Samsung Galaxy Tab to hit high street on 1 November, on all major networks

The Samsung Galaxy Tab will officially arrive in the UK on 1 November, and it'll be getting the red-carpet treatment from all the major networks and key high-street retailers such as the Carphone Warehouse and Dixons.

The Tab is a 7-inch touchscreen tablet, with a 1GHz processor, the Android 2.2 operating system, a front-facing camera for video calls, and other assorted goodies such as 3G Web browsing and 1080p video playback via an optional HDMI dock. It'll be available with 16GB or 32GB of storage. 

Its Android applications make it a viable alternative to the iPad, giving you the ability to read ebooks, play Flash 10.1 games and video, do social networking, access music services such as Spotify, and get all productive with Google apps.

We had a first look at the Galaxy Tab when it was launched at the IFA trade show in Berlin, and concluded it did everything the iPad does and plenty more plenty besides. It was sturdy yet lightweight, comfortable to hold and excellent for watching videos. But we'll know more when we're sent one for a full review.

Samsung would only say it would be available on a range of attractive price packages. But Amazon UK nailed the 1 November launch date, so we're inclined to believe it's correct about a £600 price tag on an unlocked 16GB Tab.

There's been a rash of Android tablets announced, but the Galaxy Tab is the one iPad rival we've really had our eye on. We've seen it in action and been seriously impressed. It will show definitively whether Android tablets can really be a valid alternative to the iPad.

We'll have a review up as soon as possible, but for now do you think this is going to make your Christmas list? Comments welcome.