Samsung Series 7 Slate (700T1A)
Laptop capabilities in a tablet form factor. Core i5 CPU and 4GB of RAM. 128GB SSD.
No tether or storage for stylus. Without the dock and keyboard, the tablet loses some of its functional appeal.
Bottom Line
The Samsung Series 7 Slate fills the gap between wimpy Windows tablets and clunky convertible laptops, providing a powerful processing and portable solution.
The Samsung Series 7 Slate PC looks like one of the numerous tablets on the market, but this one shows consumers that you don't have to sacrifice features and comfort to get a Windows tablet. Most of the Windows tablets we've seen have run 32-bit versions of Windows and utilized underpowered AMD and Intel Atom processors, which are essentially netbooks, sans keyboard. The Series 7 Slate, on the other hand, is every inch a functional PC, comparable to any current laptop. The result is a tablet that is easily twice the computer any of those Windows tablets are—but getting that power will cost you a pretty penny, with the bundled tablet, dock and keyboard selling for $1,349.99 (direct).
The front surface of the tablet is covered with an 11.6-inch capacitive touch display, capable of tracking up to 10 touch inputs at once. Many Windows tablets are limited to half that—the Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Tablet ($1,579 direct, 4 stars) is limited to 5, as is the Acer W500-BZ467; the Motion CL900 tops out at four. Also on the front of the Samsung is a 2 megapixel Webcam, for use with Skype or a similar video chat service. The screen displays at 1,366-by-768 resolution, and is backlit, providing up to 400 nits of brightness for visibility indoors and out.
The back of the Series 7 Slate is covered in dark grey brushed aluminum. On the upper left corner, there's another integrated camera, this one providing 3 megapixels. It's not going to replace your regular point and shoot, but it lets you snap photos or shoot video for quick and easy sharing. Also on the back of the tablet are several cooling vents. Along the bottom edge, are two small speakers; the sound is weak, barely audible at low volume and warble at high volume, but it's in good company; we have yet to find a tablet with decent speakers.
The Series 7 Slate boasts a number of ports and connectors, with a full-sized USB 2.0 port, a micro HDMI port for displaying video on an HDTV, and a microSD card slot. Wireless connectivity comes in the form of Bluetooth 2.1 and Wi-Fi 802.11n, and a SIM card slot opens up the option for a 3G mobile connection. Physical controls for power and volume can be found on either side of the device, and an internal accelerometer provides automatic screen rotation. One unexpected feature, which we haven't seen on any tablet prior, is WiDi 2.0, Intel's wireless HD streaming solution. If you have a NetGear Push2TV adapter, you can stream HD content to any TV without the hassle of HDMI. Given that the tablet itself has only a mini HDMI port, this solution also saves you the trouble of finding an adapter or compatible cable.
The Series 7 Slate also comes with a 128GB solid-state drive (SSD), the same drive found in Samsung's thin ultraportable laptop, the Samsung Series 9 (NP900X3A) ($1,649.99 street, 4 stars). Though you might get more storage capacity with a mechanical drive, like the 320GB drive found in the Lenovo X220, an SSD is more appropriate in a device that will be constantly picked up, moved, turned, and potentially dropped. And while 128GB doesn't compare to the Lenovo's capacity, it's a good deal larger than the 32GB and 64GB SSDs found in smaller Windows tablets.
In addition to the usual included programs, like Microsoft Office Starter 2010, or a 60-day trial of TrendMicro Internet Security, Samsung included several utilities to help you get the most out of the tablet. Topping the list is the Swype virtual keyboard, which lets you zig and zag across the keyboard, entering text in a smooth, continuous motion. An optional Android App called PhoneShare lets you share files back and forth with your Samsung phone. A suite of proprietary Samsung utilities called ThinkPlay further enhance the tablet experience. But perhaps the most important bit of software on the tablet is Samsung's Touch Launcher.
While many Windows tablets have some sort of layer added on top of the Windows 7 user interface, or an app that offers a more touch friendly experience (such as bigger icons and a tile layout of App-like features), the Samsung's Touch Launcher is one of the best we've seen. Fully integrated with Windows, it allows access to any Windows program through the touch app. It utilizes big icons that are easier to select with fingertips, and pages can be scrolled without the normal Windows scroll bar—which is surprisingly frustrating in a touch environment. Simple drag and drop of program icons lets you add them to the touch launcher, letting you put together a customized tablet experience without sacrificing any of Windows' functionality.
