Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7" vs Asus Nexus 7 II

[Kotello]

Hi!

I would like to buy one of these tablets.

I was really excited about Nexus and I was ready to buy this. Then I read about that Kindle Fire HDX which has better GPU & CPU and still is available for better price than Nexus.
The only think which makes me wonder is Fire OS. This is very modified Android. If I own Kindle I would like to put there normal Android OS. Is it possible? I would really like to know this.

Or maybe you guys could suggest me any better tablet for similar price?


I would like to use tablet as a normal user mostly. For gaming, movies, music. GPS nav and maybe 3G (but it's not necessary, since Kindle doesn't have it, and about Nexus I am not sure).
Besides I would use this sometimes as an replacement for laptop. To read PDFs and Word documents for work. And record videos for Youtube. Idk what more, so I think that would be all.


Thank you for answers and I am sorry if I post this thread in a wrong place.

 

[anon(847090)]

Kindle fire dont have widgets, million apps,all play service goodies,google apps..

Kindle is just crippled walled garden. it has a little bit better spec but Nexus 7 would be much more smoother than the kindle.
its super fast and experience is better. kindle fire is just a waste of money.

get a N7

 

[RichBrown68]

The last guy can't possibly know that the nexus is smoother than the kindle HDX, since the HDX won't be out for another week. In fact, my experience is that the 2012 kindle HD was smoother than the 2012 nexus, so I have to think that with a Snapdragon 800 processor, the HDX will blow everything else away in the smoothness department. Almost all the most popular Android apps are available in the Amazon App Store. The rest can be found at 1mobile.com.

 

[Android_1234]

I would still get the New Nexus 7.

 

[YAYTech]

Hi!

I would like to buy one of these tablets.

I was really excited about Nexus and I was ready to buy this. Then I read about that Kindle Fire HDX which has better GPU & CPU and still is available for better price than Nexus.

From what I'm seeing, it's the exact same price for the same level of onboard storage. Kindle offers a 64gb version that Google doesn't, Google offers a LTE model that Amazon doesn't.

The only think which makes me wonder is Fire OS. This is very modified Android. If I own Kindle I would like to put there normal Android OS. Is it possible? I would really like to know this.

New device generally means it's not going to be able to have vanilla Android installed right away. Time will tell how much you can customize the tablet. It's very likely, though, that changing to Vanilla (if possible) will mean giving up many of the Amazon-specific features, like Prime video streaming (though you can do that with an aftermarket browser in Vanilla), Mayday customer support, and certain aspects of warranty coverage.

Or maybe you guys could suggest me any better tablet for similar price?

I would like to use tablet as a normal user mostly. For gaming, movies, music. GPS nav and maybe 3G (but it's not necessary, since Kindle doesn't have it, and about Nexus I am not sure).
Besides I would use this sometimes as an replacement for laptop. To read PDFs and Word documents for work. And record videos for Youtube. Idk what more, so I think that would be all.

Thank you for answers and I am sorry if I post this thread in a wrong place.

For my money, nothing beats the Nexus 7 right now, so that's what I would recommend. Just like last year, Amazon has released a very competitive product hardware-wise, but you have to be willing to let yourself be locked into Amazon's ecosystem, or hope that people figure out how to break through it & put out detailed and reasonable to follow instructions.

Oh, I also just noticed that if you don't want ads on the lock screen of the Kindle, you'll have to shell out another $15.

PC Mag comparison: Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7" vs. Google Nexus 7: Small Tablets Compared | PCMag.com

*edit* Also looks like no rear-facing camera or GPS on the Kindle.

 

[Little Darwin]

To me the main question is whether, for app availability, you want to be locked into the Amazon universe, or use the Google universe, which includes the ability to use the Amazon as a source for apps.... Also, I know the original Fire didn't contain a GPS, I haven't checked to see if one is included in the HDX.

 

[hoosiermama2799]

I had an original Fire, and now have the N7. I've seen the Fire HD (a friend has one). What I didn't like about Amazon's tablet is the user interface. It's completely locked. You can't even change the wallpaper. I also hated the carousel. Everything you do shows up in the carousel, and at least in the original, was hard to control (i.e., you'd advance past what you were trying to get to, so it became frustrating). You're also locked into Amazon's app store. No Gmail, no Play Store...just Amazon's. If you're someone who likes to tinker and change the look of your tablet, you probably won't like that you're locked down.

If you're heavily invested in Amazon's ecosystem, you may like it. If you'd rather have apps that are in the Play Store, you may not. I say this as someone who's pretty heavily invested in Amazon. I buy all my books from there, I'm a Prime member and watch movies thru there all the time.

Spec wise, I think they're pretty comparable.

Good luck with your decision. This was just my experience with it. Eventually, I rooted the Fire and DH uses it now.

