SAMSUNG ATIV PC PRO

If anyone should know how to make a Windows 8 tablet PC, it should be Samsung. Not only did the company see some success with its last Windows-powered device, their Series 7 Slate PC, but it also gained experience with the Android-based Galaxy Note II and Galaxy Note 10.1. The Windows 8-based Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T blends some of the top features of its previous tablets and smartphones into a 11-inch Windows 8 device. This $1,199 tablet features a fast Core i5 CPU, a built-in S Pen, and a bevy of apps to facilitate content creation. Read on to find out whether the Pro 700T is worth the expense.

 DESIGN

Made from high-density plastic, the black rear panel of the Pro 700T looks attractive and provided a decentgrip. Although it feels somewhat slippery, the panel does an excellent job of keeping smudge marks at bay. A 5-MP camera sits along the top left side of the panel above a set of four large vents. A chrome Samsung insignia sits in the center, adding a bit of flair.
The handsome Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T has a few subtle design elements that separate it from other tablets on the market. Most notable are the slim black speaker grilles on either side of the display. A Samsung logo sits in the glossy top bezel, below a 2-megapixel camera. The bottom bezel holds a chrome-lined Home button, emblazoned with the Windows 8 insignia. The rear bottom right corner of the tablet holds a dock for the S-Pen.

 

A USB 3.0 port and a microSD slot -- both of which have plastic covers -- sit along the top of the tablet. Here also is a headphone/microphone jack, buttons for power and rotation lock and another heat vent. The right side of the Pro 700T holds a Micro-HDMI port and a volume rocker. The port for the power adapter sits on the bottom of the tablet along with a pair of slots to connect the Pro 700T to its keyboard dock, and a magnetic connector. While we like all of its connectivity options, the 700T doesn't look as sleek as tablets such as the Microsoft Surface Pro.