Samsung unveiled a new 2-in-1 tablet, called the Galaxy Book, at Mobile World Congress 2017. It is a Windows 10 device that comes bundled with a stylus and keyboard case.
Samsung said that the Galaxy Book is designed “to offer mobile professionals a productivity powerhouse that allows them to maximize their efficiency whenever and wherever they wish.”
With the Galaxy Book, Samsung is taking aim at Microsoft Surface Pro.
Let’s take a look at specs of the Galaxy Book.
Samsung Galaxy Book
The Galaxy Book is available in two sizes. One with a 10.6-inch screen and one with a 12-inch screen.
Featuring a full metal design, the device is thin and lightweight. Its keyboard cover is available in black or white. The curved, island-style keys are well spaced to reduce typos and feature an adjustable backlight. The cover allows users to prop up the screen at various angles.
Both Galaxy Book models are powered by seventh-generation Intel Core processors.
The 10.6-inch model comes equipped with 4GB of RAM and a choice of 64GB or 128GB of storage. There are two options for the 12-inch model: 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or an 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The 12-inch model’s Super AMOLED display and the 10.6-inch edition’s TFT screen both support 4K video playback. Samsung claims that their batteries charge fast and provide up to 10 hours of power for the 10.6-inch model and up to 10.5 hours for the 12-inch.
“Combining powerful, PC-level performance with the signature convenience of the S Pen, Samsung’s Galaxy Book 2-in-1 device is less of a tablet and more of a highly portable personal computer,” Samsung said.
Samsung Galaxy Book vs. Microsoft Surface Pro 4
According to the reviewers, the Galaxy Book is a strong competitor of the Microsoft Surface Pro 4.
The Galaxy Book is much more similar to the Surface Pro tablets, according to a review published on PC Advisor by Jim Martin.
There is no word from Samsung on price or availability of the Galaxy Book. So “we can compare the Galaxy Book with the Surface Pro 4 only on specs currently,” writes Martin.
But one thing that is safe to assume that the Galaxy Book will not be more expensive than the equivalent model from Microsoft.
Looking at specs, it seems that the Galaxy Book will be powerful than the Surface Pro 4.
The first notable difference is the Galaxy Book comes bundled with a stylus and keyboard case. But people have to separately buy a keyboard for the Microsoft Surface Pro 4.
Unlike the Surface Pro 4, the Galaxy Book sports the USB-C ports and the latest generation of Intel Core processor. But we are expecting significant improvements in the upcoming Surface Pro 5. Microsoft is rumored to be working on the Surface Pro 5, which might arrive in the third quarter. Rumors suggest that Microsoft will add the latest processor and other features to the Surface Pro 5.
According to Martin of PC Advisor, it is “too early to give a verdict on which of these 2-in-1s is best.”
“Much will depend upon how Samsung prices the Galaxy Book models, and then how they stack up against the equivalent Surface Pro,” Martin writes.
