After reviewing the Surface 3 just the other day, we find tablets becoming more and more of a productive tool rather than the early generation just consumption slates. Now when it comes to Samsung’s range of products, I have to honestly say I tend to get a little confused since its range is just so wide. For one, I always differentiate the Tab and the Note by the S Pen since the Tab used to be without it. However, Samsung has now included the S Pen together with the Tab, naming it Tab A, which makes using the Tab easier and more productive.

Size matters

The Samsung Tab A comes in two sizes: 8-inch and 9.7-inch. The one we have here in our hands is the 9.7-inch, which is a more common size for tablet these days. For this size, it is best used for reading, especially since it is lightweight with enough bezel around to hold it properly. Beats reading on a smartphone that gets me all squinty eyed.

Goodbye stationaries

As much as I love stationaries (coloured pens, papers, notebooks and the like), I really appreciate having a device that I can take notes, draw, colour, edit and work in. Signing documents is also not a problem! Ever since the S Pen was first introduced, I already fell in love with all the things that can be done with it. Just like the Note, the S Pen that comes with Tab A makes work a little easier, especially when on the go.

 

Stretched Out

One of the issues I encountered when using the Tab A was how mobile games tend to get stretched, since the device is not of widescreen ratio. Thankfully, watching videos on YouTube is OK, although there are two black bars above and below the video. Watching your own videos are the same, however you can still choose to fit the video on screen instead of keeping the ratio. Won’t stop you there, in case you like stretched videos.

Black or White

Using Aldiko book reader app is the easiest for reading. You can choose to import your own eBook, or just purchase them from Feedbooks or Play Books. Reading on bright screens hurt your eyes? Then just toggle the backlight between black and white to make reading less painful.

Big Shot

If for some reason you need to use a tablet to take photos, the camera on it is just adequate. You can use it to post online, but not really suitable for large prints. It is rather hard to shoot with a tablet since you need to have pretty strong wrists and stable hands to hold up such a wide device. The best use I have for the camera is taking a shot, and then using the S Pen to scribble in it if I want to send memos to colleagues, or love notes to a special someone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not More, Not Less

Generally, the Galaxy Tab A is much like its Tab predecessors, just lighter, faster, updated, and sporting the very useful S Pen. If you have not gotten a tablet for reading, or to do light productivity work, then you might want to take a look at this, although the price to pay is a little steep.

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Price: RM 1,599

SPECS:

Dimensions: 166.8 x 242.5 x 7.5mm

Weight: 490g

Processor: Quad 1.2GHz

Display: 9.7”, 1024×768, XGA TFT

Memory: 2GB RAM + 16GB, microSD up to 128GB

Battery: 6,000 mAh

Connectivity: WiFi, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth 4.1, USB2.0

Network: LTE 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600

OS: Android Lollipop

Camera/Flash: 5.0MP AF + 2.0MP

BENCHMARKS

Antutu: 22033

GFXBench Manhattan: 277.5

GFXBench 1080 Manhattan: 112.3

GFXBench T-Rex: 587.5

GFXBench 1080p T-Rex Offscreen: 294.9

Value: 8

Performance: 9

Features: 9

Design: 8

Usability: 9

Score: 8.6

Verdict: Buy it for the love of the S Pen.