Worthy Nexus 7 2013 Replacement

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Krishant007

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Topic # 157646 8-Dec-2014 11:50

Hi all

Just wanted to get others opinions on something. I have been through a number of tablets and I am sure everyone has had their fair share. So far, one of the most useful tablets I have come across is the Nexus 7 2013. This was the ideal size for consumption and was a very good companion.

I dont know about others, but I was a little disappointed that Google did not refresh the Nexus 7. The issue with Nexus 7 at present is mainly the outdated CPU. If it was a Snapdragon 801 or 805, then it would have been awesome. Alas, a worthy 7 inch tablet eludes this space (at that price as well of course). The best small sized tablet I have come across so far has to be the Samsung Tab S 8.4, but it does have a ridiculous $600 price tag. The lowest I have seen this tablet for is $550 during a sale.

Another decent performer is the Samsung Tab Pro 8.4 - which I have seen for $399 which is not half bad - once you flash it with CM (there is a CM mod for it!).

But this is still 8.4 inches. A 7incher still is missing (not that much of a difference I guess, but I do have a harder time carrying around my iPad Mini than my nexus for sure).

I recently came across an asus offering. Just came across it last night actually and it sparked my interest. Just a quick google around showed me that this is available from Best buy in USA for $180 which is quite a decent price for this tablet I reckon.

Just wanted to get people's thought on such a tablet. Dont think anyone here would have even heard of this tab, but it does seem to have decent specs albeit the Asus software.. Has anyone been thinking of replacing their Nexus 7 2013? Which successors were you thinking about? Does the Asus tablet spark your interest? Do you think there is a better tablet in this space? Are the Samsung 8.4 inch tablets better sized than 7 inch?

garvani

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Reply # 1190502 8-Dec-2014 12:06

I have a 2012 Nexus 7 so you can imagine my dismay! I cracked the screen on my recent trip to thailand so have been on the hunt for a replacement, that asus looks like a winner to me! The specs are certainly up there, and that price is just right. I havn't had any devices with an atom in it since a acer netbook circa 2010, im sure they have come a long way sicne then, if the tablet could get anywhere near 10hours battery like i would be impressed. I was considering the Z3 compact tablet, but the price was a little bit of a put off.

Alas being the silly season i can't just go and purchase this, although i want too! Its gone on my "wants" list however.

Wade

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Reply # 1190508 8-Dec-2014 12:09

Maybe we read the same articles but i also came across this unit in an online article about a suitable N7 replacement, looks like a viable contender

nathan

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Reply # 1190518 8-Dec-2014 12:15

make sure all your Android apps are compatible with x86 if you're going to buy one of those.

There's a reason these manufacturers are using Intel chips, that's because Intel is paying them to use them

Krishant007

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Reply # 1190526 8-Dec-2014 12:24

Wade: Maybe we read the same articles but i also came across this unit in an online article about a suitable N7 replacement, looks like a viable contender

I think we did read the same article. I came across it on Techno Buffalo I think it was.

nathan: make sure all your Android apps are compatible with x86 if you're going to buy one of those.

There's a reason these manufacturers are using Intel chips, that's because Intel is paying them to use them

Yup that is one thing I am skeptical about. I dont really consider Intel powered tablets (the opposite is true for chromebooks, lol). But this one did strike my interest.

Further investigation is required. Do you know if there is a list or any place where I can go to find out which apps are not compatible (besides going on each app and checking it out).

shk292

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Reply # 1190580 8-Dec-2014 13:25

I just bought two Nexus 7 2013s for Christmas presents - so I hope they're not quite end of life yet!

nathan

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Reply # 1190589 8-Dec-2014 13:38

shk292: I just bought two Nexus 7 2013s for Christmas presents - so I hope they're not quite end of life yet!

no they're not EOL, they just got the Lollipop 5.01 update

Krishant007

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Reply # 1191657 8-Dec-2014 15:43

shk292: I just bought two Nexus 7 2013s for Christmas presents - so I hope they're not quite end of life yet!

