Samsung's iPad Mini Alternative Is Actually Pretty Good

Editor's Note: The awarding of Mashable Choice to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 applies only to the 8-inch model.

If Samsung's aim was to supply cheaper alternatives to Apple's iPad and iPad mini as a way of gaining elusive tablet market share, it succeeded with its recent 10.1- and 8-inch Tab 3 tablets. But when I say "cheaper," I mean inferior for one of the Tab 3s and merely "less expensive" for the other.

Three feature additions mark this third generation of Samsung tablets (which also includes a 7-inch model that we didn't get a chance to test):

1. The company has finally ditched its ridiculous proprietary charge/sync jack in favor of the near-universal microUSB.

2. An IR emitter and the company's WatchON program guide app lets you use the tablet as an advanced TV remote.

3. The addition of a few of the most prominent features from its popular Galaxy S4 smartphones. Read more...