As telcos continue morphing into electronics stores, Telstra has launched Samsung’s new Windows 10-powered Galaxy Book 2-in-1 tablet in both 10.6 and 12-inch sizes, outright or on a plan with two free gifts.
Samsung’s Galaxy Book. It is Samsung’s answer to Microsoft’s Surface, HP’s Spectre, Apple’s iPad Pro and the many and varied other 2-in-1 and even 5-in-1 devices out there, as well as competing with Android tablets and traditional laptops for your heart, your mind and your wallet.
Another of iTWire’s writers has already written a review of the new Galaxy Book earlier this month, which is definitely worth reading.
I, too, will have my own review to come in due course, but the short, “first looks” version is that it is a very capable 2-in-1 device competing with a range of other very capable 2-in-1 devices, which is a great place to be as a consumer who has never had such an excellent range of devices to choose from, all offering different sets of pros and cons to appeal to different users.
{loadposition alex08}So, with Samsung being a major player in the world of consumer electronics, smartphones and tablets, it comes as no surprise to see Telstra, which has already offered Samsung devices for years, deciding to add the new Galaxy Book to its in-store roster of top technologies.
And, to tempt consumers into purchasing from Telstra, the company is offering a USB-C Multiport adapter worth $139 and the Staedtler Noris Digital Pen worth $59 — which looks just like a regular Staedtler pencil — as free bonus gifts, both of which are valuable additions worth $198, and are definite temptations to buy from Telstra rather than anyone else.
Telstra’s page on the 10.6-inch model is here, with three 24-month plan offers.
The first is the S plan, offering 1GB data per month, for a minimum cost of $1320.
The second is the M plan, offering 10GB per month, for a minimum cost of $1920.
The third is the L plan, offering 20GB per month, for a minimum cost of $2400.
The deal that Telstra has highlighted in its media release for this model is either the $45 Go Mobile Data Plus Plan or My Business Mobile Data Plan will for a total of $80 per month, with 10GB data, with the aforementioned minimum total cost of $1920 over that for 24-month period (with the data for use in Australia.)
Then there’s the 12-inch model, which Telstra lists here.
Again, there are three plans.
For the 128GB model:
The S, M and L plans cost $80, $100 and $120 per month respctively, with 1GB, 10GB and 20GB per month respectively over 24 months.
The respective minimum total costs are $1920, $2400 and $2880.
For the 256GB model:
The the S, M and L plans cost $99, $120 and $140 per month respectively, with 1GB, 10GB and 20GB per month respectively over 24 months.
The respective minimum total costs are $2376, $2880 and $3360.
As always, potential customers are advised to check Samsung and retail stores for outright retail purchasing, and pairing with one of the many data-only SIM card options available from any of the providers to see what deal is best for you.
For others, buying on a plan and making whatever business deductions your accountant advises is or isn’t available to you will see per month plans making more sense – as always, do your own homework on financial decision.
Kevin Teoh, Telstra’s director of Post-Paid Mobility for the Consumer and Small Business division, said: “The Samsung Galaxy Book is the ultimate tablet that will seamlessly take our customers from work to leisure.
“With fast, reliable streaming on Australia’s largest and fastest mobile network (based on national average combined 3G/4G mobile speeds), our customers can enjoy their favourite music and video content during their commute, or take part in a video conference with less buffering on-the-go.”
The 12-inch model features a 7th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor and “up to” 11 hours of battery life, and either 128GB or 256GB storage, while the 10.6-mode has a 7th-Gen Intel Core m3 processor and “up to” 9 hours of battery and 128GB storage. Both feature a MicroSD slot capable of taking up to an additional 256GB card, and both are SIM-enabled with CAT 6 LTE capability, which is plenty fast for streaming and video conferencing on the go.
Unlike Microsoft’s Surface Pro or Apple’s iPad Pro, Samsung has chosen to include the a keyboard cover and the standard S Pen stylus with both models, which lowers the total cost as those are both added extras with most competitors.
Telstra also tempts its consumer and business mobile customers with “access to unlimited Wi-Fi at over one million Telstra Air hotspots around Australia and 20 million Fon hotspots worldwide and every AFL, NRL and netball game this year".
To qualify for the bonus Multiport adapter and Staedtler pen, you’ll need to purchase before 12 September, which means Telstra is putting a bit of pressure on you to help tip your purchase decision.
So, if you need a new Windows 10 device, Samsung hopes its Galaxy Book will be on your list of consideration, and with Telstra’s offers, Telstra hopes the same, too – now it’s over to you!