Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 N8000 16GB Black WiFi + 3G Unlocked Android Tablet – International Version

Perspective
Your choice in a device has a lot to do with your experiences and needs. Let me give you a little background so you know where I am coming from and see if my experiences are relevant to you. (They might not be). I have only owned IPads in the past and have upgraded every year as the new models have come out. I have also owned every IPhone until recently opting out of the Iphone 5 for a Galaxy S3. I began missing the functionality I have in my new Android phone while using my 3rd generation Ipad. Seeing what Apple was offering with the 4th Generation Ipad, I decided to purchase the Note 10.1 16GB 3G international version. Network connectivity was very important to me. I primarily use a tablet for business note taking (Evernote), connecting remotely with a Citrix receiver, mail and calendar. For home I use it to watch YouTube, read news, Facebook and surfing the web. I have had no prior experience with non-IOS tablets.

Setup
Configuring the tablet with my Google accounts was fast and easy. There was no problem using an AT&T sim to get service. An Ipad comes with a MicroSim so, you’ll need to get them to give you a larger Sim or buy an adapter online if you intend on using the same card. AT&T does classify the device as a phone, not a tablet. Which means that if you have a shared data plan you will be charged $30 to $40 a month to add the phone to your shared data plan, instead of $10. Regrettably, I have to agree with their reasoning, the note is a phone NOT just a tablet. There are benefits to having phone service on your tablet, your going to need to weigh the cost with the benefit. Also understand your dealing with a 3G device with the Note 10.1, it does not have LTE. Where I work and live that isn’t an issue since, they are both in 3G H+ areas. I was getting 3MBPS with both my Ipad and Note, no difference. If your in an LTE area then that difference could be significant.

Impressions
Let me say, the note is flat out better for business use. Ice Cream Sandwich build has come along way and in my personal opinion after being an Apple fan boy for years is that its now more functional. The Spen and split screen multitasking the Note offers are fantastic. Keep in mind you can’t split screen everything but, most things are there and it seems like Samsung has put a lot of thought into what people would want to use that feature for. Having a real clipboard was the biggest surprise for me. The device is packed with functionality but, there is a learning curb for IOS users. For personal use its also great to have a real YouTube app made for a tablet again. Exchange Mail, contact and Calendar sync work very well.

Hardware
The device is fast and responsive. I receive strong network and WiFi connections. The device feels sturdy. The SPen works flawlessly. You can change the thickness of your lines by applying more pressure to the pen. Screen is bright and wide (I prefer the space over the IPad). Comparing the screen to an IPad 3rd Generation it is difficult for me to tell the difference with the lower resolution. The front mounted speakers are in the right spot. The rounded edges are easier to hold than the sharper Ipad. Its also feels lighter than a 3rd generation IPad. I purchased a removable 32GB MicroSIM card. The Samsung does limit the usage of the external memory, which is a downside of their devices. You can’t load apps on the Sim unless of course you root the device. Also, keep in mind this will come with a European charger, you’ll need a USB charger to use it. My old Iphone USB block worked fine all I had to do was insert the Samsung cord into it.(correction:an Apple USB charger will only work if your device is turned off. I found an international plug adapter at Radio Shack for $13.)

Conclusion
I’m extremely happy with my move to the Note 10.1. There is a leaning curb switching from IOS to the Note 10.1. There is simply a lot more that you can do with this device. I can not tell you enough how multitasking and the SPen improve the overall usage for me. All the apps that I used on my IPad are in the Play store as well. Evernote, skitch, Citrix Receiver, YouTube (HD), pulse, Spotify, etc.. You don’t have to settle any more for an IPad. Thankfully, resale prices for a 3rd Generation IPad are high. My Ipad lasted 45 minutes on Ebay and netted me most of what I paid for the note.

Fantastic! I have had several tablets, this one by far the best. Placed my T-Mobile SIM in, and turned it on, worked automatically. S-pen works great, by far best writing capabilities of any tablet/computer I have ever had. I use forms on my tablet for work all day everyday, I am looking forward to being more paperless with this device.

