Customer satisfaction during product purchase and ownership is a complex science and I wouldn’t suggest for a moment that I know a lot about it. Personally I can get very upset if a product fails to deliver on marketing promises and wildly passionate if a product does more than expected. That’s something I keep out of my reviews though and I always aim to project my thoughts from various target customer scenarios. On a personal note though, the Galaxy Tab experience has been extremely positive for me and I’ve spoken to many others that are happy too. If you go to the UMPCPortal sub-forum for the Galaxy Tab it doesn’t take too much effort to find a happy customer. I plan to keep using the Galaxy Tab and expect to be using it well into 2011 but as always, there are people out there for which the Tab will be a total misfit and a total disappointment.
In this article and video I want to highlight the limitations and issues of the Galaxy Tab and bring in a few people that have already bought and sold their Tab. Why weren’t they happy?
In the video below you’ll see me talk about a number of issues. I’ve listed them here:
- Camera and Video
- DLNA
- Video output
- Reading newspapers and magazines
- Printing
- Web
- Multitasking
- User interface
The last three in that list have something in common wild users and wild operating systems creating an unstable and unpredictable experience.
By wild users, I mean almost everyone because we have a natural tendency to try things we find exciting and to push the limits of a device. This means, just like on the PC, you end up with too much running at the same time. Android makes it easy to try software and does very little to control the use of the system resources. What you end up with is an experience that can vary from excellent (when you first use the device) to flakey (I’m just 6 weeks into ownership and I’m seeing this problem.)
One of the problems is the size of the Galaxy Tab. Because it’s bigger than a smartphone, you expect more but in reality, it’s just a smartphone. Memory size, speed, storage speed, CPU and GPU performance are not ‘PC-class’ and if you treat the Tab like a PC, it won’t return any favors. This problem is going to catch out a lot of people in the coming weeks.
Aside from technical limitations there are the inherent limitations of the Galaxy Tab. The size and weight of the device mean it’s not pocketable. The performance won’t be anything more than what you get on some smartphones that do fit in the pocket. It doesn’t have a big enough screen to be able to run two applications in two windows. The performance isn’t anything like what you get on a PC. Printing is limited. There’s no USB port, no multi-user support and so-on and so-on. People looking to replace a laptop will have a problem, even when the keyboard dock ships!
I’ve been in contact with a couple of people recently that have ditched their Galaxy Tab and gone back to planning for the next device. There isn’t a huge number of people in this boat but it’s important to know why didn’t it work for them? Fabrizio, an ex Galaxy Tab owner has this to say…
…basically I think the Galaxy Tab is a good device. While being it a powerful and feature rich device, it’s somehow an oversized smartphone and does not really offer more. Yes, it has a bigger screen and higher resolution, but Android does not take advantage of that. You can read information easier since the screen is bigger, but while I love Android, it is NOT a desktop OS replacement, thus, you won’t be able to do really more than on a smartphone. With more I mean, serious productivity (writing, encoding etc.), not entertainment (listen music, watch videos). In short, the Galaxy Tab is a great device to “consume” content and not to create. But even when consuming, it is limited by the OS which is – in my opinion – not a desktop replacement OS and so it does not offer more than a smartphone –
‘EC’ another ex-Galaxy Tab user said this…
“…it was among the hardest decisions I’ve ever done on a gadget any time recently.”
But he had problems with the browser…
“The native browser, that is not a native Android browser but another Samsung custom job, will render most websites in the mobile format (when there is such a version) and while in some cases you can click on the normal website option on that website it not only doesn’t stay that way for the next time it also won’t affect any other websites you might visit in the same browsing”
EC also told us that he couldn’t get to grips with the on-screen keyboard and summarises as follows…
I was ready to accept a few lacks here and there like most of us did with the first generation of netbooks, but with the HW really lacking next to nothing I think my expectations for the OS were even higher. Yes the $600 does make a difference. If it was $200 even without any 3G I would still have it, but right now it doesn’t live up to it’s price tag for me personally. I am convinced that anyone perfectly content with Android but wanting a tablet that’s portable will love this device, for anyone coming from an iOS environment I would say get more familiar with Android before you get the Tab or you might not be too pleased.