Ya they would be supported for at least another year I would think.. I think Google would support their devices for at least 2 years - i could be wrong.

Behodar

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Reply # 1191667 8-Dec-2014 16:04

Krishant007: Ya they would be supported for at least another year I would think.. I think Google would support their devices for at least 2 years - i could be wrong.

Google's stated policy (I don't have a link handy) is 18 months from original release.

PANiCnz

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Reply # 1191771 8-Dec-2014 20:06

Doesn't the Nexus 7 have the Snapdragon 800, that's not exactly an outdated or slow CPU. Still uses the same Krait cores as the 801.

If you're upgrading just to get a faster SoC you'll likely be disappointed I suspect the performance delta wont be noticeable.

Stick with the N7 and wait for a worthwhile upgrade.

NZtechfreak

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Reply # 1191812 8-Dec-2014 21:08

PANiCnz: Doesn't the Nexus 7 have the Snapdragon 800, that's not exactly an outdated or slow CPU. Still uses the same Krait cores as the 801.

If you're upgrading just to get a faster SoC you'll likely be disappointed I suspect the performance delta wont be noticeable.

Agree with you in general, although it depends on your use case scenarios. For me emulator gaming rates high, and in that case the differences can certainly be felt. If performance is demanded and 8 inch form factor can be lived with, then I can easily recommend the Shield Tablet.

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timmmay

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Reply # 1191814 8-Dec-2014 21:15

My Mum has an Asus x86 tablet, a cheap one. Works fine. The digitiser failed, they repaired it quickly.

My early to mid 2011 Asus TF101 is still going strong, on Android 4.4 using a custom ROM. It's CPU is slow and it can only do one thing at a time, but it's fine for light use in the lounge.

All in all Asus seems good, though I would be tempted to go Google because in theory they should be supported longer. If Google doesn't release updates someone else will.

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Krishant007

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Reply # 1191868 8-Dec-2014 23:01

PANiCnz: Doesn't the Nexus 7 have the Snapdragon 800, that's not exactly an outdated or slow CPU. Still uses the same Krait cores as the 801.

If you're upgrading just to get a faster SoC you'll likely be disappointed I suspect the performance delta wont be noticeable.

Stick with the N7 and wait for a worthwhile upgrade.

Na, the N7 runs the Snapdragon S4 Pro - that was the chip in the Nexus 4. That chip was released in 2012.

If it was SnapDragon 800, that would be great!! I have also used the LG G Pad google play edition and that tablet runs SnapDragon 600 and that runs quite fast!! The N7 2013 I had was noticeably slower than the LG G Pad GPe

nathan

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Reply # 1192600 10-Dec-2014 08:36

the 2013 essentially has an underclocked Snapdragon 600

dafman

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Reply # 1192623 10-Dec-2014 09:06

It's a pity the Nexus 9 falls short on so many fronts: aspect ratio, build quality, light bleed, price.

This ASUS looks like a useful Nexus replacement. Personally, I prefer the 8.4 screen size, but, apart from this, the ASUS looks good. Have a look at: http://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/12/06/asus-me572c-the-true-follow-up-to-googles-nexus-7/

Krishant007

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Reply # 1192641 10-Dec-2014 09:24

dafman: It's a pity the Nexus 9 falls short on so many fronts: aspect ratio, build quality, light bleed, price.

This ASUS looks like a useful Nexus replacement. Personally, I prefer the 8.4 screen size, but, apart from this, the ASUS looks good. Have a look at: http://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/12/06/asus-me572c-the-true-follow-up-to-googles-nexus-7/

Thats the article I read that led me to discovering the Asus tablet.

There is quite a bit of performance difference between the S4 Pro and the Snapdragon 600. I have used both the LG Gpad Google edition (that has the Snapdragon 600) and the Nexus 7 2013 and have noticed differences in speed of opening apps, changing screens etc.