Google Nexus 7 Review (2013)
99+
Introduction:
When it was introduced last year, the Google Nexus 7 came out of nowhere and shook up the market in more ways than one, to reign supreme in the (budget) Android market. Before its arrival, cheap Android tablets typically came from no-name companies and were attached with funky model names. Seriously, everyone jumped on the bandwagon when it came to dirt cheap Android tablets, but where many failed to deliver something profound, the Nexus 7 seemingly redefined what we expect from the segment.
Not only were people impressed by the uber low price point on the Nexus 7, but it was also packing some admirable hardware under the hood to give every dollar attached to it some much-needed justification. One year later, we’re seeing its successor in the 2013 model of the Google Nexus 7 – something that continues the line’s affordable price point, while naturally receiving all of the improvements we’d expect to find. Even better, it’s coming straight out of the gate with the latest version of Android, 4.3 Jelly Bean, which hopefully deepens its worth. As much as we’d like to admit it’s shaping out become a hit, we’ll have to see if this Google Nexus 7 can continue to keep the standards high in this particular space.
The package contains:
Design:
Commissioned yet again for the task at hand, Taiwan based company Asus has done yet another marvelous job designing the 2013 version of the Google Nexus 7. Simply, it has all the qualities we want to find in a successive device, as it’s both thinner (0.34”) in frame and lighter (10.55 oz) in weight to make it even easier to grasp with a single hand. We’ll admit, the design isn’t the most captivating over other shakers in the space, since it follows the same modest design structure as before, which is most notable for its subtle tapered edges, cleaner looking soft touch rear casing, and skinnier left/right bezels. It’s a minimalist design at its core, a defining characteristic for sure, but it doesn’t compromise with its construction either. Sure, it’s not flaunting a premium design like the iPad mini, but it really doesn’t need to, mainly because the updated design has an endearing effect on its own.
With the minimalist design and all, the tablet’s façade is pretty clean looking, since the usual set of Android capacitive buttons are incorporated into the interface. However, there’s a single LED light that pulsates in white for notifications – while a front-facing 1.2-megapixel camera, enabled for 720 video recording, is perched in an offset position toward the upper right corner above the display.
Just as before, the right edge of the tablet is home to its physical power button and volume control – with each offering better feel and responsiveness than last year’s model. Furthermore, the microphone is also found on the same side as well. Up top, the only item we find is the 3.5mm headset jack – while the microUSB port is the single item that’s seen on the bottom side. Interestingly, the new Nexus 7 features two speakers that are placed in close proximity to the top and bottom edges of the tablet when it’s held in portrait.
Adding more depth, the Nexus 7 is now armed with a rear camera – a 5-megapixel auto-focus one to be exact, that’s capable of recording video in 1080p. Although it’s not something we’d particularly use all the time, especially when we’re talking about a tablet here, it’s nonetheless a pleasing addition to use when the tablet is the only thing within reach to snap something on the fly.
Display:
The Nexus 10 blew everything away with its high-resolution screen, for those in the 10-incher tablet segment, but the new Nexus 7 is doing the same thing in the 7-incher category. Frankly, it’s one darling of a display! Featuring a 7-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD display, it simply delivers the goods in the details department, as its 323 ppi pixel density is undoubtedly breathtaking for its screen size. Everything just has a defined and sharp look, so much that fine text in the web browser pop with an effective amount of clarity from a normal viewing distance. At the same time, its strong brightness output, balanced color reproduction, and modest viewing angles help to sprinkle yet more lusciousness to its polarizing aura. Heck, we’re also able to view the display under the gaze of the sun with minimal impact to visibility!
When it was introduced last year, the Google Nexus 7 came out of nowhere and shook up the market in more ways than one, to reign supreme in the (budget) Android market. Before its arrival, cheap Android tablets typically came from no-name companies and were attached with funky model names. Seriously, everyone jumped on the bandwagon when it came to dirt cheap Android tablets, but where many failed to deliver something profound, the Nexus 7 seemingly redefined what we expect from the segment.
Not only were people impressed by the uber low price point on the Nexus 7, but it was also packing some admirable hardware under the hood to give every dollar attached to it some much-needed justification. One year later, we’re seeing its successor in the 2013 model of the Google Nexus 7 – something that continues the line’s affordable price point, while naturally receiving all of the improvements we’d expect to find. Even better, it’s coming straight out of the gate with the latest version of Android, 4.3 Jelly Bean, which hopefully deepens its worth. As much as we’d like to admit it’s shaping out become a hit, we’ll have to see if this Google Nexus 7 can continue to keep the standards high in this particular space.
The package contains:
- microUSB cable
- Wall Charger
- Quick Start Guide
- Product Safety and Warranty Guide
Design:
Commissioned yet again for the task at hand, Taiwan based company Asus has done yet another marvelous job designing the 2013 version of the Google Nexus 7. Simply, it has all the qualities we want to find in a successive device, as it’s both thinner (0.34”) in frame and lighter (10.55 oz) in weight to make it even easier to grasp with a single hand. We’ll admit, the design isn’t the most captivating over other shakers in the space, since it follows the same modest design structure as before, which is most notable for its subtle tapered edges, cleaner looking soft touch rear casing, and skinnier left/right bezels. It’s a minimalist design at its core, a defining characteristic for sure, but it doesn’t compromise with its construction either. Sure, it’s not flaunting a premium design like the iPad mini, but it really doesn’t need to, mainly because the updated design has an endearing effect on its own.
With the minimalist design and all, the tablet’s façade is pretty clean looking, since the usual set of Android capacitive buttons are incorporated into the interface. However, there’s a single LED light that pulsates in white for notifications – while a front-facing 1.2-megapixel camera, enabled for 720 video recording, is perched in an offset position toward the upper right corner above the display.
Adding more depth, the Nexus 7 is now armed with a rear camera – a 5-megapixel auto-focus one to be exact, that’s capable of recording video in 1080p. Although it’s not something we’d particularly use all the time, especially when we’re talking about a tablet here, it’s nonetheless a pleasing addition to use when the tablet is the only thing within reach to snap something on the fly.
Display:
The Nexus 10 blew everything away with its high-resolution screen, for those in the 10-incher tablet segment, but the new Nexus 7 is doing the same thing in the 7-incher category. Frankly, it’s one darling of a display! Featuring a 7-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD display, it simply delivers the goods in the details department, as its 323 ppi pixel density is undoubtedly breathtaking for its screen size. Everything just has a defined and sharp look, so much that fine text in the web browser pop with an effective amount of clarity from a normal viewing distance. At the same time, its strong brightness output, balanced color reproduction, and modest viewing angles help to sprinkle yet more lusciousness to its polarizing aura. Heck, we’re also able to view the display under the gaze of the sun with minimal impact to visibility!
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: