Is the 32GB worth the extra $40?

[Jeremy8000]

When the 2012 model came out, it was available in 8GB and 16GB models, as those were the tiers that were felt as meeting 'minimal' and 'expanded' needs under the assumption consumers would generally use the cloud, streaming most media. Shortly thereafter, the 8GB was discontinued, leaving the 16GB as the 'minimal needs' model with a 32GB as the one for those seeking a bit more local storage headroom. I'm not saying that the current 16GB device will soon be put to rest and a similar up-sizing of the tiers will happen with the current models, but in general people's utilization of mobile electronics for a wider range of tasks and purposes has continued to expand, and there's no strong argument of which I'm aware as to why that should cease.

If you think the 16GB model will be sufficient but have any concern it might become a limiting factor before you currently anticipate needing or wanting to upgrade to a new device, $40 is not a bad price to pay to ensure greater longevity/value/function of your device.

 

[trooperoutlaw]

Well, I may regret it, but I decided to get the 16GB version. I have a 32GB iPod Touch, 32GB iPad 2. Both are well over 16GB, nearing 25GB on the iPod and near full on the iPad. However, I have movies and music on both of those. I don't intend on storing any movies or music at all on the Nexus. So I am hoping that 16 will be enough. If it isn't enough space, I could always sell and upgrade to the 32GB and just chalk up the loss on lesson learned. However, I think the 16 will be enough for my needs.

 

[Rule9]

I'm not saying that the current 16GB device will soon be put to rest and a similar up-sizing of the tiers will happen with the current models, but in general people's utilization of mobile electronics for a wider range of tasks and purposes has continued to expand, and there's no strong argument of which I'm aware as to why that should cease.

I think you're underestimating the number of people for whom 16GB devices are suitable. My usage hasn't changed since 2011. If I only use mine for apps and games and some light movie storage, and use my phone for music instead of my tablet and all my photos are in dropbox, what expanding tasks are left? Apps and documents? The size of my apps has only increased by maybe a GB max in sum of all installed apps in two years, and most documents are only kb in size. It's fair to say that some people like to install over 100 apps, store music on tablets and load her right up full of videos. But there are also just as many who don't. For those who don't, app sizes don't radically change from year to year. Android app sizes haven't grown appreciably since Froyo.

I'm not a heavy installer, even on my PC I only use about 200GB which is tiny by today's 1TB HDD standards. I always have 10GB left for movies on a 16GB mobile device. The HD movies stored on my PC HDD are usually around 1.7GB. My TV shows average 350MB. The longest period I've ever had to keep movies and TV shows is a 12 hour flight once a year. I can load for example, an entire season of Game of Thrones with room to spare, or around 10 hours of HD movies. There's always WiFi at my destinations so I can stream online movies once I get there. For the 364 other days of the year or so I'll keep this tablet that space goes completely unused. It's only $40, but $40 never used is still a waste.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Fair point, Rule9 - just trying to offer food for thought for many people out there who might be leaning towards the 16GB to take into consideration. The 16GB model is absolutely the better choice for many, but not necessarily for all who might at first glance thing it is.

Oh, for those who want to keep a couple of movies on the tablet, something to remember - a movie compressed to the same quality at 1920x1080 to offer best resolution on the new nexus 7 will generate a noticeably larger file size than the same movie compressed to 1200x800, the best resolution on the old.

 

[Rule9]

Mine aren't full HD they're actually 1920 x 800. But they're free so I settle for it. If I have a hankering for better rez I stream from the play store occasionally. Matching my home collection from outright purchases from there would end up costing me thousands of dollars and forever locking me into one ecosystem.

 

[lancex]

No memory expansion and the ability to watch HD movies in all their glory, yeah I spent the extra money on the 32GB version.

 

[Rule9]

No memory expansion and the ability to watch HD movies in all their glory, yeah I spent the extra money on the 32GB version.

Same here, yeah I spent $40 less on the 16 GB version
Streaming from Google Play... Who'd a thunk it! Those dang new fangled technologies!

 

[hpilot]

Same here, yeah I spent $40 less on the 16 GB version
Streaming from Google Play... Who'd a thunk it! Those dang new fangled technologies!

Mmm, I tried that on my long airplane flight this morning but for some reason it didn't work. I guess I just don't understand those dang new fangled technologies...

 

[YAYTech]

Mmm, I tried that on my long airplane flight this morning but for some reason it didn't work. I guess I just don't understand those dang new fangled technologies...

 

[Rule9]

Mmm, I tried that on my long airplane flight this morning but for some reason it didn't work. I guess I just don't understand those dang new fangled technologies...

Must suck to have to be on a plane so long. Luckily for me I have enough space to watch HD movies for as long as my battery lasts on the plane. Good thing I was smart enough to think of that! Or else I might do something silly like buy a tablet based on flights longer than that which I take... Oh yeah. Never. If that failed I could always read articles on how not to have sarcasm backfire on me written by Herp A. Derp.

 

[Jeremy8000]

"blah blah blah .... 16GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 32GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 16GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 32GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 16GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 32GB!!!"

TLDR: There's not one right answer for all, or there'd only be one model. Use your head, think about what you plan to do with the tablet, how long you anticipate using it before upgrading, and if, assuming you don't currently foresee the 'need' for 32GB, the added benefit which it undeniably does make available is one you will be likely to avail yourself of before that replacement.

I would suggest that if you plan on keeping your tablet 2+ years, it'slikely worth paying the premium to ensure you're not likely to be left wanting desperately for space with the next flavor or two of Android OS and new apps you'll be able to and want to pick up. $40 over 24 months is only $1.67/month for that peace of mind and added flexibility.

