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Samsung Series 5 Hybrid (Ativ Smart PC) W8 tablet - Quick Review for Note 10.1 owners

Alright. I've been playing with a Series 5 hybrid for a couple of hours now. This is a quick review with 2 pictures showing both units together (sorry for the grain in the pictures; I'll take better ones with my DSLR once I have more time), since some of the Note 10.1 owners might be interested in this particular model due to the Wacom digitizer and the S-Pen. It costs $649 (Staples is selling it for $599 at the moment).
First of all, the built quality is great. Yes, it has the same polycarbonate back panel as Note 10.1 and it moves little bit if you press on it in the center (which is not part of the typical tablet use scenario), but it feels really solid and not flimsy. Probably little better than Note 10.1, due to the fact that the back is one piece and wraps around the screen nicely and having less plastic parts merging into each other creates less movement and creaks. The full glass front with the integrated speakers on each side works very well.
The Series 5 hybrid is definitely designed for a landscape use. It's too narrow and awkward if you hold it in portrait mode. The thickness is similar to Note 10.1 and it doesn't feel particularly heavier. It comes with a power block (very similar to what you get with laptops), so while traveling, that will add some extra weight.
The stylus is smaller than the one that comes with Note 10.1. (it's slightly chubbier), and it's white. I played with S-Note for a while and it works very similar to what we have on the Note. Palm rejection may not be as accurate as on the Note 10.1, because after writing few sentences, there were 3-4 small lines under my hand where it was resting on the screen.
As for the performance of the Atom, it feels perfectly fine for browsing, e-mail, etc. I haven't noticed any lag while navigating from screen to screen, but when installing programs, moving to something else took a bit extra. It includes a 64GB SSD, but out of the box it has 34GB free. The screen on the Note 10.1 is more brighter compared to Series 5. I would say the resolution is similar in terms of sharpness, pixellation, etc. Since the labels are a lot more smaller in the desktop mode (see below), you can see the pixels in the letters under icons.
Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a preview of Office 2013 that was going to be upgraded to full version when released (this was mentioned for RT devices, but I remember reading it somewhere for the X-86 tablets, as well). It doesn't include Office 2010 either (you have to buy/install it separately). Since office 2010 is not touch optimized, using the stylus is a must. From this aspect, it feels like it was rushed to meet the Windows 8 launch date. This is a mistake on Microsoft's and Samsung's part, because the X86 machines are marketed as "productivity oriented" models as opposed to the Windows RT models, and the lack of touch-optimized Office suite takes away from it significantly. You can use Office 2010 on it without any problems in terms of functionality, but it's not tablet/touch optimized, and you'll definitely need that stylus.
This is my first encounter with Windows 8, so part of the learning curve is due to Windows 8 itself. Although, it's very easy and enjoyable to use it in the tablet mode, I find myself hitting that "Desktop" tile and using it as a "regular" computer. Over time, I'll probably move away from this habit. Once you are at the Desktop, you become aware of what's running in the background and it's a full Windows on a 11.6" screen. I thought the navigation would be a problem without the stylus, but it works OK, even though things look a bit small. After spending few minutes with it, you immediately realize that you're in Windows territory (pop up windows from Norton, security update reminders, restart reminders after installing the updates, etc.).
As of know, it feels more like a "computer" rather than a "tablet" if that makes any sense. Until I spend about a week with both, I won't form any opinions. I wish Office 2013 was included, since it's one of the most important factors for people considering an X-86 based tablet.
Let me know if you have any questions. Once I have some time, I'll make a more detailed side-by-side comparison of both tablets and add some more pictures.
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Thanks, looks cool.
Yeah, I'm gonna wait for these to ripen in the marketplace for 6 months or so before I consider anything seriously. Once I do I will get either a 13.3" or 15" convertible ultrabook, 15" preferred and use it as a true laptop replacement.
As a tablet I would find having the tall skinny portrait mode disturbing I think. I greatly prefer holding my tablet in portrait mode for some reason.
Anyway, hope you enjoy it. So far sounds like you think it's ok but aren't blown away. I think that is the challenge W8 faces. For the premium price, people need to feel blown away. Even though the critics ripped the SGN10.1, users LOVED it and the device was saved, but if users themselves start giving weak reviews of the W8 tablets that will spell big trouble.

Thanks for the mini-review. Do you by chance have Photoshop? I'm curious how the Atom processor handles it.

It's bigger than I thought. I also never thought about what you mentioned in using it in portrait mode. Is Windows S-Note a program in the control panel and are Android and W8 S-Note's compatible? Being able to share my Note's S-Note's via the desktop would be huge for me. Play some HD movies and games on it. I'm curious to see how the new Atom holds up without a discrete GPU. By all means share your experiences. I and I'm sure others are interested.

thanks for the quick thoughts. I'm interested in the series 7 version of the tablet which should be similar but faster than this one.

fella1 said:
thanks for the quick thoughts. I'm interested in the series 7 version of the tablet which should be similar but faster than this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the series 7 (with core i3 /i5 ) isnt the same , it is thicker , larger and have ugly cooling fins at the back (core i5 gets really hot ) and they start at double the price (1500$ for WiFi only core i3 ) and the camera has no flash also
Sent from my GT-N8000 using xda app-developers app

mitchellvii said:
Thanks, looks cool.
Yeah, I'm gonna wait for these to ripen in the marketplace for 6 months or so before I consider anything seriously. Once I do I will get either a 13.3" or 15" convertible ultrabook, 15" preferred and use it as a true laptop replacement.
As a tablet I would find having the tall skinny portrait mode disturbing I think. I greatly prefer holding my tablet in portrait mode for some reason.
Anyway, hope you enjoy it. So far sounds like you think it's ok but aren't blown away. I think that is the challenge W8 faces. For the premium price, people need to feel blown away. Even though the critics ripped the SGN10.1, users LOVED it and the device was saved, but if users themselves start giving weak reviews of the W8 tablets that will spell big trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm not blown away by it, for sure. It seems more and more that I'll be waiting for v2 as well.
jedah said:
Thanks for the mini-review. Do you by chance have Photoshop? I'm curious how the Atom processor handles it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll install it later tonight and see what happens, but don't get your hopes up (see below).
BarryH_GEG said:
It's bigger than I thought. I also never thought about what you mentioned in using it in portrait mode. Is Windows S-Note a program in the control panel and are Android and W8 S-Note's compatible? Being able to share my Note's S-Note's via the desktop would be huge for me. Play some HD movies and games on it. I'm curious to see how the new Atom holds up without a discrete GPU. By all means share your experiences. I and I'm sure others are interested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's definitely bigger than I thought as well, especially when you put the Note 10.1 on top of it. I like the overall design of the Series 5 better than the Note 10.1 (more streamlined and clean), but the portrait mode is really awkward. It might be good for taking long notes, but I can't see any other use for it. After reading your post, I tried to find a way to export the notes from the S-Notes, but the only option was jpeg. I'll look into the file structure and try to open them on Note 10.1. The S-Note is a program in the control panel. For some reason, the S-Note feels sluggish. Opening and saving notes take a bit longer than Note 10.1. For instance, the "S-Note tips" file took a while to load, and when opened, moving from page to page was very slow (i.e., "hit the right arrow, wait 2 seconds, page #2 is delivered, and so on for the remaining 5 pages). The exact same file on the Note 10.1 flies. In addition, there's no "page turn animation" on the Windows version.
I haven't played any games other than the Plants vs. Zombies that's included (trial version). By the way, the game played in its own window and there was no way to play it full screen, which was annoying.
One thing that I was really skeptical was the Atom processor, and unfortunately, it interferes with the usage of the tablet often enough to remind you that you are using a device with a slow processor. Just to test it out, while Windows update was running in the background, I started Windows Movie maker and imported 4, 3-4 minute long 720p files from my digital camera. It took a while to add the movies to the "Project" and once a timeline formed, I hit "Play" to preview the movie. The small video playback was stuttering. Then I hit the full screen button on the preview window, it was painful to watch the processor trying to keep up with background installation of updates and ongoing video playback. I tried the same thing without any background processes running; the small preview window was better, but full screen continued to stutter.
I'll keep testing it with some other tasks, but so far it seems underpowered.
fella1 said:
thanks for the quick thoughts. I'm interested in the series 7 version of the tablet which should be similar but faster than this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on what I've observed so far, Series 7 might be a better choice for people who wants to have full Windows 8 in a tablet form. It won't be an option for me because of the weight, thickness and the price point. As long as you don't push the processor, Atom works fine for "general" stuff, but anything "extra" shows its shortcomings.

