Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 price Malaysia - RM1,299

It was first announced to carry a price tag of RM2,199 in Malaysia.

Now, for as low as RM1,299 (DiGi) or RM1,388 (Celcom) you can get to own this distinctively different tablet. The full functional S-pen (a stylus) brings back memories of the old smart phones and electronic organisers, PDA.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 brings in a multitasking experience with its multi-screen feature where user can utilise two different applications side-by-side simultaneously on the expansive view of 10.1-inch screen. Main features of Samsung's new offering are:

Operating System    : Android 4.0 (Ice-cream Sandwich)
Screen size              : 10.1" WXGA (1280x800) LCD
Input                        : S Pen/S Note (apart from touch screen)
Processor                : 1.4GHz Exynos Quad-Core
Cameras                  : 5MP rear camera, 1.9MP front camera


Galaxy Note 10.1 Prices/Packages

The three main telcos - DiGi, Maxis and Celcom - have announced their packages for the new tablet. The recommended retail price is RM2,199 and as usual you can purchase this at much reduced cost in a couple of months.

1) DiGi

2) Maxis

Value Plan 50: Data quota - 1.5GB, monthly - RM50
Value Plan 75: Data quota - 3.5GB, monthly - RM75


3) Celcom

You may want to check out what's in store for you at U Mobile if your area is covered by this service provider.

I have used the services of all three telcos in the past for both my smart phones and tablet. My personal experience is that, Maxis is quite conservative (read stingy) in allocating data for the same amount of money you pay compared to the other telcos. But they offer the fastest surfing experience, for now.

Let's see if Celcom and DiGi buck up. I like Celcom in the sense that they provide the widest coverage and I can go practically everywhere and still get at least 1 or 2 bars of signal on my phone.

Tablet PC market share: iPad rules.

Two years after creating the market, Apple Inc. remains the king of all media tablets, with its global market share rising to nearly 70% in the second quarter, putting the company on pace to reclaim much of the dominance it surrendered in 2011.

During the second quarter this year, Apple shipped 17 million iPad 2 and new iPad media tablets, up from 11.8 million the first quarter, according to iSuppli Display Materials & Systems Service. This industry-leading increase in shipments translated into a market share gain of 11.5% points, as Apple’s second-quarter global tablet share climbed to 69.6%, up from 58.1% in the first quarter.

And you thought Samsung beat Apple Inc.'s iPad hands down with more Galaxy Tab variants in the market? Maybe one day, but for now iPad is the king.

Samsung, at any one time, has in its stable Galaxy Tab 7.7, Galaxy Tab 2(7.0), Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1), Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, and the upcoming Galaxy Note 10.1

Apple has single product, the iPad (the latest iteration being the New iPad). The reason for the overwhelming support for the iPad? Research shows that satisfied users are likely to go back to the same brand for their next purchase. It seems that Apple already has developed a solid future customer base, which will continue to strengthen barring a major stumble on an upcoming product release. The iPad Mini comes to mind.

Android and iOS devices battle it out.

There'll be 360 million Tablet Computers in 2016

This posting is not about comparing which brand is superior; it's just so we know how the tablet PC is expected to shape in the near future.

Today there are about 120 million tablet computers in the market. By 2016, it is estimated that this will triple to more than 360 million. This, in some way reinforce my contention in my previous article that there maybe possibility that tablet PC will make its way to schools in place of the heavy school bags. These tablet PCs could be the super text books in the near future.

The new Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Samsung is currently marketing the Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) together with the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) - the improved versions of both variants.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 is basically designed based on Samsung's Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) but comes with  S-Pen. It allows users to draw, annotate and write notes on the 10.1in screen. It has faster 1.4GHz processor, more RAM and better camera. Other than that they are practically the same slabs.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 - Image: techworld.

