Tablet Wars Begin. Google announces Nexus 7.

Google just announced their new tablet. Off to go against Microsoft's new Surface and Apple's iPad. Nexus 7 will be using the new Jelly Bean Android 4.1 and will start off at the small price of $199. Yes, ONLY $199!!!!!

Specs:

CPU and GPU: NVIDIA Quad-Core Tegra 3 SoC
RAM: 1GB
Memory: 8GBs ($199 Version), 16GBs ($249 Version)
Display: 7 Inch 1280 x 800 IPS

GPS, WiFi, MicroUSB, NFC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCnt__Qh95I

Tablets might become the new evolution of mobile gaming.

The thing is: What makes me want to get this over the iPad? :? That's the problem with tablets; I don't see a reason, other than price, to get these other tables.bbkkristian

There might be a Nexus 10 announcment, but who knows. Google's I/O conference is still going on.

Microsoft Surface sh!ts all over this

The thing is: What makes me want to get this over the iPad? :? That's the problem with tablets; I don't see a reason, other than price, to get these other tables.bbkkristian

Microsoft Surface sh!ts all over this

Harisemo

[QUOTE="bbkkristian"]The thing is: What makes me want to get this over the iPad? :? That's the problem with tablets; I don't see a reason, other than price, to get these other tables.bobbetybob

[QUOTE="bobbetybob"][QUOTE="bbkkristian"]The thing is: What makes me want to get this over the iPad? :? That's the problem with tablets; I don't see a reason, other than price, to get these other tables.bbkkristian

Eh. I would wait for a 10 inch one if I were to get one. 7 inches is just too small. I mean we have phones now with screen a little more than an inch smaller. Yes the price is nice, but if I want a tablet I want one with a big screen. Microsoft Surface is still the one that looks most appealing

Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with you. Price IS a massive factor. But putting price aside, was there anything making the iPad look like a piece of junk?bbkkristian

No, but why does it need to? ~100% the functionality at 50% the price is a pretty compelling product in and of itself.

I don't really see the point of tablets tbh. It doesn't have the portability of a smart phone and doesn't have the functionality of a laptop. I can't think of one thing that either a smart phone or a laptop isn't better at.Tykain

It's about the middleground: smartphones are too small to properly handle the media consumption and lightweight workloads most people use their portable devices for, while even the smaller ultrabooks are on the too heavy/slow -to-start-up side to be worth the effort of carting around for said media consumption and lightweight workloads. It may not sound like much on paper, but that balance between portability and power makes a huge difference in usability.

The thing is: What makes me want to get this over the iPad? :? That's the problem with tablets; I don't see a reason, other than price, to get these other tables.bbkkristian

[QUOTE="Tykain"]I don't really see the point of tablets tbh. It doesn't have the portability of a smart phone and doesn't have the functionality of a laptop. I can't think of one thing that either a smart phone or a laptop isn't better at.Slow_Show

It's about the middleground: smartphones are too small to properly handle the media consumption and lightweight workloads most people use their portable devices for, while even the smaller ultrabooks are on the too heavy/slow -to-start-up side to be worth the effort of carting around for said media consumption and lightweight workloads. It may not sound like much on paper, but that balance between portability and power makes a huge difference in usability.

Is this a gaming tablet? If not, in what way is it relevant to System Wars?

But that middle ground (At least to me) is useless when you already have a smart phone and a laptop. I can't think of a situation where id use a tablet rather than my phone or laptop. I find that a very light laptop such as a 11" macbook air for example is a much better middle ground, it's just as portable as a tablet and offer much better functionality.Tykain

That doesn't look like it fits the same market as Surface or the iPad. That sits more in the Kindle Fire segment of the tablet market.

Just saying, Surface is the best tablet on the market. Them specs and that price, Microsoft has a killer on its hands.charizard1605

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]Just saying, Surface is the best tablet on the market. Them specs and that price, Microsoft has a killer on its hands.ShadowDeathX

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]Just saying, Surface is the best tablet on the market. Them specs and that price, Microsoft has a killer on its hands.ShadowDeathX

Why is this even on SW?

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"][QUOTE="charizard1605"]Just saying, Surface is the best tablet on the market. Them specs and that price, Microsoft has a killer on its hands.musicalmac

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"][QUOTE="charizard1605"]Just saying, Surface is the best tablet on the market. Them specs and that price, Microsoft has a killer on its hands.musicalmac

Only 8 or 16 gigs without an SD slot?
Only 7" screen (effectively 45% the usable space of a 10" screen)?
No 3G or 4G antenna (goodbye, useful on-the-go mapping tool)?
Only 1200x800 screen resolution?

