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lbhskier37

macrumors regular
Mar 11, 2011
105
12
2 people I know of got Nexus 7s when the iPad mini pricing came out. One has already bought an iPad mini to replace it and one is planning to.
 

sbddude

macrumors 6502a
Sep 27, 2010
894
4
Nor Cal, USA
I vote no.

I bought an Ipad 2 for my wife shortly after it came out. I absolutely love it when I use it.

I had planned on buying a Mini when it came out, bought the N7 instead. I really wanted to love it..great reviews, great price.

But the lack of tablet apps, the increasing laginess, daily crashes, inaccurate touchscreen, wifi range etc. have sucked the fun out of it.

I bought a Mini for my mom last week. I played around with it after setting it up and on the trip down made me realize how much more polished the product is than the N7. I really wanted to love the N7...and it has some great features, but there is no way I'd dump it for an iPad. Heck, I'm about to dump my N7 to get me a Mini.

I had the exact same experience with the Nexus 7. Paid the extra for iPad mini and I'm much happier. I will definitely upgrade to mini retina when it's available.
 

ReanimationN

macrumors 6502a
Sep 7, 2011
724
0
Australia
In its current iteration? No way. Wait for the refresh that will be revealed in the next few months. The current N7 is irritatingly laggy.
 

b166er

macrumors 68020
Apr 17, 2010
2,062
18
Philly
I actually still have my iPad 2 and a Nexus 7. I use them both often for different things. But if I had to choose one, I'd choose the iPad.

The screen, battery life, and app selection are the biggest factors. Surprisingly the iPad 2 is still relevant with developers and Apple software releases. Probably not for long though.

Both cool devices with their own advantages/disadvantages.
 

mpayne2k

macrumors 6502a
May 12, 2010
876
63
That was one thing I forgot to mention in my opening post! I've had a look on Google Play and there aren't many apps I'd be missing out on, but it doesn't look like they've been optimised for the Nexus 7.

It definitely sounds like I'll be sticking with my iPad 2 for now!

I'd say stick with your iPad 2 for now...you've bought into the iOS ecosystem. If you jump ship entirely to android, you'll have to rebuy many apps in the Google Play store. Sure, some may be free, but that means they are ad supported and this can be jarring for someone coming from an iOS device.

Is there a reason you are looking at the Nexus 7? What about the Nexus 10? I've seen the 32gb version go for as low as $380/$400 on eBay recently. Sure its more than $100 more than the Nex7, but it has a retina beating screen though some complain it is not as accurate reproducing colors compared the much more expensive iPad 3/4.

At this point, I'd say just wait and see what the iPad 5 will offer. Then at least the 3 & 4 will have a reduced value and you could score a good deal if you still want the upgrade. Or if a smaller tab size is what you seek, then maybe an iPad Mini Retina will be available at a cheaper cost than a full sized iPad.

----------

I actually still have my iPad 2 and a Nexus 7. I use them both often for different things. But if I had to choose one, I'd choose the iPad.

The screen, battery life, and app selection are the biggest factors. Surprisingly the iPad 2 is still relevant with developers and Apple software releases. Probably not for long though.

Both cool devices with their own advantages/disadvantages.

I'm in a similar boat as you, though instead of an iPad 2 I have a Mini. I prefer the size and form factor of the Mini and the usability (still feels like a full size iPad, I guess I bought into the "every inch an iPad" sales pitch!). The Nexus 7 is nice to hold with one hand and is fun to use, but the app selection is not on par with what the iPad2/Mini has available. I can't stand that using the Nex7 in landscape and Chrome makes the view area so small it is really only good in portrait for web use. The iPad Mini however is great in landscape view for just about everything! Plus, apps are actually made for the mini, not just scaled up as with the Nex7. The Nexus apps that are scaled can look blurry or the text doesnt scale so you get allot of dead space which just doesn't look appealing.

I'm not fully saying the Nex7 is deadweight, just that the iPad Mini and all iPads in general just deliver a better experience in my opinion.
 

fredaroony

macrumors 6502a
Aug 1, 2011
670
0
If you jump ship entirely to android, you'll have to rebuy many apps in the Google Play store. Sure, some may be free, but that means they are ad supported and this can be jarring for someone coming from an iOS device.

iOS has ad supported apps too though?
 

