[Galaxy Note 10.1 General] dale_cooper:
More of my thoughts....

I don't really get lag when using the device, its only the homescreen shutter that is annoying at times (it should be buttery smooth, but touchwiz is an overbearing beast of a UI). I definitely checked to make sure I was on to the most current FW and that no system updates were available. However, I did see that I was in power saving mode - so I turned that crap off.... The more I use the note the more I like it because of its functionality (multi screen, overlay apps, s-pen, etc). The screen resolution is a bit of a turn off only when looking at web pages in my opinion - images are pixelated.

Let me tell you guys why a general consumer wouldn't like the note, and why I am still considering an iPad.

Apps or polish of those apps - I still disagree and say that ios apps are definitely more polished. Sure you can say that the ipad is a toy, but the reality is that there are wayyyyyyyy more business and education applications on it. Android can get away without super hgih quality apps on a phone but on a tablet, in my mind the useability completely hinges on really clean and useful apps, because otherwise I'm just gonna use a small laptop. The entire framework of iOs is more polished than what samsung has done with touchwiz. Everything is cleaner and smoother. Sure you can't do as much on iOs (especially in comparison to what samsung has done) but with those limitations comes a very smooth experience that doesn't change is pretty reliable all of the time. As a consumer who appreciates detail, I am more and more impressed by how apple presents information and "just makes it work" even if its simplistic.... If I'm a person who walks into best buy and uses the note, I'd think it was trash, especially for $500!!! And it is completely samsung's fault for loading up a ridiculous amount of widgets out of the factory which make the device lag and seem cluttered and messy in general.

Hardware - similar to the attention to detail in UI, the hardware attention to detail on the note is pathetic. I'm sorry but for a $500 device, the note's hardware sucks. It has zero premium feel. In contrast to the ipad, or even other android devices (which are the same price!!) - the plastic flexes, it gets scratches easily, its an absolute finger print magnet, and the plastic is incredibbbbbly slick (I hate how slick it is). I feel a good quality case (like the oem book cover) would hide the weirdness I have with the plastic and feel of the device in general. Again though, how as a consumer do you not appreciate the steps that apple takes to make the connection between user and software (the hardware) really feel GOOD. Google completely understands this with the nexus line - the nexus 7 is a premium feeling tablet, how did that happen, well google cared enough to actually provide a good experience for the end user (because they konw they have to in light of apple's premium feeling hardware). The upcoming nexus 10, made by our same manufacturer - samsung, APPEARS to be wayyyyyyy more premium looking and feeling. Why does samsung need another group to push them to this? Its annoying.

I LOVE the concept of the note: increased functionality through s-pen, multiscreen, multitaskign. No other tablet offers that. The execution though both in hardware and software is just average. So at this point do I deal with what I consider a beta execution, or do I go to a device that is PREMIUM right now (albeit missing the inherent functionality of note). What am I saying, I wish google would create a nexus note (utilizing s-pen, multitasking, etc), where we have a party involved that CARES about user experience - cares about delivering a product out of the box that looks awesome, feels awesome, has no lag and just works without CLUTTER. The market is too competitive to let manufacturers "slide" for not living up to their potential and being lazy. I completely understand the average or poor reviews of the note now - the concept and ideas samsung has introduced is awesome. Execution is just ok.

May jump to ipad (cause I do want to have some sort of ios device, and my htc one s isn't going anywhere from a phone perspective); may jump to nexus 10 for the screen and vanilla android (which I've always appreciated); or may decide, 10" tablet is too big to hold and be comfortable when there are such slim ultrabook laptops on the market.

Kind of a rant but hopefully it helps out people looking at buying a note.