Google's Nexus 7 tablets dying early, possibly due to cheap memory

[repligation]

This is the thing that turns me off to most current 7" android tablets. They are decidedly low end. No matter how you slice it the Nexus 7 is a $200 tablet, that savings came from somewhere vs say an iPad Mini. Most likely it came through lower quality control and slightly cheaper components (like, cheaper flash). The Nexus 7 is also almost a year old now.

What I have really been wanting is a truly high-end 7" tablet with modern components and performance.

Something with a Nook HD 1440x900 7" screen (or better), a Tegra 4 or a Snapdragon 600/800, 2GB of RAM, with a micro SD slot and premium build for ~ $299 base price would be right.

Instead, for the past year we've been getting more sub $200 7" tablets that are mostly inferior to the now 1 year old Nexus 7. Witness HP's recent entry, and the Asus MeMo. The only ones investing in this segment seem to be Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

They are all going to get squashed if they wait until the iPad Mini goes retina with an A6.

I don't agree, the Nexus 7 is still the best deal in the small tablet market. Google sells the 16GB at just above cost and only really made money on the 32GB.

The iPad mini is ridiculously overpriced and the only real justification is the better camera and the Apple logo.

None of the other Android based 7 in tablets even compare to the N7, despite the complaints in this thread.

 

[Aquila]

The Nexus 7 is sold for $200 because it's subsidized by Google, not sold for profit.

Comparing the Nexus 7, Note 8.0 and iPad Mini:

Screen: N7 and Note 8 are both 1280x800, with the N7 being 27ppi higher than the Note 8, iPad is 1024x768, 63ppi lower than the N7. Winner: Nexus 7.

Processor: N7 has a 1.2GHz Quad-core Tegra 3 and 1GB RAM, Note 8 has 1.6GHz Exynos Quad-core with 2GB RAM. iPad has 1GHz Dualcore and .5GB RAM. Winner: Note 8.

Storage: All three have a 16 and 32GB option, with the iPad having a 64GB option and the Note 8 having an SD slot. Winner: iPad.

Camera: N7 1.2MP front only, Note 8 1.3MP Front and 5MP back, iPad 1.2MP front and 5MP back. Winner: Note 8

Software: N7 is on 4.2.2 with fast updates to the next versions. Note 8 comes with 4.1 and the iPad has iOS 6. Winner: Nexus 7.

Price: N7 starts at $200, Note 8 starts at $399, iPad starts at $329. Winner: Nexus 7

Clearly pros and cons of each device, with each being first and last in various categories. When you throw the value aspect into it, unless you need something specific from the other two, the N7 is still the clear winner and it's a year old. The Note 8 ought to be compared to the new Nexus 7 when it comes out, but it's struggling for position with the legacy model.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

This is the thing that turns me off to most current 7" android tablets. They are decidedly low end. No matter how you slice it the Nexus 7 is a $200 tablet, that savings came from somewhere vs say an iPad Mini. Most likely it came through lower quality control and slightly cheaper components (like, cheaper flash). The Nexus 7 is also almost a year old now.

What I have really been wanting is a truly high-end 7" tablet with modern components and performance.

Something with a Nook HD 1440x900 7" screen (or better), a Tegra 4 or a Snapdragon 600/800, 2GB of RAM, with a micro SD slot and premium build for ~ $299 base price would be right.

Instead, for the past year we've been getting more sub $200 7" tablets that are mostly inferior to the now 1 year old Nexus 7. Witness HP's recent entry, and the Asus MeMo. The only ones investing in this segment seem to be Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

They are all going to get squashed if they wait until the iPad Mini goes retina with an A6.

The Nexus 7 is sold for $200 because it's subsidized by Google, not sold for profit.

Comparing the Nexus 7, Note 8.0 and iPad Mini:

Screen: N7 and Note 8 are both 1280x800, with the N7 being 27ppi higher than the Note 8, iPad is 1024x768, 63ppi lower than the N7. Winner: Nexus 7.