Hey man, really appreciate you going out of your way to give us this comparison, much welcomed
Hope im not out of line in asking, if its possible to get some of the things you've mentioned, on video, if its not a bother that is

tenderidol said:
I tried to find a way to export the notes from the S-Notes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're "snb" files (on the Android Samsung Note's). Use Astro or ES Explorer to upload them from your Note to Dropbox and see if the Ativ is able to open, read, and edit them. If it is, and there's a program in Control Panel, we should finally be able to use and edit S-Notes from the Note on a PC. I'm guessing the S-Note for W8 app is on the backup and restore CD. Thanks for the time you're spending on this.

Thanks for your quick review.
I'm considering this tablet.
Can you test some 1080p mkvs with the S Player?
How do other players (vlc,.....) work on this atom processor?

please test adobe illustrator CS5, Thank you very much.

Its has RT version of Windows CS5 or for that any other legacy windows applications will not work on it

samir_a said:
Its has RT version of Windows CS5 or for that any other legacy windows applications will not work on it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's running full Windows 8, and I already installed Adobe Design and Web Premium CS6.

BarryH_GEG said:
They're "snb" files (on the Android Samsung Note's). Use Astro or ES Explorer to upload them from your Note to Dropbox and see if the Ativ is able to open, read, and edit them. If it is, and there's a program in Control Panel, we should finally be able to use and edit S-Notes from the Note on a PC. I'm guessing the S-Note for W8 app is on the backup and restore CD. Thanks for the time you're spending on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I copied one of the .snb files over to the W8 tablet. It's recognized as an S-Note file (the icon is the same), and if I double-tap on it, it attempts to launch the S-Note, but it never passes the "splash screen". If I launch S-Notes, minimize it, and double-tap on the .snb file from Note10.1, it maximizes S-Note, but it doesn't open it. It appears that they are not compatible. Furthermore, sorry for the misinformation; S-Notes is not under the "Uninstall Programs" list in control panel.
It would have been nice to share notes between platforms.

Onenote performance?
tenderidol,
Thank you so much for this comparison (I'm going to hit your thanks button quite a few times, I think ) I want to buy one of these tablets but don't want to decide until I know some more about the Atom performance. So if you have time (you get snowballed with requests, I'm sure) to install Office 2010 and test how OneNote inking performs in a big file (with quite some pictures inserted), a few pdf's open and internet explorer running in the background? I think there are many people interested in whether the Atom will be sufficient for notetaking in big files with some stuff in the background.
BTW, I read on another forum that some people use the extra length in portrait mode for multitasking: one window on top and the other below. Could be useful for copying-pasting things from internet explorer to notes. I think I would prefer 16:10 though.

I have an issue not offence ment to anyone but this forum is for Note and lately all I the post I see are about W8 tablets and nexus 10 to an extent we have reviews of W8 tablets being posted. Need the focus back

samir_a said:
I have an issue not offence ment to anyone but this forum is for Note and lately all I the post I see are about W8 tablets and nexus 10 to an extent we have reviews of W8 tablets being posted. Need the focus back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Non taken. However, this thread is targeted towards people who currently own Note 10.1 and are -or may be- interested in the Ativ Smart PC due to its stylus, S-Pen and the productivity aspect of it that may not be present in Note 10.1 (e.g., full Office suite, legacy Windows programs, additional ports, etc). The way both tablets are designed, I won't be surprised if most people end up owning both for different purposes. No offense, but the content of these threads are very clear with their titles, and anyone who is not interested about the products being discussed can easily avoid them.

lord69 said:
Thanks for your quick review.
I'm considering this tablet.
Can you test some 1080p mkvs with the S Player?
How do other players (vlc,.....) work on this atom processor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made some mkv movies and played them on the W8 tablet. S-Player did not open the file (it said it was unsupported). Cyberlink Power DVD (non-full, "light" edition) is pre-installed and played the movies perfectly fine without any stutter, sync issues or degradation in audio and/or video performance. Actually, I just played them from the USB stick without transferring to the internal memory. I installed VLC Media Player, and the movies were played without an issue with VLC player, too. I didn't try any other media players. Just to make it clear, I created the movies from my Blu-ray discs using MakeMKV without changing any settings.
As for the other requests, I'll try to answer everything. I already installed the Adobe Suite and will report back on the performance of Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver, soon. The next will be Office 2010 w/ OneNote (the pre-installed trial doesn't contain OneNote, so I need instal my own copy).

Again did not mean to offend you or anyone nor do i find it offending or bad its I feel that it would help in two ways there would many on this site who would want to know your review on Ativ and if you created a category they would have been able to do the same over here your audience is only limited to note owners secondly as a note owner I come to this thread to get information specific to note and if do others will start doing so and start posting reviews. Let me just give an example if everyone post about each and every tablet in market you will not find a post of not in pages and hence I feel its does not help.
Personally I like what you are doing because I would believe your review then that done by various so called tech sites as they are biased
Hope you understand the point i am trying to make and again this my personal feeling and I am expressing it and in no way forcing it on anyone

Thanks for all the great impressions! Sounds like the atom based unit is a little underpowered. Do you have any comics? I read those a lot on my note in portrait mode and wonder how they would look on the extra long portrait mode of the series 5.

Note 10.1 for school

I just recently picked up a Note 10.1 to replace my HP touchpad for use at school. I was having a tough time deciding on the tablet so I thought I would post my experience using the Note 10.1 for productivity the last week. Any comparison I have is to the HP Touchpad running android ICS. Here is some key points.
The Good:
1. The Note 10.1 is not very heavy, I use it as a notebook and its about the same size and weight as a notebook.
2. The device has darn good battery life, I'm not going to throw numbers around because it varies, but its good.
3. The Note 10.1 is of good quality. THe one I have does not creak, has good sound and what I consider a quality screen. Side by side compared to my HP Touchpad of similar pixels, there is no comparison, the Note 10.1 is FAR superior in picture quality and color saturation.
4. The S-Pen is very useful. Best thing about Note devices in general, you can use them in class and people don't assume your on facebook or texting, simply because you have a pen in your hand. I don't have a facebook anyhow but the perception is different.
5. The software is solid, it does not lag, it does not shut off, it just works, at least so far.
6. The device is pretty close to a desktop replacement for me, the multitasking really opens up the options and works pretty well.
The Bad:
1. When using the device at school (I have very long days in one classroom), it can't be sat upright AND be on the charger. I have the samsung book-cover case and when it is upright, since the charging port is on the bottom, it won't plug in.
2. Proprietary cable, I know there are some good things, but my touchpad had micro USB and I think it was nice to have a standard.
That's all. It's overall a great device. I am very happy with it.

If you get a 360 case you can rotate the tablet while in the case so that the charging port would then be on the top and you can charge that way. I kind of like the 30 pin connector as it is more hefty, I have seen so many people complain about damaged micro usb charging ports on other device forum pages. Playbook and kindle fire especially. Just my 2 cents........
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fosmon-Leather-Folio-Stand-Case-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-10-1-Dark-Purple-/290833896213?pt=US_Tablet_eReader_Cases_Covers_Keyboard_Folios&hash=item43b70d1315
.

You can get an adaptor that gives you normal usb ... I have a hub that connects to the 30 pin connector, gives me 3 usb ports and a couple of sd card ports. 1 normal sd and 1 microsd... I got this for around $20 on ebay and have no regrets as it works flawlessly with everything I've thrown at it, excepting of course an unpowered HDD....

Thanks for sharing your experience with the GNote. I'm curious about how you connected your tab to the monitor? Hdmi adapter cable? And how about the keyboard? Is it bluetooth? Make?
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda premium

Widget21 said:
Thanks for sharing your experience with the GNote. I'm curious about how you connected your tab to the monitor? Hdmi adapter cable? And how about the keyboard? Is it bluetooth? Make?
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can connect a BT keyboard, you can generally share music, video and photo's to an HDTV if it has WiFi (DLNA), You can use the HDMI adapter or a Samsung All Share Cast Hub that sends a wireless mirrored image to anything with an HDMI connection. There are many options.
.

I wanted to touch on the school usablity. I'm the only one that I've seen in my school with a Note. I have the origonal note on ATT for a while, but I didnt feel the software matched the hardware at all. I sold my transformer infinity prime (which was awesome hardware but really really bad software) for the Note 10.1.
I've used it for a few weeks now in lectures and for homework. Many of my instructors upload either PDF of power points of their lectures. The Note excels at handling this. I simply import PDF directly to SNote or if its a powerpoint, I can open it in the included office program then export it as a PDF then import it to SNote. Either way, I have folders for all my classes along with lecture notes organized in a slim format. I used to go through almost a ream of paper every term printing out slides (6 per page) and then organizing into a huge binder and watching the pages wear out. And not something I want to haul around and study. The Note replaces all this. When I work out math problems, I have an instant "dry erase" board with me. I don't go through notebooks. Also, I have the equation solver in Snote which is awesome by the way.
I wish I could get flash working well. I have it sideloaded and have firefox on it, but the online homework sites that use flash do not recognize onscreen keyboard inputs. Other than the laggy lock screen (seems to be all the animations) it runs great and snappy.

