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Samsung ATIV Smart PC review

6/10 AVG.
RATING
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Samsung ATIV Smart PC
Samsung ATIV Smart PC
Samsung ATIV Smart PC
Samsung ATIV Smart PC
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6/10
Informr score
The Samsung ATIV Smart PC currently has an Informr score of 6 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 9 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

Samsung’s ATIV Smart PC 500T is an 11.6”, Windows 8 hybrid laptop/tablet. Samsung notes that the 500T “runs the programs you need on a Windows 8 operating system in a sleek, lightweight form.”It runs on a pair of 1.8GHz Intel Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. You can choose either the WiFi only version or the LTE version. According to Tom’s Hardware, the 64GB is “just not enough space” noting that while the tablet technically has 64GB, “a little more than 51 GB is user-accessible. And, once Windows 8 is installed, you're only left with 39 GB…” Aside from lack of storage space, many reviewers have had some lag issues.

The ATIV Smart PC 500T offers regular tablet mode and desktop mode. Gizmodo noticed that while there were very few issues in tablet mode there are serious issues in desktop mode noting that “The machine is totally unusable while it's downloading something in desktop mode…the touchscreen barely recognizes input. Dragging something around the screen will stutter for a few pixels at a time, lose track of your finger, and then all of a sudden catch up at once…” WPCentral mentions that for the most part, the keyboard is unnecessary as the 500T comes with a Wacom Digitizer and S-Pen for handwriting. According to the site, the “S-Pen is quite fun to use…” and allows consumers to use the Ativ Smart PC 500T as “just a tablet.”

Using the 500T as a tablet poses its own problems. PC World notes that the size of the tablet makes handling it awkward and goes on to mention that “in landscape mode (sideways, as you might view a laptop screen), reaching parts of the screen is difficult when holding the tablet with two hands. But in one-handed mode, the tablet seems unbalanced and tiring to hold. When used in portrait mode, the screen seems to tall and not wide enough.” The screen does, however, have an excellent resolution of 1366 x 768 and Hot Hardware notes that at max brightness the screen “is sharp and colors are vibrant.” In addition, most reviewers agree that the touch screen is very responsive.

In general, reviewers are split on the ATIV Smart PC 500T. Windows Phone Central commends the tablet saying that it is “solid [and] well-built.” Other reviewers are more critical. Extreme Tech notes that “far too much of what’s billed as basic functionality doesn’t work or comes with caveats.”

The Good: Easy handwriting capabilities with S-Pen, excellent display resolution and brightness, responsive touch screen.

The Bad: Awkward size for handling, lag issues in desktop mode when downloading files, limited onboard storage.


Windows
Operating system
Operating system
Windows
1.8 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.8 GHz
11.6"
Screen Size
Screen Size
11.6"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
4080 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


appPicker
appPicker

The Snow Fitness Workouts app for your iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone gives users a way to get in shape for ski season. This is a basic offering that is clean, easy to navigate, and contains a number of easy-to-follow exercises.

- appPicker team, appPicker
WMExperts
WMExperts

I’ve have/had the Acer W510 and Surface RT to compare this device too and while each has their advantages, the Samsung ATIV Smart PC tablet is quite impressive. Look, Samsung knows how to make hardware and while this device is very “plastic” it’s also a very comfortable 1.65l...

- Daniel Rubino, WMExperts
Tech Central
Tech Central

Overall, it’s hard to recommend the Ativ given the slow processor and lack of RAM. And when coupled with the keyboard, the Ativ is not much lighter than a regular laptop, and certainly heavier than many Ultrabooks. We think most consumers would be better off buying a proper workhorse of a lapt...

- Craig Wilson, Tech Central
Digital Trends
Digital Trends

For customers looking for a Windows 8 tablet with good performance, long battery life, and a dock that turns it into a laptop, the Smart PC Pro should be on the top of your list. If you’re just looking for a Windows 8 machine and don’t care about having a tablet, an Ultrabook is still the better ove...

- K. T. Bradford, Digital Trends
AnandTech
AnandTech

The ATIV Smart PC is a decent tablet, and taken on its own it’s a good device. But there are some really key missteps that were made with the hardware—design, build quality, and display. Given the cost and overall usability of the device, it’s possible to overlook these flaws, but...

- Vivek Gowri, AnandTech


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Quick view

Screen Size
11.6"

The Samsung ATIV Smart PC's screen size is 11.6 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1.8 GHz

There is a Intel Atom Z2760 Dual core 1.8 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
8+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 8+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
64 GB

Internal memory is 64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
4080mAh

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 4080 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 6.5 days standby time, 7 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

ATIV Smart PC Specs

Overview
Release Date November 12, 2012
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Windows Smartphones

Processor Intel Atom Z2760 Dual core 1.8 GHz
Internal Storage 64 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Body: 0.565 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Micro-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Yes
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, RealVideo, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel density 135 pixels
Size 11.6 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 4080 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 3 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 6 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 7 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 6.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Misty Blue
Dimensions [H x W x D] 18.9 x 30.4 x 1.0 cm (7.4 x 12 x 0.4 in)
Weight 748 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader No
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
DLNA Support: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, MP4, AAC, AIFF, WMA, WAV, M4A
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, RealVideo, AVI
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS
Games: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Samsung XE500T1C
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung ATIV Smart PC Reviews
Where to buy Samsung ATIV Smart PC
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