There are many choices when looking at a tablet. It can be intimidating. I am not a gamer but I am a tech nerd and have been using Android for many years now. Tried windows tablets which I do like and my wife has an iPad air 2. I like windows tabs the best in that they function almost like a real pc. However the apps in windows store are really bad even though more choices are added it is still a rather lackluster choice. If I really want Windows functionality a laptop is a much better and more affordable choice. So I started on my quest for an android tab. Went looking for a cheap tablet to get the job done and to my dismay even though there are some good options they usually have bad compromise's to get to their price. I.e. poor resolution screen, not enough ram, old version of Android, etc. Went through a few choices with a couple of Lenovo tab 2 8 and 10 coming close.
Now to the Nvidia shield. Some people complain it is a year old. It is and they will be releasing a X1 version with 3gb of ram probably within 6 months or so. However it will not cost $199. Also some complain this processor is not 64 bit which I do not see the benefit since this tab had 2 gb of ram. If it were 64 bit it would use more ram and since you can't upgrade the ram on a tablet 64 bit is really not helpful in any way. The 2.2 ghz quad core with 2 gb of ram running 32 bit is a perfect combo. There may be some faster octocore tabs but door the cost this tablet packs real tangible power. Add to that the really nice 283 pixil count 8 inch screen and you have very responsive tablet with a great screen. Sure a super amoled with quad resolution is nice but I do not see the need and certainly do not want to pay the extra cost. When you also factor in the 192 Kepler graphics core this tablet really shines. I do not have much use for the graphics but the times I stream video or play games it shows how capable it is. The front firing speakers are also great for a tablet. Best I have ever had.
Now as for the tech nerd in me I really like the settings Nvidia has incorporated into Android. I can adjust the color settings to my preference and can adjust the power settings by changing the kernel governor to my liking. The only way to do this in most other devices is to root it and run a custom rom and kernel. You can't overclock but you can adjust. You can even adjust the settings on individual apps. I have never seen such granular control integrated into a stock device. I give huge kudos to Nvidia for this and I am surprised no review has co!mentioned this point. This tablet shipped with Android 5.1.1 and right before Christmas was updated to Android 6.0. The only tablets that have 6.0 are nexus devices at retail close to double the cost. So again kudos to Nvidia for the fast update and it is a very polished release with no bugs I could find except for some apps that do not work well with the integrated storage in marshmallow. It is easy to fix by going into the app settings and moving it to internal storage. I highly suggest if you update your device you first back up anything on an SD card. Then do a factory reset before and after the update and your tab will work very well.
I did get a lemon from Amazon first time around but they are very good with returns. If you have any issues that can't be resolved with a factory reset I suggest exchanging it for a new tab.
I would also highly recommend a tempered glass screen protector since to my knowledge this tab does not use gorilla glass or anything like it. I also recommend a case even though there is not much choice.
I think in conclusion if an 8" form factor is good for you there is no better choice for the cost right now. Adding all of the software extras and gaming extras that come with this tablet it is an excellent choice. Whether you game or not it is simply an awesome device. I will keep mine for a long time! I hope Nvidia will support it with continued updates as that really makes them stand out in a crowded market when most other hardware makers simply give one or two updates and abandon there devices so you will buy a new one. Until Google starts providing updates independent of manufacturers they have a real Achilles heel I'm their ecosystem. If Apple and Windows can do so can Google. Make hardware manufacturers release drivers for their devices just like windows and update the OS separately. Otherwise there is no incentive for device makers to update their devices which is a problem on Android. This is why Nvidia in my opinion for now has an edge. Keep it up and I will be a loyal customer for life! Good hardware, updated software and reasonable pricing is a winning combo!
| Standing screen display size | 8 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920x1200 Pixels |
| Processor | 2.2 GHz tegra_k1 |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Hard Drive | 16 GB |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA 192-core Maxwell |
| Chipset Brand | Nvidia |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 5 Hours |