I've also switched from paper notes to digital. It's awesome, there's just one problem. Several times I've caught myself looking for the undo button in class on the real-life whiteboard

Does anyone use there note for textbooks? If so, how is it with the resolution? Especially if you use it in multi window while taking notes.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app

It's not bad. Use hyreader for chm, ezpdf/acrobat/radeepdf for pdf reading. It does take away space from the already small screen for notes so I tend to use my laptop or an actual textbook instead if I intend on taking notes. Sometimes i'll just give up and write directly on the pdf instead. for PPTs, I convert to PDF and write directly on them w/ acrobat or ezPDF.

setasai said:
It's not bad. Use hyreader for chm, ezpdf/acrobat/radeepdf for pdf reading. It does take away space from the already small screen for notes so I tend to use my laptop or an actual textbook instead if I intend on taking notes. Sometimes i'll just give up and write directly on the pdf instead. for PPTs, I convert to PDF and write directly on them w/ acrobat or ezPDF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If im decidimg between this and a nexus 10, would it be better to go with the nexus for the higher resolution for better clarity of textbooks and take any notes on a netbook I already have? If the lecture is using a PPT thats provided, I could always take the notes on the "note" section of the power point slide. Typing is also faster than writing. After seeing the nexus 10, im having a hard time going for the note due to the clarity of screen. What do you think?

I've had no issues w/ reading textbooks on the Note 10.1. The question you need to ask yourself is if you want the s-pen. It's really the deciding factor. If you want to be writing and taking handwritten notes with it then there's no question about it, go with the Note. If you just want a tablet to read things and surf the web then go for pretty much ANY tablet out there, or go with the Note anyways. Doesnt really matter.
As for PPT notes, sure you could type faster if that's the type of classes you have. I'm in med school and writing/drawing out diagrams is super super useful. For example, I'll have a slide with an image of a lung, the pen lets me circle the abscess and label it. Really depends on the purpose.
Think about your purpose. Think about what fits your usage and what you want to use it for. S-pen is unparalleled and the screen resolution isnt breath taking but it's NOT bad at all.

Sher The Love said:
Does anyone use there note for textbooks? If so, how is it with the resolution? Especially if you use it in multi window while taking notes.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my main concern as well. I'm wanting to use a Note 10.1 for my pdf textbooks and be able to take notes with it as well. Am I going to need another tablet just for the books or will I be able to dual view or switch windows quick enough where I only need the one device?

witchdoc13 said:
This is my main concern as well. I'm wanting to use a Note 10.1 for my pdf textbooks and be able to take notes with it as well. Am I going to need another tablet just for the books or will I be able to dual view or switch windows quick enough where I only need the one device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The feature you are looking is what makes this tablet unique.
I almost never use my hard copies of books. Just use the digital version.
I the multi Window features plus spen is very useful to take notes while reading. No other tablet offers these two. I thought the newer Windows tablet might work better but I am wrong. Their pen input needs a lot more improvement.
Sent from my GT-N8013

aalupatti said:
The feature you are looking is what makes this tablet unique.
I almost never use my hard copies of books. Just use the digital version.
I the multi Window features plus spen is very useful to take notes while reading. No other tablet offers these two. I thought the newer Windows tablet might work better but I am wrong. Their pen input needs a lot more improvement.
Sent from my GT-N8013
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's just what I wanted to hear. The Windows Surface Pro was my other choice, but I figured I could get a Note 10.1 and a cheap laptop at the same cost. I just ordered a 32gb Note 10.1 and it should be here in a few days. :fingers-crossed: Thanks for the reply.

Sher The Love said:
If im decidimg between this and a nexus 10, would it be better to go with the nexus for the higher resolution for better clarity of textbooks and take any notes on a netbook I already have? If the lecture is using a PPT thats provided, I could always take the notes on the "note" section of the power point slide. Typing is also faster than writing. After seeing the nexus 10, im having a hard time going for the note due to the clarity of screen. What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was in the same boat so I got both lol.

I would definitely recommend the Note 10.1 for textbook reading and note-taking, especially if u can find your textbooks on the Kno website. Their textbooks are interactive in more than a few ways!! The S-Pen seals the deal here too, at least for me.
I'll post some screens of my Music Textbook. Or maybe I should do a vid.

And to top it off you can add the 64gb sd card and increase your memory... I know that a lot of tabs dothis but a few don't, I'm looking at the nexus family here.... This is a real downer as sometimes 32gb just isn't enough.
The screen is fine, I read books in epub format all the time and also read a fair few PDF's with no problems... And I'm not a student...:laugh:

I have a note 10.1 and I've been using it primarily for my revision for my exams and its been awesome !!
Sent from my GT-N8000 using Tapatalk HD

Action B said:
I just recently picked up a Note 10.1 to replace my HP touchpad for use at school. I was having a tough time deciding on the tablet so I thought I would post my experience using the Note 10.1 for productivity the last week. Any comparison I have is to the HP Touchpad running android ICS. Here is some key points.
The Good:
1. The Note 10.1 is not very heavy, I use it as a notebook and its about the same size and weight as a notebook.
2. The device has darn good battery life, I'm not going to throw numbers around because it varies, but its good.
3. The Note 10.1 is of good quality. THe one I have does not creak, has good sound and what I consider a quality screen. Side by side compared to my HP Touchpad of similar pixels, there is no comparison, the Note 10.1 is FAR superior in picture quality and color saturation.
4. The S-Pen is very useful. Best thing about Note devices in general, you can use them in class and people don't assume your on facebook or texting, simply because you have a pen in your hand. I don't have a facebook anyhow but the perception is different.
5. The software is solid, it does not lag, it does not shut off, it just works, at least so far.
6. The device is pretty close to a desktop replacement for me, the multitasking really opens up the options and works pretty well.
The Bad:
1. When using the device at school (I have very long days in one classroom), it can't be sat upright AND be on the charger. I have the samsung book-cover case and when it is upright, since the charging port is on the bottom, it won't plug in.
2. Proprietary cable, I know there are some good things, but my touchpad had micro USB and I think it was nice to have a standard.
That's all. It's overall a great device. I am very happy with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll comment on battery... I think it's great
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app

Note 10.1 vs Win8 tablets with pen for studying

I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.

I admit I haven't put a lot of time into the Win8 devices, but my general impression is that they are very slick, well made, but massively overpriced and terribly lacking on the software side.
Rather than giving a direct comparison, what you could see is if there is anything that the 10.1 can't do that you'd need. By my counting, there isn't. Annotating and marking up PDFs? No problem. All the cloud syncing and printing you could ask for? Got it. Fantastic organization by way of LectureNotes? Mmhm. The screen is sharp, the pen works just dandy, and there's scads of apps for you to create, edit, organize, and make use of all of your PDFs.
I can't say with certainty how good a win8 tab would be, but I can say that the the 10.1 2014 would do everything you could possibly ask of it.

{Diemex} said:
I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have either but I've used a Windows 7 tablet and last year's Note 10.1 and the big difference for me was that while both had Wacom, Android is just way more usable via touch than Windows. Windows 8 is more touch friendly to be sure but the software ecosystem just isn't there yet (in terms of touch friendly apps). Like the above poster said, there really isn't much you can't do on a Note 10.1. The one wildcard is Onenote, it's seriously the best thing Microsoft has ever made and there really isn't anything equivalent on Android, but I can live without it really. It would be cool if android note taking apps had the functionality of Onenote but in terms of just using it like an advanced paper notebook they're totally usable. It'd be cool to be able to search through notes and stuff (some app may allow this, but I haven't found one yet) but it's still much easier to find things in a digital notebook than a physical one.