AccessoriesThe Series 7 Slate also uses a stylus to provide the sort of fine cursor control needed on a Windows machine. The one significant problem is unlike the Fujitsu or the Motion CL900, there is no tether for the stylus, and no place to stow it when not in use, meaning that the tablet and stylus will often become separated.
One of the best aspects of the Series 7 Slate is that Samsung is offering it in a bundle with a docking station and wireless keyboard. Made from weighty aluminum, the dock measures only 0.7 by 3.9 by 4.3 inches (HWD) and weighs 0.5 pounds and covers its entire bottom surface with non-slip rubber. The delicate dock connector is reinforced with two steel pins, and the folding rear support is also covered in non-slip rubber. The result is one of the best tablet docks we've seen, as sturdy as the metal podium dock of the Motion CL900, but extremely portable. The tablet is held firmly, and stands up to all manner of poking and prodding without any wobble. This stability is a real boon, seeing as you'll be using the stylus and touchscreen instead of the traditional mouse. On the back of the dock, there's an additional USB 2.0 port, full-sized HDMI, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. The dock is also equipped with jacks for headphones and AC power.
The wireless keyboard is also well done, with a slim profile, a fashionable brushed aluminum exterior, and Bluetooth connectivity. It runs on two AAA batteries, keeping the weight down to a svelte 0.65 pound. The chiclet keys are flat topped black tiles with white lettering, providing a typing experience similar to that of the HP Wireless Mini Keyboard.
The biggest problem plaguing the Windows tablet concept has always been the lack of a physical keyboard and mouse—two elements that are too deeply integrated into Windows to discard without inconveniencing users. Samsung has sidestepped these problems with a digital pen, dock, and wireless keyboard. Combined with the impressive hardware inside, the Series 7 Slate stands to be used both as a consumption device and a genuine productivity tool.
Performance
Samsung Series 7 Slate (700T1A) The Series 7 Slate relies upon an Intel Core i5-2467M processor, the same processor found in the Samsung Series 9. It's a low-voltage processor, designed to provide Core i5 performance without the power consumption or heat of standard-voltage processors. These sorts of considerations become all the more important when dealing with a tablet, as there is less room for heat dissipation and the tablet will likely be drawing on battery life whenever it is in use. Paired with 4GB of RAM, this hardware puts the Series 7 Slate into a different hardware category than the previously mentioned tablets, making it more akin to a convertible laptop, like the Lenovo X220 Tablet, or thin ultraportable, like the Samsung Series 9.
Samsung Series 7 Slate (700T1A)
Comparing PCMark 7 scores, the Samsung Series 7 Slate seems to have a clear lead, scoring 2,352 points, well ahead of the Lenovo X220's 1,386. The same is true in Cinebench R11.5, where the Series 7 Slate scored a higher 0.81 points, compared with the Lenovo X220's 0.76; however, the similarly equipped Samsung Series 9 laptop scored 1.36, indicating that there is a significant sacrifice in overall processing power and speed when switching to the tablet form factor. This disparity is also seen in our multimedia tests, Handbrake and Photoshop CS5. The Series 7 Slate was unable to run Photoshop, but completed encoding a video in Handbrake in 5 minutes 28 seconds. By comparison, the Samsung Series 9 completed Handbrake in 4:45, and the Lenovo X220 zipped through it in only 1:50. Intel's integrated graphics are more than sufficient for your everyday Web browsing, but you won't be using this PC for gaming.
The one area where the Series 7 Slate was overtaken by smaller, underpowered competitors is in battery life. Though it lasted for a respectable 5 hours 37 minutes in MobileMark 2007, and convertible laptops, like the Lenovo, produced very similar scores (5:28), smaller tablets usually last longer, like the Fujitsu Q550 (7:42). In this area they have a significant advantage, utilizing small low-powered processors designed for netbooks and tablets.
The Samsung Series 7 Slate fills the nebulous gap between small under-powered Windows tablets and the fully-featured convertible tablet PCs that were popular in years past. When packaged with Samsung's superb dock and keyboard bundle, the Series 7 Slate provides an effective Windows system with the freedom and convenience of the newest breed of tablets. And unlike convertible PCs, like the Editors' Choice Lenovo ThinkPad X220, the Series 7 Slate does it all while being lighter and slimmer. If you need the productivity of a Windows laptop and the ease and convenience of a grab-and-go tablet, the Samsung Series 7 Slate PC may be exactly what you're looking for.
