The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is finally available in the U.S., both online and in retail stores nationwide, sporting a $399.99 price tag.  

A lower price tag would certainly make the slate easier to sell, especially since it's a Samsung Galaxy device, but plenty of consumers are likely to be interested in the Galaxy Note 8.0 even at the steep $399.99.

Samsung confirmed the tablet's availability earlier this week, and on Thursday, April 11, the Galaxy Note 8.0 went on sale online and in retail stores such as Best Buy and others.

For those unfamiliar with the slate, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 sports an HD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and packs plenty of power in a sleek form factor. It rocks a Samsung Exynos 1.6GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM under the hood, offers 16GB of internal storage, a micro SD slot for additional memory, a 5-megapixel camera, and it even has an IR-blaster for allowing users to control their TV and Home Theater.  

Although it is made of plastic, the Galaxy Note 8.0 doesn't feel cheap or flimsy. It's quite tightly built, white and glossy, and sports a chrome trim. The bezel, however, is surprisingly large for an 8-inch device, especially since the tablet's software has a great palm-rejection feature.  Compared to the Galaxy 7.7, the display on the Galaxy Note 8.0 is bright and with true colors, but not as saturated as the 7.7's hypersaturated OLED screen.

The device doesn't have a removable battery or a SIM card slot, which likely has a big role in the overall tightness of the device. In terms of dimensions, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 measures 8.3 x 5.35 x 0.30 inches (HWD) and 12 ounces. Users can hold the tablet in one hand, which is of particular importance when using the S pen.

Some of the bigger online retailers that have the Galaxy Note 8.0 in stock include Amazon, Best Buy, Staples and Newegg, which have the Wi-Fi-only version of the slate priced at $399.99 with free shipping. Check out Samsung's website for more details on the tablet's specs and features.