The Great Debate: Samsung Vs. Apple, Which Tablet Is For You?
Apple really made a leap of faith with the
release of the iPad as investors really did not envisage an oversized iPod
touch to be the success it is today – but amazingly enough, the iPad broke
records by selling 10 million units in its third quarter. Ever since its
success Apple competitors have been fast on their heels, with Samsung managing
to put up a fight with its recent releases. But is it enough to topple the
tablet heavy weight?
We take a look at the
two competitors to find out who ultimately comes out on top.
Apple
The iPad was the first
tablet and for a very long time remained unchallenged in sales, consumer
satisfaction, performance and design. Currently running iOS 7, it’s fast and easy to use. Apple has always been
innovative and user-focused, so it’s no surprise that the iPad’s biggest
strength is how user-friendly it is.
The iPad is remarkably
simple in design and relatively free of lag. Its retina display is also
top-notch and its portability has just been increased with the release of the
iPad Air, measuring less than 7.5 millimetres thin and 500g in weight. The
specs aren’t likely to surprise anyone as they are as good as one would hope to
expect: sporting Apple’s new A7 chip and the M7 motion coprocessor, it gains
ground in energy consumption and speed, which, according to Apple, has been
doubled.
The iPad’s design hasn’t
changed much in its four generations. While some might criticise the lack of
diversity and variety, these criticisms often fall on deaf ears. There is a
reason for keeping this design: it works. People love it; it’s sleek, modern,
simple and elegant. Yes, you might only have a choice between two colours and
it won’t convey your own individuality, but an Apple product does attract a
sense of community. Apple is considered pretty high end, modern and trendy. An
iPad might not showcase your individuality, but it’ll still make a statement.
If it has a flaw though,
it’s definitely in the price. It is one of, if not the most expensive tablet on the market
right now. But even so, people still flock to buy it, favouring its simplicity,
reliability and efficiency.
Samsung
Samsung has emerged as a pretty potent contender in the tablet market. Samsung has a lot more to offer in terms of variety, but its most recent masterpiece is the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition. This tablet runs Android OS and has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels (299 PPI), placing it at the top of the market. Its 8MP camera will make capturing high quality photos and video easy, to be enjoyed on a 16:9 display that’s perfect for watching HD videos.
Android tablets like Samsung’s tend to be more developer friendly than user-friendly. This has obvious pros and cons. On the bright side, developers have a lot more freedom to program interesting and innovative apps that are one of the main reasons for the need of a tablet. On the other hand, technical issues inhibit Samsung tablets from running as smoothly as its Apple counterpart, and it is more prone to lag.
If you’re wondering why this has become such a contender, it’s because of its most unique feature: the S Pen stylus. Running on Wacom technology it allows for easy writing or drawing and amazing sensitivity. The other benefit is its price, which is a lot lower than the iPad without sacrificing too much in terms of specs, design and performance.
The verdict?
Ultimately, it’s up to the consumer to decide which would most benefit them. The iPad is reliable and trendy, fast, simple and beautifully designed. If you’re willing to spend some extra money for it, then it is money well spent as it’ll make for a great tablet. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something that’s almost or just as good as the iPad but aren’t willing to spend too much money, than a Samsung tablet won’t disappoint. Whichever one you decide on buying, both of these brands are top of the market and their tablets will help keep you organised and entertained.
Adrian Rodriguez is a freelance writer and technology enthusiast who is tossing up with the latest of the two models right now. Adrian uses Flexirent for tablet and computer rentals, so he can try before he buys.
