Cage Match: Apple iPad versus Samsung Galaxy Tab

In this space we'll take a look at the breakdown between the world's first significant tablet PC competition. In the first corner we'll start with the iPad, since it came out first and currently rules the market sphere for tablet PC. In the second corner, we'll take a look at what the Samsung Galaxy Tab brings to the table.

LLLLLet's get ready to rumble!

Apple iPad Strengths and Specs

• Large 9.7” screen diagonal
  
• 40,000+ apps in a moderated app marketplace
  
• 10+ hrs battery life
  
• seventh-month headstart on market share and customer feedback
  
• cheapest model is $100 cheaper
  
• rumored to multitask as of iOS 4.2 releasing apprx. 11/16/10
  
• bigger screen makes viable eBook reader

Samsung Galaxy Tab Challenges and Turn-Offs

• Even Google despaired at the Tab using its Android—it was designed for a cell phone, not a tablet
  
• much less battery life
  
• no USB charging (ex. via laptop)
  
• smaller screen has less than half of the area than iPad

Samsung Galaxy Tab Strengths and Specs

• 7” screen diagonal viewed by some as refreshingly large compared to cell phone
  
• runs popular Google Android 2.2 interface
  
• cameras in front (video conference) and back (taking photos)
  
• 6+ hrs battery life
  
• like iPad did, Tab may spark renaissance of specific-to-device app development
  
• can see Flash web pages
  
• multitasks
  
• easier to hold in one hand
  
• Fits in more places, such as purses or jacket pockets

Apple iPad Challenges and Turn-Offs

• Although small and thin, does not pack as easily as the smaller Galaxy Tab
  
• significantly heavier than the Tab
  
• less mobile carrier options for 3G model
• no cameras... period

Conclusion
Choosing which competitor you favor will depend on your needs from the machine. For business purposes including video conferencing and ultra portability, you may like the Galaxy Tab. For personal purposes including a huge variety of fun and useful apps, the iPad may be for you.


Seeing the possibilities of the Samsung Galaxy Tab is somewhat of a changed attitude from my initial reaction, which you can read here: Dead on Arrival: Don't Need Tablet's Limited Size and Software for $600

Dead On Arrival: Don't need tablet's limited size and software for $600

This toy is neat, but for $600
I wouldn't called it a "must have."

“Dead on arrival.” Steve Jobs' dramatic exclamation may be true for a neat product for which there is high cost and little need.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab, although super neat, has two major disadvantages:

1. Seven Inch Screen Size

How are they going to compel the American wildlife of tech users to shell out another $600? Because now I have an even smaller, less capable stopgap between what my phone and laptop already do? Seven inches of screen real estate means that any typing is still going to be thumb based, as on a cell phone. Any finger pushing or pulling as on a web browser will be like a cell phone.

2. Non-Ideal Software

It uses Google's Android system developed for mobile phones, but even Google says this system wasn't designed for tablets. It will be like a big phone that can't call anyone. What makes the iPad/iPhone/iPod products so effective is that they managed to convince the vast array of app designers to make a vast array of well illustrated, finger-friendly apps. Will the Galaxy Tab go this way, or will it be like my Windows Mobile phone: promising to balloon in an exclusive app marketplace but instead flopping on the ground? Two of Samsung's partners in this endeavor, Blockbuster and VCast, have for me always been poorly made expensive substitutes to other products out there. Please change my mind.

And why is it more expensive than an iPad? I cannot be convinced to pay more money to take a risk on what could be less. That's one teacher's opinion.