Nexus 7, Is it worth it?

The last two days, it all as been about Google and their annual event the Google I/O 2012. They presented the new iteration of Android, Jelly Bean or Android 4.1 bringing it share of amelioration. Everything is supposed to feel a lot smoother and fluid.

Of course to support this new version of Android, Google had to have a device ready for that and came the Nexus 7: a 7″ tablet with a Tegra3 processor and a 1280×800 IPS. The specifications are quite nice and reminds me a lot of the MediaPad I currently use as my daily driver:

Screen	7” 1280×800 HD display (216 ppi) Back-lit IPS display Scratch-resistant Corning glass 1.2MP front-facing camera
Weight	340 grams
Memory	8 or 16 GB internal storage 1 GB RAM
Battery	4325 mAh (Up to 8 hours of active use)
CPU	Quad-core Tegra 3 processor
Size	198.5 x 120 x 10.45mm
Wireless	WiFi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth
External Port	Headphones Jack Micro USB
Features	Microphone NFC (Android Beam) Accelerometer GPS Magnetometer Gyroscope

 

All this for $200 for the 8Gb version and $250 for the 16Gb version. Obviously, Google wanted to compete with the Amazon and their Kindle Fire currently taking the biggest market share in Android tablets world and doing so, taking away revenues from Google.

Now let’s go back to this tablet, in terms of specs, it sounds very nice and due to the fact that it is a Nexus we can expect timely updates and a huge community support and that by itself would be a reason for most to buy it but… I would not.

Here is why I would keep my Huawei MediaPad / T-Mobile Springboard:

1. The Screen: the 2 tablets have the same resolution and screen technology, no winner
2. The memory: the Mediapad has 16Gb plus a microSD port, the N7 is stuck with 8 or 16.
3. The OS, obviously the N7 has the lead here, but I hope Huawei will react
4. The extension ports: the MP has a micro-HDMI so you can plug it to your TV, nothing like that for the N7
5. Mobile Broadband: no capacity for the N7… a shame for a mobile device
6. CPU: Dual-Core vs Quad-Core for the N7
7. Price, here again advantage for the N7 but second-hands MediaPads can be found under $300

As you can see the 2 devices are close and it is up to you to choose what your priorities are. For me the GSM capacities and the microSD are just mandatory. Also I use a lot the micro-HDMI, when I go to a friend or to the hotel, to be able to play my movies on the TV is just really nice and useful for me. The processor speed is not one of my priorities, I don’t play a lot and I don’t really care about having the faster CPU as long as my experience is smooth and the MP is.

Now it is up to you to decide what you need and where your priorities are but make no mistake both devices are good but the MediaPad offers a lot more possibilities, so far at least.

Feel free to leave comment and share your opinion.