Google Nexus 7 FHD Tablet (7-Inch, 16GB, Black) by ASUS (2013)
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Google made all the right improvements for the product, as well as the result's a lot improved product for a marginally higher cost. Can be if this type of unit suffers exactly the same performance fate since the original model (for anyone new, as time passes, the very first generation tablets tended to quickly decelerate and find it difficult to perform even basic tasks like browsing the internet). However, Android 4.3 feels ultra-smooth up to now, and i'm hoping that Google and Asus learned from other original mistakes.
SCREEN: The new screen is absolutely stunning. Many people argue that the resolution of 323 pixels per inch is unnecessary, however you can definitely see the difference when you use it personally. Text is really a lot sharper and a little easier around the eye to see. While using tablet to view videos and see pictures creates a stunning result.
PROCESSOR: This is actually the #1 reason I'd recommend this new, upgraded Nexus 7 within the older version. The pace upgrade is unquestionably immense, also to anyone who has used the older and newest model Nexus 7, you will see and understand why immediately. Apps load instantly; the net browsing experience is smooth plus a very welcome upgrade over past performance. It's strange; earlier this week I used to be satisfied with the decent albeit declining performance of my 1st Gen Nexus 7. Given that I have this another one, I use them both alongside and also the older model feels as though a dinosaur. This is sufficient cause to upgrade.
SIZE/WEIGHT: The lower thickness and weight from the tablet is very noticeable. I in many cases used my old Nexus 7 tablet while using bed, to check email and study the net before you go to rest. Holding the existing Nexus in a hand, and also the brand new one inside the other, the differences in size are incredibly noticeable. Without doubt will provide a far more comfortable long-term usage experience, specifically for extended sessions during flights or perhaps the subway.
Battery: After having a couple days of applying this new Nexus 7, I'm able to confidently claim that it life continues to be significantly improved on the original model. My previous session around A couple of hours straight useful (screen on, using apps that draw semi-frequent data over wi-fi) drained only 20% with the battery life. Basically project this out, it might inform me that I might get 10 hours of constant experience one full charge. I have not run through a whole charge yet from 100% down to 0% (I am recharging after each use), but I'll make an effort to reach that sometime immediately and report back in my total real-world battery.
CAMERAS: Google added a rear-facing Camera with this new second gen Nexus. Because i typically wouldn't use my tablet being a camera, I've used it out also it takes excellent pictures. Focuses quickly, the pictures are sharp as well as the low light performance, while not great, is better than I'd have expected. The front-facing camera gets more use for me (I take advantage of my tablets to Skype with family). The newest front facing camera is noticeably sharper and better in lower light situations compared to the original Nexus 7 camera was. In low light, that old model was almost unusable. The next gen Nexus 7 low light performance is very acceptable.
SPEAKERS: I've now spent a while by using this second-gen Nexus 7 side by side with my original Nexus 7. Separately, both sound very acceptable for speakers from small tablets. With them alongside, the improvements for the Nexus 7 are incredibly noticeable, and the sound is much more clear even at high volumes. I'd claim that the 550d sounds much less "tinny" than the original Nexus did. Personally, I can't utilize the built-in speakers often (I'm normally either listening with headphones, or using bluetooth audio to my Logitech Boombox). But also for individuals who do use the built-in speakers to try out music or watch movies online, you'll appreciate the improvement inside the speakers.
OTHER FEATURES: Last night, I noticed that this tablet is compatible with Qi Wireless Charging, a discovery which taught me to be Delighted. I use a Nexus 4 cellular phone, and that i ensure that it stays in my nightstand about the Google Nexus Charging Orb. Cleaning it once a to use the orb using this new Nexus 7 tablet, also it worked perfectly. You must sit today landscape, with all the orb centered on named, also it synced up and commenced charging instantly.
COMPARISONS: I will update this shortly with my comparison review between this 2nd Gen Nexus 7, the iPad Mini, as well as the Amazon kindle fire HD, when I've had more time to try them side-by-side.
GRIPES AND COMPLAINTS: Here, I'll list any gripes that I have about the tablet. My initial gripe is that I'm not an enormous fan of the texture/material utilized on the rear of today. It's a slightly rubberized feeling coating, that i assume they did to make additional grip. However, I am finding that after holding with one hand for some minutes, I notice the tablet starting to slide slightly within my hand. I think it is a mixture of the brand new texture in addition to the fact that it's thinner laptop or computer was previously. I'm probably going to purchase an incident for this shortly, that ought to alleviate this challenge, however it is still important to note. This is simply an individual preference things (if you normally hold it landscape w/ two hands, you'll probably prefer this new texture within the old one).
