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Samsung Ativ Tab 3 review

6/10 AVG.
RATING
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Samsung Ativ Tab 3
Samsung Ativ Tab 3
Samsung Ativ Tab 3
Samsung Ativ Tab 3
Samsung Ativ Tab 3
...


6/10
Informr score
The Samsung Ativ Tab 3 currently has an Informr score of 6 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 1 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Thin and lightweight
  • Runs full version of Windows 8
  • Comes with Office pre-installed
  • Built-in S Pen functionality

What's bad

  • Disappointing screen resolution
  • Poor camera performance
  • Limited options for memory expansion

Samsung has undoubtedly already made a name for itself in the realm of tablets through its many Android-powered offerings, but does it have what it takes to play in the Windows tablet game as well? The Ativ Tab 3 tablet is the Korea-based company's way of answering that question in the affirmative.

According to Chris Martin of PC Advisor, you can think of the Ativ Tab 3 as simply “a Windows 8 version of Samsung's Android tablets.” And indeed, it is running Windows 8 as its default OS -- the full one, too, and not just the gimped version called Windows RT.

Its main features include a 10.1-inch screen (1366x768 resolution), a 5MP camera with 1080p video recording, 64GB of internal storage plus the option for more via microSD cards, and a 25 WHr Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol) battery that is said to last up to 10 hours with continuous Wi-Fi usage.

It even has S Pen functionality, which means you can use it with a stylus in the exact same way as you could with any other S Pen-enabled Samsung device, like Galaxy-branded tablets and even Galaxy-branded smartphones as well. Additional features like this prompted Gareth Beavis of TechRadar to say that, “the sheer number of extras on offer here make it an attractive proposition.”

As mentioned earlier, this tablet runs the full version of Windows 8 as the default OS. It also has trial versions of MS Office 2013 Home & Student and Norton Internet Security pre-installed. Other pre-loaded software extras include Evernote, S Note, S Player+, S Gallery, S PhotoStudio, S Camera+ and SideSync, which allows screen-sharing between the Ativ Tab 3 and any SideSync-compatible smartphone.

As feature-packed as it is, though, it has a number of pitfalls. After spending some time with a test unit, Agent Naish of Geek Squad UK ended up saying, “it’s hard to enthusiastically recommend to casual tablet users looking for a mid-range device.” He praises it as a “great handwriting capable tablet that’s nifty for use around the office,” but concludes that, “if you’re looking for more of an all-rounder, then you may want to keep looking.”

The Ativ Tab 3 is surely a well-performing Windows tablet that packs a whole bag of useful extras, but for some people like Sebastian Jentsch of Notebook Check, it may be classed as simply “too late and too expensive.”


Windows
Operating system
Operating system
Windows
1.8 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.8 GHz
10.1"
Screen Size
Screen Size
10.1"
2+ MP
Camera
Camera
2+ MP
25 WHr
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


TouchArcade
TouchArcade

Criminel is disappointing, but to reiterate, the ending really redeems the whole experience. It's a painful reminder that this game could have reached five-star peaks, but never tries to reach for them. Even something narrative-driven like Device.6 threw some puzzles in the way of the player that ma...

- Carter Dotson, TouchArcade


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Quick view

Screen Size
10.1"

The Samsung Ativ Tab 3's screen size is 10.1 inches with 768 x 1366 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.8 GHz

There is a Intel ATOM Z2760 Dual core 1.8 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the Windows 8 operating system (OS).

Camera
2+ MP
You can take photos with the phone's onboard 2+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
64 GB

Internal memory is 64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 64 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
25WHr

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 25 WHr battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

Ativ Tab 3 Specs

Overview
Release Date September 1, 2013
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Windows 8

Compare Windows Smartphones

Processor Intel ATOM Z2760 Dual core 1.8 GHz
Internal Storage 64 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Body: 0.565 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Stylus
Cellular
Networks
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
No
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles OPP/FTP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 64 GB)
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Zoom
No
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Main Camera Info
Effects
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 768 x 1366 pixels
Pixel density 155 pixels
Size 10.1 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 25 WHr
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 5 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 21.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 16.5 x 25.7 x 0.8 cm (6.5 x 10.1 x 0.3 in)
Weight 550 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader No
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: No
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
Audio Formats: AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, MP3, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Viewable document types: XLS, PPT, PPTX, DOC, DOCX, PDF
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Samsung XE300TZCI
Related Links Manual (PDF)
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