{Diemex} said:
I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a fellow mechanical engieer working and going to grad school, this is how it has been working for me.
I use ezPDF and see note. You can take snapshots of pdfs with ezpdf and paste them into s note.
Good luck.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app

{Diemex} said:
I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am currently/was wondering the same thing. I'm an engineering student and I want to use a tablet for note taking and reading/annotating papers. I considered a Surface pro or a lenovo win tablet with a pen. Mostly because of OneNote. While I haven't used it, I'm sure it is the most mature note taking app there is. I don't know how touch friendly it is (i.e. I don't know if OneNote has a Metro-mode), but if it's like the other office apps, I wouldn't want to use it without a mouse.
The biggest problem with Windows tablets, like it has already been said, is the lack of apps. My brother just bought a Windows tablet (the HP Envy x2 or something), which has full windows, a keyboard dock and no pen. He has a metro app to look at pdfs and hilight them (I think it's almost literally the only pdf app in the app store that supports some level of editing) but he can't write on them (with the keyboard).
You can always say you'll use the full-windows apps, not metro, of which there are plenty, but I just can't imagine that being fun to use with your fingers.
Besides note taking, I also want to use my tablet recreationally. Some browsing, RSS reading, gaming etc. For that, android is just better, hands down.
In terms of sycing, I thought maybe a win tablet might be easier to mangage, but as it turns out, android is probably easier. I can sync files with my Windows laptop via SugarSync and stuff like RSS feeds, podcasts and all that is easier to sync accross android devices.
I have now ordered the Note and am awaiting it anxiously. (it's not available yet where I live)
I hope that helps your decision process along, let me know to what conclusion you come.

In this excellent review (see link below) of the Note 10.1 the reviewer mentions "better going for the 2014 Note 10.1" for people who make notes. Professional artists are better of on a Windows device because of the much larger software base. She reviewed both the 2014 Note 10.1 and the popular Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 (linked in article).
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/tablets/2014-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-10.htm

The_Maverick said:
I am currently/was wondering the same thing. I'm an engineering student and I want to use a tablet for note taking and reading/annotating papers. I considered a Surface pro or a lenovo win tablet with a pen. Mostly because of OneNote. While I haven't used it, I'm sure it is the most mature note taking app there is. I don't know how touch friendly it is (i.e. I don't know if OneNote has a Metro-mode), but if it's like the other office apps, I wouldn't want to use it without a mouse.
The biggest problem with Windows tablets, like it has already been said, is the lack of apps. My brother just bought a Windows tablet (the HP Envy x2 or something), which has full windows, a keyboard dock and no pen. He has a metro app to look at pdfs and hilight them (I think it's almost literally the only pdf app in the app store that supports some level of editing) but he can't write on them (with the keyboard).
You can always say you'll use the full-windows apps, not metro, of which there are plenty, but I just can't imagine that being fun to use with your fingers.
Besides note taking, I also want to use my tablet recreationally. Some browsing, RSS reading, gaming etc. For that, android is just better, hands down.
In terms of sycing, I thought maybe a win tablet might be easier to mangage, but as it turns out, android is probably easier. I can sync files with my Windows laptop via SugarSync and stuff like RSS feeds, podcasts and all that is easier to sync accross android devices.
I have now ordered the Note and am awaiting it anxiously. (it's not available yet where I live)
I hope that helps your decision process along, let me know to what conclusion you come.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never used it personally but OneNote is available for Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.onenote

The_Maverick said:
I am currently/was wondering the same thing. I'm an engineering student and I want to use a tablet for note taking and reading/annotating papers. I considered a Surface pro or a lenovo win tablet with a pen. Mostly because of OneNote. While I haven't used it, I'm sure it is the most mature note taking app there is. I don't know how touch friendly it is (i.e. I don't know if OneNote has a Metro-mode), but if it's like the other office apps, I wouldn't want to use it without a mouse.
The biggest problem with Windows tablets, like it has already been said, is the lack of apps. My brother just bought a Windows tablet (the HP Envy x2 or something), which has full windows, a keyboard dock and no pen. He has a metro app to look at pdfs and hilight them (I think it's almost literally the only pdf app in the app store that supports some level of editing) but he can't write on them (with the keyboard).
You can always say you'll use the full-windows apps, not metro, of which there are plenty, but I just can't imagine that being fun to use with your fingers.
Besides note taking, I also want to use my tablet recreationally. Some browsing, RSS reading, gaming etc. For that, android is just better, hands down.
In terms of sycing, I thought maybe a win tablet might be easier to mangage, but as it turns out, android is probably easier. I can sync files with my Windows laptop via SugarSync and stuff like RSS feeds, podcasts and all that is easier to sync accross android devices.
I have now ordered the Note and am awaiting it anxiously. (it's not available yet where I live)
I hope that helps your decision process along, let me know to what conclusion you come.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, if you guys can afford or get over dropping 1K on a tablet than the surface pro is the way to go.
Don't get you mind set on "apps." as an engineer, being able to run and execute programs relevant to your fields is more important.
For me, I won't be able to run Catia V5, Solid works, MATLAB, C++, EES, etc on a android tablet. If I didn't drop 1K earlier on my laptop I probably would have got a surface pro 2 so that I wouldn't have to carry so much.
But the note 10.1 has served me well. I got it because I already had a laptop that was cad ready, the note also charges over USB and was at a good price.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app

My main requirement for a tablet is the ability to highlight PDF’s and add sticky notes/annotations for studying; the ability to write notes and have it be as close to a paper/pen experience as possible; and the ability to watch movies and shows in HD while on flights, etc.
If I was sure that the Surface Pro 2 could do all of those things better than the Note 10.1, I’d spend the money. But I’m not sure it can. After struggling for years using a fat stylus on the iPad, the S-Pen on the Note 10.1 seems perfect.
Is the Surface Pro 2 better at these things than the Note 10.1?

Han Solo 1 said:
My main requirement for a tablet is the ability to highlight PDF’s and add sticky notes/annotations for studying; the ability to write notes and have it be as close to a paper/pen experience as possible; and the ability to watch movies and shows in HD while on flights, etc.
If I was sure that the Surface Pro 2 could do all of those things better than the Note 10.1, I’d spend the money. But I’m not sure it can. After struggling for years using a fat stylus on the iPad, the S-Pen on the Note 10.1 seems perfect.
Is the Surface Pro 2 better at these things than the Note 10.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the Surface Pro 2, but those things you mention (movie playback and taking notes, with LectureNotes) are precisely 2 strongpoints of the 2014 Note 10.1. Furthermore it will be a lot lighter in weight, cost far less and drain far less battery. I would recommend it in a heartbeat for those items you mention.
Edit: I highly doubt the Surface Pro giving you a better movie watching experience. I would put money on it...

As someone that owned last years Note 10.1 and owns both the current 10.1 and Surface Pro - I would much rather ink on the Note 10.1.
I really like One Note. Unfortunately, it seems to me like Microsoft doesn't feel the same. I feel like they could/should take One Note and turn it into an Evernote competitor. I see a lot of potential in the software, but no love.
For work, a couple months back, I was trying to take notes on the go while working with a 3rd party vendor using my Surface Pro. I am probably in the minority of people that actually like Windows 8. For me though, on the go, holding the Note 10.1 in one hand and trying to ink vs the Surface Pro is night and day. The Surface Pro is just far too heavy. But it fills that void when I need something extremely portable that will run full blown Photoshop, Quark, etc.

stinger108 said:
I have never used it personally but OneNote is available for Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.onenote
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never used it myself either. I might check it out once I get my Note. But the fact that it hasn't been mentioned in all the LectureNotes conversations on here tells me that it might not actually be comparable. Does any one know whether OneNote on Android supports the SPen?
SlimJ87D said:
Honestly, if you guys can afford or get over dropping 1K on a tablet than the surface pro is the way to go.
Don't get you mind set on "apps." as an engineer, being able to run and execute programs relevant to your fields is more important.
For me, I won't be able to run Catia V5, Solid works, MATLAB, C++, EES, etc on a android tablet. If I didn't drop 1K earlier on my laptop I probably would have got a surface pro 2 so that I wouldn't have to carry so much.
But the note 10.1 has served me well. I got it because I already had a laptop that was cad ready, the note also charges over USB and was at a good price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The price is also prohipive, you're right, I didn't even consider that.
I was in the same situation as you were. I bought a X1 Carbon a year ago, which I use for MATLAB and the like. Had good options been available then, I might have gone with a hybrid. Although for that I'd go with one that has a transformer like dock, such as the Lenovo ThinPad Tablet 2. But I like that my laptop is 14". Only 10" or 11" would be too small for me.

Ettepetje said:
In this excellent review (see link below) of the Note 10.1 the reviewer mentions "better going for the 2014 Note 10.1" for people who make notes. Professional artists are better of on a Windows device because of the much larger software base. She reviewed both the 2014 Note 10.1 and the popular Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 (linked in article).
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/tablets/2014-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-10.htm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well "a much larger software base" means Pro and not RT and the Pro tablets are certainly a bit bulkier and heavier than the Note due to the hardware and battery to keep the thing running. I am also not sure how battery life compares between say the Surface Pro vs the new Note.

wingdo said:
Well "a much larger software base" means Pro and not RT and the Pro tablets are certainly a bit bulkier and heavier than the Note due to the hardware and battery to keep the thing running. I am also not sure how battery life compares between say the Surface Pro vs the new Note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Verge tested both tablets and rated battery life the same. They rated performance of the Note much lower, which for movie watching and drawing / taking notes it most certainly isn't. The 2014 Note 10.1 can playback 2 full-HD movies (of 5+GB) simultaneously without hickup of any kind. I used MX Player Pro for that, with NeoN-driver, together with the built-in video player of the Note in pop-up mode. The beautiful screen together with the decent stereo speakers is managing to keep me away from gearing up my high-end home theater system for 2 major movie titles in a row (Monster University and Despicable Me 2).
To return to the matter of speed, the Note is the fastest ARM based tablet currently available, but will in all likelihood be slower than the processor in the Surface Pro 2. Reading about fans kicking in during heavy use though has me running away from any such option.

{Diemex} said:
I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here again I will share with the op my notes I just took.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app

One thing i did on my note was take screenshots in excel (kingsoft office) then put them into my s notes and annotate on top of it. Its not as good as annotating directly in excel but it works ok.

I went to my local computer store and spend about 45 mins writing on the Note 2014 and also had a look at the surface pro 2. My handwriting looked comparable to the screenshots posted, not as nice as on paper with a pencil, but far better than anticipated.
A lecturer actually uses OneNote on a lenovo laptop with a stylus. It works really well and I like that you can easily add blank space in between lines if you run out of space. Sadly the surface in the store didn't have internet so I couldn't have a look at the metro apps store and there wasn't much apps to play around with. The surface feels a bit like a laptop with a small touchscreen and a detachable keyboard to me.
The surface has optional pen input but still is not focused on making the most out of the pen. Samsung's app package on the Note on the other hand is designed to maximize on the stylus. I need a tablet mainly for reading and taking notes and for anything more demanding I have a powerful laptop.
So I will most likely get the Note. Still pondering if I should spend 500€ on wifi only or 650€ on the lte version, which I think doubt I will really make use of on a 10 inch tablet.

{Diemex} said:
So I will most likely get the Note. Still pondering if I should spend 500€ on wifi only or 650€ on the lte version, which I think doubt I will really make use of on a 10 inch tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are able to tether using your phone's data, save your money and get the wifi model. That's what I did. All I have to do is hit a button on my phone and I have fast internet access on my Note 10.1.

Han Solo 1 said:
If you are able to tether using your phone's data, save your money and get the wifi model. That's what I did. All I have to do is hit a button on my phone and I have fast internet access on my Note 10.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

The_Maverick said:
I am currently/was wondering the same thing. I'm an engineering student and I want to use a tablet for note taking and reading/annotating papers. I considered a Surface pro or a lenovo win tablet with a pen. Mostly because of OneNote. While I haven't used it, I'm sure it is the most mature note taking app there is. I don't know how touch friendly it is (i.e. I don't know if OneNote has a Metro-mode), but if it's like the other office apps, I wouldn't want to use it without a mouse.
The biggest problem with Windows tablets, like it has already been said, is the lack of apps. My brother just bought a Windows tablet (the HP Envy x2 or something), which has full windows, a keyboard dock and no pen. He has a metro app to look at pdfs and hilight them (I think it's almost literally the only pdf app in the app store that supports some level of editing) but he can't write on them (with the keyboard).
You can always say you'll use the full-windows apps, not metro, of which there are plenty, but I just can't imagine that being fun to use with your fingers.
Besides note taking, I also want to use my tablet recreationally. Some browsing, RSS reading, gaming etc. For that, android is just better, hands down.
In terms of sycing, I thought maybe a win tablet might be easier to mangage, but as it turns out, android is probably easier. I can sync files with my Windows laptop via SugarSync and stuff like RSS feeds, podcasts and all that is easier to sync accross android devices.
I have now ordered the Note and am awaiting it anxiously. (it's not available yet where I live)
I hope that helps your decision process along, let me know to what conclusion you come.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a metro onenote but not as good as the full office version, which as a student the op should get for decent price.
Have been using tablet pc s of various makes since 1997 and in the op case would say either the note 10.1 2014 or a s/hand x220t lenovo, last one with the great keyboard, either should be similiar money the x220t maybe a bit more.
Or why not consider the first note 10.1 maybe afford both that way?
Sent from my GT-N5100 using xda app-developers app

Note 10.1 2014 or Surface pro 2

Hi.
As a Note 3 users I've been thinking of getting the LTE version of the Note 10.1 2014 for some time now, but waited for a good deal. Next week MediaMarkt here in the Netherlands is having their anual 21% of everything. Here the Lte version costs about 720 euro. Now I've been thinking of the surface pro which is in the 800+ euro category. Especially since its faster, runs full desktop apps. On the other hand its thick and battery doesnt last long.
I also have a series 7 chronos laptop.
What do you guys recommend?

blue13x said:
Hi.
As a Note 3 users I've been thinking of getting the LTE version of the Note 10.1 2014 for some time now, but waited for a good deal. Next week MediaMarkt here in the Netherlands is having their anual 21% of everything. Here the Lte version costs about 720 euro. Now I've been thinking of the surface pro which is in the 800+ euro category. Especially since its faster, runs full desktop apps. On the other hand its thick and battery doesnt last long.
I also have a series 7 chronos laptop.
What do you guys recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the same problem as you currently got. I went for the Note 10.1.14 because I got the Note 3 and both are the perfect couple. However, I missing being able to run my desktop apps whilst on the road so now I have decided im going to purchase the SP2 & keep the note which will give me the best of both worlds.
The problem you got is what ever one you choose you will always find a reason why you should have chosen the other one.

Surface (and all their ilk) are pretty crappy entertainment devices compared to Android (and iOS). It also weighs 2 pounds without its paraphernalia. It's also as big as a house.
I have a 13" laptop which I tote around when I'm going to be on the road for a while or if I know I'm going to be doing a lot of productivity work like document creation; especially Excel and PPT. You can't do heavy productivity work on anything less than a 13" display IMHO (the Surface Pro 2 is 10.6") The N10.1-14's powerful enough that I can leave my laptop home quite a bit of the time and use RDP and faux-Office to meet my light productivity needs (editing and reviewing). It's also a fantastic entertainment and media device. Mine's 3G so it's always connected which is invaluable when traveling. The Surface(s) to me aren't great as laptop replacements and their entertainment capabilities are at best acceptable. I don't consider going in to the non-Modern interface and accessing entertainment via native IE a good media experience or a replacement for the simplicity of multiple dedicated media apps in Android. I have IE on my laptop. Maybe someday Windows tablets will evolve so that they're better all-round tablets and less biased toward the utilization of (captive) MS products like Office. Until then I'm fine with my two device (laptop/Android tablet) set-up and each fulfill their missions fine (at least for me).
P.S. - Samsung calling their high end tablets "Pro" and loading them up with productivity s/w isn't going to change the fact Android's as bad at productivity as Windows tablets are at entertainment.
Just my opinion, people should buy what makes them happy.

If you are going to be taking a lot of notes and pen offset bothers you then I would say go for the note. Every surface 2 pro that I've come across has had some offset on the stylus, and it gets pretty bad at the edges.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

I pondered this for awhile. I've been on android since mytouch3g and have a couple hundred dollars tied into premium software. Since I can use team viewer to access my laptop from my android device, I don't need a Windows tablet.
I also own an iPad. I bought it to help troubleshoot clients who couldn't figure out how to get "the only device that requires no manual" on a network. That quote was by Black Eyed Peas, fyi. I only used my Apple slab for magazine reading now. My note 10.1 2014 is much more user friendly and again I don't have to buy all my apps again.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

Note
For a tablet I'd rather have android. I have a thinkpad for when I want portable windows - and I'd much rather run Windows 7 than 8 on a tablet if I am trying to write. The Note is nice for reviewing and .pdf mark-up.

Me, as a developer who is living on "Microsoft World" I definetly prefere surface pro 2 because it is i5 intel laptop without a keyboard not tablet
Having note 3 and note 10.1 at the same time is like, eating two sizes of hamburgers on the same meal which both tastes same. If you are fanatic about hamburgers it's ok but for extending posibilities, I would recommend surface pro 2 or maybe just surface 2 or lumia 2520.
As a s4 user, I just bought note 10.1 for everyday use (I could not buy surface or lumia because they are not on market at my region) and planning to exchange my s4 with a Windows mobile now.
It is my opinion for nonuniformity...