 

[chadthebuilder]

I had an original Fire, and now have the N7. I've seen the Fire HD (a friend has one). What I didn't like about Amazon's tablet is the user interface. It's completely locked. You can't even change the wallpaper. I also hated the carousel. Everything you do shows up in the carousel, and at least in the original, was hard to control (i.e., you'd advance past what you were trying to get to, so it became frustrating). You're also locked into Amazon's app store. No Gmail, no Play Store...just Amazon's. If you're someone who likes to tinker and change the look of your tablet, you probably won't like that you're locked down.

If you're heavily invested in Amazon's ecosystem, you may like it. If you'd rather have apps that are in the Play Store, you may not. I say this as someone who's pretty heavily invested in Amazon. I buy all my books from there, I'm a Prime member and watch movies thru there all the time.

Spec wise, I think they're pretty comparable.

Good luck with your decision. This was just my experience with it. Eventually, I rooted the Fire and DH uses it now.

Even those who are invested in Amazon's ecosystem can get along fine without a Kindle. You can read all your Kindle books on the Nexus 7, you can download Amazon apps on the N7, and you can also watch Amazon movies on the Nexus 7.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[mikemike162012]

I was also tempted to get the new Amazon Kindle Fire HDX7 after returning my buggy Nexus 7 FHD. It (HDX7) got great specs and price but I didn't like the trimmed down version of android so I hesitated to buy in the end. Thanks for starting this thread, great to learn more about the tablet.

 

[physioprof]

It is important to also consider the screen. I don't know the specs on the Kindle screen, but the Nexus 7 (2013) screen is mind-blowing.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[sparksd]

When I decided to upgrade from my 16GB 2012 Nexus 7 I considered the 7" HDX but went with the 32GB N7. I already own a first-generation Kindle Fire and decided that I don't care for the Kindle interface or lack of customization that Android provides. Plus, I can read my Kindle books on all of my Android devices and, if I want, I can view Amazon Prime video in Flash-enabled browsers. Even with a stock ROM on my, I can also use USB devices with an OTG cable. It was an easy choice for me.

 

[WestOkid]

My kids have Kindle Fire HDs and I have N7 (2013). The HDs are fantastic tablets. They run as smooth as my N7 and better than my S3, yet the are based on ICS. Since the HDX will have a Snapdragon 800 and Jellybean, it is entirely reasonable to presume the HDX will blow the N7 away in performance. Anyone saying otherwise is a fanboy that ignores facts.

That said, the N7 is very capable of doing all the things you listed in the OP, so specs should not be the driver of your decision.

The choice here is about Ecosystems and user experience.
N7
*If you are invested in Google services such as play Store, Gmail, Maps, G+, Drive, Music, YouTube, etc as I am, then the N7 is the way to go. There are some serviceable 3rd party apps for Fire, but they mostly suck.
*If you care about customization.
*If you need Root access for Dev work. Or specialized software (Airplay, full Backups, Tethering)
*Want the latest greatest Android has to offer. This extends beyond the OS. Third party Apps tend to be a version or 2 behind in the Amazon App store.

HDX
*Invested in Amazon services (Kindle books, Amazon cloud Mp3, Amazon Prime instant, etc. Keep in mind, Amazon makes most key services available to N7 via Apps or Web, just not integrated.
*Amazon Customer service is top notch and they give special attention to Kindles.
*Place high value on simplicity. Amazon's Fire OS is limited but it rivals the iPad in simplicity.
*Concerned about Malware. I don't think Malware is a concern on Play store, but the fact is Amazon's closed store scrutinizes Apps better than Google's open approach.
*Have kids that you want to protect from certain content. Amazon has FreeTime service which blocks things from kids.

Hope this helps.








Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[Devlyn16]

As Still 1 and others have mentioned with the nexus & you have access to all the apps in the Google Play store and all the apps in the Amazon App Store and can sideload apps.

With the Kindle Fire HDX you have access to the Amazon App store, and I don't believe you can side load apps. You are locked into their eco system the same way you would be locked into Apple's ecosystem if you went with an iPad mini.

I will add one thing, IF you are an amazon Prime member, Amazon currently supports Amazon streaming video for iOS devices and Kindle Devices but not Android. I consider this to be an intentional move to try and shift consumers toward the Kindle.

 

[sparksd]

As Still 1 and others have mentioned with the nexus & you have access to all the apps in the Google Play store and all the apps in the Amazon App Store and can sideload apps.

With the Kindle Fire HDX you have access to the Amazon App store, and I don't believe you can side load apps. You are locked into their eco system the same way you would be locked into Apple's ecosystem if you went with an iPad mini.

I will add one thing, IF you are an amazon Prime member, Amazon currently supports Amazon streaming video for iOS devices and Kindle Devices but not Android. I consider this to be an intentional move to try and shift consumers toward the Kindle.

True on the video app but you can view Prime Video on the N7 with side-loaded Flash and a Flash-enabled browser (I found Boat to work well with it).

