Introduction
For working professionals and business users seeking an ultra-portable tablet with plenty of screen real estate, Samsung has not disappointed its fans with the release of the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro series was initially introduced during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2014. Samsung unveiled this series as a premium model in its line of Galaxy tablets and has managed to keep it in the spotlight as one of the most functional tablets on the market.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 is designed to be highly portable with its lightweight construction and thin profile at just 0.32 inches. The Super Clear high definition LCD 12.2 inch display provides you with more than enough real estate without being too over the top. The multi-touch screen provides you with rich colours, wonderful contrast, and a bright viewing experience, thanks to the impressive 2560 x 1600 screen resolution.
The screen is embedded in a classy and professional looking framework and chassis that is available in two colours, black or white. Under the hood, you will find plenty of quad core CPU processing power and expandable storage. Plus, the Samsung Galaxy Pro 12.2 which runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system, is designed with the business professional in mind with the inclusion of a Wacom digitiser S Pen for taking notes and performing other work tasks.
What are the Design and Aesthetics Like?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro is designed with a sleek and lightweight profile in light of the fact that it provides you with plenty of screen space for working on multiple tasks simultaneously. The Tab Pro 12.2 weighs in at just 1.65 pounds, is 0.32” thick, and has a generously sized 12.2 inch screen. This is not bad for having a large footprint. However, it will take some getting used to if you have become accustomed to a smaller tablet device. Once you get used to the larger size, you will find it easy to hold thanks to a sturdy build that provides for firm gripping.
The rear panel of the Tab Pro 12.2 is constructed of durable plastic and is delicately etched to resemble real leather. Samsung finished out the look by placing faux stitching around the edges which, at first glance, makes the tablet look like it is made of real leather.
Around the edges of the Tab Pro 12.2, you will find a classy brushed metal band that surrounds all edges of the device. The metal band is designed to protect the built-in speakers, connectivity ports, and expandable storage slot.
The faux leather finish on the Tab Pro 12.2 is very grippy and provides a professional look. This is a nice touch that offers a quality look despite the fact the rear panel is constructed of sturdy plastic material.
The details that Samsung put into the construction make the Tab Pro 12.2 very rigid which avoids issues with flexing while you are handling and using the tablet. This makes it obvious that Samsung has upgraded the design and the materials since the release of previous Galaxy Tabs and makes the Tab Pro 12.2 both functional and very sharp looking.
What are the Features and Specifications?
As you delve into the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 features and specifications, you will find there is a lot to like about this device, especially when it comes to using it for business. The main feature which stands out is the 12.2 inch multi-touch display with 2560 x 1600 resolution which offers RGBW pixel technology that adds to the screen brightness. The contrast ratio of 900:1 makes the colours look both sharp and natural with a variety of settings that automatically change to accommodate the type of content you are viewing.
Other features and specifications include:
Processing Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 is equipped with a quad core Exynos 5 Octa 5420 Central Processing Unit running at 1.9GHz. The processing performance provides lots of power with 3GB of Random Access Memory (RAM) and MALI-T628 graphics.
3GB of RAM is a definite plus for this device where the norm for Random Access Memory in the tablet market is 1 or 2GB. Plus, the processor is capable of handling complex applications such as Hancom Office, the customised user interface (UI), and a variety of art programs without experiencing any lag time.
In terms of flash drive storage, the Tab Pro 12.2 is available in a 32GB or 64GB version. The microSD card expansion is capable of handling up to an additional 64GB of storage. This provides business users with plenty of storage without having to carry around multiple external storage devices.
You can also choose between a Wi-Fi only or LTE version. The LTE version of the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 is equipped with a quad-core 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. The Wi-Fi-only version offers an 8-core Samsung Exynos 5 Octa chip. Both versions of the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 are equipped with 3GB of RAM.
Port Connectivity
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro is equipped with one micro USB 3.0 port which is backwards compatible with USB 2.0. This allows you to use any existing USB 2.0 cable or OTG adapter with the Tab Pro 12.2. To connect an external peripheral that has a full-sized USB plug, it is necessary to pick up a USB OTG adapter at an electronic retailer which you can obtain for less than £7. There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack for listening to audio with a set of headphones.
Audio
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 is equipped with dual stereo speakers that are embedded in the decorative metal band which surrounds the casing. There is one speaker on each side of the device when holding it in landscape mode. The volume and sound quality is fairly decent and comparable to the speakers used on an Ultrabook.