Laptop capabilities in a tablet form factor. Core i5 CPU and 4GB of RAM. 128GB SSD.
No tether or storage for stylus. Without the dock and keyboard, the tablet loses some of its functional appeal.
Bottom Line
The Samsung Series 7 Slate fills the gap between wimpy Windows tablets and clunky convertible laptops, providing a powerful processing and portable solution.
The Samsung Series 7 Slate PC looks like one of the numerous tablets on the market, but this one shows consumers that you don't have to sacrifice features and comfort to get a Windows tablet. Most of the Windows tablets we've seen have run 32-bit versions of Windows and utilized underpowered AMD and Intel Atom processors, which are essentially netbooks, sans keyboard. The Series 7 Slate, on the other hand, is every inch a functional PC, comparable to any current laptop. The result is a tablet that is easily twice the computer any of those Windows tablets are—but getting that power will cost you a pretty penny, with the bundled tablet, dock and keyboard selling for $1,349.99 (direct).
The front surface of the tablet is covered with an 11.6-inch capacitive touch display, capable of tracking up to 10 touch inputs at once. Many Windows tablets are limited to half that—the Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Tablet ($1,579 direct, 4 stars) is limited to 5, as is the Acer W500-BZ467; the Motion CL900 tops out at four. Also on the front of the Samsung is a 2 megapixel Webcam, for use with Skype or a similar video chat service. The screen displays at 1,366-by-768 resolution, and is backlit, providing up to 400 nits of brightness for visibility indoors and out.
The back of the Series 7 Slate is covered in dark grey brushed aluminum. On the upper left corner, there's another integrated camera, this one providing 3 megapixels. It's not going to replace your regular point and shoot, but it lets you snap photos or shoot video for quick and easy sharing. Also on the back of the tablet are several cooling vents. Along the bottom edge, are two small speakers; the sound is weak, barely audible at low volume and warble at high volume, but it's in good company; we have yet to find a tablet with decent speakers.
The Series 7 Slate boasts a number of ports and connectors, with a full-sized USB 2.0 port, a micro HDMI port for displaying video on an HDTV, and a microSD card slot. Wireless connectivity comes in the form of Bluetooth 2.1 and Wi-Fi 802.11n, and a SIM card slot opens up the option for a 3G mobile connection. Physical controls for power and volume can be found on either side of the device, and an internal accelerometer provides automatic screen rotation. One unexpected feature, which we haven't seen on any tablet prior, is WiDi 2.0, Intel's wireless HD streaming solution. If you have a NetGear Push2TV adapter, you can stream HD content to any TV without the hassle of HDMI. Given that the tablet itself has only a mini HDMI port, this solution also saves you the trouble of finding an adapter or compatible cable.
The Series 7 Slate also comes with a 128GB solid-state drive (SSD), the same drive found in Samsung's thin ultraportable laptop, the Samsung Series 9 (NP900X3A) ($1,649.99 street, 4 stars). Though you might get more storage capacity with a mechanical drive, like the 320GB drive found in the Lenovo X220, an SSD is more appropriate in a device that will be constantly picked up, moved, turned, and potentially dropped. And while 128GB doesn't compare to the Lenovo's capacity, it's a good deal larger than the 32GB and 64GB SSDs found in smaller Windows tablets.
In addition to the usual included programs, like Microsoft Office Starter 2010, or a 60-day trial of TrendMicro Internet Security, Samsung included several utilities to help you get the most out of the tablet. Topping the list is the Swype virtual keyboard, which lets you zig and zag across the keyboard, entering text in a smooth, continuous motion. An optional Android App called PhoneShare lets you share files back and forth with your Samsung phone. A suite of proprietary Samsung utilities called ThinkPlay further enhance the tablet experience. But perhaps the most important bit of software on the tablet is Samsung's Touch Launcher.
While many Windows tablets have some sort of layer added on top of the Windows 7 user interface, or an app that offers a more touch friendly experience (such as bigger icons and a tile layout of App-like features), the Samsung's Touch Launcher is one of the best we've seen. Fully integrated with Windows, it allows access to any Windows program through the touch app. It utilizes big icons that are easier to select with fingertips, and pages can be scrolled without the normal Windows scroll bar—which is surprisingly frustrating in a touch environment. Simple drag and drop of program icons lets you add them to the touch launcher, letting you put together a customized tablet experience without sacrificing any of Windows' functionality.