Overall, I'm VERY impressed with simply how much faster this tablet is than my original Nexus 7 tablet. So long as this model doesn't suffer the performance slowdown issue of the original Nexus 7, I don't anticipate moving this far from a Five star product anytime soon, but only time will state I guess. I will bare this review updated as I go, and add ideas on more features while i test them out further (the speakers, long term life of the battery tests, performance slowdown, etc). For those who have anything else you want me to address, please tell me in the comments section and i'll be very glad to handle it.
MoKo Google New Nexus 7 FHD 2nd Gen Case
The newest form of this case has all issues fixed. Your vehicle sleep/wake feature works properly and doesn't turn the screen if the coverage is flipped all the way around (I received my replacement today). The original batch of cases lacked the car sleep/wake feature as well as the second batch of cases was suffering from the issue the location where the case would shut the screen if the cover was flipped all the way around. The third batch of cases, which can be what you should get if you order it now, has these issues resolved.
They have also changed the cutout for that speaker from a slot that covered half the speaker to holes running the entire whole speaker. Now, the sound has stopped being blocked from from the speakers.
BSCstore was very proactive in fixing the difficulties that arose in the first couple of batches of cases. I'd do business with them again in a heartbeat.
I uploaded several images with the fixed case and one picture of the old case next to the new one so you can see how the speaker cutout has changed.
Google Nexus 7 FHD Tablet (7-Inch, 32GB, Black) by ASUS (2013)
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| Google Nexus 7 FHD Tablet (7-Inch, 32GB, Black) by ASUS (2013) |
Becoming an IT professional, I've used a variety of Android and Apple devices, probably dozens at this point. I'm trained in Apple, Android and Microsoft world, this will let you MCSE/MCSA and half dozen other MS/IT certs, so I understand what I'm talking about.
I think it will take per month or two before I'm fully versed inside the eccentricities of this tablet, but here is my Three hours of usage review:
First Impressions:
Upon receiving the box, I used to be happily surprised by how small and minimal it is. Nearly the same as Apple packaging, that is best in the business in my opinion. Upon turning it on and signing into my Google account, I used to be immediately greeted by a few updates. 0-day updates to become expected from a major release and so are appreciated.
Usually, my Google account wanted to sync all my previous Play Store apps to the device which I immediately stopped. No stupid Verizon apps for you! Among my primary basis for getting this tablet was for gaming. I'm disappointed from the horridly slow memory in my old Kindle Fire, and I hate the uphill battle that accompany attempting to Jailbreak and install emulators on Apple tablets. I nearly purchased a Nexus 7 Gen1 until I heard it had slow storage as well. While i heard that Nexus 7 Gen2 had greatly improved storage speeds, as well as better specs along the board, I had been sold. I won't bore you with all the specs, that you can read those who work in the Amazon description above. However, I have to point out one particularly great spec this tablet has, and several covet: a 1080p screen on a 7" tablet. There are no current 7" tablets on the market that match that PPI, but I'm certain Apple's iPad mini 2 will match or come close with it. (in regards out)
Performance:
We have no gear to officially test the dynamic contrast and black amount screen, but CNET (Normally Apple biased) gave an extremely impressive 570/0.44 cd/m2 for it's max brightness/black level, putting it at 1,295:1 contrast ratio, beating the socks off the iPad Mini's 814:1, and also the old Nexus 7 at 1,028:1. I notice this most in black and white movies like Casablanca, (my usual test) but color also pops much better too. The color levels will be more accurate overall than the greenish tint from the first N7, and give Apple a run for the investment.
If gaming is the target, it's interesting to find the Nexus 7 Gen2 meets or exceeds the iPad Gen4. GFXBench tests place the N7g2 consistently in line with the iPad, no small feat for any sub-$300 device. I confirmed this performance by playing a number of games and finding that I couldn't slow this little guy down; Galaxy on Fire's new android release, Project Y, and a host of old standbys. It runs an Adreno 320, the same as the mighty HTC One, therefore an HTC One plays rid of it, the Nexus 7 will too. Additionally, it typically beats a Nexus 10 in all tests, therefore your choice between both of these tablets is speed, the N7 may be the obvious winner.
Once i got today it had been at 50% battery. It took a couple of hours prior to being at 100%. I'm guessing it will require 3-4 hours with the shipped charger to bring it from 0 to 100.