Partron22

macrumors 68030
Apr 13, 2011
2,655
808
Yes
I replaced my first gen iPad with a Nexus 7 and haven't regretted it once. Go for it.
Likewise, then jailbroke that sucker too. It's so nice to have a real file system again instead of that synch through iTunes crap and sandboxing. The N7 is light enough to hold in one hand for prolonged periods too.
Still use iPad to watch movies w wife, and play Cat Piano (there is no decent android replacement), but for all else, I am highly pleased to have spent less money to get a more generally useful and user friendly product.
It's just so nice to be able to move photo files around without all that camera roll nonsense, and the imports from the SLR going wrong and adding multiple copies to the iPad and etc. etc.
 
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linkgx1

macrumors 68000
Oct 12, 2011
1,772
462
No. Under the $500 pricepoint, the iPad is probaly the best definition of tablet at this moment.
 

linkgx1

macrumors 68000
Oct 12, 2011
1,772
462
I take that back.

It depends on what you do exactly. Nexus 7 is better for hacking and getting files. It's good for taking 80 mp3s and slapping via USB cord. iPad more or less App dependent. If you want to do something, there has to be an app for that.

It's really hard to say. As a college student I'd normally say the NEXUS 7 is better for college students. But my books lately have been more frequently using iOS apps.

Another example. I just got Uverse installed. There's an App where I can watch several shows and use it as a remote control. Yet, on my Nexus 7 the app doesn't let you download and watch shows. But the iOS app will...
 

Holte139

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 26, 2012
122
11
Birmingham, England
Is there a reason you are looking at the Nexus 7? What about the Nexus 10? I've seen the 32gb version go for as low as $380/$400 on eBay recently. Sure its more than $100 more than the Nex7, but it has a retina beating screen though some complain it is not as accurate reproducing colors compared the much more expensive iPad 3/4.

I've just had a quick look on eBay and over here there doesn't seem to be that much difference between the price of a Nexus brand-new and the price of one second-hand. There's only about £80 difference between the 16gb versions of both brand new so if I'm looking at that pricepoint I may as well just buy the new iPad! That's why I was looking at the Nexus 7 really, of all the budget 7-inch tablets, that seems to be the best, or it did before I started this thread!
 

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
Ok, usable is 16:9, Point still remains. TERRIBLE aspect ratio for a tab.

Not to mention 7.9" 4:3 is much more surface area then the 7" 16:10....

I disagree. Only thing I prefer the aspect ratio on my iPad for is reading PDF files in landscape.

My iPhone and iPad are the only devices I have in my house that aren't 16x9. Except an old CRT TV in my basement.

Aspect depends on the content too. Videos will push the top and bottom status bars off the screen.

Don't get me wrong I still enjoy my iPad too. So I guess it's a matter of opinion but I don't think it's "terrible". I think many people don't realize the iPad is designed for mostly portrait while an Android tab is designed for mostly landscape. Even the first Android tablet had stereo speakers right and left so its obvious the direction it should be used. Meanwhile the home button on the iPad is on the bottom which is the obvious direction it should be used.
 

Bacong

macrumors 68030
Mar 7, 2009
2,617
1,132
Westland, Michigan
imo, yes.

I have hiccups on it time to time, but it's a beautiful device, way cheaper, and the open-ness of Android is better suited to a tablet, imo.

The iPad 2 is musty old hardware. The Nexus 4 has a quad core, 1 GB of ram, and really nice graphics performance. Higher screen resolution in a smaller package, too.

There is no better 7 inch tablet in the world.
 

Lindsford

macrumors 6502a
Mar 14, 2012
531
18
I disagree. Only thing I prefer the aspect ratio on my iPad for is reading PDF files in landscape.

My iPhone and iPad are the only devices I have in my house that aren't 16x9. Except an old CRT TV in my basement.

Aspect depends on the content too. Videos will push the top and bottom status bars off the screen.

Don't get me wrong I still enjoy my iPad too. So I guess it's a matter of opinion but I don't think it's "terrible". I think many people don't realize the iPad is designed for mostly portrait while an Android tab is designed for mostly landscape. Even the first Android tablet had stereo speakers right and left so its obvious the direction it should be used. Meanwhile the home button on the iPad is on the bottom which is the obvious direction it should be used.

To each their own, i don't mind a 16:9 phone however after using a droid tablet and iPad I prefer the iPad's aspect ratio for everything other then watching movies which annoy me on the iPad because of the thick black bars :)
 

sbddude

macrumors 6502a
Sep 27, 2010
894
4
Nor Cal, USA
imo, yes.

I have hiccups on it time to time, but it's a beautiful device, way cheaper, and the open-ness of Android is better suited to a tablet, imo.

The iPad 2 is musty old hardware. The Nexus 4 has a quad core, 1 GB of ram, and really nice graphics performance. Higher screen resolution in a smaller package, too.

