Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 16gb refurb + New Keyboard dock, desktop dock and SD card reader for $249 + Tax

Quote from dbpaddler : I'm actually a fan of that OEM case, but I don't know where they get leather skin from. There's no leather on it whatsoever.

The front cover on mine feels like some sort of imitation leather skin. It's pretty common for cases to get advertised as leather when they are imitation leather.

Quote from namlook : The front cover on mine feels like some sort of imitation leather skin. It's pretty common for cases to get advertised as leather when they are imitation leather.

Hmm...so it's probably a knockoff, not that there's anything wrong with that. Think the only official Book Cover Case is more of a hard nylon type material that reminds me of those 3d type images that shift when you move them, but in this case, all black. China has knocked it off hence getting them cheap on ebay and through china wholesalers. I think mine is a knockoff, but I have no complaints with it and would never know.

Quote from namlook : This is the best case IMO (samsung branded). Sleek and slim and offers reasonable protection. I haven't ordered from this seller. I paid more for mine on ebay. http://dx-box.com/leather-skin-fo...-case.html A matte screen protector is a MUST. The mirror glare on the screen will annoy the heck out of you if you ever leave the house. I got this one and it works well. http://www.ebay.com/itm/170749873...1439.l2649 The ICS update was the deal maker for this tablet. It was clunky and slow with honeycomb but very nice with ICS.

How do you upgrade to ICS on this tablet? is it as simple as go into the settings under the tablet menu or do I have to connect to a PC and do it through some 3rd party software? I am new to android based tablets.

Also, any apps recommendations for this tablet?

You can update on the tablet under settings -> about tablet.

One app I love is Holo HD launcher. It's an ICS based launcher with a dock, adjustable margins, adjust rows and columns and number of apps in the dock, 1x1 wigets in the dock. I use it on my phone and tablet. I keep the apps I use most in the dock along with a few toggle widgets. Leaves the rest of the screen for information type widgets. I like HD Widgets for the clock, weather and such. I use PureCal for a nice scrolling agenda widget. The rest is just preference I think of what you like to use the tablet for. For me, the staples are:
DocsToGo: still the best office app out there
Dropbox & Foldersync: perfect 1-2 combo for cloud syncing
Netflix, HBO to Go, Xfinity Player for streaming.
MX Player Pro for all on board video needs
Business Calendar: Best calendar app I've seen. The month widget looks real nice and appointment making a breeze, and improves contact mgmt.
QuickPic: nice gallery replacement
Those are the key ones on my tab.

Quote from namlook : This is the best case IMO (samsung branded). Sleek and slim and offers reasonable protection. I haven't ordered from this seller. I paid more for mine on ebay. http://dx-box.com/leather-skin-fo...-case.html A matte screen protector is a MUST. The mirror glare on the screen will annoy the heck out of you if you ever leave the house. I got this one and it works well. http://www.ebay.com/itm/170749873...1439.l2649 The ICS update was the deal maker for this tablet. It was clunky and slow with honeycomb but very nice with ICS.

That Samsung branding on this chinese case is just a fake stamp, its not really made by Samsung officially - and from the looks of it and how shitty they are for raising the price from $11 to $17 suddenly - I think the case it self is also a crappy generic quality.

Quote from dbpaddler : You can update on the tablet under settings -> about tablet. One app I love is Holo HD launcher. It's an ICS based launcher with a dock, adjustable margins, adjust rows and columns and number of apps in the dock, 1x1 wigets in the dock. I use it on my phone and tablet. .

I'm using Go Launcher HD for Pad and LOVE it. Seems to do everything. Really like using the gesture function to open specific programs.

I also use GMD Gesture Control to close programs with a four finger swipe like you would do with an iPad (5 finger swipe).

thanks