My Computer Mechanic

Something Better than an IPad for Christmas? Consider a Galaxy Tab.

If you are thinking about getting an Apple iPad for yourself or a loved one this Christmas, you may want to think about getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab. Black Friday, November 26th this year, may be the perfect time to get it cheap. (Cheap is not something that has been associated with the Apple iPad.)

The reviews are in and the Samsung Galaxy Tab is a hit. Most reviewers see the Galaxy Tab as a credible competitor to the iPad. Reviewers don't appear to be bothered by the Galaxy's smaller size compared to the Apple iPad; most say the screen is better than you would expect. The Galaxy has a few advantages over the current iPad. Namely, the Galaxy Tab has front and rear-facing cameras, Adobe Flash for viewing online video, and multitasking. Just like the Apple iPad, the Galaxy Tab can use almost any Android app, and just blows it up to account for the bigger screen. Despite some complaints - even the Apple iPad has some "problems" - almost all of the reviewers said the Galaxy Tab was a good device and workable alternative to the Apple iPad. Most important, look at it and try it out for yourself before buying.

Sprint and Verizon are offering $50 discounts on the tablet device at several national retailers, according to company statements and leaked Black Friday circulars.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab is being hailed as the first credible competitor to the Apple iPad. The device features a 7-inch (diagonal) screen with a 1024 X 600 pixel resolution, 3.2 megapixel rear-facing camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video chat, 1 Ghz processor, and 2GB on-board memory with a SD card slot that supports up to 32GB for a total of 34GB or memory. The Tab is running Android OS 2.2 and is Adobe Flash-compatible.

A $50 price drop may not be as steep a cut as the reported $100 price drop for the $399 iPad at TJ Maxx. But, a deal is a deal. (Ask my wife, the best price shopper in our family.)

Here is the latest and best intelligence on Samsung Galaxy Tab pricing on Black Friday.

RADIO SHACK:

Radio Shack announced November 18th that it will sell Sprint's version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab for $349 instant savings (that means no mail-in rebate) plus a two-year data plan. You can take advantage of RadioShack's Black Friday pricing starting November 21st at RadioShack.com or your local Radio Shack store.

OFFICE MAX:

BFads.net has a clipping that is supposedly from Office Max's Black Friday flyer showing the same $349 Galaxy Tab deal from Sprint. It's not clear if this is a mail-in rebate or instant discount offer. Office Max doesn't appear to have the Galaxy Tab in its inventory online, so don't count on this deal just yet. But Office Max customers should keep their eye on Office Max just in case.

BEST BUY:

Many Black Friday sites have been circulating what is supposedly Best Buy's Black Friday door buster flyer for some time. Just like Radio Shack, Best Buy will purportedly be offering the same deal as Radio Shack - a $349 Samsung Galaxy Tab from Sprint. Best Buy may also be cutting Verizon's contract-free Galaxy Tab down to $549 from $599. It's not clear if Best Buy's deals are mail-in rebates, and purchases are limited to four devices per customer. It is important to note that Best Buy has yet to confirm these deals.

Samsung is bullish about the Galaxy's prospects and said it hopes to sell one million Galaxy Tab devices worldwide by the end of 2010. Recently, the Android Smartphone has been outselling Apple's iPhone, so the technology behind the Galaxy is here to stay.

Happy Christmas Shopping!