Apparently, they do. Because that is what they are charging for the most recent premium tablet to come from the Korean electronics giant. But what exactly do you get for 399 of your hard-earned dollars?
- Quad-Core 1.6GHz Processor
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB of storage (expandable SD card slot)
- 5-megapixel rear-facing camera
- 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera
- 1280 x 800-pixel resolution screen
- Android 4.1.2
- IR Blaster
Overall, fairly impressive. Nothing that will blow your mind, but certainly respectable specifications for a high-end tablet. The screen is a handy 8 inches across, and for most of us that is just what we need for a tablet we want to carry around with us. But is all of this worth it? The answer is maybe. It all depends what you are using your tablet for because the main advantages of this device are not hardware, but software. The S Pen is specifically designed for people who constantly need to take notes or sketch things out on the go. The ability to multi-task and the capabilities of the IR blaster aren’t something all of use will use. But for people who have a job or lifestyle that demands this kind of flexibility the Galaxy Note 8.0 is a godsend.
Yes, it is certainly an expensive device, but lets not forget that Samsung also offers the Tab line that is much cheaper. Personally, I’d buy a Nexus 7 for $199 before I would invest in a tablet this expensive. But that is just me. I mostly use my tablet for reading news and occasionally playing games, so for me the Note 8.0 would be a waste. But for anyone who needs to be able to mark up pictures they take, or anyone who is in and out of a lot of meetings that don’t take place in a formal office setting, consider this device… if you can afford it.