Imagine if Apple released that, then look at those specs again...musicalmac

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"][QUOTE="charizard1605"]Just saying, Surface is the best tablet on the market. Them specs and that price, Microsoft has a killer on its hands.charizard1605

For me, a tablet would be the ultimate D&D DM companion. Everything right there in a single device that isn't a pain to read. There are even a bunch of free aps on the Play Store for stat keeping and dice rolling. All I need on top of that would be a notepad/word processor and a .pdf reader. $600 for a tablet is dumb. This is reasonable.Zeviander

Personally I think ASUS Taichi would be ultimate GameMaster companion.

A bit heavier, but it will be in such size that it will allow 1:1 PDFs viewing and the second independent screen seems like absolutely perfect tool for enchancing the RPG sessions

I don't ithink they ntend to sell many Surfaces. It looks like it will be their NExus phone - ie...great product designed mostly to showcase and excite people about WIndows 8. If they're aiming at creating hype for the whole OS it makes sense to start early

AdrianWerner

what are you implying?reach3

But that middle ground (At least to me) is useless when you already have a smart phone and a laptop. I can't think of a situation where id use a tablet rather than my phone or laptop. I find that a very light laptop such as a 11" macbook air for example is a much better middle ground, it's just as portable as a tablet and offer much better functionality.Tykain

I used to think like that, but I've been shocked by just how much use I get out of my iPad. They don't seem like much, but all those little differences over an ultraportable laptop (easy one-handed use, near-instant start up, thin and light enough you never have to think about whether it's worth carrying around with you, no keyboard+touchpad taking up space, the much denser ppi) add up to a device that's just that much more portable and pleasant to use. Whereas with my laptop I need to make a conscious decision as to wether it's worth toting around for the sake of a keyboard and a handful of productivity programs, with the iPad it's just an automatic pick it up/throw it in a messenger bag and go (to the point where my laptop just collects dust unless I absolutely know I'm going to need to type thousands of words worth of documents).

] I read that as well. We will see. There is still a lot to learn before we can make any real concrete conclusions about Surface. No battery specs, no pricing specs, and no hands-on yet with the keyboard cover. Lots left to learn. musicalmac

is their any hope for like " 15 to 20 inch tablets? The web browsing experience is much better on tablets on than desktops, except the tabs screen currently are too small. I want much bigger onesreach3

Lenovo and ASUS are preparing some 13-14 inch hybrids.

Anecdotal evidence is all I have. Then again, anecdotal evidence works best in a discussion about hype.charizard1605

Imagine if Apple released that, then look at those specs again...musicalmac

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]Anecdotal evidence is all I have. Then again, anecdotal evidence works best in a discussion about hype.musicalmac

Even on 10 inch ipad reading PnP RPGs supplemenets is pain, let alone on 7 inch one. A bit heavier, but it will be in such size that it will allow 1:1 PDFs viewing and the second independent screen seems like absolutely perfect tool for enchancing the RPG sessionsAdrianWerner

Only 8 or 16 gigs without an SD slot?
Only 7" screen (effectively 45% the usable space of a 10" screen)?
No 3G or 4G antenna (goodbye, useful on-the-go mapping tool)?
Only 1200x800 screen resolution?

Imagine if Apple released that, then look at those specs again...musicalmac

Storage- The idea is you've got everything in the cloud, so you can just find some free wi-fi and download whatever you need. Also kind of a curious complaint, considering the $500 16GB iPad has been far and away the most popular model over the iPad's lifespan, and I can't seem to find the SD card slot on mine.

7"- It's definitely a trade off, but not a net loss: you get proper "doesn't even feel like I'm holding anything" lightness without sacrificing too much in the way of usability.

3G/4G- a little curious that they don't offer it as an option, but Google Maps is getting (or already has? not quite sure) offline map saving and again, plenty of wi-fi only iPads out there.

720p screen- That's over 200ppi at 7", which is no slouch for a $200 device. And if you have a problem with that res, you mustreally hate the 1024x768 screen Apple is still selling in the iPad 2.

If Apple released a product with those specs, people would be shocked that Apple is offering that much for only $200. ;)

That price is crazy good

Yeah, I can imagine it costing $600 and everyone singing about it being the best thing ever.Zeviander

There is no other way to measure or discuss hype.charizard1605

Storage- The idea is you've got everything in the cloud, so you can just find some free wi-fi and download whatever you need. Also kind of a curious complaint, considering the $500 16GB iPad has been far and away the most popular model over the iPad's lifespan, and I can't seem to find the SD card slot on mine.

7"- It's definitely a trade off, but not a net loss: you get proper "doesn't even feel like I'm holding anything" lightness without sacrificing too much in the way of usability.

3G/4G- a little curious that they don't offer it as an option, but Google Maps is getting (or already has? not quite sure) offline map saving and again, plenty of wi-fi only iPads out there.

720p screen- That's over 200ppi at 7", which is no slouch for a $200 device. And if you have a problem with that res, you mustreally hate the 1024x768 screen Apple is still selling in the iPad 2.

If Apple released a product with those specs, people would be shocked that Apple is offering that much for only $200. ;)

Slow_Show