There’s a huge huge problem here with overlap. Early adopters of the Tab invariably have a selection of other devices available to them. High-end smartphones and netbooks mean that there’s a huge overlap which removes some of the reasons you’d use to justify buying the tab in the first place. Others simply don’t like the quality of the UI or software stack. This UI issue is probably the most important issue facing Android devices right now and if people want to compete with the iPad in this respect, it seems like a hard problem to solve on Android. Stability and ‘self-control’ from a device perspective is also an issue. The wild operating system lets you do some wild things but don’t expect everything else to remain constant while you push the limits.
Have you got a Galaxy Tab? Are you happy? We’d love to hear your thoughts below.
Is there an answer to the problems of the leading Android tablet? Either Android implements a ‘restricted’ mode which preserves the user experience (limiting the number of concurrently running apps, memory usage, cpu usage etc. or it waits for much more powerful platforms. CPU, memory and storage speed need to increase at least two-fold and that means waiting for the next-generation of ARM-based platforms. Dual-core is coming and that will help but it’s not the only solution needed. With Android version 2.3 on its way we might see some of these issues solved if the Galaxy Tab gets an upgrade but by that time, the bar might have been raised even higher by iPad 2 or other tablet device.
In the meantime, Android tablet users will need to limit their expectations.
Well, I understand and respect all, but I have a different opinion.
As a Tab owner, I call tablets such as Ipad and Galaxy Tab a “gadget lust”.
You don’t really need it but you cease and you buy it (human nature): then you try to justify your purchase (human coscience) by using it as a super-smartphone or a small pc.
And here we fail (human behaviour) for the reasons Chippy explained in his overview.
iOS/Android tablets are a new range of products.
They can fit a whole new space, but we still have to find it in our digital life.
And sorry no, dual-core ARM’s won’t help…they will just attract more than single core tablets ;)
Cheers
Silvio76
I dare to disagree, yes there’s people out there that don’t feel the need for a tablet (or smart phone, internet or computer for that matter :)).
But I do think we are getting closer to a reality where both smart phones are growing towards the 5″ mark and computers are becoming more portable, the biggest step in that direction was when Netbooks came along, cheap small light dare I say disposable? Well they grew up and almost became subnotbooks now both by size and price. So the original cheap simple Netbook is gone almost completely. Now why were they so loved? I am sure there’s as many answers to that as there are users so… :)
I personally look at the 7″ tablet space as the 7-9″ Netbook replacers, and hope they manage to do that, because I think the tablet form factor and ARM based computing can offer us a lot still!
I was just looking at my MBA and comparing it to my wife’s MB 13″ which is only 3 years old, yet feels so much as a brick, and I was thinking to myself, what will make the MBA or tablets of today look & feel as a brick in 2-3 years from now? Flexible or roll-up displays? I am pretty convinced touch is not going anywhere any time soon, however physical keyboards?
I love the size/weight, but it does seem jobs has a bit of a point on the 7″ being too small. A bit too often I have to do a bit of zooming to get the links I want in the browser, something I rarely have to do on the iPad.
The browser is another love/hate thing. I love that I can do embedded flash, my real desire is to use the BBC site properly and now I can. This is the biggest reason I have kept the Tab.
But the browser is also a right pain too. The well documented fact that it acts like a mobile browser on many sites rather than a desktop one is terrible and needs sorting, and the zoom/reflow drives me nuts… I’ll zoom in on something I want to click on, press the screen, but in the instant I press the link it reflows the text and I’ll often end up clicking somewhere else.
One other thing that I hate, is that I can’t play video files that are on windows shares on my network. I can on my old Archos 5 IT, but whilst I can find explorer programs that will let me browse my network, they won’t play the files even if they are a supported type. If anyone can solve this I will be a very happy boy…
So right now, I’d take the iPad every time, even though it means less BBC functionality.
It wouldn’t take much to get the Tab to close the gap though, as it’s all software.
Still don’t see Android as a tablet OS yet. It hasn’t scaled nearly as well as iOS in my opinion.
Imagine a retina display on the iPad! :) now imagine that on a 7″
I believe though that more than the size as such it’s the 4:3 aspect ratio making the iPad as bulky as it is. Not saying the ratio is bad just saying it makes for very wide devices. Or as I tweeted some days ago, if you wanted to make an iPad as wide (or narrow) as the Tab it would only be able to have a 5″ (w/4:3 ratio). Now one could also switch that around, and calculate how wide the current iPad would be if it used a laptop resolution ratio.
See how a 10.8″ device
http://www.netbooknews.com/14721/sharp-galapagos-tablets-get-pricing-sale-date-of-december-10/
is less wide (177mm) than a 9.8″ (189.7 mm wide) device:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
..all due to aspect ratio.
7″ is not to small in my humble opinion, the problem is the 600 pixels wide display, which in most cases is not enough pixels to properly display a web page. 800 pixels is required at minimum. This is also one of the main reason why I sold my TabletPC, and will not be buying a Tab, until it has a 7″/8″ 1366×800 display, or similar. As long as it fits in one hand its perfect, if it gets any bigger, i use a laptop or desktop. It is not a productivity device, it is a device to check all you incoming information streams (Email, phone, sms, rss, websites, video, photos, etc.).
“but it does seem jobs has a bit of a point on the 7″ being too small.”
Android is a mobile OS, and I think the Galaxy tab is not too small, because you have to zoom in to get a link on your mobile phone browser too. I think you should see this more like a bigger phone, then a smaller iPad.
I do think 5″ is as big as you can go for something someone will consider a phone. The 7″ is more a portable tablet than a mobile phone. I also think the idea is that on the iPad (even w/out retina display) you can read plenty of media w/out zooming, yet have the option to do so.
on the web issue i say that as long as sites are designed for desktop/”laptop” (more like collapsible desktops most of the time) first, mobile devices will always play catchup. Its the same as how even the simplest desktop program have picked up more and more bloat over the years, as the computers have gotten faster cpus and more ram.
Hey Chippy,
Thanx for identifying the Tab’s limits of usability. In retrospect it was all predictable. Your experience with the e.magazine/newspaper reading on the Tab is quite revealing of the limits of usability the 7″ screen size has. So now, I’m back to considering a 10″ tablet… I hear Notion Ink is about to make the Adam available, maybe that will be “the one”…
“The one” will always be the product coming out “tomorrow” :)
I totally agree with you! :D
When the Adam comes out, there will be a better tablet (concept)
and then when your arms get tired of holding a 10″ after 20-30mins & your looking for something to prop it up you’ll wish you had gone with 7″ instead. what is by far the #1 complaint against the iPad? size & weight.
it’s always clear those of whom have actually used both 7″ & 10″ for long periods of time, regardless of OS, everybody ultimately the picks 7″ form factor.
the pro’s of 7″ far outweigh the cons. thats why in a couple years after everything has settled down 7″ tabs will vastly outsell 10″ & you’ll really know its a hit once Apple has jumped on the 7″ bandwagon.
I love 7″ but frankly after 3 hrs of straight usage of the Tab I was getting tired of it too :) by weight..
Well, it seems tablets are more big smart phones than small computers right now. But it’s pretty clear that the form factor is pretty desirable. I think it makes a case for not splurging on high end offerings and waiting for the hardware to catch up.
I agree, they are more large phones than computers, but I feel the HW would allow for more with appropriately developed OS.
I for one am enjoying the Tab. I find myself using it much more than my iPad because of the portability factor. I am much more of an information “consumer” than “creator” on both of these devices and that may have a bearing on my usage. However, I find the Tab in portrait mode, using Swype, to be the best for text input for me–much easier than trying to balance the device and stretch to use the iPad soft keyboard.
I agree that we don’t have a lot of software optimized for the larger screen/resolution yet, but for web browsing (I use Dolphin HD, and can select from mobile/desktop), email, videos, eBooks, etc. it is a great device. I love using it in landscape and not having to scroll horizontally when viewing most websites. Yes, the iPad does this as well, but frankly, I can’t manage to support the iPad without sitting with it on my lap, or setting it on a table/desk etc, and in that usage scenario I might as well use my small/light laptop with a hard keyboard.
The Tab is working for me just as I hoped, but maybe I didn’t have too high of expectations to begin with….
Thanks for the limitations review, but there is one major flaw with the entire post: not mentioning how major these limitations are in the scope of the device.
While I’m not doubting the validity of these points (having experienced some of them), the problem is that most of them are extremely minor in scope of the average use case. But when an article allots equal proportion in discussing these flaws, they appear quite major. For example, how often is printing a concern from your smartphone? But when it gets the same level of discussion as say, the nice screen, it appears at least as important.
Readers aren’t smart enough to tell the difference, and it would be wise to indicate some subjective measure of the mentioned limitation, or this crucial detail will be left to the users imagination. As such, I’ve quite a few comments that users are cancelling their orders, or are refusing to buy. If an apple-happy blog like Engadget picks up this story, this article will have effectively turned users off of what is by your own admission, a lovely device.
Oh, and Android isn’t a smartphone OS. It’s just an OS used exclusively on a smartphone of late. The beauty of the OS is that it is device agnostic.
Ben,
I believe one can’t generalize like that “Readers aren’t smart enough to tell the difference” as that would include yourself, clearly you consider yourself smarter that the “Readers” you refer to :). I mean if you mean the average consumer then let’s say so :)
As for the printing, I would believe the people reading that will be either “oh I never print from my mobile OS so I will read on and not care much about this part…” OR “..ah that’s one feature I really need, let’s see what there is to be said about that” no? Generalizing like this “how often is printing a concern from your smartphone” can be very dangerous. There surely are ppl out there that do more printing from their devices than say you and I might be typing on ours, I am sure!
“If an apple-happy blog like Engadget picks up this story, this article will have effectively turned users off of what is by your own admission, a lovely device.”
Did you read this input on Engadget? I feel it is very fair and focusing on both sides of the story:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/26/editorial-my-next-ipad-wont-be-a-7-incher-but-i-wish-it-could/
I also must say that is one thing that draws me to Steve’s input, the fact that he is NOT really an iOS / OSX user/lover as such, yet gives credit where he feels it is due. That is I feel professionalism rather than using some derogatory terms for something you might not like for entertainment value only, as is done all too often. Note how Engadget also posts about Jailbreaking, Mac knockoff products etc etc too.
“Oh, and Android isn’t a smartphone OS. It’s just an OS used exclusively on a smartphone of late.” While this is in essence true, the shortcomings of this OS on a non smartphone device at this time is a lot related to the limitations experienced right now on Android tablets.
A few points, and I’ll try to be brief:
1) The average reader isn’t smart enough. I can’t substantiate that assertion, I won’t try, but consider how careful every CEO and politician must be with their words as their popularity is literally proportional to the reception regardless of their performance. People have trouble separating presentation from performance.
2) I have been following Engadget for a LONG time, and almost all of the editors have admitted to being Apple fans, including Paul Miller, the author of the article that you’ve written. Of late, though, they have been far less ‘negative’ towards Android or other OSs. Again, this is a subjective assessment (how could it be anything but?), but I get the impression that their bias is in favour of Apple products.
3) Android is not a smartphone OS. It’s not. Here’s a quote from a Android Engineer w/ link:
“I just would not try to define what a “tablet” is. In fact, forget the word even exists. If you look in the market, there are already so many devices out there spreading between phone and big 10″ screen that there just isn’t any clear line you can draw. And it definitely has nothing to do with a default orientation (in fact apps shouldn’t think about default orientations at all).”
http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers/browse_thread/thread/bbad1666dacb3647?pli=1
The fact is that if there are generally small screens on the market, developers would target small screens. Android is well capable of ‘tablet’ apps (multipane) and has been since version 1.0. Twidroyd uses a multi-pane display and supports devices back to version 1.5, or the first public release.
Ben,
So are you now one of those “average readers”? ;)
Cause one could get the impression that your having issues separating presentation (an Android engineer’s, surely not unbiased, comment on Google’s own site) from performance (which is what this blogpost is focusing on though not only on the OS).
P.S. In one post you say how could your comments be anything but subjective yet in another you state that Chippy’s post is subjective. How does this compute for you? ;)
Ben,
I tried hard in my blog post on this subject ( http://www.mobileer.me ) to avoid the typical praise one bash the other OS and I think Chippy is very clear that the UI isn’t as smooth as the iOS. Now that’s where I feel Engadget put it as politically correctly as you can by saying iOS is the most mature OS for a tablet currently, like it or not. I totally agree yet I bought the Tab as I don’t like the iPad size or weight. Yet credit still needs to go where it’s due Apple both started the tablet craze and have the most ready OS right now. Will they become the largest tablet seller in the future? I doubt it just as one could argue that they invented Windows but didn’t benefit that greatly from it.
Also I want to point that Chippy got sponsored this tab so would have plenty of reason to avoid neg input about it yet he wants to share the good with the bad. Frankly I I wouldn’t have paid for mine I would still have it or if it was say 1/3 of the price I would use it and have it!
These aren’t arguments and aren’t worth responding to.
I stand by what I’ve posted.
Good luck.
Ben,
I agree they aren’t arguments they are facts :)
I’m sorry, but that is an idiotic statement. Do you know what an argument is?
You’re trying to sound smart. It isn’t working.
I can’t quantify that because its like ‘value for money’, it’s up to the potential owner to evaluate how much these problems would affect them. For me, for example, these problems are small. For others, including those quoted in the article, they are roadblocks.
This is the point. There’s very little in the post that has been quantified, it’s a subjective article and it’s most accurate to communicate scale. Many read this will be turned off of the Tab having it cast in this wholly negative light with little reference as to the magnitude of these arguably minor annoyances.
This is constructive criticism, not a complaint. I like you and your blog and thought I’d lend a helping hand.
Ben,
“it’s a subjective article”
As long as it is humans doing the writing they will be subjective yes :)
Just as you yourself put it above:
“Again, this is a subjective assessment (how could it be anything but?)”
Some responsibility has to lie with the person spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars/euros. Like value-for-money, these limits will have to be put into perspective by potential customers. I’m sure the Galaxy Tab is not going to be purchased lightly by anyone right now.
I’m not disputing that. What I am saying is that when an authoritative individual makes assertions, it has quite a large effect of shaping the audiences perception for better or worse. In this case, the size of many of the problems that you mention are disproportionate to the size of the problems in your reality and likely others. A mention of this proportion would make the article much more readable and relate-able for people.
I’ll leave it at that. It’s clear neither of us are willing to move on this point. I am actually somewhat disappointed. Through my career, I’ve learned that the unwillingness to adapt is often the key difference between mediocrity and greatness.
Best of luck.
I think Chippy has said and posted more positive about the Tab than anyone on the net and has probably done wonders for sales.
I think it’s very important that negatives are posted too. So what if that affects buyers perceptions? That is the point! It’s not like anything in the article is make believe.
The Tab is an OK device and nothing more.
Ben says:
November 30, 2010 at 03:24
“I stand by what I’ve posted.”
Ben says:
November 30, 2010 at 14:54
“It’s clear neither of us are willing to move on this point.
I’ve learned that the unwillingness to adapt is often the key difference between mediocrity and greatness.”
Ben,
So since YOU are unwilling to move or adapt to the perception EVERYONE BUT you have posted on here, what does that say? :)
I’ve had mine for couple of weeks now. I like a lot of things but tend to agree that this is of no use for work. Things might change with an upgraded ROM or some minor software fixes.
What I like
1. I actually do like the keyboard especially Swype and the alternate keyboard SlideIT. THey both work really well for me in portrait.
2. I also like the fact that I can easily grip the tablet with one had side to side rather than as a pinch grip like a 10in table.
3. The battery life is decent.
4. Skyfire allows for a more robust internet experience though slower than Opera, but at least both are free. Forget the integrated browser.