**UPDATE: Malaysia pricing and packages here. **

Key Features of the Galaxy Note 10.1

Price                        : TBA, but The Inquirer quoted £399 (16GB WiFi only)
                                : £499 (16GB WiFi + 3G)
Screen size              : 10.1-inch
Processor                 : 1.4GHz quad-Core processor, 2GB RAM
Operating system      : Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich
Storage capacity       : 16GB, but also possibly 32GB and 64GB
Mobile connectivity    : WiFi, 3G
Camera                    : 5 MP
Announced               : Feb 2012 at MWC 2012, then re-announce last week (August 2012)
Availability                : end-August 2012 (expected)

All specifications obtained from Techwold.

This 10.1" slab is said to be an attempt to match the iPad. Let's see how it fares, considering it has gone back to the drawing board for 6 months since its first announcement in February 2012.

Perhaps an interesting option (or rather more confusion to existing Galaxy Tab users), but I'm sticking to my snappy iPad 3 for now. Happy user.

1Malaysia Pad will struggle to keep up

Touted to be the first Malaysia made 7-inch Android tablet, 1Malaysia Pad, or 1Mpad was announced in May 2012 with an introductory price of RM999 (US$330). However, until today there is no news yet of its release to the market. It would be very interesting to read review of the so-called 5,000 units already sold so far, as reported by Harian Metro.

You will find this at the landing page of Maltech Pro Sdn Bhd's website

During the launching, 1Mpad manufacturer provided only a glimpse of the tablet PC specifications:

Price                        : RM999 (introductory price for the first 5,000 units)
Screen size              : 7-inch
Operating system      : Android 2.3, Gingerbread
Storage capacity       : TBA
Mobile connectivity    : WiFi, 3G
Camera                    : 3 MP
Announced               : May 2012
Availability                : available now for pre-order


Some notable alternatives:

1) MyTec MYTAB T25 - not in the market yet

This Malaysian made tablet PC is scheduled to be released and available in Malaysia market before Hari Raya Aidilfitri and is expected to be retailed much lower than the 1Mpad.

Mytec Mobile's soon to be released MYTAB T25

MYTAB T25 Specifications/features

Price                        : RM699 - RM799 (expected)
Screen size              : 7-inch, Capacitive touch screen
Operating system      : Android 4.0.3, Ice Cream Sandwich
Storage capacity       : 8GB (internal)
Mobile connectivity    : WiFi, (support 3G modem)
Camera                    : Dual camera, (unspecified resolution)
Announced               : July 2012
Availability                : Before Aidilfitri (August 2012)

Other features:-
Google Play Store - up to 450,000 Apps
Quick Office - MS Excel, Word & Powerpoint
Support bluetooth voice call
Support keyboard plug-in


2) Samsung GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) - improved version.

Samsung's new Galaxy Tab 2, 7.0

Samsung’s first Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)-powered tablet offers a variety of new and improved Android OS features. An upgraded Android Market enables access to more than 400,000 applications which can be enjoyed across phones or tablets.


Key Features of the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)

Price                        : RM999 (WiFi only)
                                : RM1,299 (WiFi + 3G)
Screen size              : 7-inch, Multi-touch screen
Processor                 : 1GHz Dual-Core processor, 1GB RAM
Operating system      : Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich
Storage capacity       : 16GB (Internal), microSD expansion up to 32GB
Mobile connectivity    : WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth 3.0
Camera                    : 3.15 MP
Announced               : Feb 2012
Availability                : Now


3) Google Nexus 7 Tablet

Price                        : $199 (RM630) for the 8GB storage &  $249 (RM790) for 16G version
Screen size              : 7-inch, TFT active matrix (LED backlight)
Processor                 : 1.3 GHz Quad-core, Nvidia Tegra 3, 1GB RAM
Operating system      : Android 4.1, Jelly Bean
Storage capacity       : 8GB / 16 GB
Mobile connectivity    : NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi
Camera                    : 1.2 MP
Announced               : 27 June 2012
Availability                : TBA (available on pre-order)
More about              : Google Nexus 7


There are other lesser known brands but similarly specced (with the 1Mpad) in the local market such as CSL, and few China-made tablet PCs. Choices are abundant, some with better features than the 1Mpad, so, we will not be too surprised if it struggle to make an impact. Perhaps it will not even be hitting the ground outside a pre-determined market (students, etc), without government intervention.

The money is yours; it's your choice.