iPad mini and Nexus 7 go head-to-head
Summary: The Nexus 7 from Google and the iPad mini from Apple are two of the hottest small tablets. Here are both of these capable tablets in a photo spread showing how they compare in size and with popular apps running.
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Size comparison
The Nexus 7 (left) is slightly smaller than the iPad mini (right). This is mostly due to the difference in screen size- 7 inches vs. 7.9 inches.
The Nexus 7 is slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad mini.
The low price of the Nexus 7 make it a good choice for anyone wanting a small tablet. It runs the latest version of Android and is an outstanding tablet.
The build quality of the iPad mini is better than that of the Nexus 7 which contributes to the higher price of the former.
The Nexus 7 has a higher resolution display than the iPad mini but in daily use both are comparable in quality. The Nexus 7 display is narrower in width when used in portrait orientation which displays less information than the wider iPad mini.
Either tablet is a good buy for those wanting a smaller tablet.
This slide show compares the size of the two tablets followed by photos showing common apps running on both. The screen brightness was set to the maximum level on both tablets for comparison purposes.
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Talkback
Ever notice...
I own and use both an ipad and a nexus 7. Both are great devices, so I am hardly "anti" either camp. But many of the comments (such as the utility of some of the apps) do tend to be more expressions of personal taste than anything else.
For example, on slide 21, you compare the Zite application and say " Both apps work the same and are similar in functionality but the interface cannot be compared.". Well, in reality, they can. With an objective eye, try to look at the differences. Know what they are? On the nexus, the 'sections" scroll horizontally across a menu bar at the top. On the iPad they are listed vertically on the side of the page. You could just as easily say the Android interface beats the Apple interface "hands down" because the Android interface displays a larger number of stories (8, in the case shown versus 5) than the Apple. Purely a matter of preference. I use Zite all the time, and prefer the Android version, to be honest.
Now obviously, this is an opinion piece (one which I liked). But the strong tendency amongst mainstream tech media sites really seems to be to point out how Apple devices are superior, even when the ONLY way they can be judged (on that particular dimension) is by stating a personal preference.
Chris, I Couldn't agree with you more!
Indeed
The other issue is that it's cost substantially less. Even the new version with 3G/LTE is $299. The comparable iPad Mini is $559!!! Which is why I'm getting the Nexus 7 for the holidays.
I agree
"The build quality of the iPad mini is better than that of the Nexus 7 which contributes to the higher price of the former."
wow how can you tell that the build quality is better by feel, should you not say it feels better built , but then to throw in that is why it costs more, is stupid. It costs more, probably because the screen is bigger but most likely it has an apple on the back.
Apple iPAD and Nexus 7 owner weighs in
NOT an Apple hater..my first PC was an Apple IIe...but I have to give props to the Asus Nexus 7.......
So the authors opinion doesn't matter but your claiming
I commented on his 13 iPad Mini Apps Post
Hypocrisy and Journalism
- Last Year: "Retina is the future and going back to non-retina is crippling". This year: "Retina is nice but not essential".
- "Any wider than an iPhone5 would make it difficult and uncomfortable to use with one hand". But with the Mini then "it can be held with one hand". So a 4.3" phone is too big but a crab claw to hold a Mini is comfortable?
- "Its not about specs!" is the excuse for when Apple is behind. But how many times do Apple defenders or journalists go straight to geekbench or PPI count in order to justify "its good enough" or reference a chart that shows Apple superiority in a very specific field?
- "Who needs GPS in a WiFi device"? Apple maps doesnt allow downloadable maps so its not as important. But the Nexus 7 has downloadable google maps which makes the GPS incredibly useful and a hidden benefit of the CHEAPER device that shouldnt be dismissed so quickly
- Pocketability. Why is the pocketability of the Nexus vs Mini being ignored? I may prefer the Mini but it's millimeters too wide to fit in my back pocket and that is surprsingly noticeable for a portable device. Why is a 7.9" iPad better than a 9.7" if they both require a purse to carry around?
- "Apps are so important, Apps are like blood, Apps Apps Apps". Any time you see an Apple pushed into a corner by another product then its "APPS APPS APPS". But lets be honest, how important is 900billion apps when you only use 20?
