I have a Samsung galaxy tab although it is with a 8 inch screen. It works really well and battery is durable enough. The 8 inch model fits really well in the hand.
I tried out the tab before, but I don't think I've tested out the note yet. From my experience, it's pretty cool. Not to big and not too small. Just right.
You should go with the note, it works pretty nice as a phone, and its size allows it to be compared with any tablet. Not just its specs are better, but it's also way prettier (at least thats my point of view)
He was referring to the tablet Note 10.1, not the Phablet Note series, that tablet is 10 inches so it wouldn't work as a phone at all, haha! Samsung can be quite confusing with their names.
I've got a Note 10.1, I'd definitely suggest it over the Tab 3. Granted, the Tab 4's out now and has 0.5 GB more RAM for about the same price (used), but I still love my S Pen! =D
I am actually looking to buy a tab preferably a Samsung product. I'm still thinking about which make of a tab will be cool, of higher processor and better experience.