 

[Kotello]

Thank you guys a lot. U are really helping me and other people who are currently considering these tablets.

I think I will go with Nexus, since I am really into Google services, like YouTube, GMail and etc.

Amazon looks really good when you are reading about it, but when you look closer you see all the traps waiting for you. The only case it is good to buy Kindle is when you are using their shop and services. I've never used this and I don't think I ever will. I was just looking where I could buy Nexus 7 for the lowest price and I noticed Kindle HDX there.
When Nexus 5 is be available I will buy this too, I think. Unless it is a fail phone (not really possible). So it will be good and make things a lot easier to have tablet and smartphone with the same OS.

I have a problem with Nexus 7 32GB from Amazon Store:
Amazon.com: Google Nexus 7 Tablet (7-Inch, 32GB, Black) by ASUS (2013): Computers & AccessoriesI

I don't know if this model is with 3G? I am just asking in any case, because it will be shipped to Europe. I wouldn't like to give it back or something if I made a mistake.
Is every 32GB version with 3G (and LTE)?

 

[anon(847090)]

I have a problem with Nexus 7 32GB from Amazon Store:
Amazon.com: Google Nexus 7 Tablet (7-Inch, 32GB, Black) by ASUS (2013): Computers & AccessoriesI

I don't know if this model is with 3G? I am just asking in any case, because it will be shipped to Europe. I wouldn't like to give it back or something if I made a mistake.
Is every 32GB version with 3G (and LTE)?

This is a wifi only model. There is also a 32gb LTE model which cost around $349

 

[YAYTech]

Even those who are invested in Amazon's ecosystem can get along fine without a Kindle. You can read all your Kindle books on the Nexus 7, you can download Amazon apps on the N7, and you can also watch Amazon movies on the Nexus 7.

Posted via Android Central App

It is good to keep in mind, though, that the Kindle lending library (collection of free books) is only available on Kindle devices. This might be enough to push an avid reader over to the Kindle over the Nexus.

 

[hoosiermama2799]

Even those who are invested in Amazon's ecosystem can get along fine without a Kindle. You can read all your Kindle books on the Nexus 7, you can download Amazon apps on the N7, and you can also watch Amazon movies on the Nexus 7.

Posted via Android Central App

Oh I know...and I do. I was just trying to say that some people who are invested in the Amazon system may prefer an Amazon tablet simply because it's Amazon. Guess I didn't phrase it very well.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[stkorn97]

My kids have Kindle Fire HDs and I have N7 (2013). The HDs are fantastic tablets. They run as smooth as my N7 and better than my S3, yet the are based on ICS. Since the HDX will have a Snapdragon 800 and Jellybean, it is entirely reasonable to presume the HDX will blow the N7 away in performance. Anyone saying otherwise is a fanboy that ignores facts.

That said, the N7 is very capable of doing all the things you listed in the OP, so specs should not be the driver of your decision.

The choice here is about Ecosystems and user experience.
N7
*If you are invested in Google services such as play Store, Gmail, Maps, G+, Drive, Music, YouTube, etc as I am, then the N7 is the way to go. There are some serviceable 3rd party apps for Fire, but they mostly suck.
*If you care about customization.
*If you need Root access for Dev work. Or specialized software (Airplay, full Backups, Tethering)
*Want the latest greatest Android has to offer. This extends beyond the OS. Third party Apps tend to be a version or 2 behind in the Amazon App store.

HDX
*Invested in Amazon services (Kindle books, Amazon cloud Mp3, Amazon Prime instant, etc. Keep in mind, Amazon makes most key services available to N7 via Apps or Web, just not integrated.
*Amazon Customer service is top notch and they give special attention to Kindles.
*Place high value on simplicity. Amazon's Fire OS is limited but it rivals the iPad in simplicity.
*Concerned about Malware. I don't think Malware is a concern on Play store, but the fact is Amazon's closed store scrutinizes Apps better than Google's open approach.
*Have kids that you want to protect from certain content. Amazon has FreeTime service which blocks things from kids.

Hope this helps.








Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

One thing to take into mind is how good, or bad the software will be this time around. If its a bulky turd and not optimized enough, it could end up making that 800 not run to its potential. That will be a huge factor in the end.

As others have said. You will be looking at Amazon App store compared to Google Play. I prefer Google Play, but thats not to say the Amazon store is bad. I just like having both as an option out of box.

 

[WestOkid]

One thing to take into mind is how good, or bad the software will be this time around. If its a bulky turd and not optimized enough, it could end up making that 800 not run to its potential. That will be a huge factor in the end.

The Fire OS is not bulky. It is the opposite. Unlike other skins, it is mostly removing functionality versus adding unnecessary crap. I am telling you the fire HD uses 2 year old ICS OS and a 2 year old dual core TI OMAP chip, yet it is buttery smooth. Amazon will not release a tablet that isn't as good as their prior tablet. They are all about maintaining customer loyalty.


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