To be honest, I do still prefer the Mini more than the Nexus 7. But thats purely due to personal preference since I'm deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem AND because i make a tech budget based on Apple pricing. BUT, if someone was to ask which tablet to buy today then the $199 nexus 7 is probably the more impressive product and a good journalist wouldnt ignore so many advantages of the non-Apple product.
Great analysis - better than the article!
PRICE. Depending on the options you choose, you can drop $500+ on a iPad Mini, while the top of the line Nexus 7 is only $249.
SCREEN SHAPE. As soon as you watch videos on a Nexus 7 (or a Surface RT), you realize that widescreen (16:9 format) devices are much nicer that SQUARE ones (iPad, mini) which display video in a narrow strip on the screen.
Agreed
No
You should write a blog!
The problem with all of these devices is that they did not have the same integration between devices that I have become used to with Google. Sure, at times Android has been a laggy mess (I'm looking at you Honeycomb) but Jelly Bean has shored up almost all of those issues.
iOS integration is too limiting...
Media bias
I own a Nexus 7 and played with the iPad Mini at the store, still prefer the Nexus though. The iPad Mini is a great tablet but spec wise falls behind the Nexus is almost everything.
This media bias applies to German cars versus American cars too, it's so easy to see it.
Thanks
Good writeup but I appreciate the Nexus 7 comments for comparison purposes
Although I’ve been waiting for that next gen iPad Mini but I thought I’d come here to to see if maybe I should just go ahead and get the Nexus 7 - It's cheaper.
I know it hasn't been discussed here, but when I tried the iPad Mini I liked the backside camera feature. It was like having a standard digital camera but with a VERY large viewing screen (and I could take pictures with it and email them to friends or to my PC right there on the spot). Maybe the next gen Nexus 7 will have a backside camera too - that would be a good thing.
The Nexus 7 has full GPS. When I tried the iPad Mini it ‘worked’ for finding my way around with maps (The Mini looks at all the WiFi spots then triangulates to show your position) .. but .. I think the Nexus 7 GPS would be more accurate (down to a few feet rather than maybe +/- 20 feet or so).
To some, the ability to customize is important. Personally I prefer the Apple approach - consistency is important to me on these digital devices that do so very many things - consistency keeps me from becoming confused in amongst all the ‘stuff’.
Also, I had planned on getting one of these devices so I sold my 2 1/2 year old iPad 1 to Amazon for $193. These Apple devices seem to hold their value pretty well, Is it the same with the Android devices?
Rumor has it that the iPad Mini 2 will be coming in the spring. I think I'll wait and see what it has to offer. If I didn't mind the narrower screen and lack of camera I'd probably go ahead and get the Nexus 7 now, but immediate gratification is important to me - waiting requires a kind of self discipline that isn't very strong at all in me, so the waiting will be hard. In the mean time I’ll stick with my overly large iPad 3.
Edit:
Resale Value
You mentioned that you got a great trade in price through Amazon for your 1st gen iPad - essentially, you could switch that out for a Nexus 7 at that price, which is great for an older device. I wouldn't hold out too much hope for getting the same type of resale value on an Android product - they're too many manufacturers, and everyone wants the latest and greatest.
You might do better with this particular item as it is Nexus branded (The galaxy nexus from last year still commends a respectable resale value even with its successor released), and the fact that Google will support these devices first with upgrades is a huge plus.
In general, though, don't expect an Android device to hold its value like something from Apple. Are they both generally good products? Yes, but Apple's brand name goes a long way, even though I personally have been frustrated with my past Apple devices failing mysteriously a month after their warranties expired (This was back in the day of 2nd gen Nanos through the 1st gen iPod touch though, so I can't speak for their recent products).
One thing that I am jealous of is the pure visual appeal of Apple products - their minimalist designs work for me. Looking at an iPad mini makes me think of a CEO on the top floor of a building in Manhattan, whereas a Nexus 7 looks like something you'd see at a shady auto shop when someone's running your credit card through one of those little Square readers.
I'd try Apple products again if I wasn't in the line of work I am, but Android just works for me.
You noticed that too?
I noticed it too
You just can't make this stuff up TM.
except