Here's what I've arrived at, as a sort of a hiearchy of usage when mobile.
1. When I am just going to the shops etc - Note 2, phone only
2. When I expect to be doing little work if any but want to browse etc - Note 10.1-2014
3. When I expect to do some work but not a lot - Note 10.1-2014
4. When I expect to do a moderate amount of work - Note 10.1-2014 plus MS Wedge KB and Mouse
5. When I expect to do a ton of work - HP Envy 14.
I have Andropen Office and various other Office substitutes on the Note 10.1-2014. I also have RDP to a virtual machine on my server at home. This gives me a full Windows experience when that is crucial, for example creating a clean new .docx document in "real" MS Word. RDP works really well on this tablet. It is like using a windows machine, but with some slowness as it's remote.
I have to tell you that the MS Wedge KB and mouse, plus the Note 10.1-2014, is a fricking awesome looking combo. They look like they were made to go together. It is such a fine looking set-up to have on a desk, and it is also very pleasant to use and incredibly portable.
I considered a Surface Pro 2 but it's too expensive, not portable enough, and not, for me, necessary. And it is a Windows 8 device, which basically makes it a steaming pile of [email protected] no matter how you look at it. If I didn't also have an okay laptop maybe it would be a candidate. But honestly, the occasions when I will get out my laptop now are getting very infrequent. The 10.1 tablet is far nicer and just as practical 99% of the time.
Jason

Decided im going for the Note 10.1 2014. The Surface pro is superior, but its too large and battery life just isnt as good.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

On the other hand...the surface pro 2 is superior when it vomes to power and performance. basically full windows app. Its more for people that dont have a laptop. As a side device the note for me is better.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

This question has been in my head for a few months now. My Asus Transformer Prime (3G) just isn't as good as it used to be. I did wipe it and it's better but still sluggish. I have had many Samsung phones, currently the S4 Google Edition so I like Samsung products. As a business owner and software developer the surface Pro makes sense but the batter ife and bulk just don't make sens to me. The biggest hurdle either way is getting one in 3G or 4G for my ATT plan. Fortunately I have enough time to decide because my current tablet is still working.
Edit - Or I suppose I could be the geek that I am and use my phone as a hot spot when I need to......

It depends on the majority of how you are going to use it. The sp2 is more of a laptop replacement in a form of a tablet. It's not as comfortable to hold and easy to operate as an android tablet. If you just want to surf the Web on the couch and be able to entertain yourself on the go then get the note. If you are looking for a laptop replacement that you can do work on then the sp2 is a beast. It is actually a full functioning computer with windows. You can install any program on there that you can on your home
Pc. Few cons are the weight, thickness, and battery life. Also there aren't as many apps as Google play store. And using regular windows with your fingers is sometimes a hassle unless i connect a mouse because everything is small with the high resolution. I had the type cover keyboard but the mouse pad on there is too small. So lot of times I would just take out my phone and click on app instead of dealing with that.
I ended up returning the sp2 because I noticed I wasn't using it that much. Also because of the size and weight it was not that comfortable using it for simple things that I can comfortably do on my note 3. I exchanged the sp2 for a note 10.1 and I'm using the note 10.1 much more than I was the sp2. I just like to browse the Web on the couch and simple stuff. If I need to use a Pc I just hop on my desktop with much bigger monitor. The thing that bugs me most about the note 10.1 is the lag that everyone talks about. I'm still contemplating on whether I should return this and try something else. Either that or wait for note pro 12.2. Kind of disappointed that it's going to have the same specs though.
So I think it just depends on what, where and how you'll be using the tablet. I've read the sp2 is very useful for people that work in the IT industry. But if your just like me and use the tablet for mostly entertainment then note 10.1 would be a better choice.
Hope this helps and good luck on your decision. They are both good devices with different pros and cons.

Guys im going to purchase the SP2 and was wonder how it runs to the version with only 2GB of ram? I don't really need the 128GB drive version but if it runs better on 4GB of ram then I guess its worth spending that extra money
Thanks

fyew-jit-tiv said:
Guys im going to purchase the SP2 and was wonder how it runs to the version with only 2GB of ram? I don't really need the 128GB drive version but if it runs better on 4GB of ram then I guess its worth spending that extra money
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might get more perspective if you ask that in a SP2 forum.

I believe the 64 gb and 128 gb come with 4 gb of ram and the 256 gb and 512 gb version come with 8 gb of ram. Both are enough for most things. If you use lot of memory intensive apps then go with the 8 gb. How many gb of ram do you have on your desktop/laptop you are using now?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

sgvnut said:
It depends on the majority of how you are going to use it. The sp2 is more of a laptop replacement in a form of a tablet. It's not as comfortable to hold and easy to operate as an android tablet. If you just want to surf the Web on the couch and be able to entertain yourself on the go then get the note. If you are looking for a laptop replacement that you can do work on then the sp2 is a beast. It is actually a full functioning computer with windows. You can install any program on there that you can on your home
Pc. Few cons are the weight, thickness, and battery life. Also there aren't as many apps as Google play store. And using regular windows with your fingers is sometimes a hassle unless i connect a mouse because everything is small with the high resolution. I had the type cover keyboard but the mouse pad on there is too small. So lot of times I would just take out my phone and click on app instead of dealing with that.
I ended up returning the sp2 because I noticed I wasn't using it that much. Also because of the size and weight it was not that comfortable using it for simple things that I can comfortably do on my note 3. I exchanged the sp2 for a note 10.1 and I'm using the note 10.1 much more than I was the sp2. I just like to browse the Web on the couch and simple stuff. If I need to use a Pc I just hop on my desktop with much bigger monitor. The thing that bugs me most about the note 10.1 is the lag that everyone talks about. I'm still contemplating on whether I should return this and try something else. Either that or wait for note pro 12.2. Kind of disappointed that it's going to have the same specs though.
So I think it just depends on what, where and how you'll be using the tablet. I've read the sp2 is very useful for people that work in the IT industry. But if your just like me and use the tablet for mostly entertainment then note 10.1 would be a better choice.
Hope this helps and good luck on your decision. They are both good devices with different pros and cons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good points and that is part of the problem I have yet to decide. I prefer to use my transformer any time I can vs my laptop which I am on now. I run a meeting at least once a month and while I like typing on the laptop, I hate lugging it around. If i get a SP2 I can connect to my sky drive. If I get a note then I have to email and convert or paste to a new doc.
The lag worries me. I have a horrible lag in my transformer and at best it's good for reading and some light games.
I'm still leaning towards the Sammy just because I know to many people that have returned them. I'm familiar enough with Win 8 and while I'm not a fan, I can run it without issue.
I'll keep reading and pondering but I'm afraid I'll miss my android if I go SP2. (I have had the iPads in the past and left for Android).

Pure power yeah and desktop apps are true. But you need to weight your actual use for them. I use word for my business. I don't have to send it to anyone else (well rarely) and polaris is really awesome. If i really need to set the format straight I can just rpd to my desktop and check the format there. If it all looks well I can print straight from my tablet. I honestly rarely see any issues with polaris format. I think 99% of the time it gets it right. The only way I see word being necessary is if for you work or school you need some of the extra formatting ability in it. But even then I don't see it as a big hurdle. Really other than that I rarely ever use my desktop. I go to it when I need odin or something similar.I live on my note 2014
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I currently use (daily):
Galaxy S4 (rooted, adblocked) + Galaxy Gear (stock); Primary mobile phone
Galaxy Note 3 (rooted, adblocked); Quick notes (using 'write' which saves the note in html, available on Google Play), email, occasional gaming
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 8GB/512GB; daily work (I get about 8 hours without trying to conserve battery power).
All are reliable. I do want an android tablet, and normally I don't mind bloatware (Microsoft is calling it JUNKWARE lol!) as long as the 'disable' function has not been locked out.
The KNOX function is an annoyance. I would never use it in any of my managed SMB environments. If you want real control and security, provide a device and don't let people use their own.
Samsung has been getting more and more into skeezy information gathering practices and not cooperating with regards to disclosure.
Example: On my S4, I can disable WatchON. On the Note 3, the disable function is locked out, and the latest update for WatchON wants to be able to send SMS text messages. Hundreds of people are asking why, yet Samsung's response is always "please register on our site, agree to the privacy terms, and submit a support request". I would like to know who the moron is at Samsung that actually signed off on this thief-like untrustworthy tactic thinking it was a good idea.
Every manufacturer that provides a locked down, modified version of Android should be FORCED into ALSO providing the option to have the OS in its unaltered form, based on the users' preference.
The Junkware lock-in is the only reason I won't be purchasing a Note 10.1 and also why corporate users I deal with will be offered only pure Android devices.
I apologize in advance if my blunt comments hurts any feelings, but come on... it's 2014. Get with the times already! (I know... pipe dreams...)