5. There are lots of free aps in the store.
6. It gets better cell connection than my phone (both T-Mobile.)
7. Wifi is pretty good too.
8. Very well built and comfortable to carry everywhere.
What I’m disappointed on:
1. The tethering hasn’t worked with any of 3 Windows7 computers.
2. Can’t connect wifi to my phone that has wireless tethering.
3. I can’t connect to my company’s VPN (Cisco).
4. No integrated spell check.
5. Even paid Documents To Go is far more limited compared to Windows Mobile 6.5.
6. Mediocre email capability. Again WinMO 6.5 is far superior.
7. GPS is slower to get a fix than my smartphone.
8. Not all apps correctly size to the 7 inch window.
9. Non-interchangeable battery and proprietary cable.
Likes…
1. Swype is a matter of taste, I dont like it :)
2. Fully agree
3. I would have to say GREAT not just decent!
4. Also try Dolphin HD
5. Yes not the easiest to find ’em though :) like I was looking for screen shot app, turned out some were hiding under “screen grabber” names tags.
6. I never used the 3G on it :)
7. Agree.
8. Agree 100%!
Dislikes….
1. I never tried any of that..
2. What phone? iOS? There supposedly is a script for that I saw on Youtube, never tried it.
3. Interesting, worked fine with my Apple Airport Extreme with private (hidden) Wifi.
4. EXACTLY one of my big issues too! :(
5. Ok, what abuout Google docs? Tried it?
6. Fully agree!
7. Since I never used 3G I can’t say as it would’ve helped..
8 Yeah no kidding but there is a FIX:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zasSIA7sexM
9. Battery shouldn’t be an issue it lasts long. You cant get thin and removable that easy. As for the cable I hate that it was so short, I had to us a USB extension! :)
There will never be a perfect device so my advice is quit expecting to find one and enjoy what we currently have. The Tab is very useful for me when travelling with a 11″ laptop. I basically use the Tab as a second screen of information and no longer have to shift through multiple applications on my small notebook while responding to emails. I find it also works well as a companion to my DroidX, again as a second screen of information.
Also, I LIKE that Android is the wild wild west of operating systems. I like to tinker and find programs, launchers, etc. that let me create my own version of the Tab. Warts and all.
Basically I agree with all describe in the article, but main problem that we buy these devices to be more productive, and if such tablet can not deliver it to us, then it’s useless.
The success of those devices depends on their app markets and the cloud services, without the possibility to personalize it, and use it the way you like to use, it’s not worth nothing, thus all mentioned point are very critical if in the end the expected experience will fail.
Thanks everyone for the detailed dicussion here. The comments are valuable to everyone and add a lot of value to the artcile so keep them coming.
Chippy
Thanks to recommendations on this thread, I’ve tried the free Dolphin HD web browser.
It’s a great improvement over the stock browser as it seems reasonably fast, zooms/fits to screen well, copes with flash (and the only browser I’ve found to cope with my NFL Gamepass site) and allows you to set it as a desktop browser.
Solves quite a lot of my Tab gripes.
I got the Galaxy Tab, and am a bit disappointed. But I think part of it is my expectations were unrealistic, and I made the purchase an impulse buy. I did research it but I didn’t buy it right then, and so I had forgotten there are some things it can’t do now.
It still is a great device especially the size and the screen.
And the interesting thing is that I wasn’t thinking of the iPad when I was thinking I should have bought another device, rather I was thinking of the HP tablet/slate. The only thing that is really hurting windows tablets IMO is the battery life.
Hello Chippy! Wolud you care to comment on the Dolphin HD browser?
To me it sounded quite many of your issues would also be solved with that…
So are they solved?
I’m using it and things are indeed better. Browser overload was only one issue I highlighted though.
Sounds great! Thanks a lot for the feedback!
Yes I got the other points also but if I understood correctly even the general slowdowns and few “freezes” were associated with the basic browser, so I wondered since you browse with Dolphin HD does it still slow down the UI when opening a couple of apps?
Thanks & Regards!
Aron