Mobility

Product Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Enterprise tablet proves adept for note taking.

Jeff is tasked with separating the “gee whiz” factor from the truly useful when it comes to the latest tech gadgets, and oh, he holds a Ph.D. in physics. He currently works as the supervisor of enterprise architecture services for Grange Mutual Casualty Group of Columbus, Ohio. His biggest challenge is being an avid Wolverine fan while living in the midst of Buckeye country.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 mini tablet sports a bright, sharp screen with ample power for watching videos or taking notes.

End-User Advantages

Featuring an 8-inch diagonal screen, the Galaxy Note fits into that space between a full-size tablet and a smartphone. Weighing a mere 11.7 ounces, the device can be held easily in one hand.

In addition to a built-in stylus, the Galaxy Note 8.0 includes three multifunction control buttons near the bottom. Tapping the left button brings up a contextual menu, while holding it launches Google Now. The center button awakens the device and holding it brings up all the applications and task manager. The right button acts as a back button when tapped. When held, it displays Samsung's application manager tab on the left side of the screen. This is particularly handy for switching between applications such as email and a browser.

Users will spend most of their time utilizing the 1280x800 pixel screen. Samsung has done a great job of maximizing the real estate given to the screen; there's very little wasted space between it and the frame. The screen proved to be quite bright and responsive to touch.

Samsung's impressive S Note app includes productivity tools such as handwriting recognition, shape recognition and even mathematical formula matching. Note taking was a breeze; the device's ability to recognize handwriting and organize notes makes it invaluable.

Why It Works for IT

Based on an Exynos 4421 quad-core processor running the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean operating system, the Galaxy Note 8.0 features 16 gigabytes of storage space that can be augmented with a microSD card. Users can run several applications simultaneously without a problem.

Among the Android-based OSs, Samsung's implementation is considered to be one of the most reliable and secure. The Samsung for Enterprise (SAFE) solutions demonstrate the manufacturer's commitment to mobile devices for the enterprise. SAFE includes features such as support for Microsoft ActiveSync security and the leading mobile device management tools, on-device AES 256-bit encryption and VPN connectivity.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 provides up to nine days of battery life with 30 days of standby that should satisfy even the most demanding of the organization's users.

Disadvantages

The Galaxy Note 8.0 comes with Polaris Office, a productivity package that supports reading and editing of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. This worked well for the most part, but some documents did not translate properly. One presentation had missing colors and text, and the formatting of a particular Word document was a bit off. However, 98 percent of the information was still intact and readable.

Samsung's slick design is unmistakable, but the device is also a bit slippery. The rear-facing camera protrudes a bit from the back of the device, which could lead to scratching. Buying a case for the Galaxy Note 8.0 solves both of these concerns, helping to keep the device protected and securing the investment for years to come.

<p>Credit: Samsung</p>