Hands-On: Samsung ATIV Tab 3 Review

Windows 8 tablets are starting to gain in popularity as OEMs have begun creating their own tablets running Microsoft’s latest Windows operating system. Samsung has been creating Windows 8 laptops for several months now, but the company’s Windows 8 tablets have been lacking. That all changes with the ATIV Tab 3 as Samsung is providing an entire Windows 8 experience into a tablet that is 8.2mm thick and weighs 550g making it the world’s thinnest Windows 8 tablet.

Samsung is introducing its ATIV Tab 3 as an ideal device for people who are on-the-go often. You’ll be able to run any Windows 8 application you can from your desktop on the ATIV Tab 3, even going as far as including Microsoft Office 2013 for free. Not only that, but the ATIV Tab 3 will introduce Samsung’s new SideSync, which allows users to be able to connect with their Android-based Samsung smartphone.

For the ATIV Tab 3, Samsung is borrowing from its Galaxy design lines, which you may have noticed this Windows tablet looks a lot like its Galaxy Tab tablets, specifically the Galaxy Tab 3. The only real difference between the two tablets is the fact the ATIV Tab 3 has a Windows button located at the bottom of its screen. Unfortunately, borrowing from Galaxy’s design lines means that it also borrows the overall plastic feeling those tablets.

There isn’t a lot under the hood of the ATIV Tab 3 as it only has an Intel Atom Z2760 processor 2GB of RAM, but it’s still able to feel quick and responsive from our quick hands-on time with the tablet. Its 1366 x 768 10.1-inch display didn’t impress us much, but the ATIV Tab 3 does come with an S Pen, which can be found at the bottom-right portion of the tablet. We’re sure this will be a feature on-the-go Photoshop professionals will certainly get some use out of.

All in all, Samsung is upping the Windows 8 tablet game by introducing its ATIV Tab 3. While it may not have the most powerful internal specs, its perceived performance is surprisingly quick and responsive. The ATIV Tab 3 is expected to be released in early August for $699 along with an included Bluetooth keyboard.