Okay. It's hard not to say this will be a completely unbiased review of the Galaxy Tab since I'm a quite happy iPad owner. But here goes.

I went down to the T-Mobile store on a Sunday morning and planted myself down with the store demo they had out. It was great since I was the only customer they had for a good hour and half. The sales guy was so bored he just about did every thing I asked him to do. I was actually prepared to buy one and take it home so I could really play with it but having that time in the store pretty much gave me everything I needed.

My initial thoughts when I saw the Tab was wow it's better than I imagined. The screen display looked great especially since the wallpaper was this sea reef type scene with a ripple water effect that was quite stunning. The apps were displayed just like the iPad and flipping through the pages was every bit like the iPad. The speed was very good with no real delays. The size felt good in my hand and I began thinking it would be easier to carry than my iPad.
As I began to really get into it I began to change my mind. I started to surf the web and sure enough one of the concerns I had was still there. I have had a number of UMPC with the 7 inch screen and it was always too small to see an entire web page. On the UMPC it was such a pain to be constantly using the arrow keys to move around that they both are sitting in the bottom drawer of my night stand. I was hoping that the ability of the touchscreen was moving around would be so much easier that it would solve this. The problem with the Tab is that when a full web page is displayed you can't read anything. You have to tap or pinch to just read a little to see what each section has so you can decided if you want to read it or not. With the iPad I can read the small print even with the full web page is displayed. When I tap an area to really read it I know what's there. After surfing for about 15 minutes I could see myself getting a little frustrated and would probably go and get my laptop if I really needed something. Another thing that I've started using my iPad for is general note taking in business meetings. I really don't have much of a problem typing basic notes on the iPad. I'm a hunt and peck typing guy so having the iPad propped up and typing works fine. The iPad size is actually a plus. When trying to imagine using the Tab in a similar situation I began to feel it would look like the one time I went into a meeting with my Palm and folding keyboard. It took me 6 months to live that down and I was the boss. Lastly, the one thing that I really have become very fond of the iPad is late at night in bed. I'm basically fully recline with the ipad propped on my stomach and surfing the web which the iPad excels at since the little times that I need to enter text, the keyboard is up and lit. With my laptop I would have to sit up so I could look down at the keys to type. Also, for what ever reason my wife is less bothered if I'm laying down vs. sitting up.
Bottom line, after evaluating the three ways I actually use the iPad, I can't imagine replacing it with the Tab. Even the thought of carrying it around, after I get a case for it I can't stick it in my pocket unless I'm wearing my overcoat which doesn't happen in sunny California. It really starts to feel like the Tab is more of a large iPhone than a more compact iPad.
I believe the Tab will probably sell okay but for me it would probably end up with the UMPC's in my bottom nightstand drawer

Originally Posted by Alanfujii

... I began to feel it would look like the one time I went into a meeting with my Palm and folding keyboard. It took me 6 months to live that down and I was the boss.

Yep - I did that ONCE too! Even using an iPad to take notes still comes as something of a surprise to many people and I am in a technology driven industry! I sometimes revert back to pen and paper as people seem to spend longer looking at me using my iPad in meetings that concentrating on what the meeting is about!

David
Sorry for the thread hijack!

Actually, I don't feel funny using the iPad in meetings because it's quite effective, I use Soundnote to record the meeting and so the little notes I do take are just brief bullets. The nice thing is every time I type a note it logs the time and marks it so I can find that spot in the payback. I find that I actually listen more to what is being said not worrying that I might missed writing down a point. With such an effective tool I don't have any problem justifying it's use and the people in the meetings can see it.

The choppy scrolling on the tab would be enough to kill it for me.

I've used my iPad in many meetings...works great while standing taking notes, or using a keyboard if there is a conference table.

Originally Posted by gentlefury

The choppy scrolling on the tab would be enough to kill it for me.

I've used my iPad in many meetings...works great while standing taking notes, or using a keyboard if there is a conference table.

Just in the few days I have had with the iPad I really like the size & size of keyboard. In bed or at the office it just works great. One thing I can't stand is choppy scrolling..... Until rival tablet makers fix it im sticking with IOS....

Originally Posted by Dannyboy85

Originally Posted by gentlefury

The choppy scrolling on the tab would be enough to kill it for me.

I've used my iPad in many meetings...works great while standing taking notes, or using a keyboard if there is a conference table.

Just in the few days I have had with the iPad I really like the size & size of keyboard. In bed or at the office it just works great. One thing I can't stand is choppy scrolling..... Until rival tablet makers fix it im sticking with IOS....

Yeah, that's why I can't deal with internet on my Droid...it's SOOOO SLOW and choppy....even overclocked the microsecond delay between touching the screen and it reacting makes me insane!

Yeah, ipad has everyone spoiled. I cant stand to wait for a computer boot up. This ipad boots up faster thn my phone. Internet is superb on ipad other thn compatibility probs. Wit flash. A very versatile tool we have!

The lag fix really helps on my Samsung Vibrant..I have an Ipad and really want a galaxy tab..I have not played with one yet..but I have it's little brother and love it so much I have 2. I really wish the iPad was more wide screen and had 512mb ram...not sure if I'll convert cause of size but I'm tempted!

I would hold off on buying the Galaxy Tab until after the holiday season. We are supposed to several new tablets on the market by January that will probably be better and have more features.

Originally Posted by Superbike81

I would hold off on buying the Galaxy Tab until after the holiday season. We are supposed to several new tablets on the market by January that will probably be better and have more features.

I agree, but i just can't go so small.... iPhone...iPad...galaxy tab seems to be in the middle somewhere won't fit in a pocket....but....hmmmm awkward...