RDA3440 said:
Get with the times already! (I know... pipe dreams...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your post is pretty naïve and a bit out of touch with the direction corporate IT is going toward both mobile security and BYOD. I take it you're a consultant of some type. Your position(s) wouldn't allow you to be taken seriously by the three Fortune 100 companies whose five highly managed networks I connect to (with my own devices). Three out of those five networks are now reading the KNOX flag to validate incoming network connection requests and one of the three companies has limited Android BYOD to "Samsung devices only" running 4.3 or higher (KNOX-equipped). Just some food for thought.

BarryH_GEG said:
Your post is pretty naïve and a bit out of touch with the direction corporate IT is going toward both mobile security and BYOD. I take it you're a consultant of some type. Your position(s) wouldn't allow you to be taken seriously by the three Fortune 100 companies whose five highly managed networks I connect to (with my own devices). Three out of those five networks are now reading the KNOX flag to validate incoming network connection requests and one of the three companies has limited Android BYOD to "Samsung devices only" running 4.3 or higher (KNOX-equipped). Just some food for thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly - but I'm thinking more along the lines of SMB's - 100's of users vs. 1000's. I should have clarified but thanks for that input - it's always good to hear alternative opinions.

Thinking of replacing my Note with a windows tablet...

Probably stupid to even suggest this on the note forum, but thought I'd share my feelings of the Note anyway. I had the original Note and thought it was wonderful. It literally changed how I go to school. Once I used to have a twenty pound bag filled with books and notebooks, but now I have one device that I use for ebooks and note taking. It worked so well that once the new note was released, I upgraded. I'm now wishing I applied that money towards a Windows tablet. Don't get me wrong, the Note still rocks at what it does....most of the time. I do find that it can be rather finicky with certain things, but overall it takes notes well. Which is primarily what I use it for. (I have a GPad 8.3 for ebooks now) Once I get home I find that the Note sits in my bag and I pick up my Zenbook Prime for browsing and using full on desktop apps like spotify. I just don't use the note for anything but Note taking. Thats an expensive Notebook! Plus, I've heard tons of great things about Onenote and have seen youtube videos showcasing its awesomeness. And if I really really wanted lecture notes, couldn't I run it via bluestacks? Essentially getting a windows and android tablet in one? Of course everyones needs are different, and I never thought I'd see the day when I'd be a potential windows defector, but am seriously impressed by the slew of tablets pouring out of their camp. I am a die hard android fan ever since my OG Droid, but I just can't help but see the shortcomings of the android OS. I'll never go windows phone, but as far as tablets go.... I think Micro$oft is onto something....Plus Chrome for desktop rocks way more than the mobile version.
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Please don't hate me

Totally agree

supremekizzle said:
I'll never go windows phone, but as far as tablets go.... I think Micro$oft is onto something....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows and tablets are kind of an oxymoron. The fate of RT is unknown and with the inability to run legacy Windows apps it's pretty barren from a content perspective. The Modern touch UI is pretty much a failure with MS admitting it by bringing back the start button and allowing the desktop to boot to a standard Windows desktop. I use my N10.1-14 as a laptop supplement. I'll travel with it about half the time when I know I'm not going to be doing heavy duty MS Office editing and creation. If I am, I'll bring my 13" ultra book. Which, even though it's light, is twice as large and three times as heavy to carry when you add-in its accessories. Between RDP, Hancom Office, and a BT mouse/keyboard the N10.1-14 is a fantastic laptop supplement. But I can't imagine using it (or any Android tablet) as a true laptop replacement. For that matter, Windows Pro tablets don't really offer anything that more than an ultra book does so to choose between them I'd pick the latter. Android and iOS are the kings of consumption. Windows tablets (not the RT's) are the kings of productivity. You compromise productivity on Android/iOS and compromise consumption on Windows. So where someone is on the consumption/productivity spectrum and what they're willing to compromise determines which is the better choice for them.
When I'm traveling, especially overseas, consumption, battery life, and portability are important. Windows tablets are pretty poor in all three categories. My whole set-up fits in this bag. Carrying a Windows tablet and all its kit is the same as carrying a laptop.
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To me, this is a non-starter...
As for Lecture Notes<>OneNote<>S Note I used OneNote for years. It's far from optimized for handwriting. Since Samsung introduced S Note for Windows and introduced handwriting search in to S Finder I pretty much always use S Note unless I'm collaborating with folks on MS Office in which case I'll use OneNote. A lot of friends and associates have Samsung Note's though and we'll collaborate using S Note.
No two people here do the same things consumption and productivity wise nor have the same priorities. So it's all really just some interesting discussion.

BarryH_GEG said:
Windows and tablets are kind of an oxymoron. The fate of RT is unknown and with the inability to run legacy Windows apps it's pretty barren from a content perspective. The Modern touch UI is pretty much a failure with MS admitting it by bringing back the start button and allowing the desktop to boot to a standard Windows desktop. I use my N10.1-14 as a laptop supplement. I'll travel with it about half the time when I know I'm not going to be doing heavy duty MS Office editing and creation. If I am, I'll bring my 13" ultra book. Which, even though it's light, is twice as large and three times as heavy to carry when you add-in its accessories. Between RDP, Hancom Office, and a BT mouse/keyboard the N10.1-14 is a fantastic laptop supplement. But I can't imagine using it (or any Android tablet) as a true laptop replacement. For that matter, Windows Pro tablets don't really offer anything that more than an ultra book does so to choose between them I'd pick the latter. Android and iOS are the kings of consumption. Windows tablets (not the RT's) are the kings of productivity. You compromise productivity on Android/iOS and compromise consumption on Windows. So where someone is on the consumption/productivity spectrum and what they're willing to compromise determines which is the better choice for them.
When I'm traveling, especially overseas, consumption, battery life, and portability are important. Windows tablets are pretty poor in all three categories. My whole set-up fits in this bag. Carrying a Windows tablet and all its kit is the same as carrying a laptop.
To me, this is a non-starter...
As for Lecture Notes<>OneNote<>S Note I used OneNote for years. It's far from optimized for handwriting. Since Samsung introduced S Note for Windows and introduced handwriting search in to S Finder I pretty much always use S Note unless I'm collaborating with folks on MS Office in which case I'll use OneNote. A lot of friends and associates have Samsung Note's though and we'll collaborate using S Note.
No two people here do the same things consumption and productivity wise nor have the same priorities. So it's all really just some interesting discussion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite a setup you have. Have you seen the newly announced surface pro 3? Looks pretty sick.

I'm actually in the same situation as you as I find I'm more productive on a Windows machine. I tried using my tablet but always felt I could've done more work had I had my laptop with me. I'm quite impress with the Surface Pro 3, and it looks like it may be a potential buy.

Love that the cigarettes are a part of the essential accessories!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Zerogamer100 said:
I'm actually in the same situation as you as I find I'm more productive on a Windows machine. I tried using my tablet but always felt I could've done more work had I had my laptop with me. I'm quite impress with the Surface Pro 3, and it looks like it may be a potential buy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree. I'd really like to know how lecture notes and other android apps run on bluestacks with a pen. With google drive and chrome apps available on windows, I'm really starting to question my need to have the Note. It kind of feels like a toy now. Plus, spotify, word, and other full on PC programs available, why use two devices when I can consolidate to one? The only thing about the Surface Pro 3 is the price. Woof, that bad boy is spendy...

Just remember that Microsoft tablets require a good antivirus to be installed since it's the same is as the desktop. Android doesn't have that problem. It is very possible to replace with does with android though. I replaced my Windows 8 laptop with the note and haven't looked back or over 4 months. I can do everything I Need to do on this, and I'm an IT person.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

Looks like nobody used and heard about Asus T100ta.
It replaced my laptop, desktop and tablets(Ipad and nexus).
Why..How..
It does everything a laptop will do with full windows 8. I hardly use any apps. Browser is good enough for me. When I want bigger screen, I just widi into my TV. 60" is always better then 13" laptop screen. I can watch movies on one screen and work on other no problem.
Bought couple of USB hub with ethernet from amazon and used that to configure 3 hotels network using this little bad boy.
Battery is solid 8-9 hours watching videos or document editing, No thinking about what format should i convert it to like ipad. Stand by time is amazing.
You will think why am I here then?? For my 3 year. Her ipad1 backlight gone and T100 is not for kids .
I'm done with Apple and Like samsung thanks to xda developers as it is easier to work on and flexibility it's products provide.

