Samsung News Geek

*Resolution: 1024 pixels or better.

*Operating System: Android 4.0 or later

*Processor 1 GHz or better

*RAM: 1 GB minimum

*Memory: 8GB minimum, expandable if possible

*WiFi

*Bluetooth

*Infra-red

*Camera: Rear and front. For general use

*Battery: 6 hours plus

Built-in apps: the more the better.

The Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is clearly aimed at a particular segment of the market: buyers who want the most features for the least cost (that's me!). The tablet has been designed to deliver exactly that, and it does it in spades. To find another tablet with the same features, you will be looking at paying considerably more. This probably explains why the tab 2 7.0 has been at the top of the Amazon seller list for so long. It's a very popular buy.

The Screen. At 1024 x 600, the Tab 2 screen is the same resolution as the Kindle Fire, and a bit lower than the Nexus 7 at 1280 x 800. However, buyers have not complained about the screen. In fact, it's been universally praised. This may be partly due to Samsung's "Plane Line Switching" technology, which makes for an extremely wide viewing angle, perfect for sharing. "Crisp and clear" is a common user description of the screen's capabilities, and it's exactly what I was looking for.

The processor. The Nexus 7 has a quad-core processor which is faster (1.3Ghz) than either the Galaxy or the Kindle Fire (1.2 Ghz). This might be a deciding factor if you are an extreme gamer. For the rest of us, the Galaxy is more than adequate, and will handle all the major games with no trouble. This means we can let the grand-kids loose on it, and they won't be complaining about the speed. The Kindle is also a competent gaming machine, though users report it begins to stagger with some of the high-end games.

Video. We like to watch movies. I even watch them on my iPhone. My better half likes to watch them in bed, but the iPhone is too small for her. The Galaxy Tab 2 is perfect. It's light enough to hold in one hand, and the resolution is great.

For movie buffs, the Tab 2 has a goldmine of features. The pre-installed Samsung Media Hub offers rental or purchase of a wide range of movies and TV shows. The Google Play Store provides another source for video, as well as books, apps and games. I'm planning to subscribe to NetFlix, and it's nice to know that the Tab 2 has a NetFlix link built-in, requiring only subscriber details to activate. The Nexus 7 also has extensive movie accessibility, while the Kindle is restricted to the Amazon proprietary services, which are fine, but you don't want to be restricted.

Storage. All three devices have 8 GB of memory, but only the Tab 2 is expandable, via a micro-sd card slot. This was a swinger for me. The official specs say you can add up to 32 GB of memory this way but, if the reports are correct, a 64 GB card will also function perfectly, which brings the total memory capability up to a massive 72 GB! The kindle and Nexus can expand into the cloud, but this is useful only if you have wi-fi access. In the absence of wi-fi, you're stuck with 8 GB, and you have to wait for interminable downloads. The beauty of the Galaxy is that you can load it up with movies, music, games and photos before you go on a trip, and forget about the cloud.

If you do need to use cloud storage, the Galaxy Tab 2 comes with a 12 month 50Gb DropBox subscription. A $99 value, it's useful for backing up files, distributing them to other devices, or sharing with friends. That's a nice bonus.

Camera. If you want to take photographs, the Tab 2 is a clear winner. It is the only one of the three to provide a rear camera. At 3 MP, it's no digital high-flyer, but at least it's there, and quite adequate for happy snaps, which is what we'll use it for. There is also a VGA (640 x 480) front camera for video chat and skype video calls.

InfraRed Emitter. The Tab 2's built-in Peel Smart Remote app makes it a snap to convert the tablet to a universal remote control for. Goodbye to multiple remotes (see picture). You can't do this with the Kindle or the Nexus.

Built-in apps. As well as the movie hub, the tab 2 has hubs for books, music and games. It's a complete media center.

Nexus 7. $230 on Amazon. There are cheaper deals around, but invariably involve refurbished models.

Galaxy Tab 2. Listed at $220.00 but Amazon are currently selling it for $179.00.

Kindle Fire. $159 on Amazon.

Tablet

Galaxy Tab 2

Nexus 7

Kindle Fire

Resolution

1024 x 600

1280 x 800

1024 x 600

Operating System

Android 4.1

Android 4.2

Android (ported)

Processor

1 GHz Dual-core

1.3 Ghz Quad-core

1.2 GHz Dual-core

RAM

1 GB

1 GB

1 GB

Memory

8 GB

8 GB

8 GB

Expandable

32 GB*

NO

NO

WiFi

802.11bgn

802.11bgn

802.11bgn

BlueTooth

YES

YES

NO

Rear Camera

3 MP

NO

NO

Front Camera

VGA

1.2 MP

NO

Battery

8 hours

10 hours

9 hours

Best Price

$179**

$230

$159

Reviews

Read Reviews

Read Reviews

Read Reviews

*possibly 64GB (see detailed review)
**there's a secret bonus which can lower the price by $50.00 when you get to the Amazon checkout.

The Nexus 7 is ahead on speed and screen resolution, and it's handy to know that Google will automatically update the system software. The Kindle is great if you want to use their proprietary services.

For me, though, some key features made the Galaxy Tab 2 a stand-out.

1.. It's expandable. Why be content with 8GB when you can have 40GB or more?
2.. It has two cameras.We may not always want to take pictures with our tablet, but when we do it's nice to know that this capability is built in.
3.. The price. $179 against $230 for the Nexus. $50 will buy a lot of games, movies and music files (and we'll have lots of memory to store them on the device, rather than in the cloud). We'd rather have a well set up Tab 2 than a bare-bones Nexus.
4.. InfraRed Emitter With built-in software and the infra-red emitter, we can quickly turn the Tab 2 into a universal remote.

Technology is moving faster than ever, and whichever tablet we buy, it's odds-on we'll replace it in about 12 months with the latest Gizmo. At the moment, though, the Tab 2 fills the bill in terms of price, features and ease of use.

Photo Courtesy of engadget.com

Photo Courtesy of engadget.com

Photo Courtesy of engadget.com