Processor: N7 has a 1.2GHz Quad-core Tegra 3 and 1GB RAM, Note 8 has 1.6GHz Exynos Quad-core with 2GB RAM. iPad has 1GHz Dualcore and .5GB RAM. Winner: Note 8.

Storage: All three have a 16 and 32GB option, with the iPad having a 64GB option and the Note 8 having an SD slot. Winner: iPad.

Camera: N7 1.2MP front only, Note 8 1.3MP Front and 5MP back, iPad 1.2MP front and 5MP back. Winner: Note 8

Software: N7 is on 4.2.2 with fast updates to the next versions. Note 8 comes with 4.1 and the iPad has iOS 6. Winner: Nexus 7.

Price: N7 starts at $200, Note 8 starts at $399, iPad starts at $329. Winner: Nexus 7

Clearly pros and cons of each device, with each being first and last in various categories. When you throw the value aspect into it, unless you need something specific from the other two, the N7 is still the clear winner and it's a year old. The Note 8 ought to be compared to the new Nexus 7 when it comes out, but it's struggling for position with the legacy model.

I somehow agree with both of you.

 

[shady28]

The Nexus 7 is sold for $200 because it's subsidized by Google, not sold for profit.

Comparing the Nexus 7, Note 8.0 and iPad Mini:

Screen: N7 and Note 8 are both 1280x800, with the N7 being 27ppi higher than the Note 8, iPad is 1024x768, 63ppi lower than the N7. Winner: Nexus 7.

Processor: N7 has a 1.2GHz Quad-core Tegra 3 and 1GB RAM, Note 8 has 1.6GHz Exynos Quad-core with 2GB RAM. iPad has 1GHz Dualcore and .5GB RAM. Winner: Note 8.

Storage: All three have a 16 and 32GB option, with the iPad having a 64GB option and the Note 8 having an SD slot. Winner: iPad.

Camera: N7 1.2MP front only, Note 8 1.3MP Front and 5MP back, iPad 1.2MP front and 5MP back. Winner: Note 8

Software: N7 is on 4.2.2 with fast updates to the next versions. Note 8 comes with 4.1 and the iPad has iOS 6. Winner: Nexus 7.

Price: N7 starts at $200, Note 8 starts at $399, iPad starts at $329. Winner: Nexus 7

Clearly pros and cons of each device, with each being first and last in various categories. When you throw the value aspect into it, unless you need something specific from the other two, the N7 is still the clear winner and it's a year old. The Note 8 ought to be compared to the new Nexus 7 when it comes out, but it's struggling for position with the legacy model.

The only one of the three that hits the price point I was talking about is the iPad Mini, and like I already noted it does so with obsolete specs. I do not want an iPad Mini that has the same processor, RAM, and screen resolution as my 26 moth old iPad 2. It's basically just a smaller/lighter iPad 2.

Doing a comparison on specs like you're doing though is meaningless. If you think quad core, resolution, RAM, etc in and of itself means anything, let me introduce you to a little Chinese chip maker called RockChip and a bunch of $80 tablets you might like... if you're blind.

Benchmark wise, the iPad Mini and the Nexus 7 are on par with each other - except in GPU, where the Mini smokes the Nexus 7.

As far as talk of construction and quality, some think this is subjective but I do not nor do most people who know what to look for.

Here is what PhoneArena had to say comparing the Mini to the Nexus :
Apple iPad mini vs Google Nexus 7 - Battery and Conclusion

[talking about the Nexus 7]"Frankly, its design pales in comparison to the premium nature of the iPad mini, but it?s actually sporting some impressive hardware under the hood ? like it?s higher resolution display and quad-core processor. "
"So why would anyone side with the $330 priced iPad mini? As we?ve made it obvious already, its premium design and construction is in a league of its own ? blowing away what the Nexus 7 has to show. "

So, here's what you're missing :

Premium construction and quality : iPad Mini
Battery life : iPad Mini (50% longer)
Screen SIZE vs Screen Resolution : Depends on what you want, but for my purposes the Nexus wins
Performance : Tie

So, where' the high-quality high-end 7" Android tablet again?

 

[repligation]

I somehow agree with both of you.

Well, that makes one of us.

Shady28 is just asking to pay more for the wrong things.

