Samsung Galaxy Book sets its heigts on the Microsoft Surface

One of the latest noteworthy contenders is the Samsung Galaxy Book. Announced at Mobile World Congress 2017, the Windows 10 tablet comes in 10- and 12-inch models, and both are bundled with a detachable keyboard cover and S-Pen stylus.
And yes, Microsoft's Surface Pro line still requires you to buy the keyboard separately.

Bigger is better

The 12-inch Samsung Galaxy Book is a higher-end version with top-shelf specs. It features a crazy-sharp super-AMOLED screen and one of Intel's latest low-voltage Kaby Lake processors. At 7.4mm thick, it's very thin for a large tablet, even with the added thickness of the keyboard cover.

• 2,160x1,440-pixel resolution
• 3.1GHz dual-core seventh-gen Intel Core i5
• 4GB or 8GB RAM
• 128GB or 256GB of storage
• MicroSD card slot expandable up to 256GB
• LTE models available
• Two USB-Type C ports

The smaller, 10-inch model of the Samsung Galaxy Book isn't exactly chopped liver, however. It's actually pretty comparable to the $899 entry-level Surface Pro 4, with a similar processor and full-HD screen. Although seeing them in person, the AMOLED screen on the larger version blows this one away.

• 1,920x1,280-pixel resolution
• 2.6GHz dual-core seventh-gen Intel Core m3
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB or 128GB storage
• MicroSD card slot expandable up to 256GB
• LTE models available
• USB-Type C port

Successful accessorizing

The Microsoft Surface is a great tablet-hybrid because it totally nails a productivity-centered design that's both powerful and compact. By including the detachable keyboard and S-Pen stylus in the Galaxy Book's base price, Samsung aims for the same target, but as a complete out-of-the-box solution. (With the Surface, you get the pen in the box, but the keyboard is sold separately.) 

The S-Pen has a precise tip made out of rubber to feel more like drawing on paper. It supports tilt, for thicker lines when drawing at an angle, and doesn't require any charging. Flat sides help prevent it from rolling off your desk and a built-in clip is supposed to help you safely store it.

 It's small, comfortable to grip (not too skinny) and the rubber tip gracefully glided across the glass screen the way my favorite ballpoint pen smoothly slides on paper. Unfortunately, there isn't a place on the tablet or keyboard to easily store the S-Pen.