Thinking of Buying a Note - are they any good?

[Guest peterx666]

I am looking for a new phone and am thinking about buying a Galaxy Note

Are they any good?

Do they live up to the hype?

Where is the cheapest place to get an unlocked phone

Comment appreciated

pete

[Guest angamb]

Buy one... you will not regret it.

Amazing stunning super bright HD OLED screen that's perfect for watching video, playing games, web browsing to name a few. The S-Pen is not only good for writing/drawing and selecting text, but is great on games where fat fingers are in the way! It has a really good camera, great battery life and is light, slim and beautiful.

My only criticism is the lack of a notification LED. Samsung don't seem to like these on any of their phones.

If you Google reviews on the Note, you will see 95% positive conclusions of how awesome this phone is. I think the only negativity that comes through is about how big the phone is which sounds backwards - but basically some might find it too big for one reason or another. But I can tell you after owning mine since November 2011, I have become so accustomed to how much of an advantage the size is, that I cannot see myself ever buying a device with a smaller screen.

For the record, you DON'T look dumb holding the phone to your ear on a call. I have tested it out on many people who state they don't notice it and certainly don't think I look foolish.

As for price.. depends where you are in the world. There are excellent comparison websites purely for mobile phones and I got mine on contract, unlocked and free for a £35 a month inc 1Gb data.

What you waiting for? Go get one!

[Guest Dr Who]

In a similar vein I am looking at this phone but I have a particular niche use and I was wondering if anyone could comment about suitability.

I commute and I want to work more easily than I do now. Currently I use my laptop and tether through my android phone (barnacle). However, it is often annoying to try and use my laptop (it can be cramped, takes a while to boot, battery life, etc, etc) but I don't want to add complexity to my life by carrying my laptop, a phone and a tablet. So the Note sounds appealing. However my biggest need is to be able to open word documents and pdfs and to review them, making changes to the text and crucially adding reviewer comments/notes. I am happy to do this via handwriting or text typing, whichever is faster. How realistic is it to use the Note for this?

Anyone know where I can get a hands-on in London?

[Guest angamb]

In a similar vein I am looking at this phone but I have a particular niche use and I was wondering if anyone could comment about suitability.

I commute and I want to work more easily than I do now. Currently I use my laptop and tether through my android phone (barnacle). However, it is often annoying to try and use my laptop (it can be cramped, takes a while to boot, battery life, etc, etc) but I don't want to add complexity to my life by carrying my laptop, a phone and a tablet. So the Note sounds appealing. However my biggest need is to be able to open word documents and pdfs and to review them, making changes to the text and crucially adding reviewer comments/notes. I am happy to do this via handwriting or text typing, whichever is faster. How realistic is it to use the Note for this?

Anyone know where I can get a hands-on in London?

There are a number of office suites compatible with the Note but it comes with Polaris built in and I have to say is one of the best to do what you are seeking. There is also an app available through Samsung App Store that allows annotation to PDF files using the S-Pen.

With it's large screen, it does make it easy to work on than a phone. Obviously a laptop is better but as you point out it isn't so portable.

I think Carphone Warehouse is your best bet to see one in action.

[Guest Dr Who]

There are a number of office suites compatible with the Note but it comes with Polaris built in and I have to say is one of the best to do what you are seeking. There is also an app available through Samsung App Store that allows annotation to PDF files using the S-Pen.

With it's large screen, it does make it easy to work on than a phone. Obviously a laptop is better but as you point out it isn't so portable.

I think Carphone Warehouse is your best bet to see one in action.

Many thanks for the prompt reply Angamb. I managed to get a bit of time on one this morning and I was........disappointed.

The function I need for Word documents is track changes (and the ability to add Comments). These functions are entirely absent in Polaris as far as I could see. The best I could do was either to change the text myself (but with no function to show the text was changed) or to use the stylus to create an s-memo then, clunkily, insert this into the document. Absolutely no use for what I want to do. I didn't look for the .pdf app you mentioned.

The phone itself I thought seemed OK - I didn't feel it would be too big for me to carry in my pocket or to make calls from without looking like a berk.

I have just done a quick search and it is suggested that a new piece of software (currently in public beta) might do what I need

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/04/02/softmaker-office-mobile-2012-for-android-now-in-public-beta/

Or possibly the full version of Documents To Go

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/235744/the_best_office_alternatives_for_android_tablets.html

Unfortunately I only have the free version so I can't have a look. Seems a bit risky buying the device without knowing whether it can do what I need, or how easily, although I could always use a 7-day return to send it back.

[Guest peterx666]

Thanks Guys......

On your advice have now purchased a NOTE and WOW! it does everything can can ever be asked of a phone or a tablet

Love it!

pete

[Guest smethrony]

Samsung is at the top one company producing mobiles. The Galaxy series is the awesome. The galaxy Note has achieved best phone ever tag all over the world. It is the best thing that you are going to buy this phone. You will enjoy using this phone and its Applications.

[Guest angamb]

There is a very strong indication that the Note version 2 is to be announced this month (August) and I for one will be trading in my Note 1 for it, may be best to wait to see if it emerges before splashing out as the predicted specs are going to blow the competition out the water!