Wireless Connectivity
The Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 is designed with the latest wireless standard of Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac. This allows you to achieve a faster connection than on previous Samsung devices that do not support the ac standard. Additionally, there is access to GPS for finding your way around and Bluetooth 4.0 for connecting Bluetooth-enabled devices. You can also choose between a Wi-Fi only and LTE version of the Tab Pro 12.2.
Camera
Although you may not be using the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 as your main camera due to its size, the device does offer decent camera quality. The rear facing camera with LED flash is 8MP where the standard is 5MP for most tablet devices. The front facing camera which you will use for video-conferencing is 2MP and provides decent video quality for holding business calls on the go.
Battery
The Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 includes a 9500 mAh Lithium Ion battery that uses a 2 amp charger included with the device. The battery is not exactly high capacity but will get the job done nicely. In a TechRadar battery test the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 fell to just over 75 percent after 90 minutes of streaming video and without reducing the screen brightness.
With light to medium use, the battery is capable of lasting up to two full days without having to recharge. Samsung claims the battery life is eleven to twelve hours however, when multitasking and using the GPS system, you can achieve just over ten hours of battery life.
Is the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 Suitable for Business Professionals?
In addition to the positive aspects regarding design, features, and specifications discussed earlier in this review, the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 is built with the business professional in mind. When compared to previous configurations, Samsung has gone to great lengths to add special features that appeal to mobile professionals.
Magazine UX
Samsung replaced TouchWiz on its previous devices with Magazine UX which is Samsung’s own unique tablet interface which helps to streamline daily work tasks. There is plenty of room for widgets, folders, and icons with the ability to customise up to six user tiles. Under each tile you can access your most frequently used applications, S Planner files, news links, and other frequently used apps.
The Magazine UX interface closely resembles TouchWiz however, it has provided more polish to the Samsung tablet experience. The Magazine UX interface is designed so you can easily glance at a wealth of information right from the home screen. Samsung calls this feature zero click access which easily handles screen rotation and orientation in addition to scaling from one screen size to the next.
It is also important to mention that although the Galaxy Tab Pro comes with Android 4.4 KitKat, the 4.4 interface has been customised significantly by Samsung. Additionally, Samsung has integrated the Magazine UX as an overlay interface which requires a period of adjustment on the part of the end user. Once you have adjusted, you can take advantage of the wide variety of business focused features Samsung offers with the Tab Pro 12.2.
E-Meeting
Samsung has pre-installed the E-Meeting app which helps to reduce paper clutter by eliminating the need for paper agendas and handouts for business meetings. Instead, all you have to do is login to E-Meeting to collaborate on a project or document and share ideas on your screen with others, even if you do not currently have access to Wi-Fi. The fact that Samsung pre-installed E-Meeting this time around means that the company has designed the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 with the business user in mind.
Suite of Business Applications
Samsung has made it easy to take your work with you wherever you go by including a full suite of office applications this time around. The applications handle word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, and much more. The Tab Pro is also Microsoft Office compatible and comes with Hancom Office pre-installed.
Samsung also understands the importance of security when conducting business. For this reason, it has included Samsung KNOX which is Samsung’s signature enterprise approved security and encryption solution.
Accessories
Mobile Fun is an online retailer that offers a selection of accessories for the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2. You can find basically anything you want for your tablet here: cases, chargers, car holders, screen protectors, even desk stands for those of you who prefer the traditional desktop screen set-up. There are car kits available for those of you that commute or spend a lot of time on the road. They also sell a wide variety of headphones for the tablet, including a wireless Bluetooth music hat. To view their full list of products, visit their website: www.mobilefun.co.uk.
S Pen
Samsung included a Wacom digitiser S Pen which works with the Samsung S Note app. S Note fully integrates with Evernote when you sync them together which results in a great note taking experience.
The S Pen also works with other pre-installed apps including Sketchbook Pro by Auto-desk and a series of Android art applications. The S Pen is pressure sensitive which provides a real life writing and drawing experience with more than 1000 different levels of pressure sensitivity.
How Much Does the Tab Pro Cost? Is It Worth the Price?
The cost of the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro varies according to the configuration (32GB or 64GB). The 32GB Wi-Fi version prices start at around £369 with prices beginning at just over £500 for the 64GB version. For a hands on demonstration, why not visit an official Samsung retail outlet?
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About the Author
Our IT Department is a professional IT support services company based in London. We offer fully managed 24/7 IT support to small and medium sized businesses across the capital and surrounding areas. We can support all elements of your business IT network infrastructure, including Android-based tablet devices. Visit our IT Unlimited page to find out more.
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