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eimis993

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 24, 2013
81
12
Hi! So I have decided to buy a tablet. My two choices are nexus 7 2013 for 249eur and iPad mini 1st gen refurbished for 249eur. So prices are the same, which one should I buy. Thanks :)
 
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Rodster

macrumors 68040
May 15, 2007
3,177
6
It all depends which ecosystem you prefer. Apples ecosystem is still the better of the two only because the majority of it's apps are not upscaled phone apps. As far as quantity of the apps both Google and Apple have a wide variety.

In the title you mentioned Nexus 7 2013 and in your post you mentioned Nexus 7 2012. Which are you planning to buy?

The Nexus 7 2012 which was the 1st gen had some QC issues. I still have my Nexus 7 1st gen and I was lucky as it still works fine.

The N7 2012 had a resolution of 1280x800 and the 2nd gen has a much higher screen resolution and it's quite solid although it's much slimmer now.

The iPad mini has a much lower resolution than both the N7's.
 

eimis993

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 24, 2013
81
12
It all depends which ecosystem you prefer. Apples ecosystem is still the better of the two only because the majority of it's apps are not upscaled phone apps. As far as quantity of the apps both Google and Apple have a wide variety.

In the title you mentioned Nexus 7 2013 and in your post you mentioned Nexus 7 2012. Which are you planning to buy?

The Nexus 7 2012 which was the 1st gen had some QC issues. I still have my Nexus 7 1st gen and I was lucky as it still works fine.

The N7 2012 had a resolution of 1280x800 and the 2nd gen has a much higher screen resolution and it's quite solid although it's much slimmer now.

The iPad mini has a much lower resolution than both the N7's.

Sorry Im thinking about nexus 2013. :)
 

eimis993

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 24, 2013
81
12
Much better hardware. It's solid and fast. That would be the far better choice if you are not invested in either ecosystem ! ;)

Mainly the tablet will be used for gaming, youtube and browsing. I would pick iPad mini but I don't think that A5 chip is still capable to run high end games smoothly, next thing is that low resolution screen, I think that 3:4 aspect ration would be nice for browsing, but the resolution is low, so maybe nexus would be better choice...
 

Rodster

macrumors 68040
May 15, 2007
3,177
6
Mainly the tablet will be used for gaming, youtube and browsing. I would pick iPad mini but I don't think that A5 chip is still capable to run high end games smoothly, next thing is that low resolution screen, I think that 3:4 aspect ration would be nice for browsing, but the resolution is low, so maybe nexus would be better choice...

Solid choice picking the Nexus 7 for all of the above. Yes I do agree as I prefer a 4:3 resolution for web browsing but for gaming the N7 is potent, hardware wise.
 

sixrom

macrumors 6502a
Nov 13, 2013
709
1
I have both, despite a slight Apple bias, I can only suggest the Nexus 7, it's far and away the better model for my usage.

I gave the iPad to the kids. :)
 

patseguin

macrumors 68000
Aug 28, 2003
1,713
513
Device wise, I think the 2013 N7 is the best tablet at its size. It's just a matter of whether you can live with Android apps. Before my Air, I had a 3rd gen iPad, a mini, and a N7. I found myself using the N7 all the time. When the air came out, it changed the game and I sold all the extra tablets. With the mini being retina now, I'd have to give he ipad the edge due to the app quality.
 

Mackan

macrumors 65816
Sep 16, 2007
1,443
113
Tried out the Nexus 7 in a store, and the browsing experience was laggy with late touch response rather often. I closed all other apps, even rebooted the device, to see if it made a difference, but no.

Next to it was the Nexus 5, and the browsing experience was butter smooth. Didn't see a stutter or slow down anywhere in the OS.

Both were running KitKat 4.4.2. I think the Snapdragon 800 makes the difference here. No other way I can explain it. Or they had a lemon in the store.

On the iPad mini the browsing experience was butter smooth. Only problem with the iDevices are they reload the tabs way too often. You open up a few tabs, only 2 is enough, and a few minutes later when you return to the tab, it reloads. Idiotic behaviour.
 

eimis993

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 24, 2013
81
12
Tried out the Nexus 7 in a store, and the browsing experience was laggy with late touch response rather often. I closed all other apps, even rebooted the device, to see if it made a difference, but no.

Next to it was the Nexus 5, and the browsing experience was butter smooth. Didn't see a stutter or slow down anywhere in the OS.

Both were running KitKat 4.4.2. I think the Snapdragon 800 makes the difference here. No other way I can explain it. Or they had a lemon in the store.

On the iPad mini the browsing experience was butter smooth. Only problem with the iDevices are they reload the tabs way too often. You open up a few tabs, only 2 is enough, and a few minutes later when you return to the tab, it reloads. Idiotic behaviour.
I have opportunity to use nexus 7 2012 for about month or so, and browsing was smooth, so I think 2013 version should be even faster and smoother. iPad reloads webpages because of lack of ram. iPad mini only have 512mb ram, while nexus 2013 have 2gb
 

Mackan

macrumors 65816
Sep 16, 2007
1,443
113
I have opportunity to use nexus 7 2012 for about month or so, and browsing was smooth, so I think 2013 version should be even faster and smoother. iPad reloads webpages because of lack of ram. iPad mini only have 512mb ram, while nexus 2013 have 2gb

Yeah, I know about the lack of RAM on the iDevices. It's a shame. Almost pointless of Apple to support tabs in iOS Safari.
 

