Samsung Ativ Tab P8510 Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Design and Build

The Samsung Ativ Tab P8510 has a sleek and minimalist design that was quite appealing at its time of release. With dimensions of 265.8 x 168.1 x 8.9 mm and a weight of 570 grams, it offers a solid build that feels premium and durable. The device was designed without SIM support, reflecting its primary use as a Wi-Fi enabled tablet rather than a cellular device.

Display

The tablet features a 10.1-inch PLS LCD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The screen offers vibrant colors and decent viewing angles, which makes it suitable for media consumption. However, with a pixel density of approximately 155 ppi, the display is not as sharp as some of its competitors, but it was adequate for standard usage scenarios of the period.

Performance and Platform

Under the hood, the Samsung Ativ Tab P8510 is powered by a Qualcomm APQ8090A chipset with a Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU and an Adreno 305 GPU. It is equipped with 2GB of RAM, making multitasking relatively smooth for its time. The device runs on Microsoft Windows RT, a version of the Windows 8 operating system optimized for ARM architecture. This OS enables access to Microsoft Office applications and other RT-specific apps through the Windows Store, though it was limited in terms of app availability.

Memory and Storage

The Ativ Tab P8510 comes in two storage variants: 32GB and 64GB, which can be further expanded via a microSDXC card slot. This feature provides users with flexibility in managing their files and applications, especially useful given the limited internal storage capacity.

Camera Quality

The device is equipped with a 5 MP autofocus rear camera that features an LED flash, providing basic photography capabilities. It supports video recording at 720p@30fps. The front camera is a modest 1.9 MP, which can be used for video calls and selfies, though with limited image quality. While not designed primarily for photography, these cameras are sufficient for casual use.

Battery Life

The Samsung Ativ Tab P8510 is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 8200 mAh battery. This substantial capacity provides an impressive battery life, with up to 12 hours of usage for multimedia consumption, making it ideal for extended use without frequent recharging. This was a significant advantage for users interested in entertainment and productivity on the go.

Connectivity and Other Features

Connectivity options are abundant, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with dual-band and Wi-Fi Direct support, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS and S-GPS for navigation, and NFC for convenient wireless communication. The device lacks cellular connectivity and a radio, but it includes a USB 2.0 with OTG support for peripheral connectivity. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack also allows use with a range of audio devices.

Sensors

The Ativ Tab P8510 is equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope, and grip sensor, enhancing the overall user experience by allowing for immersive interactions in various applications and games.

Pricing and Availability

Upon release, the device was priced at approximately 440 EUR. It was announced in October 2012 and released in November of the same year. However, the Ativ Tab P8510 has since been discontinued, largely due to the evolution of mobile operating systems and hardware advancements.

User Experience and Reception

When it was released, the Samsung Ativ Tab P8510 received a mixed reception. The hardware was lauded for its build quality and battery life, but the limitations of the Windows RT operating system were a significant drawback for many users. The scarcity of applications in the Windows Store and the inability to run traditional Windows desktop applications reduced its appeal compared to other tablets running more versatile operating systems. Despite these drawbacks, the tablet could serve as a productive tool for users invested in the Microsoft ecosystem who needed a device primarily for office applications and media consumption.

Conclusion

The Samsung Ativ Tab P8510 represented an interesting attempt by Samsung to bridge the gap between tablets and laptops. While it had strong points in terms of design and battery life, the limitations due to its operating system impacted its success in the market. Nonetheless, it remains a part of the evolutionary journey of tablets in the early 2010s, providing insights into consumer preferences and technological directions during that time.