If you're anything like I am, as soon as I get a new device I have already spent hours researching what ROMs are available, the status of the bootloader (read: no HTC for me), and the availability of a proven root method. Seeing as the last 4 devices I have owned have been Samsung, there's really only one option when it comes to rooting a Samsung device, and that is CF-Root from XDA Elite Recognized Developer Chainfire.

After logging over 9 million downloads of CF-Root, beginning with the Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000, Chainfire has come up with something more streamlined and he's calling it CF-Auto-Root. The premise is that you find your particular device, download the CF-Auto-Root file and flash with ODIN. Upon a successful flash you'll have a rooted device with SuperSU installed and the stock recovery still in place. Chainfire describes the difference between CF-Root and CF-Auto-Root:

CF-Root (non-Auto) are manually built rooted kernels and/or flashables that usually provide more than "just root". CF-Auto-Root is built on an automated system that I am constantly improving that takes a stock recovery image and returns an automated rooting packages. These packages are designed to install and enable SuperSU on your device, so apps can gain root access, and nothing more.

On his CF-Auto-Root webpage, Chainfire has the following information:

NO WARRANTY

Use at your own risk, I'm not responsible for bricking your device.

UNLOCK BOOTLOADERS

If you have locked bootloaders, flashing one of these will brick your device.

GET THE RIGHT FILE

Make sure you get the correct file. Using the incorrect file may brick your device.

FLASH COUNTER

If your target device has a custom firmware flash counter, CF-Auto-Root will trigger it. If you're lucky, Triangle Away has support for your device and can be used to reset the counter.

Visit Chainfire's CF-Auto-Root central thread for discussion and to request new roots or visit the CF-Auto-Root webpage.