Samsung Ativ Tab preview: First look

12 September 2012
It may look like Samsung is dipping a toe in unknown waters but its long-time partnership with Microsoft is a wet suit of sorts. The Ativ Tab may be the company's first Windows 8 RT tablet but not its first Windows slate. You may be familiar with the Samsung...

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  • f
  • farbror Frej
  • m}E
  • 14 Sep 2012

"Windows 8 RT could only run Metro apps, and not the typical x86 Windows desktop programs."

Above is a dealbreaker - as someone already commented. I turned from "reasonably interested" to "icecold" after that sentence. Pity.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • nR0
    • 14 Sep 2012

    office without macros and vb is useless for pros. This win RT is completely useless, Android is cheaper and more functional.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • qH7
      • 14 Sep 2012

      The first page, "at a glance" claims it has Adobe FLASH support. So, does it really support flash? That would be awesome...VS. ..it just being an oversized feature-phone online. :(

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • PvY
        • 14 Sep 2012

        and the note 10.1 is the old A9

        windows 8 is shit for performance.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • PvY
          • 14 Sep 2012

          well note 10.1 have ICS

          so with Jelly bean, android completely oblirates windows8 RT.

            • m
            • m86k
            • m86
            • 13 Sep 2012

            AnonD-9745, 13 Sep 2012Yes the PRO version has support for x86 apps and everything... moreMake that Pro full HD / Samoled, and i'm so buying it.

              • B
              • BAH!!! No deal!
              • mfY
              • 13 Sep 2012

              "Windows 8 RT could only run Metro apps, and not the typical x86 Windows desktop programs." BAH!!! No deal!

                • B
                • Bharath
                • vIg
                • 13 Sep 2012

                GSMArena, can you name a few smartphones that are more powerful than the Snapdragon S4 Plus SoC that is in Ativ Tab? AFAIK S4-Plus is the latest iteration of the Qualcomm Snapdragon series.

                  • D
                  • AnonD-9745
                  • PcR
                  • 13 Sep 2012

                  Shinigami, 13 Sep 2012Dear Samsung : what I need A galaxy note with this form ... moreThey announced the Ativ PRO with the S-PEN support

                    • D
                    • AnonD-9745
                    • PcR
                    • 13 Sep 2012

                    Anonymous, 13 Sep 2012Only disappointment is no x86 support that would make it a ... moreYes the PRO version has support for x86 apps and everything because it's basically a full fledged x86/x64 PC.
                    x86 software doesn't run on this Ativ because it's arm based.

                      • k
                      • kuddus
                      • Sds
                      • 13 Sep 2012

                      That's a great decision gsmarena. I'm really please that you would be reviewing pro tablets also. Thanks

                        • D
                        • AnonD-71373
                        • 4fL
                        • 13 Sep 2012

                        I'm disappointed about the inability to run x86 based programs that would make it a super tablet, great device nonetheless I like it

                          • D
                          • AnonD-60181
                          • myG
                          • 13 Sep 2012

                          AB, 13 Sep 2012Are you sure the battery is 8,200mAh Li-Ion as mentioned?? ... moreit would probably take about 3-4hrs to charge from fully flat

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • 4fL
                            • 13 Sep 2012

                            Only disappointment is no x86 support that would make it a super tablet, could literally say goodbye to ultrabooks.... but let's hope the PRO version has it

                              • S
                              • Shinigami
                              • MVf
                              • 13 Sep 2012

                              Dear Samsung : what I need

                              A galaxy note with this form factor and with Windows8 ? Thx for your help,

                              A S-fan of the S-pen !

                                • J
                                • James
                                • y$g
                                • 13 Sep 2012

                                Now we are getting somewhere - voice call support is all that is needed. The pro version is really something to look forward to.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-71345
                                  • rMX
                                  • 13 Sep 2012

                                  Dear GSMArena:

                                  Why do you people still think that the Krait architecture is not powerful? This chip can run circles around some quad-core chips. Just because something is dual-core does not necessarily mean that it's not powerful.

                                    • a
                                    • afr
                                    • TXB
                                    • 13 Sep 2012

                                    Impressive, no doubt about it, especially the split-screen!
                                    If only it could run the x86 apps...I guess I'll still wait for the Pro version..

                                      • A
                                      • AB
                                      • in{
                                      • 13 Sep 2012

                                      Are you sure the battery is 8,200mAh Li-Ion as mentioned??

                                      It would take days to charge... and weeks to discharge

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-252
                                        • J5P
                                        • 13 Sep 2012

                                        I am slowly starting to change my mind and like Windows 8 RT! I still do not like the Metro-UI, but the performance and multitasking and free Microsoft Office and maybe even free Nokia Navigation on every Windows 8 RT and... looks very good!
                                        Does it support Adobe Flash, because in the video it say it does not, but on the first page of the preview "Samsung Ativ Tab at a glance:" it say "Adobe Flash Player 11 support"? If Windows 8 RT support Adobe Flash then I really like it, because Adobe Flash was the biggest reason for me to choose Android, but now that support is more or less removed from Android then I too will probably leave Android if any other OS support full Adobe Flash within the webbrowser!