Google's first branded tablet, the Asus-manufactured Nexus 7, is a 7-inch slate running Android 4.1 (aka Jelly Bean). It boasts a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, a 1280 x 800 backlit IPS display, 1GB of RAM and a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera. Google promises up to nine hours of battery life when playing HD movies (10 if all you're doing is reading). It is loaded with all the Google apps you'd expect - access to the Google Play apps store, the Chrome browser, Gmail, YouTube and Google+. The tablet will come with a $25 credit to the Google Play store to whet your appetite for apps, books or videos.
You'll pay $199 for the 8GB version or $250 for the 16GB.
The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers giving a big thumbs up to the performance specs and price tag. In the 7-inch tablet category, the Kindle Fire may be starting to sweat.
Thumbs Up | Thumbs Down | ![]() |
Mixed/Caveated |