The Samsung Galaxy Tab went on sale in Europe in October 2010 and in the States in the November. The Galaxy is the first real competitor for the iPad, but it isn't quite good enough yet in this writer's opinion.
There were many rumours about the Samsung Galaxy tab before it went on sale and some of those were off the mark. However, it is good and almost, but not quite good enough, to topple the sales of the iPad, which sold 15 million or thereabouts in 2010. There were 16 and a half million tabs sold in 2010, so you can do the maths.
The iPad wins hands down when it comes to screen size, and that's the main reason for choosing it over the Galaxy tab, which appears to be an elongated (in all directions) version of the Android Phone. With the iPad you can play games and watch movies comfortably on its bigger screen. It is bulkier to carry around with you though, as the Galaxy tab will fit into your inside pocket or in your purse.
The browser capability of the iPad is superior to that of the Galaxy tab, because it scrolls faster and the screen size enables you to see more of the options at a glance.
The iPad generally comes with "no strings' attached, whereas with the Galaxy you commit yourself to paying 24 months installments, with the wireless plans as well.
For watching movies, the iPad again comes out on top, as the Galaxy does. You can get premium video apps for the iPad, but the galaxy has media limitations. The Galaxy doesn't have Hulu Plus or Netflix for streaming subscription videos that the iPad has, and this could prove irritating for the avid movie watcher.
The apps available for the iPad have been specially designed for it; not so with the Galaxy. However where the galaxy wins over the iPad is that it has two cameras, one rear and one front facing. It is likely that when the iPad 2 is unveiled (possibly in April) this issue will be addressed, so if you are thinking of buying the Galaxy only for this reason, then wait a little longer and get the latest iPad.
The Galaxy doesn't compare with the iPad for playing interactive games, or for interactive books because of the iPad's extra 3 inches (diagonally that is) of screen. This means that effectively the iPad has almost twice the touch surface of the Galaxy, making the experience of hands-on game-playing much more intense and entertaining than, arguably any other electronic device.
Despite Samsung's claims about battery life, it doesn't, in my experience have 13 hours of battery life and usage. The iPad comes up on top in this respect, as the Galaxy runs for between 7 to 8 hours only, whereas the iPad can go on for 10 hours or so.
The Samsung Galaxy will soon be available in the cheaper Wi-Fi version, but it isn't yet, although when it is available, this could make it more attractive to some. According to some news, iPad 2 might support to Facetime feature.
If you can't make up your mind still about which tab to buy, hang on until the iPad 2 comes out, as that will almost certainly be even more superior to Samsung's offering
"The author has been writing articles for 3 years now, with interests in IT gadgets, health and fashion and home improvement. Check out his latest home improvement websites such as Shallow Well Pumps as well as Retractable Pet Gate.
