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Friday, August 31, 2012, 08:38 am
Review: Google's Nexus 7 tablet with Android 4.1
A different market
Despite a current lack of dedicated Android tablet apps, the Nexus 7 is a compelling piece of hardware. While the Kindle Fire felt like its main selling point was the low $199 price point, Google's Nexus 7 goes beyond its low cost and provides relatively powerful hardware inside a well-built package. The truth is, the Nexus 7 would still be an attractive product at an even higher price point.
That said, this device is no iPad, and it doesn't even feel like it was made to compete with Apple's market dominating tablet. The narrow screen feels best suited for primarily reading books with the occasional Web browsing and app usage, which pits the Nexus 7 as more of a Kindle competitor than an iPad challenger.
While the Nexus 7 is easy to recommend for anyone looking for a tablet in the smaller 7-inch class, it would be inadvisable for anyone who can wait to buy in to this market segment now. Apple is widely expected to debut its own smaller iPad later this year with a 7.85-inch display that will be larger than the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire, but still considerably smaller than the 9.7-inch iPad.
Having spent time with the Nexus 7 and felt how responsive the device is, it's easy to see how a smaller iPad would be a big seller. A powerful tablet in a compact form factor feels like a device meant for different uses than a full-sized iPad. If Apple can produce a smaller iPad that is significantly lighter than the current model, allowing for the device to be easily held with one hand, we'd welcome such a product, even without sandpaper in the box.
Rating
The Good
- A bargain at $199 with $25 in free Google Play credit
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and the quad-core processor are responsive and smooth
- Small and light enough to be held with one hand
- The screen is good for its size, but it's no Retina display
The Bad
- Android tablet apps are still lacking
- Apple's rumored "iPad mini" looms on the horizon
On Topic: Google
- Google's Motorola issues second appeal of dismissed ITC case against Apple
- Google reportedly mulling $1B Waze bid, could spark bidding war with Facebook
- Google's new 3D Maps destroy Manhattan in the wake of Apple's Flyover
- Google to activate voice search in Chrome iOS app
- Apple's iPad dominates online shopping traffic & revenue generation
Previous Comments View All
Impressively unbiased review. The Nexus 7 is a fantastic piece of hardware and software. I love that your only negatives are about it are android apps and the iPad mini. I actually think the android apps are more of a plus than a negative. All current android apps run full screen natively right out of the box on the Nexus 7. Something that the iPad mini might not be able to say. That being said, do you think apple can(will) compete on price? $199 is quite cheap. If the iPad mini is $299 I'd go for a Nexus 7. If it's $199, I'll take the iPad mini.
Personally i think apple with hit the $299 mark, just my guess.
I have 2 android tablets & an iPad, motorola xoom & the samsung galaxy tab 7.7, honestly i haven't found one app (android) that feels like it takes advantage of the screen size (not including games) they really feel like stretched phone apps.
just for fun i'll take some screen shots in a sec just to compare them.
Ps. i liked the review, i really wanna give jb a play now see how it feels different to ics
A one who's owned a Nexus 7/16gb sunce the day it was released, I can say (without reservation) that it's the 7inch Tablet Done Right, with exceptional ergonomics, build-quality, and easily the smoothest, most advanced/cohesive mobile operating system yet conceived - Brilliant Device at an almost 'unbelievable' Price Point.
I bought one for my wife. She was using my iPad 2 (32gig) as an e-reader. A $600 device for reading. So I wanted to her get something cheaper but yet, could do a little more than just reading kindle books. I broke down and bought this android device. As it turns out, it's great for her and yes the interface is very snappy. Great for reading and the occasional facebook and web browsing. Im actually impressed with it. I personally would like a different form factor as Im used to the iPad aspect ratio. But for $199, if my iPad suffered a terrible death. Maps on it is way better than iOS 6, lets hope the official release gets it right.
I would consider the Nexus as a cheap replacement...Until the iPad mini, IF, there is going to be such a thing.
Oh and she likes to too. However, I think she's only installed 2 apps on it. That's the very reason why i got it for her, the iPad was overkill for reading ebooks.
Impressed with the review...
I wish there wasn't so much bad blood between the two camps.
Epic un-boxing vid!
[...] I wish there wasn't so much bad blood between the two camps.
Unless Apple doesn't reject Google apps at the AppStore, I'd say Google go and release a tablet where Google Earth really shines, with StreetView, and with never seen multitouch gestures on it. Such tablet should be the iPad IMHO, but if Apple pretends to avoid it, please Google go, go, go!! and release the tablet where Google Earth and Street View shine!!
Impressed with the review...
I wish there wasn't so much bad blood between the two camps.
+1. Good to see something see something as objective as this on AppleInsider.
I've been impressed with the Nexus 7 myself - the performance is excellent and the price is very attractive. I agree that its shortfall is the quality and quantity of apps though.
Impressed with the review...
I wish there wasn't so much bad blood between the two camps.
Agreed. I wish AI was more like this when it comes to covering "the other guys".
Epic un-boxing vid!
Yeah...
The music playing in the background is Humouesque... Made popular in 1963 by Alan Sherman With his recording of Camp Grenada:
Camp Granada (COMEDY)
Hello Mudda, hello Fadda,
Here I am at Camp Granada.
Camp is very entertaining,
And they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining.
I went hiking with Joe Spivy;
He developed poison ivy.
You remember Leonard Skinner;
He got ptomain poisoning last night after dinner.
All the counselors hate the waiters,
And the lake has alligators,
And the head coach wants no sissies,
So he reads to us from something called "Ulysses".
Now I don't want this should it scare ya,
But my bunk mate has malaria.
You remember Jeffrey Hardy,
They're about to organize a searching party.
Take me home, oh Mudda, Fadda,
Take me home, I hate Granada!
Don't leave me out in the forest where
I might get eaten by a bear.
Take me home, I promise I will not make noise,
Or mess the house with other boys.
Oh, please don't make me stay,
I've been here one whole day.
Dearest Fadda, darling Mudda,
How's my precious little brother?
Let me come home if you miss me,
I would even let Aunt Bertha hug and kiss me.
Wait a minute, it stopped hailing,
Guys are swimming, gals are sailing.
Playing baseball, gee that's betta,
Mudda, Fadda, kindly disregard this letter!
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| Model | White | Black | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (WiFi only) | |||
| 16GB WiFi |  |
$329.99 | $329.99 |
| 32GB WiFi | |
$429.99 | $429.99 |
| 64GB WiFi | |
$529.99 | $529.99 |
| iPad mini (WiFi + 4G) | |||
 |
 |
 |
|
| 16GB 4G White | $459.99 | $459.99 | $459.99 |
| 32GB 4G White | $559.99 | $559.99 | $559.99 |
| 64GB 4G White | $659.99 | $659.99 | $659.99 |
| 16GB 4G Black | $459.99 | $459.99 | $459.99 |
| 32GB 4G Black | $559.99 | $559.99 | $559.99 |
| 64GB 4G Black | $659.99 | $659.99 | $659.99 |
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Impressively unbiased review. The Nexus 7 is a fantastic piece of hardware and software. I love that your only negatives are about it are android apps and the iPad mini. I actually think the android apps are more of a plus than a negative. All current android apps run full screen natively right out of the box on the Nexus 7. Something that the iPad mini might not be able to say. That being said, do you think apple can(will) compete on price? $199 is quite cheap. If the iPad mini is $299 I'd go for a Nexus 7. If it's $199, I'll take the iPad mini.