In a crowded tablet market, consumers face a lot of potential choices, some more expensive than others. Google and Apple tablets have been setting the tone for the past few years, and Samsung has been struggling to keep up.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 (MSRP $299, 8-inch) is a fine way to watch videos or read books on a long trip. But so is any tablet, and this Tab doesn't keep pace with the year's hottest models, like the Google Nexus 7.
The 8-inch screen size is this tablet's best quality, great for anyone who likes the idea of a small tablet, but can't deal with the tininess a 7-inch screen. Unfortunately — like the iPad Mini, the other 8-inch (roughly) tablet — this display is not all that impressive in terms of resolution. (Samsung also makes a 10-inch version of the Galaxy Tab 3.) The Galaxy Tab 3 also has a number of the specialized features that made the Galaxy Tab 2 a modest hit, including an IR blaster to control your home theater, and Bluetooth. Battery life is a bright point as well, reaching about eight hours of continuous video playback.
Despite its lovable qualities, the hardware is just not up to date. Most of the components would've been outdated even at the beginning of 2013, and they don't even stand a chance against the newest wave of tablets. Even worse, Samsung has done almost nothing to improve performance over the last iteration of Galaxy Tab.
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These sub-par specs leave us with a frustratingly incapable machine (unless you're just looking for a reader, in which case, just buy a Kindle). So, what happens when a new app or feature comes out that requires a beefier processor to handle information? You'll be left in the dust.
The Tab 3's control scheme will be unpleasant for anyone switching from a more "stock" Android device. The universal controls are not only different, but no longer a persistent presence on the screen. Instead of having back, home and recent apps icons, you have a menu button, home button and back button.
I'd say that this tablet works best either as an ebook reader, or for playing back videos stored on its hard drive — not streaming from Amazon or Netflix. The processor is weak, and gamers will be better served by a more powerful slate. But the size does make it a good travel companion.
The Galaxy Tab 3 is not a terrible tablet — it's just not very good. It's especially tough to justify buying it when you consider that there are better tablets that cost less — the latest Google Nexus 7 in particular.
For more product reviews and news, visit Reviewed.com, a division of USA TODAY, and follow @ReviewedDotCom on Twitter.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 (MSRP $299, 8-inch) is a fine way to watch videos or read books on a long trip. But so is any tablet, and this Tab doesn't keep pace with the year's hottest models, like the Google Nexus 7.
The 8-inch screen size is this tablet's best quality, great for anyone who likes the idea of a small tablet, but can't deal with the tininess a 7-inch screen. Unfortunately — like the iPad Mini, the other 8-inch (roughly) tablet — this display is not all that impressive in terms of resolution. (Samsung also makes a 10-inch version of the Galaxy Tab 3.) The Galaxy Tab 3 also has a number of the specialized features that made the Galaxy Tab 2 a modest hit, including an IR blaster to control your home theater, and Bluetooth. Battery life is a bright point as well, reaching about eight hours of continuous video playback.
Despite its lovable qualities, the hardware is just not up to date. Most of the components would've been outdated even at the beginning of 2013, and they don't even stand a chance against the newest wave of tablets. Even worse, Samsung has done almost nothing to improve performance over the last iteration of Galaxy Tab.
RELATED: Take a closer look at the Galaxy Tab 3
HIGH TECH: Checking out new ideas in mobile payments
TECH ESSENTIALS: Back-to-school tech guide
These sub-par specs leave us with a frustratingly incapable machine (unless you're just looking for a reader, in which case, just buy a Kindle). So, what happens when a new app or feature comes out that requires a beefier processor to handle information? You'll be left in the dust.
The Tab 3's control scheme will be unpleasant for anyone switching from a more "stock" Android device. The universal controls are not only different, but no longer a persistent presence on the screen. Instead of having back, home and recent apps icons, you have a menu button, home button and back button.
I'd say that this tablet works best either as an ebook reader, or for playing back videos stored on its hard drive — not streaming from Amazon or Netflix. The processor is weak, and gamers will be better served by a more powerful slate. But the size does make it a good travel companion.
The Galaxy Tab 3 is not a terrible tablet — it's just not very good. It's especially tough to justify buying it when you consider that there are better tablets that cost less — the latest Google Nexus 7 in particular.
For more product reviews and news, visit Reviewed.com, a division of USA TODAY, and follow @ReviewedDotCom on Twitter.