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Should I buy the Nexus 7

maxwelltech

maxwelltech

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 29, 2011
423
104
Irvine, CA, USA
Hi.
I own a lot of Apple products, and I have been an Apple fan for a long time. Recently though, after using my dad's Galaxy S2, I felt like there are a lot of advantages on the Android platform, and I kind of wanted to switch myself, but I am holding off until my at&t contract expires next year, then I will decide.
Anyway, the Google Nexus 7 came in, and my iPad 1 is getting more and more sluggish every day. I thought this will be a good time to test out Android, and see if it fits my needs or not. I will be going for the 16GB option, since I have over 8GB of data even on my iPhone.
Thanks a lot!
 
Yes. Buy nexus 7.

Don't buy if u already own ipad2/3. But buy since u own iPad 1.
 
I say go for it.
Since you don't have a newer iPad anything will be a improvement over the iPad 1.
Although you may miss the bigger screen as the difference is quite obvious to anyone.
I have enjoyed my HTC One X so much since switching 2 weeks ago that I may do the same thing with a tablet if I come across one comparable to the iPad 3.

Alternately I may go with the Nexus 7 too just to see how a 7 incher will work out for me.
Ever since I got the bigger phone I have not picked up my iPad much at all, which is strange since it was my computer love of my live so to speak.

I'm actually quite confused with liking Android so much more then I ever thought I would, if that makes any sense.
 
I'd say go for it. You get to experience JellyBean at a low price without a lengthy contract that would come with a phone.

The Nexus 7 is easily my most used gadget I own.
 
Nexus 7 is a great tablet.... if you do not own/can't afford an iPad 2 or 3.

I purchased one even though I own an iPad 3 to test it out and I thought it was awesome although I could not think of any good reason to use it over my iPad 3.

Just my $.02
 
Hard core Apple household and I'm getting a Nexus 7 after I sell some of my older Apple gear. I don't see a downside since the Nexus 7 is cheap, has Google's latest OS, and has the specs to last several OS upgrades. I've been drooling over Google Now since I saw the demo. This is the first Android device that has caught my fancy and that's mainly due to Jellybean.
 
I would say if you really want Android (which Jelly Bean is an awesome OS) then go for it, but if you are on the fence about the OS but like the form factor, wait another month and see if an iPad Mini is announced, then decide.
 
The Nexus 7 is a fun, cheap way to play in the Android playground if you're interested in trying it, though do realize that the UI is kind of a hybrid between the pure Android phone UI and the full-size tablet UI. You can hack it to run the standard tablet UI, but out of the box it runs a "phablet" UI.

However, if it's going to be your only tablet, I'd wait for the iPad mini. Most 3rd party apps treat the N7 like a big phone rather than a tablet, while the iPad mini (presuming it exists) is still an iPad.

I bought the $199 8GB N7 to play with until the iPad mini comes out.
 
xraydoc said:
The Nexus 7 is a fun, cheap way to play in the Android playground if you're interested in trying it, though do realize that the UI is kind of a hybrid between the pure Android phone UI and the full-size tablet UI. You can hack it to run the standard tablet UI, but out of the box it runs a "phablet" UI.

However, if it's going to be your only tablet, I'd wait for the iPad mini. Most 3rd party apps treat the N7 like a big phone rather than a tablet, while the iPad mini (presuming it exists) is still an iPad.

I bought the $199 8GB N7 to play with until the iPad mini comes out.
Click to expand...


^^ He is right, a lot of apps treat it like a phone, I hate the Android tablet UI though, I feel the UI on the Nexus 7 is awesome. Personal opinion though.
 
An apple home here with ipads desktops and laptops but i went for the n7 and LOVE it and love the android os although theres a learning curve i havent yet conquered. Everything you can do with an ipad you can do with the n7. And theres an android app version for every ipad app i mainly use. If i never had an ipad and saw the n7 i'd buy it over the ipad. Its only missing a rear camera. If the ipad mini has a rear camera i'll buy it if its in the same price range as the n7.
 
The Nexus 7 will blow your iPad 1 away, it took me a little getting used to from iOS but after those few days I felt right at home in Android. The trick is to go in with an open mind. Don't approach things with the mindset of "I did it this way in ios "
 
An apple home here with ipads desktops and laptops but i went for the n7 and LOVE it and love the android os although theres a learning curve i havent yet conquered. Everything you can do with an ipad you can do with the n7. And theres an android app version for every ipad app i mainly use. If i never had an ipad and saw the n7 i'd buy it over the ipad. Its only missing a rear camera. If the ipad mini has a rear camera i'll buy it if its in the same price range as the n7.
 
I picked one up and haven't touched my iPad 3 since. You really appreciate the ease of web browsing and forum surfing on a 7in tablet. Being fast as hell helps as well.
 
YES!! Buy one, absolutely worth the money. For the first time I feel like I haven't wasted my money buying a tablet. I have bought many and returned them.
 
Disagree

aneftp said:
Yes. Buy nexus 7.

