Google Nexus 7 Pro Reviews

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the obvious with this comparison, even more when one device is sporting newer and better hardware and software to make its $200 price point more valuable than its rival. Of course, we still have to give the Amazon Kindle Fire for popularizing the budget tablet category, but now that the Google Nexus 7 is finally up for grabs, it redefines what we expect out of the category nowadays. In addition, the experience is totally one-sided as well, as the Nexus 7 has the full fidelity of having access to a wealth of tablet-optimized apps – while enhancing the core experience. Indeed, you can still obtain good experience on the Kindle Fire (especially if you hack it to add the Play Store), but you better invest your hard-earned money into the Nexus 7 and settle with the latest and greatest right now.

The Google Nexus 7 tablet with the NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor is fast, energy efficient and has full access to the Google Play store. For $200 you will not find another tablet on the market today that can match the features of this tablet.

There are better 7-inch tablets on the market, but not for the money. I previously mentioned the Galaxy Tab 7.7 as an example and if money is no concern, I would seriously recommend users give that device a look. It offers the best ergonomics in the class and a Super AMOLED Plus display. The 7-inch form factor has a lot going for it from an entertainment and consumption perspective, although you couldn’t use it as a serious alternative to a notebook when on the go for productivity. A larger tablet paired with a Bluetooth keyboard is a much better proposition in that regard. Overall, though, the both Google and Asus have got the basics right in the key areas for this tablet - although I doubt it will pose a serious threat to the iPad.

I thoroughly enjoyed using the Google Nexus 7. This is something that I couldn’t say about all the Android tablets I’ve previously used. With the exception of the Kindle Fire, which was hampered by poor software decisions on Amazon’s part, my primary complaint has been Android itself. It has constantly proven itself to be buggy, ugly and a bit slow. That’s not the case here. The Nexus 7 with Android 4.1 is sleek, comfortable and intuitive. The interface looks great, is easy to understand and has even more functionality. I like the inclusion of native support of resizing widgets, I like the new share menu and I like Chrome for Android (though it won’t be mandatory on 4.1 devices). Most of all, I love the fact that animations no longer stutter, freeze or tear.

Seriously people, these are the two best tablets on the market right now. Indeed, it all boils down to personal preference to identify which is going to be the ideal tablet for you. Although there is a huge price difference between the two, $500 for the iPad and $200 for the Nexus 7, it’s more than justified. Specifically, for the $500 you’d dish out to buy the new iPad, you’re getting something that’s on the cutting edge, which is evident by its quality choice of materials, meticulous construction, and polarizing Retina Display. On the other hand, you get a ton of value with the $200 priced Nexus 7, as Android 4.1 Jelly Bean shows off its comprehensive offerings. On top of that, the Nexus 7 still manages to flaunt some admirable hardware under the hood to keep itself in good company with other respectable tablets. Simply, if you prefer something smaller and less impactful on the wallet, the obvious choice for you is going to be Google’s pride and joy. Conversely, if you’re able to pony up more money and prefer something larger, the iPad is the logical decision for you. Therefore, you really can’t go wrong with either device!

It takes the correct set of ingredients to be a best-seller, but it requires winning the hearts and minds of consumers all around in order to be remembered long after it’s gone. Honestly people, the tablet industry is seeing a revival thanks partly to the arrival of the Google Nexus 7. Simply put it, the tablet sets the bar in what it means to be a tablet in this day and age. Obviously, we’ve seen a handful of competitively priced budget tablets, like the Amazon Kindle Fire and NOOK TABLET. However, with those offerings, you don’t receive the full potential of Android’s capabilities – and instead, they were simply vessels for their respective content services. We can list all the wonderful reasons why to pick up the Nexus 7 over other comparable tablets, like knowing it’ll more than likely receive updates faster since it’s a Nexus branded device, but beyond that, it’s compelling in the fact that it’ll instantly capture the attention of consumers thanks to its killer $200 price point. Needless to say, this is a strategic move in closing the gap between Android’s market share against its main rival in the iPad. When you think about it, you’re still getting an all-encompassing tablet experience with the Nexus 7 – while being able to relish on all the dynamite new features found with Jelly Bean. And seriously people, who doesn’t want to experience the latest and greatest in terms of software?

A fantastic little tablet at an unbelievable price, though it's not perfect for every need

Perhaps the best compliment we can pay to the Nexus 7 is that it makes us want an iPad mini. Not because Google's tablet is bad, because it isn't – we just think there's a lot of potential for something between an iPod touch and a 9.7-inch iPad, and the Nexus 7 finally validates that. Yes, there will be plenty of average folks who can't afford to drop $399 and up for some casual tablet fun, favoring the less expensive Nexus 7 over the iPad – but Apple has little to fear given their commanding market share over the tablet market. That leaves the Kindle Fire with the most to fear from Google and Asus. Instant Video aside, Amazon has been smoked in the sub-$200 price range it pioneered, by a more appealing and capable device. Like a bucket of water being used to douse the Kindle's flames, Google appears poised to reclaim any tablet ground lost since the introduction of Amazon's forked version of Android. It may not tread a lot of new ground, but the Nexus 7 is a solid performer and easily the best tablet a couple of hundred bucks or pounds can buy.

As strange as it might sound, my favorite Android tablet has long been an HP TouchPad running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (CyanogenMod 9). Until now, at least. While I still had hoped for more from Google with its first Nexus tablet, I am at least content with what it provided. It's a solid piece of hardware that is available for very little cash, and it works both quickly and smoothly. If Apple's iPad is not your thing, then the Google Nexus 7 quite possibly is. It's quite a nice tablet.

Google and Asus smack it out of the park with the Nexus 7, a terrific small-screen tablet that's an incredible value at $200.

The Nexus 7's screen looks great and feels responsive; the tablet feels well-built and does a good job of demonstrating its power in games and movie performance. The lack of built-in expandable storage or a back camera is a bummer, but it's understandable given the dirt-low $200 (for 8GB; $250 for 16GB) price. Google is off to a good start here. The specs are impressive, the Android 4.1 OS feels simplified while retaining its flexibility, and TV shows and purchasable movies are welcome additions to the Google Play store. However, while the Nexus 7 is clearly the best 7-inch tablet available, Kindle Fire owners will still be treated to a better-implemented ecosystem and more video options, especially if they're Amazon Prime members. To be an iPad killer, you'd need to gather a universe-size amount of app support. And that would only be your first step. The Nexus 7 isn't an iPad killer, but it could be the first step on the road to a much more competitive tablet market.

What you’ve got here is a fun machine. Google worked with ASUS and NVIDIA here to bring on a media beast like no other, offered at a price that, sold exclusively through the Google Play store online (for now), is almost undeniable. Even those who want a tablet just to fiddle with should and probably will be considering this device first in the near future – unless they want an iPad. With the iPad and the Amazon Kindle Fire being this device’s biggest competitors, you’ll want to know: which one is worth buying? There’s no perfect answer, but if I had a choice between the three and would get the chosen product for free, I’d of course pick the iPad – it costs more than 2 times this device’s base price for a reason. If I had to choose between the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire, I’d not think twice about picking the Google product. Every single feature on this tablet, unless you’re an Amazon junkie, is better than the Fire.