Smartphone manufacturers continue to explore ways to merge the capabilities of a handset and traditional computing devices. This is the primary reason why tablets proliferate today. They offer a combination of handset capabilities with traditional computing. As Samsung and Apple's rivalry continues, two new devices on the market now compete: the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 and the iPad Air. Which is better on which?

Design

The Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 is thin and made of plastic. It is a clear indication of Samsung's focus on targeting the high end market but not quite successful yet. It is not a bad design but comparing it with the design of iPad Air, Apple did better in this part. The iPad Air sports a fancy aluminum build that offers a premium feeling.

The Air is also more compact compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition. The Note measures 9.57 x 6.75 x 0.31 inches while the iPad Air measures 9.45 x 6.67 x 0.30 inches. The Air weights 478g while the Note weighs 547g. The difference in size and weight is evident. Technically, the iPad Air should be more comfortable to use.

There are also better button interaction with the iPad Air such as the power keys and the physical volume control. Nonetheless, there is an aspect on the Note's design that stands out better than the iPad - the microSD card slot. This is handy for users who wish to expand the memory of their tablet. There are SIM card slots on both devices. iPad Air works with the Nano SIM standard whereas the Note 10.1 deals with Micro SIM.

Display

There is a slight difference between the displays of these two tablets. The iPad Air features a 9.7-inch screen whereas the Samsung Note 10.1 features a 10.1-inch screen. The iPad Air sports the same impressive 2048 x 1536 pixels (264 ppi) Apple is known for. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is the winner in this because the screen comes with 2560 x 1600 pixels (299 ppi).

There is also a difference in the aspect ratio. The iPad offers a 4:3 aspect ratio assuring convenient reading and browsing. The Note 10.1, on the other hand, offers 16:9 which is ideal for video playback.

Performance and Functionality

The iPad Air runs on the iOS 7.0.3. It has a cheerful and colorful appearance. The UI is simpler compared to the TouchWiz found on the Samsung Galaxy Note. There is a multitasking mode, control center and notification as far as home screen is concerned.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition, on other hand, runs on Android 4.3. It features the Touch Wiz Nature X which is comparatively more complicated than the interface of iPad. People can work with many types of menus, widgets and alternative screen. It can take a while before people can feel at home with the device.