Samsung Ativ Tab Hands-On

Key Features:

1.5GHz dual-core processor

5 megapixel camera

Windows RT

10.1in screen (1,366 x 768)

570g/8.9mm thick

32GB/64GB storage

With Windows 8 and RT going on sale next month, Samsung used its vast presence at the IFA trade show in Berlin to announce the Ativ Tab, a 10.1in tablet running the new Microsoft operating system.

Sharing its basic design and screen size with the Galaxy Note 10.1, and following closely in the footsteps of the Ativ Smart PC, the Ativ Tab is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and features a 5-megapixel rear camera, 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera and either 32GB or 64GB of storage.

IBTimes UK managed to get a first look at the Ativ Tab at Samsung's IFA booth and immediately noticed how thin, light and portable the Windows RT tablet is - weighing 570g, it's around 80g lighter than the new iPad and at 8.9mm, it's slightly thinner than the Apple tablet, too.

The screen resolution is 1,366 x 768 and, while not offering the Retina resolution of the new iPad, we found the Ativ Tab to deliver bright, crisp colours, while feedback to our touch inputs was good.

Because the Samsung Ativ Tab runs the touch-optimised Windows RT, which is more limited than the full-fat Windows 8 system, we expect the Tab to be cheaper than devices running the full version, such as Samsung's Ativ Smart PC.

Although apps can only be downloaded from the included Microsoft Marketplace, the Tab will come bundled with a preview of Microsoft Office 2013, so you can work on Word and Excel documents on the go.

Samsung has given the Ativ Tab a similar back to the Galaxy S3 and newly announced Galaxy Note 2, which means glossy plastic is the order of the day, making it feel somewhat cheap - although we were pleased to see that the tablet didn't heat up too much under intensive use.

This is probably thanks to the many vents covering the back; they certainly aren't attractive but if they keep the tablet cool then that's fine by us.

The issue for us here is that the Ativ Tab must strike a careful balance between price and performance.

Samsung has to be mindful not to price the Ativ Tab too highly, as it's not a fully-fledged Windows machine and will have stiff competition from Microsoft's own Surface tablet right out of the gate.

The South Korean company is yet to announce a price or specific release date for the Ativ Tab, but with Windows 8 and RT coming out in late October, we are expecting to see the Tab go on sale around then.