Other improvements:
The improvements in Android 4.3 are not likely to be apparent for a time, since the main improvements are OpenGL ES 3.0 and app security permissions. However, it also includes battery improvements which manage to stretch an additional hour of video watching despite it's a bit smaller battery. Additionally it is a bit thinner than the 1st gen Nexus 7, by around 1.8mm. Usually thin tablets annoy me and so are awkward to keep, but the Nexus 7 has comfortable rounded sides along with a soft rubber back. The leading is really a fingerprint magnet needless to say.
Value and software:
Lastly, the Nexus 7 is only $230 for a 16GB model, or $270 for 32GB. Compare this to an iPad mini at $330 for any 16GB model, or a 32GB at $430. The original Nexus 7 appears to be going for under $200 now, therefore if you simply need a good internet browser and want to dabble in anything else, the Nexus 7 Gen 1 is actually a great deal.
A last positive is available in the type of the Apple/Android philosophy. This baby comes prepared to be loaded on top of any ROM you chose, as do all of the Nexus series. There aren't any real releases yet, however expect there to be some terrific ones on the next few months. Apple does you need to prevent Jailbreaking. If you don't know the great things about either, and think about your hair a tinkerer, then you can want to improve in it.
The other thing about this Android/Apple philosophical difference replaces Apple censorship. I HATE IT. Apple tries it is best to keep it's store locked down with American prude censorship. Google doesn't. Apple also nixes nearly any emulator apps they could. What this means is no DOSBox, SNES, NES, Genesis and Playstation emulators to suit your needs if you are stuck on an Apple device. That sucks a huge one. Among the big reasons I will not get an IOS device.
Cell phone negatives:
1.) The most obvious because the Google Play Store gets some games after the Apple App Store. Nearly all the "good" games can be found for both within months, but the tendency is made for Apple to get the initial release followed closely. by Play Store. However, the whole variety of Apps in both store has become shifted into Google's favor, because it now has over 1,000,00 apps compared to Apple's 900,000+, using the lead growing each month. So allow the stupid, "My tablet has more apps" argument die, because it doesn't matter anymore.
2.) The widescreen format and shape can be awkward for many, however i got accustomed to it quickly.
3.) There is no Sdcard slot. We already expected this because the previous was lacking one, but I really wish it had one and so i could load it up with music and flicks. Heck, I've got a 64GB micro sd card during my phone. Why can't a much larger tablet have one too?
Other than that, I am struggling to find a negative with this particular tablet. Yet again, I do believe I'll give it a few weeks before I'm able to fully flesh out this review. Fo the time being, I'm gonna enjoy messing with this little guy.
Edit: 48 hours later...
Now that I've had today a couple of days and kicked it around a bit more, I'm still holding firm on my small previous statements. I've loaded up Jet Set Radio, Dolphin, Labtech Control Center and a variety of other apps to see how well it handles a number of content. I must say, I'm not having any issues. I loaded up 3DMark therefore i often see for myself just how it handles a heavy strain on it's GPU, plus it breezed through even on Extreme, achieving a score close to 6300. The initial Nexus could only accomplish around 1900, making the brand new model over 3 times faster.
The battery life may be good, since it appears to still have 25-50% charge after a day's moderate to heavy use.
One detail I didnrrrt realize before, the good news is find apparent is that while the speakers sound best for built-in tiny tablet speakers, the quantity levels are capped to do this. Prior to the speakers commence to distort bass, the very best volume levels out. I kind of wish it could go little further so I can use it for a portable radio while I'm cleaning, however suppose headphones will fix that. They can fit inside a jean pocket like a big mp3 music player, something I can't display with an iPad mini. The iPad mini is 5.3 inches wide, as the Nexus 7 is all about 4.7 inches. The widescreen just can make it in to a back or side pocket without getting too tight.
Edit: 7/29
Another detail I've have been told by at least one reviewer is dead pixels. I HIGHLY recommend running the free app, "Dead Pixel Test" as soon as you can. I discovered only two dead pixels in my tablet, both in the very best. One is incredibly difficult to see except in an angle, in support of then in complete black. One other is better visible, however only in an angle again. Dead pixels can be expected by using an high density display, so be extra diligent to identify if your display has a major problem with dead or stuck pixels. Mine are minor, but a few significant reports have surfaced.
Edit: 8/6/13
After around 2 weeks useful, I'm very happy using the tablet. It's got done well with life of the battery throughout a few days of moderate use and occasional gaming. I'm waiting on an ultra-slim case from Moko, but wish to note that "Premium Official Case" come out in order to determine if it's worthwhile. Word all the time is the official carry bag just isn't worth the $20 they may be asking.
