Samsung Galaxy TabPro S Review: A Premium, Ultra-Thin Windows Convertible

We run several tests to help us gauge a tablet’s ability to handle computing tasks that range from light duty workloads (like web browsing and messaging) to intensive taks (audio encoding and video editing, for example).

Lame MT
Audio Encoding on Skylake Mobile

In this test, we created our own 223MB WAV file and then converted it to the MP3 format using the multi-thread capable LAME MT tool, in both single and multi-thread modes. This is what we would consider a "lightly-threaded" benchmark test since it technically only makes use of two simultaneous threads for processing.

Run times are recorded below, listed in seconds. Shorter times equate to better performance.

galaxy tabpro S lame mt

The Core m3-6Y30 processor struggled a bit with both the multi-threaded and single-threaded tests here. Score like this highlight what might be an issue for some customers: The Galaxy TabPro S is available in only one configuration at this time, which includes a low-power Core m3 CPU. If you want more horsepower, you’ll need to look at a different device.

SunSpider JavaScript Benchmark
JavaScript Performance Testing

SunSpider is a well-known JavaScript benchmark. The test is designed for comparing browsers (and versions of the same browser) to each other, so it’s worth pointing out that the browser itself has an impact on scores.

galaxy tabpro S sunspider

The Galaxy TabPro S pulled ahead of the Dell XPS 12 in this test. Although it fell behind many of the other systems we’ve tested, the system provided a very reasonable score.

PCMark 8
Productivity and System-Level Benchmarking

Futuremark’s PCMark 8 runs the system through typical home and work activities and provides individual scores for certain task categories, rather than specific hardware. The Home test is just as it sounds: a collection of everyday tasks, including web browsing and chatting. The Work test is more demanding and has business-oriented tests, while the tablet’s SSD gets workout in the Storage test.

galaxy tabpro S pcmark8

The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S redeemed itself in the PCMark 8 tests, providing a solid Home Accelerated score and pulling ahead of the Dell XPS 13 in the Work Accelerated test. The SSD score lagged a bit behind the pack, however. But PCMark illustrates the Core m's strengths -- it's a fast processor for short, bursty workloads, like those used for office-type applications.


Joshua Gulick

Joshua Gulick

Josh cut his teeth (and hands) on his first PC upgrade in 2000 and was instantly hooked on all things tech. He took a degree in English and tech writing with him to Computer Power User Magazine and spent years reviewing high-end workstations and gaming systems, processors, motherboards, memory and video cards. His enthusiasm for PC hardware also made him a natural fit for covering the burgeoning modding community, and he wrote CPU’s “Mad Reader Mod” cover stories from the series’ inception until becoming the publication editor for Smart Computing Magazine.  A few years ago, he returned to his first love, reviewing smoking-hot PCs and components, for HotHardware. When he’s not agonizing over benchmark scores, Josh is either running (very slowly) or spending time with family. 

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