by Hadrian Ang

Source: focusnusantara.com

Just like us students, a lot of our teachers have their own favorite gadgets, which they use for a variety of things. Miss Jessica Sugay, or Ma’am Jess, as most of us know her, likes to use her Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 2(GT-P3100), which is an upgrade from her previous tablet, a Samsung Galaxy Tab (GT-P1000).

When the first Galaxy Tab was released in 2010, most considered it the first actual Android tablet as most attempts before it were complete failures. Running on Android 2.2 then 2.3, it was one of the devices which have led to the Android tablets we use today. Last year, Samsung released a follow-up product in the form of the GT-P3100. The P3100 keeps the same 7-inch screen with a 1024×600 resolution, but was released with Android 4.0(now upgradeable to 4.1). The P3100 steps things up, however, as it now comes with a capable, dual-core 1GHz TI OMAP 4430 processor. With specifications comparable to other high-end Android tablets such as the Asus Nexus 7, the P3100 is quite a competitive device.

Ma’am Jess upgraded to the Galaxy Tab 7.0 2 because she prefers the 7-inch form factor compared to the bigger 8.9 or 10.1 inch devices (such as the other Galaxy Tabs) or the smaller 5+inch ones (such as the Note II). She says it’s “thinner, lighter and faster,” than her previous Galaxy Tab and it also offers a customizable user experience. One of the things she likes about the device is the included cellular radio as she is able to use the country’s 3G networks to stay connected all the time.

Source: theverge.com

Due to its capable hardware, the P3100 can be put to a wide range of applications. Ma’am Jess usually uses hers for watching videos, posting on social networks (Facebook, Twitter), using messaging services (WhatsApp, TextFree), sending e-mails, playing games, reading e-books, and searching for maps and directions.

Not everything is perfect though as some useful features, such as installing apps on the device’s external memory, have been excluded from the more recent versions of Android. Aside from this, there may be problems with peripheral compatibility as the keyboard dock that Ma’am Jess purchased for her first Galaxy Tab cannot be used with the new one. Ma’am Jess also prefers not to use it as a phone, despite the hardware allowing it.

Despite its few flaws, Ma’am Jess recommends the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 to anyone who would need an all-around, multi-purpose device. Overall, it is a good product and she would suggest it to anyone who needs something for e-mails, videos, e-books, social networks and other applications needed on-the-go.