Samsung Ativ Q

As soon as persons hear Samsung and tab beside each other, they immediately assume that it's an Android device. But this week, we had the pleasure of reviewing the Samsung ATIV Tab 5, which is an 11-inch tablet that has Windows 8 as its operating system.

Hardware and design: 9 out of 10

At first glance, a person can mistakenly take this tablet to be the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 because of their similar design, but that's where the similarities stop. The ports and internal components are far different from what you would find on a Note 10.1. Take a look below on some of the hardware that makes the Tab 5 tick.

Operating system: Windows 8 (32-bit)

Processor: Intel Atom processor Z2760 (1.8 GHz)

Display: LCD 11.6" inch Resolution - 1366 x 768 Touch Screen

System RAM: 2GB LPDDR2 (800MHz)

Storage capacity: 64GB

Web cam: 2.0 MP HD (Front) 8.0 MP HD (Rear)

Wireless LAN: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Bluetooth 4.0

Micro HDMI port

USB 2.0 port

Multi-card slot

Gigabit-wired Ethernet LAN (available with docking station)

Impressive specification sheet indeed; the only thing left out is a DVD burner, and this would be a full on Windows 8 laptop.

User Interface: 9 out 10

This tablet brings the familiarity of Windows desktops into the palm of your hands with little or no compromise. The only hard adjustment a user has to undertake is the new live tile feature that's used by Windows 8. Apart from that aspect, users will be happy to know that there are a lot of things Windows 8 have in common with Windows 7, and familiarity is a plus in most people's book.

Operating system: 9 out of 10

It's a full-functioning Windows 8 OS, which means that all your favorite applications that you grow to love on your desktop PC are able to be installed on this device with no hassle. That's one aspect Windows tablets will always have over Android and iOS devices.

Final thoughts

After a week with the Tab 5, I can see how a person wanting a lighter alternative to a laptop could make an easy transition to a Windows tablet, especially one that has all the features of this tablet. Wait … I just added an external DVD burner to the tablet and it works! Sweeeeet!

The Samsung ATIV Tab 5 is just an external DVD burner purchase away from being a solid laptop alternative.

The products mentioned in this article were provided courtesy of Royale Computers and Accessories. Telephone: 906-1067, 906-1068, and 754-5048.

Writer: Payton H. Wilmott