Samsung Ativ Tab
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 13, 1969 |
| Headquarters | Suwon , South Korea |
| Products | Consumer electronics, semiconductors, home appliances, tablets, smartphones |
| Website | www |
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The Samsung Ativ Tab is a 10.1-inch (26 cm) tablet developed and produced by Samsung Electronics. It was unveiled at the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA) on August 29, 2012. The device is equipped with a dual-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor and operates on the Windows RT platform.
Although Windows RT received mixed reactions compared to Windows 8, the Ativ Tab earned favorable feedback for its lightweight construction, compatibility with USB devices, and solid performance as an early Windows RT model. While the tablet launched in December 2012 in the United Kingdom, planned releases in Germany and the United States were ultimately cancelled due to lukewarm market response and challenges related to Windows RT's positioning.
Hardware
The Ativ Tab's construction closely resembles that of its Android-powered equivalents, like the Galaxy Note 10.1, featuring a blend of plastic and glass materials. Its design incorporates a micro HDMI port, a MicroSD card slot, and a standard USB port. Positioned along the top edge are the volume controls, power button, and headphone jack. Directly beneath the display sits a physical Windows button. On the bottom edge, there is a charging port alongside a dock connector. The tablet sports a 10.1-inch (26 cm) IPS screen with a resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels. Storage options include either 32 GB or 64 GB of built-in memory.
Availability
Initially, the Ativ Tab was slated for launch in the United Kingdom during November 2012, coinciding with the release of its Windows Phone 8 counterpart, the Samsung Ativ S. However, its debut was postponed until mid-December, with both devices eventually becoming available on December 14, 2012.
In January 2013, Samsung revealed it had decided to cancel the Ativ Tab’s release in the United States. The company attributed this decision to the ambiguous market positioning of the Windows RT platform, "modest" consumer interest in Windows RT products, and the considerable effort required to educate buyers about distinctions between Windows 8 and RT. Mike Abary, senior vice president overseeing Samsung’s U.S. PC and tablet divisions, also mentioned that the company struggled to manufacture the Ativ Tab at its intended price point—an affordable cost was meant to be a key advantage for Windows RT devices. Additionally, Samsung reportedly planned to withdraw the Ativ Tab from Germany and other unspecified European markets for comparable reasons.
Reception
During a demonstration at IFA, TechRadar commended the Ativ Tab’s sharp display, lightweight build, and expandability through its USB port and MicroSD slot. Nonetheless, they noted that although its processor delivered decent responsiveness, it "was not on par with the Galaxy Note 2."
Anandtech observed that while the Ativ Tab could not fully replace a traditional laptop due to ARM processors’ performance limitations and a somewhat hurried operating system experience, it represented a "well executed" effort for an initial Windows RT device. Positive attributes included its relatively quick performance, battery endurance, and portability—though its design was described as "nothing particularly new or exciting." The Qualcomm APQ8060A chipset powering the tablet was regarded as the most capable processor available for Windows RT at that time, offering performance that was adequate and "surprisingly competitive" compared to rival Windows RT hardware. The rear camera was evaluated as average—not notably poor nor impressive—and critics also pointed out the absence of a keyboard accessory compatible with its dock connector.