[Galaxy Note 10.1 General] Nakel:
I've had two Note 10.1s (8013) and three firmwares.

Shipped firmware: When i first got my note I only was on this a day or so before I updated to the now pulled first OTA. So I didn't get to know this firmware. Later, with my second Note I was stuck on the shipped firmware for a few weeks. I didn't like it. Laggy and buggy. I can see why people checking out a Note 10.1 in a store might not like it if it has this firmware.

First OTA: Pretty darn nice. I like this better than my wife's Ipad3, and so does she. One main gripe for me, kind of twitchy on scrolling through webpages. Still a better experience overall than an Ipad.

Current OTA Firmware (LI3): Wow: very, very, nice. Everything smooth and buttery. The only time it gets laggy is after I've had too many apps open. Then I go into Task Manager and clear memory: everything is back to butter. Point: I gotta do the same thing with the Ipad. At least the Note gives you the option to close apps completely. (Go to "Developer Options" in settings.) I don't check that in settings because I find it very convenient to have all the apps open in the background. It's worth it to me to clear memory once a day. if it annoys you, just check "Settings/Developer Options/Do Not Keep Activities". OK, here comes the heresy, burn me at the stake. I really don't care about the Jelly Bean update and when it will come. I'm extremely happy with the Note 10.1 just the way it is. Sure, I'll upgrade when it comes. But only after reports here are good. I'm in no rush.

I'm not sure why this myth about apps for the Ipad is still around. Sure, when the xoom first came out it was true. But now, I can't think of a single app--that would actually be useful to me--available for the Ipad that an equivalent isn't available for the Note 10.1. Just the opposite, I've got a number of apps on the Note that aren't available for the Ipad. OK, I can think of ONE app that's on the Ipad that won't be available for another month on the Note 10.1. (Streaming to tablet from Tivo.) But lots of great apps on my Note will NEVER be available on the Ipad.

The Ipad is a great machine, as long as you don't mind being locked into the Apple content universe and all of it's DRM. If the Ipad will do--or if Apple lets it do it--what you want to do, it's very nice. Lots of great accessories. It's no easier than using a Note 10.1 though. For a lot of things, it's harder to use. Try and watch a movie you already purchased--not from Apple--on an Ipad. You can do it, but it is a PITA.Pretty easy on the Note 10.1. Why is it a PITA on the Ipad? Because Apple WANTS it to be. They don't want you watching your own content, they want you to buy it from them. It's REALLY easy to do that. It's good marketing; it's made Apple the biggest company in the world. Lots of people--obviously--would rather just buy the movie again rather than using a one click solution like DVDfab to transfer content they already own.

The typical Apple buyer: Is willing to accept the limitations that Apple cripples their machines with in order to get

a. The "coolness" factor that Apple marketing has developed.

b. Is happy being locked into the Apple universe and it's draconian DRM

c. Has no idea how to transfer their own content and is happy to purchase everything from Apple.

d. Is willing to accept limitations, heavier weight, lack of flash and slower performance to get higher resolution.

If this is you, buy an Ipad.

The Typical Note 10.1 buyer might be any of these:

a. Wants to easily transfer their own content to their tablet.

b. Doesn't like DRM

c. Doesn't like being told what apps they can and can not load on their own private property.

d. Wants leading edge technology now instead of it being withheld on purpose to force upgrades later.

e. Wants to be able to swap memory cards rather than buy a tablet with more memory so Apple can make more money.

f. Prefers lighter weight and greater performance over higher resolution.

g. Prefers more useful apps to more total apps.

h. Wants access to the file system so they can organize their data/content the way they want to and in a way that can easily transfer between a PC, a tablet, a smartphone or a mac.

If any of these describe you, buy a Note 10.1