I would suggest that if you expect to upgrade to the latest and greatest at the next model release that if you don't expect to need the extra 16GB, you stick with the basic model as that savings will represent 15-20% of the purchase price you will be spending next year.

Mostly I would suggest that you take a number of the arguments for and against that have been presented in this thread and make up your mind for yourself, as you're the one who'll have to live with the wisdom or lack thereof of the decision you make.

 

[hpilot]

Must suck to have to be on a plane so long. Luckily for me I have enough space to watch HD movies for as long as my battery lasts on the plane. Good thing I was smart enough to think of that! Or else I might do something silly like buy a tablet based on flights longer than that which I take... Oh yeah. Never. If that failed I could always read articles on how not to have sarcasm backfire on me written by Herp A. Derp.

Boy was I told off! Actually most airplanes I fly on have electrical outlets. BTW, I fly 180 days per year...

 

[Rule9]

"blah blah blah .... 16GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 32GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 16GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 32GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 16GB!!!"
"blah blah blah .... 32GB!!!"

TLDR: There's not one right answer for all, or there'd only be one model. Use your head, think about what you plan to do with the tablet, how long you anticipate using it before upgrading, and if, assuming you don't currently foresee the 'need' for 32GB, the added benefit which it undeniably does make available is one you will be likely to avail yourself of before that replacement.

I would suggest that if you plan on keeping your tablet 2+ years, it'slikely worth paying the premium to ensure you're not likely to be left wanting desperately for space with the next flavor or two of Android OS and new apps you'll be able to and want to pick up. $40 over 24 months is only $1.67/month for that peace of mind and added flexibility.

I would suggest that if you expect to upgrade to the latest and greatest at the next model release that if you don't expect to need the extra 16GB, you stick with the basic model as that savings will represent 15-20% of the purchase price you will be spending next year.

Mostly I would suggest that you take a number of the arguments for and against that have been presented in this thread and make up your mind for yourself, as you're the one who'll have to live with the wisdom or lack thereof of the decision you make.

Exactly, ty

 

[Rule9]

Boy was I told off! Actually most airplanes I fly on have electrical outlets. BTW, I fly 180 days per year...

So if I don't I should get the 32 based on the fact that you fly a lot. I see...
Makes perfect sense, don't know how I missed that.

>.>

 

[hpilot]

So if I don't I should get the 32 based on the fact that you fly a lot. I see...
Makes perfect sense, don't know how I missed that.

>.>

I couldn't care less what you get.

 

[Rule9]

I couldn't care less what you get.

You cared enough a few minutes ago.

 

[Haalcyon]

I always recommend getting just a bit more storage than you think you'll need, if you can, especially if dealing with non-expandable storage (like on the iphone). You just never know and having more storage does increase resale value,

Sent from my Note 8.0 LTE

 

[Roffles]

just like what was said earlier, a 32GB solution to storage, is no solution at all, because people need more storage than that. that's why getting a 16GB and having non-local storage (such as a home pc or wireless hard drive) is the only worthwhile solution. 32GB should be largely ignored. of course, people will convince themselves that the 32GB was worth it to keep from having to face buyers remorse.

that's an incredibly flawed argument. you won't be able to access your unlimited non-local storage from a bus, train, plane, park, pub, restaurant, coffee shop etcetera with no wifi connection available. or if there is a connection, it will be open, insecure and congested. if you are naive enough to want to use it an open wifi network, it isn't going to feed you enough data to stream HD anyways. my 720p MKV files are on my Nexus 7 where they belong. 16GB is nothing and there are way too may possible scenarios where access to NAS isn't possible or safe. just spend the extra $40 and problem solved.

 

[Rule9]

that's an incredibly flawed argument. you won't be able to access your unlimited non-local storage from a bus, train, plane, park, pub, restaurant, coffee shop etcetera with no wifi connection available. or if there is a connection, it will be open, insecure and congested. if you are naive enough to want to use it an open wifi network, it isn't going to feed you enough data to stream HD anyways. my 720p MKV files are on my Nexus 7 where they belong. 16GB is nothing and there are way too may possible scenarios where access to NAS isn't possible or safe. just spend the extra $40 and problem solved.

I've never had any issues where I go, but the places I stay are usually good for that. My last vac was at an exclusive villa in southern Europe which had a grand total of 6 suites and an excellent connection. No problem. You know how I afford to do that? Because I never spent $40 on things I don't use over the last 45 years. It adds up

 

[Joe Joejoe]

It's simple, if 16GB works for you you're good to go, especially if you use non local storage. If you think you need 32GB, then you most likely need MORE than 32GB. when it comes to storage space, video is the number one biggest usage of space. 32GB is still simply not enough for this, especially on a device with a 1080p+ screen.

the 32GB version only exists as a way for google to make more money. it costs them $5 to add the extra space, yet $40 more to buy it. with blue tooth, wireless, and remote storage options....the 32GB simply doesn't justify its cost for 99.9% of usage scenarios. the only reason someone should need a 32GB is if they're constantly traveling for days or weeks at a time without access to the internet....but even then, external storage is still a much better option. a 500GB wireless hard drive is tiny and can sit in a bag, purse, or backpack easily out of sight with no fuss....and you can get one for the same extra cost of the 32GB n7. it's a no brainer. 16GB for $40, vs 500GB for $40.

not to mention your battery life on the 16GB will be noticeably better because reading the larger volume of data on the 32GB will use more power than say transferring files over a self powered wireless drive. I'm willing to bet that's why you see some people complain about battery life, because they're downloading and then reading 8GB mkv's for hours on end, which means constant power drain from local storage streaming, along with the initial power drain from putting the files on it in the first place.