Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 improves its writing craft
The updated Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 packages upscale tablet specs with a suite of apps aimed at putting the S Pen stylus to work.
Holster it
The S Pen gets a bit of a design refresh, but remains about the same, with a button on the side and a holster built into the slate.
New tricks
Sliding the S Pen out of its cubby pulls up a cluster of shortcuts for both new and familiar tasks.
Closer look
The S Pen sports a plastic tip, clicking button, and comfortable in-hand grip.
Classic colors
You'll be able to get the Note 10.1 in either black or white.
No place like Home
The Home button is responsive enough that you can press it with the S Pen. The same goes for the capacitive menu and back buttons on either side.
Business casual
How does Samsung define its new generation of Notes, including the Note 3 smartphone? With a finish that mimics leather and stitching.
Rear view
The move to matte deters fingerprint smudges, but the patterned plastic is more slippery than it looks and can't quite achieve the verisimilitude of the real deal.
Speaker system
You won't see the Note tablet's speaker grille on its face, but you will find a stereo comb integrated into the spines.
MicroSD storage
The Note 10.1 (2014) comes in 16GB or 32GB varieties, but you'll be able to easily store all sorts of media on the external memory card -- up to 64GB, in fact.
New interface
S Note's new interface is elegant and clean.
Creative control
Using the S Note app, the stylus still serves your creative whims. Lined templates lend themselves to to-do lists and meeting notes.
More than one way to sketch
Charts and clip art complement your own artistry, and extra tools turn writing and wobbly scribbles into text, formulas, and geometric shapes.
State of the screen
Samsung updated the Note's screen to give it a bright, crisp resolution with a high pixel count.
Multimedia handling
HD content, like this YouTube clip, played back beautifully.
Camera action
The 8-megapixel camera took nice photos, but there is something inherently awkward about photographing people and objects with a 10-inch device.
Portability is king
For a 10-inch tablet, the Note 10.1 is surprisingly totable. The bezel is large enough to hold onto, without taking up excess space.
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