While we're making a wish list, I would go for the $300 price point if it included the following:
FM antenna/tuner
Infrared transmitter
Humidistat
Thermostat
Barometer
Front facing camera with a real camera lens
Miracast/screencast capability
H265
Flash support
Java in the browser (I know, . . . I'm out if my mind)

These are all things I would use on a daily basis.

 

[return_0]

The only one of the three that hits the price point I was talking about is the iPad Mini, and like I already noted it does so with obsolete specs. I do not want an iPad Mini that has the same processor, RAM, and screen resolution as my 26 moth old iPad 2. It's basically just a smaller/lighter iPad 2.

Doing a comparison on specs like you're doing though is meaningless. If you think quad core, resolution, RAM, etc in and of itself means anything, let me introduce you to a little Chinese chip maker called RockChip and a bunch of $80 tablets you might like... if you're blind.

Benchmark wise, the iPad Mini and the Nexus 7 are on par with each other - except in GPU, where the Mini smokes the Nexus 7.

As far as talk of construction and quality, some think this is subjective but I do not nor do most people who know what to look for.

Here is what PhoneArena had to say comparing the Mini to the Nexus :
Apple iPad mini vs Google Nexus 7 - Battery and Conclusion

[talking about the Nexus 7]"Frankly, its design pales in comparison to the premium nature of the iPad mini, but it?s actually sporting some impressive hardware under the hood ? like it?s higher resolution display and quad-core processor. "
"So why would anyone side with the $330 priced iPad mini? As we?ve made it obvious already, its premium design and construction is in a league of its own ? blowing away what the Nexus 7 has to show. "

So, here's what you're missing :

Premium construction and quality : iPad Mini
Battery life : iPad Mini (50% longer)
Screen SIZE vs Screen Resolution : Depends on what you want, but for my purposes the Nexus wins
Performance : Tie

So, where' the high-quality high-end 7" Android tablet again?

I'm sorry, but to complain about specs being meaningless and then use benchmarks to make a point... I don't know what to say.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[Aquila]

I also didn't make the argument that the N7 is a better tablet than the iPad Mini, I called them relatively even depending on what you needed from each. I said that the N7, because of that argument, is a much better value on a what you get per dollar basis.

 

[shady28]

I'm sorry, but to complain about specs being meaningless and then use benchmarks to make a point... I don't know what to say.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

Not sure what to say either.

My point was - specing something by saying "Quad Core, 1280x800, 2GB RAM" is 100% completely meaningless. Core count helps but single thread performance is still king on mobile (and most desktops for that matter).

In any case, I rate the Tegra 3 and Apple A5 as basically a tie.

And to be blunt, I'm not interested in buying a device with either one of them.

Not when newer devices provide this kind of benefit :

 

[Jim Burnside1]

mine seems to be bricked. Didn't use it for a few weeks, battery went to zero. Now won't recharge, won't boot when plugged in.

- - - Updated - - -

mine seems to be bricked. Didn't use it for a few weeks, battery went to zero. Now won't recharge, won't boot when plugged in.

 

[lmvine]

Not sure what to say either.

My point was - specing something by saying "Quad Core, 1280x800, 2GB RAM" is 100% completely meaningless. Core count helps but single thread performance is still king on mobile (and most desktops for that matter).

In any case, I rate the Tegra 3 and Apple A5 as basically a tie.

And to be blunt, I'm not interested in buying a device with either one of them.

Not when newer devices provide this kind of benefit :

http://cdn.androidcommunity.com/wp-...een-Shot-2013-06-18-at-4.41.55-PM-540x361.jpg

http://cdn.androidcommunity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Screen-Shot-2013-06-18-at-4.34.21-PM.jpg

Great performance - the bottom line IMO.
What device is "your device"?

 

[shady28]

Great performance - the bottom line IMO.
What device is "your device"?

Snapdragon 800, benches are just now getting out.

There's a new S4 that has one too :

http://www.knowyourmobile.com/makes/qualcomm/20543/qualcomms-snapdragon-800-benchmarked-detailed




Sent from my iPad 2