AdamInNi

macrumors member
Nov 20, 2012
56
0
Northern Ireland
Sold my iPad Mini 1st gen and bought a Nexus 7 2013. Don't regret it at all. The Nexus is so much faster and, in my opinion, provides a better user experience and feels nicer in the hand. I'm not an Android fanboy by any stretch. My phone is an iPhone which I love. I just think Google are doing a little better with tablets right now.
 

mattopotamus

macrumors G5
Jun 12, 2012
14,738
6,109
The screen alone makes the n7 better IMO. I mostly use a tablet to surf so that is the most important factor.
 

Lloydbm41

Suspended
Oct 17, 2013
4,019
1,456
Central California
Hi! So I have decided to buy a tablet. My two choices are nexus 7 2013 for 249eur and iPad mini 1st gen refurbished for 249eur. So prices are the same, which one should I buy. Thanks :)

I have and use both. For gaming purposes, I rooted the N7 and use my wireless ps3 controller to play games like Dead Trigger 2, GTA series, Modern Combat, Asphalt 8, etc with the sixaxis app. iOS is currently a joke compared to Android on this front, but I think by 2015 Apple will be back in front now that Apple has finally allowed controller support. (There are very, very few games that support it though).

For media consumption, the iPad wins simply because I can use all my Google apps with it AND it is the 4:3 screen ratio in an 8 inch form factor. Nexus, even with the better resolution still gives off a phone vibe when looking at the screen trying to pan around websites.
 

Menneisyys2

macrumors 603
Jun 7, 2011
6,003
1,106
I have opportunity to use nexus 7 2012 for about month or so, and browsing was smooth, so I think 2013 version should be even faster and smoother. iPad reloads webpages because of lack of ram. iPad mini only have 512mb ram, while nexus 2013 have 2gb

Probably there were several tabs open in the browser? It introduces considerable lag.

----------

The screen alone makes the n7 better IMO. I mostly use a tablet to surf so that is the most important factor.

Agreed. The screen of the N7 2013 is extremely good, even for people "spoiled" by the Retina 8"/10" iPad screens.
 

eimis993

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 24, 2013
81
12
I have and use both. For gaming purposes, I rooted the N7 and use my wireless ps3 controller to play games like Dead Trigger 2, GTA series, Modern Combat, Asphalt 8, etc with the sixaxis app. iOS is currently a joke compared to Android on this front, but I think by 2015 Apple will be back in front now that Apple has finally allowed controller support. (There are very, very few games that support it though).

For media consumption, the iPad wins simply because I can use all my Google apps with it AND it is the 4:3 screen ratio in an 8 inch form factor. Nexus, even with the better resolution still gives off a phone vibe when looking at the screen trying to pan around websites.

which tablet is better for browsing in portrait orientation, without zooming?
 

Lloydbm41

Suspended
Oct 17, 2013
4,019
1,456
Central California
and what about gaming? Does graphics would look a lot better on nexus because of bigger resolution, or it would be the same experience?

Gaming is better on the Nexus because of resolution and PS3 wireless controller capability. With the Sixaxis app, you can play just about any game ever made with a moga or ps3 controller. Oh and one last thing for Nexus... (Nintendo baby!)

Browsing the web is iPad territory. Like I said, browsing the web on the Nexus is akin to browsing the web on a phone. The 16:9 ratio is just not condusive to internet consumption.
 

blackhand1001

macrumors 68030
Jan 6, 2009
2,600
37
Between the first gen iPad mini and the nexus 7 its no contest, nexus 7. The tablet app thing is an overblown issue and its now gotten to the point now where most apps are tablet optimized now.
 

Michael Goff

Suspended
Jul 5, 2012
13,329
7,422
and what about gaming? Does graphics would look a lot better on nexus because of bigger resolution, or it would be the same experience?

Gaming on the Nexus would be better on the basis of more than resolution. The colors are better (more accurate), and the game will likely run smoother due to better internals. Also, you're likely to be playing a game in landscape where it doesn't matter between 4:3 and 16:10 (other than the fact that I do believe the Nexus 7 has a bezel made for holding in portrait).

Plus, like others have pointed out, the Nexus 7 is more friendly to controllers.
 

apolloa

Suspended
Oct 21, 2008
12,318
7,802
Time, because it rules EVERYTHING!
I would say Nexus 7 because the first gen iPad Mini will lose Apples support before a Nexus device looses Googles support. Plus it has a far superior screen and then is much more pocketable. Let alone the rooting you can do and the controller support. Also you can have a You Tube widget on the screen, scroll through the latest videos.
The Nexus 7 is more powerful then the first gen iPad mini too. I have a 2012 Nexus 7 and it games like a boss so well, I am selling my PSVita. And when my tablet runs out of puff I can then root it and install a custom ROM to boost its performance if I want, you have to sell your iPad and buy a new one to increase it's performance.
Just make sure if you get a Nexus 7 to buy the 32gb model as it lacks expandable storage and the high end games are pushing 2gb in size now.
 
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blackhand1001

macrumors 68030
Jan 6, 2009
2,600
37
Gaming is better on the Nexus because of resolution and PS3 wireless controller capability. With the Sixaxis app, you can play just about any game ever made with a moga or ps3 controller. Oh and one last thing for Nexus... (Nintendo baby!)

Browsing the web is iPad territory. Like I said, browsing the web on the Nexus is akin to browsing the web on a phone. The 16:9 ratio is just not condusive to internet consumption.

The nexus 7 is 16:10, not 16x9. Also it makes a great portrait web browser because of how high the resolution is.
 
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