There is no better 7 inch tablet in the world.

The nexus may have better hardware and specs on paper but in real life usage I found it to be far slower and laggier than an ipad mini. Don't get me wrong, I love android, and my Galaxy S3 is perfect. But for some reason the Nexus just lags way too much for everyday usage. I do miss the sharper screen for sure.
 

Bacong

macrumors 68030
Mar 7, 2009
2,617
1,132
Westland, Michigan
The nexus may have better hardware and specs on paper but in real life usage I found it to be far slower and laggier than an ipad mini. Don't get me wrong, I love android, and my Galaxy S3 is perfect. But for some reason the Nexus just lags way too much for everyday usage. I do miss the sharper screen for sure.

I found the 7 to be laggy when waking from sleep, but after that initial lag it's pretty fast. Sure, it lags from time to time (which iOS never does, really) but I really dislike iOS on iPad. I can do a lot more cool things on an Android tablet than I can do with an iPad, especially when I already have an iPhone 5.
 

Kashsystems

macrumors 6502
Jul 23, 2012
358
1
Surprisingly the iPad 2 is still relevant with developers and Apple software releases. Probably not for long though.

The ipad mini and iPad 2 is basically the same specs underneath so I would expect it to be support for at least another couple more years.
 

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
The ipad mini and iPad 2 is basically the same specs underneath so I would expect it to be support for at least another couple more years.

Yep. This is a double edge sword. While the iPad mini will keep the iPad 2 somewhat up to date, don't expect iOS to do much more for a while. Unless they just start dropping support of devices.
 

mantan

macrumors 68000
Nov 2, 2009
1,747
1,054
DFW
I finally gave up on my N7 and bought a Mini last night.

Wow! I should have bought it in the first place. I REALLY wanted to love the N7. It was cheaper, I loved the durability and the tech specs seemed great.

But the bottom line is iOS is a MUCH more polished experience. No lag, tablet apps, accurate touch screen - it's just better. Maybe the new N7 will be better, but right now it's no contest.
 

b166er

macrumors 68020
Apr 17, 2010
2,062
18
Philly
I kind of like having a full sized iPad because there are a lot of times where I have to type on it- a lot. It's been a life saver with school on many occasions. I like the N7 for reading before bed and the occasional other tasks, but I really bought it to get familiar with Android.

Now I'm at this point where I think I should just get a kindle paperwhite for the reading in bed thing and a full sized iPad with cellular for everything else. I do really love the size of the mini and the N7, but I do a lot of serious typing on the iPad and the mini is a little too small for that.

Either way- they are both awesome devices. I don't think you can do much better than the N7 for the price. And if you want to get familiar with Android it's a great, no contract way to go about it. The N7 helped expand my horizons a little, and I'm pretty sure my next phone will be an Android (using WP8 right now).
 

Brittany246

macrumors 6502a
Apr 21, 2013
791
0
heeeeeell no. I honestly don't like my Nexus 7 at all. I've been waiting for the next gen full sized iPad to come out just so that I can get rid of my N7. I don't like the 16:10 aspect ratio at all. It reminds me of an oversized phone, and the lack of tablet optimized apps really isn't helping. It lags when I wake it up and unlock it and when I go back to the home screen. It lags when I look at my recent apps, and sometimes my recent apps don't show up unless I press the button twice. Occasionally all of my apps will be missing on my home screen for a few seconds... i have no clue why that happens. Yesterday I had to restart it in order for my apps to come back... It will also lag when you're playing games. After my mom and brother got the iPad mini, I realized how much the N7 sucks in comparison. I like the tablet optimized apps way better than the phone apps on the Nexus 7. The lag wasn't a big deal for me at first, but after a while it gets really irritating. The build quality... well let's just say that I had to get 2 replacements because of the speaker and the mics, and the 3rd one still doesn't work perfectly. I honestly think it's a downgrade from an iPad, and I wish I didn't buy it back in the summer when it was released. It's completely overrated, imo. It was a waste of nearly 300 bucks including accessories.
 
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tech4all

macrumors 68040
Jun 13, 2004
3,399
489
NorCal
I finally gave up on my N7 and bought a Mini last night.

Wow! I should have bought it in the first place. I REALLY wanted to love the N7. It was cheaper, I loved the durability and the tech specs seemed great.

But the bottom line is iOS is a MUCH more polished experience. No lag, tablet apps, accurate touch screen - it's just better. Maybe the new N7 will be better, but right now it's no contest.

My N7 has no lag, apps are great, touch screen is great...guess you got a bad one. And no I'm not trolling.
 
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