- As the Windows tablets category continues to grow, new players want to make their mark. Samsung is the latest manufacturer to step in to the ring, with its Galaxy TabPro S, and it certainly makes a lasting impression, with a thin and light build, bundled keyboard cover, colorful AMOLED screen, and compatibility with Samsung phones.
The problem is that the tablet has just one USB-C port for both charging and data transfer, and an Intel Core M processor that translates to so-so performance overall. The Galaxy TabPro S is an attractive option, however, if you're firmly enmeshed in the Samsung ecosystem, or want one of the thinnest Windows tablets you can buy.
It is difficult to overstate just how thin and light the Galaxy TabPro S is. At a positively svelte 0.25 by 11.43 by 7.83 inches (HWD) without the included keyboard cover, it's leaner than most devices in its class out there. It weighs a mere 690-gms (the keyboard cover adds about 368-gms).
The Galaxy TabPro S has a magnesium-alloy frame with curved, metal edges and a glass display. The back is made of plastic, but doesn't feel at all cheap or flimsy. The Galaxy TabPro S resembles Samsung's design schemes for its phones, such as the Galaxy S7, and its tablets, such as the Galaxy Tab S2. It is available in both black or white.
Samsung packs a 12-inch (diagonal) display into the Galaxy TabPro S's 11-inch frame by giving it a very slim bezel. The screen is a standout feature; it's the first Super AMOLED display we've seen on a Windows tablet and has the ability to turn off pixels completely, making blacks deeper and other colors brighter and more vibrant. It also gives the system the ability to reserve battery power.
Because of its slim frame, there are only two ports on the tablet. One is a USB-C port on the right edge, and the other is a headphone jack right below it. The USB-C port is used for both charging the tablet and connecting USB-C-equipped peripherals, such as on the Apple Macbook, so you'll have to make sure your battery is charged before plugging in anything else to the port.
The Galaxy TabPro S doesn't currently include or sell an adapter for the USB-C port, so you'll have to purchase one separately from a third party. The USB-C port isn't Thunderbolt-compatible, and there's no slot for expanded storage. For wireless connectivity, you get 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.1, and optional 4G/LTE support.
The power and volume buttons jut out slightly from the top edge of the the metal frame. On the back and front are 5-megapixel cameras. The rear camera takes clear, bright shots, and the front-facing camera is more than capable for selfies and video calls. A small speaker grid sits on the right edge right above the ports, and one other speaker grid is on the left edge of the tablet, along with a Windows button.
Because the speaker grids are so small, they sound a little hollow and tinny, especially when turned up to full volume. The Galaxy TabPro S ships with a keyboard cover. The keyboard is full size and feels rather cramped. The keys exhibit shallow travel, and it can be difficult to type quickly because of the constrained space.
The touchpad on the keyboard cover is small, but very smooth, with integrated mouse buttons. The keyboard cover attaches magnetically to the back of the Galaxy TabPro S. To connect the tablet to the keyboard, you open the cover and move the bottom of the tablet forward until it docks with the connector on the keyboard. There's no hinged stand that pops out of the back of the tablet, so there are only two ways to position the tablet on the keyboard: straight up or leaning back slightly.
The connection to the keyboard is sturdy; you can pick up the tablet in one hand with the keyboard attached, and the keyboard will not fall off. The Galaxy TabPro S comes with Windows 10 Home. While the OS doesn't have the security features of Windows 10 Pro, such as Bitlocker, it will run full desktop programs. Samsung says it will be releasing a stylus for the Galaxy TabPro S in the near future.
Our review unit has a 128GB solid state drive (SSD), with 119GB available out of the box. Samsung bundles a one-year limited warranty. The Galaxy TabPro S runs on a 2.2GHz Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor and 4GB of RAM. The Intel Core M processor accounts for the system's mediocre productivity performance. The Galaxy TabPro S performs basic productivity tasks like working in Microsoft Office well enough, but will start to struggle and slow down when you're working in multiple browser windows or have several programs operating simultaneously.
The combination of the 5,200mAh battery and the energy-efficient Super AMOLED display help the Galaxy TabPro S achieve long battery life, scoring 11 hours 13 minutes in our rundown tests. The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is a thin and stylish slate tablet, with a vivid Super AMOLED screen (the first we've seen on a Windows tablet) and top-notch battery life.
The lone USB-C port and lack of a bundled USB-C adapter is another negative. So, if you want a super-thin Windows slate with a great screen and excellent battery life, or if you're in the Samsung ecosystem and want a Windows tablet that will work in tandem with your Galaxy S7, the Galaxy TabPro S is an attractive choice.
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