low-CPU intensive usage profiles.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Sangster

Good to see Windows 10 finally gaining traction with tablet makers. Maybe this will help them with their mobile ambitions.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

0MitchAG

It's because Intel's low-power chip development has finally caught up to where it should have been years ago.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Horshack

Lenovo announced a Surface Pro competitor at CES as well. The Surface was far too successful and profitable for competitors not to rush in.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

I'd be far more interested in an HP Spectre X360.

Real CPU. Real keyboard, comes apart for fixing it, or swapping out an SSD.

Lenovo should have a Yoga variation with a real CPU.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

abortabort

Lenovo do, they replaced the Core M in the Yoga Pro 3 and have gone again with the i7 in the replacement 900 series.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Yeah that Core M CPU makes for slick box, but you can't do more than read your email and watch Flash video with it.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Thats not really true. The i5 is only 10-15 percent faster than the m. Ive seen several people do 1080p video editing and lots of photo editing on the m. The m is still faster than the surface pro i5 was.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

dulynoted,

Then how come the Macbook (core M) is dog, while the i5 Airs aren't?

Jan 7, 2016permalink

I dont claim to know all the answers. But I do know that over on the surface forums there are many people happily editing away on the m3. It could be that you are just particularly sensitive to slowdown. Or maybe apple didnt implement the core m well. Or they may have even intentionally limited the macbook to try to push people to the air. Who knows.

The score are easy to check btw. Look at some review sites. There isnt a huge difference and I am pretty sure the core m surface pro 4 was faster than the i5 surface pro 3.

The biggest advantage of the i5 version to me is the slightly better gpu and the extra ram options. (About to buy the i5 8gb unless I can convince myself to get the 16gb option) Ill be using it for mobile editing of video and photo, watching vide, and text editing. )

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Actually, the whole idea of the Surface was to give the industry a kick in the pants and show that a tablet workflow was feasible/desirable on Windows. It's their leg up on Apple (which doesn't have any touchscreen elements in their full OS). The goal was to have competitors. Ideally cheaper competitors, in the marketplace, and they expect to skim the premium customers off the top with the Surface line. Unfortunately, they haven't quite figured out that premium customers are noisy when things down't work perfectly. And there's a LOT of not-perfectly in the Surface line.

*I've owned a SP4 i5 since launch, and it's great, but I'd REALLY like them to fix several glaring omissions in the promised feature set.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

dulynoted:

I'd skip the Surface entirely and get an HP Spectre or Lenovo Yoga. The HP definitely has an i7 option and one can easily remove the battery with a screwdriver.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Yup - there are way faster/cheaper laptops out there than the surface. Unless you need <2lbs and a digitizer pen, SP4 is overpriced.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Ben Stonewall

Will it be compatable with my refrigerator?

Jan 6, 2016permalink

J A C S

Only if your fridge has windows.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

Mitrajoon

Samsung has two refrigerator models with LCD screens and connect to internet.

Jan 7, 2016*permalink

SSantana75

they really need a camera in those fridges

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Ben Stonewall

Why would my fridge need windows?
I just open the door and look inside…

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Mitrajoon

Actually you can remotely see inside your refrigerator.

The idea is that, say you are at the office or out somewhere, using your phone or whatever, you could see what you need to pick up at the store.

Who knew we couldn't live w/o such conveniences.

Jan 7, 2016permalink

SSantana75

I meant a camera pointing out... so we can catch the midnight yoghurt thief

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Miki Nemeth

No pen, not interested :(

Jan 6, 2016permalink

PandaSA

according to the Verge, the pen is an additional cost.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

Mr Low Notes

That would be nice. Maybe they will put one out that does. Still a nice machine.

PandaSA, we posted a tthe same time. Sounds great! Got a link to that?

Jan 6, 2016*permalink

mosc

I don't care about additional cost. The surface has an additional keyboard cost that's a ton already. Does it support their pen or only a junko bulbus ipad stylus?

Jan 7, 2016permalink

Snikt228

RAM is so cheap these days it's silly to have a "pro" machine with 4GB of memory

Jan 6, 2016permalink

Neez

Doesn't say what ports it has, i'm going to assume USB3.0 possibly Type C.

But for a photography rig, it needs a full size SD card slot, you could carry an adapter, but who wants to do that.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

PandaSA

engadget says it has a USB Type-C port.

Jan 6, 2016permalink

JakeB

It's better than the iPad.

Yes, it is.

No, it isn't.

There. I've just saved you the time you would have spent reading the rest of the responses to this article.

Jan 6, 2016*permalink

Cameracist

Depends - if you want powerful image editing apps, it is better. If you want the cool factor, it's not :-)

Jan 6, 2016permalink

WT21

But I came here for an argument

Jan 6, 2016permalink

Pandimonium

But is it better than the Pixel C?

Jan 6, 2016permalink

Cameracist

WT21: Shut the hell up, moron!

Jan 6, 2016permalink

WT21

I guess I didn't mean quite THAT much of an argument, lol.

Jan 6, 2016permalink