The Galaxy note 10.1 N8000 is the only tablet that i seen that can make phone calls,it’s geat for multitasking.The only draw back and it doesn’t have anything to do with the talblet. It’s that we only have two wireless carriers that it can work on if your on the go. AT&T which gives you HSPA* (4G) and T-Moible which is 2G(Very slow) other than that it’s a 9 out of 10. I hope this helps you on your choice on picking a tab.

I purchased this in December 2012 from FGS Trading. I do not recommend this vendor. They got the product from Hong Kong, formatted in Chinese. So, I turned it on, EVERYTHING was in Chinese. I have nothing but respect for the Chinese language, but try to change the language when every last element is in Chinese, and everything you touch results in another instruction in Chinese! I tried to contact the vendor, FGS Trading, twice. They never responded.

So, I downloaded the manual, and after some time managed to change the language by following the icons, which are fortunately the same for all languages. There was still considerable reformatting to do of various keyboards and options–which I was able to do after reading the manual.

But enough griping about the vendor. The product is great. Snapped in a SIM card, and it immediately downloaded and installed the settings. Very simple to set up as a wireless router; my devices recognized it immediately. Stuck in a 64 gb memory device (which should only be formatted in the tab), then put it in my PC and downloaded my entire Itunes library, which was then read and organized by a popular free app, Rocket Player–completely organized my podcasts, albums, playlists. Great Google maps, which I am using with the GPS overseas. Surprisingly accurate voice recognition. Great for Skyping as well as regular phone calls. Love the streaming radio, which does just fine on the pretty pathetic bandwidth I have over here in Nairobi, Kenya. I have installed a free proxy server too, which gives me access to (ahem) certain content that I would not ordinarily have access to. Just getting into the actual writing functions. Haven’t paid for an app yet, and it’s lived up to all of my expectations. All told, an intuitive device that excels in all the areas that matter to me, and I haven’t even begun to explore all the apps that are out there. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 feels solid and does not disappoint.

As for FSG Trading, I can’t say a whole lot, but if you happen to be Chinese you are sure going to appreciate the Chinese language options, which are many! FGS, still not too late to apologize. Perhaps you should let your customers know what they are in for and how to deal with it.

Coming from the Galaxy tab 1 I enjoy this one for more reason than one plus it has the phone option. I own a S3 so there is a lot of the same . Love the S pen . So all in all this is a great buy delivery was fast price is ok.

In the past i owned the ho touchpad, pretty bad….i chose then Samsung GT-7510, really nice…but now the Note 10.1 is the best!

Bought Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 international version from FGS Trading, had to send it back. Then purchased it from Everything Wireless. FANTASTIC choice. No problems whatsoever.

Arrived before the estimated date. sealed. Loved it every since. I also recommended it and the supplier to my other friends who purchased the product from the same supplier.

Works fantastic in Barbados.

Would recommend it to anyone.

It does what it says it will do. Works in Nigeria and am glad it does. I am yet to completely figure out the notebook functions but all other programs work just fine. It comes highly recommended.

I have bee enjoying my Galaxy Note N8000 since I bought it in December. I don’t use a separate phone anymore, I use the tablet for everything. This is one of the reasons I bought this model. It’s a phablet. I just inserted the SIM card and the phone feature worked. I used Consumer Cellular that uses the AT&T antenae. However to get the 3g to work was a little more tricky but not difficult. Just did some research on the internet and was able to get the setting very easily. Overall, it’s one of the best tablet out there. It is very fast and responsive. I do about everything with it, notes, web browsing, calendar, pdf, word documents (Polaris Office is very good).

Unfortunately, my LED flash stopped working and because this is an international model, you cannot get any support, eventhough it should have a year warranty through Samsung. I tried the US and UK support to no avail. I bought the unit through FGS and tried to go through them, but they give no support either. Probably it is best to invest in an extended warranty.

I love my note 10.1 my only issue is that the facial recognition access is not reliable. I have registered my face in varying light and angles as recommended, but the unlocking with this is still hit and miss. Other than that, EXCELLENT Product!