The recently announced Surface pro 3 really ups the ante in terms of making Windows tablets attractive. I'd like to see more of the new pen, first, but no doubt that OneNote is well built and useful.
The problem in my view is still weight, battery life, portability. When I carry the note (or a tablet) around, it's so I don't have to carry a laptop. I can't do all I want on a note, but on the road, on the go, it does enough so I can avoid carrying a laptop. But a surface pro 3 is still near double the weight of a note, more with the type cover, and less battery life, and again heavier with a charger too.
Basically, Surface pro 3 is still first a laptop replacement (as the comparison with the MacBook air made), not a tablet/note replacement, for me. I am still looking for the ultimate note taking tablet that can also be my mobile ebook reader and web browser and the note still is the closest there is for me.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

graewulf1 said:
Just remember that Microsoft tablets require a good antivirus to be installed since it's the same is as the desktop. Android doesn't have that problem. It is very possible to replace with does with android though. I replaced my Windows 8 laptop with the note and haven't looked back or over 4 months. I can do everything I Need to do on this, and I'm an IT person.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An IT person that thinks Android does not have any opportunity for malware? Must be on par with the IT folks where I work.
Back on topic, if Google continues to nerf Android (like the KK SD bug that must be there to make the Nexus more competitive with the alternatives with SD cards) the Windows alternatives will continue to look better and better.

Surface Pro 3 was released.....
with a massive price

I agree on the price and love the specs. I have the Note 10.1-14 in a Poetic Bluetooth keyboard case with a mouse pad and Bluetooth mouse. It does real will, though there are times a Windows laptop cannot be beat. Goodness, that thing is expensive.
Sent via my Note 8

WJThomas said:
An IT person that thinks Android does not have any opportunity for malware? Must be on par with the IT folks where I work.
Back on topic, if Google continues to nerf Android (like the KK SD bug that must be there to make the Nexus more competitive with the alternatives with SD cards) the Windows alternatives will continue to look better and better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said anti-virus, not anti-Malware. Two entirely different things. Microsoft has a proven track record of being open to viruses and malware installing themselves. On Windows either can install itself without user interaction. Since android is Linux based, both require the user to install them to get into the system. Installing apps from reliable sources almost ensures a virus and malware free android system. Infected websites and emails cannot infect android without the user's permission, the same is not true on Windows. This is why I said a good antivirus is required on Windows tablets. It's optional on android.
If you want to bash android, take it to a Windows forum. This is an android tablet forum.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

graewulf1 said:
I said anti-virus, not anti-Malware. Two entirely different things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Splitting hairs a bit there. The industry commonly lumps all malware together and the combined anti-malware software is called antih-virus.
graewulf1;5u2842009 said:
If you want to bash android, tjake it to a Windows forum. This is an android tablet forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who is bashing Android? I am a big Android fan. I am bashing Google for their anti-user and anti-competition polices. They are starting to turn into an Apple/Microsoft. The removal of the SD card write access is the beginning of the end. I just hope the community will be able to overcome Google and keep Android a viable alternative.

Back on topic...
There's a good conversation going on in the N12 forum discussing the Note/Pro's vs. the SP3.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52847377

I upgrade from an old windows tablet the hp 2730p elite notebook to the sm-p600. I had windows tablet was designed for windows xp but I had 7 installed with 3gb of ram 60gb hard drive and that this new android tablet was better in every way except for storage space which can easily be remedied with a memory card.
Productivity wise the note 10.1 I would say is better in my experience especially since I have a spare wacom pen from my windows tablet that has the eraser on the back end that works perfectly with the note 10.1. Coding is a bit more difficult but I usually just remote desktop to my main pc and run Visual Studios. I have an otg cable with a usb hub for a hardware mouse and keyboard but haven't found a way to have the right mouse button in android to work as one instead of the back key.
Media wise the note 10.1 is better than my old windows tablet little to no lag full hd support and all that and hdmi out beats svideo out.
Gaming wise this is where I would consider upgrading to a windows tablet. As old as my hp 2730p notebook was I could still play minecraft (min settings 15fps), World of Warcraft (min settings windowed mode only 10fps) but at least Terraria played at a decent framerate 25fps+. On the note you have android ports of Minecraft and Terraria with touch controls in mind and being incompatible with the pc version. I would love something like http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2209247 for the sm-p600. I have toyed with LinuxOnAndroid and hoping they make progress with a native gui vs vnc. Hell I would even dual boot with windows if I could.
Don't get me wrong there are great android games out there and the humble mobile bundles help but it seems like the good ports or versions are still on the iphone/ipad and android users are left with inferior products. Chu Chu Rockets for example has 1-4 player multiplayer support through bluetooth wifi and gamecenter and on the ipad 4 players can share one screen. So far on the android port multiplayer consists of 1 human and 3 cpus.
I have a few unrelated Samsung gripes with the note and I am not sure what I would upgrade to in the future.

urtruelove78 said:
Looks like nobody used and heard about Asus T100ta.
It replaced my laptop, desktop and tablets(Ipad and nexus).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Resurrecting an older thread, I know, but I just picked up an Asus Transformer T100ta new and factory sealed for $250 (from Amazon.com). It's running the full desktop version of Windows 8.1 (32-bit), 64GB SSD, 2 GB RAM, keyboard/mouse dock with a USB 3.0 port, HDMI out, micro SD slot (with no limitations on what can be stored/installed/accessed), charges with a standard micro USB phone charger, has the Intel Atom Z3775 processor, 11 hour battery life, and it includes Office 2013. My kids are playing Steam games on it, Minecraft, Halo 1 & 2, etc. These aren't just HD phone games like what's available for the iPad and Android tablets...these are the real deal. I'm also running a real photo editor and desktop versions of browsers, not to mention real Office.
And this device was released in October 2013 -- rapidly approaching 2 years ago. Meanwhile, our Note 10.1 2014 doesn't even have Lollipop yet. I can't even update my tablet with the recent incremental Kitkat update because it fails and says my tablet has been modified simply because it's rooted (with a completely stock ROM and stock recovery). Did I have to root it? No, of course not...but I had to root it if I wanted open access to the SD card after the KitKat update. Not to mention wanting to do the crazy thing of, y'know, backing up my apps and data (I know, it's a lot to ask, but....). I don't have to worry about rooting the Transformer tablet. And Windows 10 is already working on this device and is a free update.
I'm really a big fan of Android and have been since the early days, but it's gotten to the point where I feel it's only really good for use on phones. With being able to load the full desktop version of Windows 8.1 or even Windows 10 on a tablet the same size, I just don't really see the purpose for Android tablets anymore.
graewulf1 said:
Just remember that Microsoft tablets require a good antivirus to be installed since it's the same is as the desktop. Android doesn't have that problem. It is very possible to replace with does with android though. I replaced my Windows 8 laptop with the note and haven't looked back or over 4 months. I can do everything I Need to do on this, and I'm an IT person.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows 8.1 includes anti-virus through Windows Defender. That's all I'm running on two Windows 8.1 devices in my house, and on the three Windows 7 machines I"m running...ready? Nothing. You don't get viruses or malware if you know what you're doing, especially if you setup your network and workstations securely. I've been a network engineer for over 25 years, so I don't buy into all the virus/malware hype that non-techs do. No, you can't have that philosophy in the corporate environment, because there are too many unknowledgeable users that are the weak link, but you can definitely (and easily) do that with a home network, and especially a personal tablet.

internetpilot said:
Windows 8.1 includes anti-virus through Windows Defender. That's all I'm running on two Windows 8.1 devices in my house, and on the three Windows 7 machines I"m running...ready? Nothing. You don't get viruses or malware if you know what you're doing, especially if you setup your network and workstations securely. I've been a network engineer for over 25 years, so I don't buy into all the virus/malware hype that non-techs do. No, you can't have that philosophy in the corporate environment, because there are too many unknowledgeable users that are the weak link, but you can definitely (and easily) do that with a home network, and especially a personal tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I concur. As long as you 1) know what you are doing (not running random downloaded exe files), 2) keep system updated, 3) connect to internet that is behind NAT (meaning you always connect via WiFi or router) you should be fine. I use Ubuntu mostly but all my Windows installations have been running nothing beside the default Windows Defenders for years without any issue. In the times of Windows XP it was much more risky though.

not looking back
I retired my note 10.1 2014 for a surface pro 3 and will never look back. Superior quality and functionality.(and im a huge samsung fan) just could not take all the manufacturing flaws anymore