AccessoriesThe Series 7 Slate also uses a stylus to provide the sort of fine cursor control needed on a Windows machine. The one significant problem is unlike the Fujitsu or the Motion CL900, there is no tether for the stylus, and no place to stow it when not in use, meaning that the tablet and stylus will often become separated.
One of the best aspects of the Series 7 Slate is that Samsung is offering it in a bundle with a docking station and wireless keyboard. Made from weighty aluminum, the dock measures only 0.7 by 3.9 by 4.3 inches (HWD) and weighs 0.5 pounds and covers its entire bottom surface with non-slip rubber. The delicate dock connector is reinforced with two steel pins, and the folding rear support is also covered in non-slip rubber. The result is one of the best tablet docks we've seen, as sturdy as the metal podium dock of the Motion CL900, but extremely portable. The tablet is held firmly, and stands up to all manner of poking and prodding without any wobble. This stability is a real boon, seeing as you'll be using the stylus and touchscreen instead of the traditional mouse. On the back of the dock, there's an additional USB 2.0 port, full-sized HDMI, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. The dock is also equipped with jacks for headphones and AC power.
The wireless keyboard is also well done, with a slim profile, a fashionable brushed aluminum exterior, and Bluetooth connectivity. It runs on two AAA batteries, keeping the weight down to a svelte 0.65 pound. The chiclet keys are flat topped black tiles with white lettering, providing a typing experience similar to that of the HP Wireless Mini Keyboard.
The biggest problem plaguing the Windows tablet concept has always been the lack of a physical keyboard and mouse—two elements that are too deeply integrated into Windows to discard without inconveniencing users. Samsung has sidestepped these problems with a digital pen, dock, and wireless keyboard. Combined with the impressive hardware inside, the Series 7 Slate stands to be used both as a consumption device and a genuine productivity tool.
Performance
Samsung Series 7 Slate (700T1A) The Series 7 Slate relies upon an Intel Core i5-2467M processor, the same processor found in the Samsung Series 9. It's a low-voltage processor, designed to provide Core i5 performance without the power consumption or heat of standard-voltage processors. These sorts of considerations become all the more important when dealing with a tablet, as there is less room for heat dissipation and the tablet will likely be drawing on battery life whenever it is in use. Paired with 4GB of RAM, this hardware puts the Series 7 Slate into a different hardware category than the previously mentioned tablets, making it more akin to a convertible laptop, like the Lenovo X220 Tablet, or thin ultraportable, like the Samsung Series 9.
Samsung Series 7 Slate (700T1A)
Comparing PCMark 7 scores, the Samsung Series 7 Slate seems to have a clear lead, scoring 2,352 points, well ahead of the Lenovo X220's 1,386. The same is true in Cinebench R11.5, where the Series 7 Slate scored a higher 0.81 points, compared with the Lenovo X220's 0.76; however, the similarly equipped Samsung Series 9 laptop scored 1.36, indicating that there is a significant sacrifice in overall processing power and speed when switching to the tablet form factor. This disparity is also seen in our multimedia tests, Handbrake and Photoshop CS5. The Series 7 Slate was unable to run Photoshop, but completed encoding a video in Handbrake in 5 minutes 28 seconds. By comparison, the Samsung Series 9 completed Handbrake in 4:45, and the Lenovo X220 zipped through it in only 1:50. Intel's integrated graphics are more than sufficient for your everyday Web browsing, but you won't be using this PC for gaming.
The one area where the Series 7 Slate was overtaken by smaller, underpowered competitors is in battery life. Though it lasted for a respectable 5 hours 37 minutes in MobileMark 2007, and convertible laptops, like the Lenovo, produced very similar scores (5:28), smaller tablets usually last longer, like the Fujitsu Q550 (7:42). In this area they have a significant advantage, utilizing small low-powered processors designed for netbooks and tablets.
The Samsung Series 7 Slate fills the nebulous gap between small under-powered Windows tablets and the fully-featured convertible tablet PCs that were popular in years past. When packaged with Samsung's superb dock and keyboard bundle, the Series 7 Slate provides an effective Windows system with the freedom and convenience of the newest breed of tablets. And unlike convertible PCs, like the Editors' Choice Lenovo ThinkPad X220, the Series 7 Slate does it all while being lighter and slimmer. If you need the productivity of a Windows laptop and the ease and convenience of a grab-and-go tablet, the Samsung Series 7 Slate PC may be exactly what you're looking for.