Don't buy if u already own ipad2/3. But buy since u own iPad 1.
Click to expand...

I'd say, the safe thing to do is buy the Nexus 7 if you're selling the iPad 1 but keeping an iPad 2/3 and also own an Apple TV. One of the biggest advantages iOS has over Android is streaming. AirPlay is fantastic in its reliability and ease of use. Being able to mirror or stream what I was just watching on my mobile device to a HDTV is unmatched by anything in the Android tablet world. The apps for Android that let you stream to the PS3 or XBox 360 are clunky in comparison and neither Google TV nor the Roku are ready for prime time when it comes to streaming.
 
Haha. Thanks for all the replies. I think I will go for it after all, since it is a "much safer" experiment than replacing my phone :D I don't frequently use my iPad now, instead relying on my MacBook Pro which is not that heavy anyways.
And no, I won't be selling my iPad, since I will be losing too much money, and it is also good to have a backup one in case I needed it.
I think Apple is being kind of greedy by letting people to pay a premium for a product that is going to be unsupported after 2 years, forcing them to buy a "new" product that also costs a premium. Money doesn't grow on trees!
 
maxwelltech said:
Haha. Thanks for all the replies. I think I will go for it after all, since it is a "much safer" experiment than replacing my phone :D I don't frequently use my iPad now, instead relying on my MacBook Pro which is not that heavy anyways.
And no, I won't be selling my iPad, since I will be losing too much money, and it is also good to have a backup one in case I needed it.
I think Apple is being kind of greedy by letting people to pay a premium for a product that is going to be unsupported after 2 years, forcing them to buy a "new" product that also costs a premium. Money doesn't grow on trees!
Click to expand...

Just remember Android devices lose value faster than iOS devices. Percentage wise an Android device will drop quicker than an Apple device especially in the non subsidized tablet market.

Someone who brought a Xoom last year at $500 would be hard press to find buyer for $300. Whereas someone who brought iPad 2 for $500 can find buyer at $300 easily.

So while Apple products are priced higher than retain value better than other devices. I certainly would not pay $500 for Asus TF vs $500 for iPad 3 if u thinking about resale value in one year.

Saying that the $199/249 nexus 7 pricing is a safe price point and definatley check it out. Just do not buy from office depot or official Google store. Google charges restocking fee and office depot will not let u return it. Only exchanges.

Buy it from Walmart or Staples. Your safest bets.
 
jeremiah256 said:
I'd say, the safe thing to do is buy the Nexus 7 if you're selling the iPad 1 but keeping an iPad 2/3 and also own an Apple TV. One of the biggest advantages iOS has over Android is streaming. AirPlay is fantastic in its reliability and ease of use. Being able to mirror or stream what I was just watching on my mobile device to a HDTV is unmatched by anything in the Android tablet world. The apps for Android that let you stream to the PS3 or XBox 360 are clunky in comparison and neither Google TV nor the Roku are ready for prime time when it comes to streaming.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I've been with Android since its inception and they still haven't mastered streaming. There are plenty of options out there like Airsync iMedia share and twonky but nothing quite as polished and seamless as iOS.
 
Dontazemebro said:
I agree with this. I've been with Android since its inception and they still haven't mastered streaming. There are plenty of options out there like Airsync iMedia share and twonky but nothing quite as polished and seamless as iOS.
Click to expand...

To be fair though, video streaming over AirPlay is glitchy at times as well. I've noticed this when using my Macs/iPad/and iPhones.
 
I have owned every iPad and I have the Nexus 7. I would say wait until October and see if there is an iPad Mini. Will work better for you ecosystem. I am in the same boat. I won a Nexus 7 as a door prize, and it is awesome. Lighter, great screen, its really great. But I still use my iPad way more, so it is up to you.
 
Wait for the new small iPad before you decide to buy a Nexus7 and remember a 3G version Nexus will come out soon if that's useful to you.
 
Most definitely! I just got myself one, it's my first experience with Android and I'm loving it. It's super fast, super smooth and it has all the apps I use regularly on my iPhone.
 
aneftp said:
Buy it from Walmart or Staples. Your safest bets.
Click to expand...
I have a question. I have a Staples store that is very close to my house, and they don't seem to carry the Nexus 7, only Kindle Fires and Galaxy Tab 2. On their website, it says "coming soon". Is this normal?
On the other hand, I am thinking about buying the 8GB instead of the 16GB, since I can save a considerable amount of money. I don't have music and movies on my iPad currently, but I have several games, including 2 big games that takes up to 1GB of space. Which one should I go for?
 
maxwelltech said:
I am thinking about buying the 8GB instead of the 16GB, since I can save a considerable amount of money. I don't have music and movies on my iPad currently, but I have several games, including 2 big games that takes up to 1GB of space. Which one should I go for?
Click to expand...

You're talking about a difference of 50 bucks. Unless you really, really, really want to save as much cash as possible, I'd go with the 16GB for $250.
 
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