iPad mini If you only had $300 to spend... Mini vs Nexus 7 (2013)

[iosuser]

I bought the new Nexus 7 32GB when it first came out. The screen is great, the speakers are good for watching videos because they're stereo when you hold it in landscape (and a pleasant surprise is that the left and right channel is dynamically assigned depending on which way you're holding it). UI operations are very fast and fluid. That's about all that I like about it.

All reviews say battery should go for 7-9 hours. I have yet to see it go over 5-6. 4-5 is typical from what I see. The kids use it for Youtube 95% of the time, I hardly touch it other than to check battery and plug it in for them. I have zero mods on it. Touch response is horrible - I'm constantly touching a link 4-5 times before it registers. I hate it every time I use it to browse the internet.

I'm going to buy the retina Mini the first chance I get. At first I was going to sell my old Mini, but now I'm going to sell the Nexus 7 instead once I get my hands on the new Mini. Android is all about specs, actual user experience is another story (though I am surprise by the dynamic left/right speaker assignment, the attention to detail in that regard, no other Android device with left/right speakers I've owned did that).

 

[pikachu2k7]

I think that you will like the ipad mini more because of the feel and quality.

 

[rtomyj]

This is unfair to the nexus. One of the reasons for choosing a nexus is that you don't have to use the stock apps. Then people tout Apple's great app ecosystem and then don't even attempt to find a good video player. It is also dependent on how you had the videos formatted.

Shouldn't the default be at least good enough? Why is it the responsibility of the buyer? If I buy something I'm not gonna make it work for me if the maker is lazy. It should already work for me and then I can tweak it or personalize as I see fit.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I have more than $300 to spend and have zero interest in the Nexus 7 unless it was fire saled under $100. But I love my mini more than my iPad 3, except for its screen. That will be rectified soon though.

 

[lcseds]

Shouldn't the default be at least good enough? Why is it the responsibility of the buyer? If I buy something I'm not gonna make it work for me if the maker is lazy. It should already work for me and then I can tweak it or personalize as I see fit.

+1. That's why I said there is probably an app for that, but the stock player seemed terrible. I figure if this was the level of effort and polish to showcase the device, it lags far behind the Apple experience. For me, the next thing you know, I am getting outside apps to do tasks better than the built in apps. Reminds me of Windows, lots of built in apps but then you get another 20 third party apps that do it right. But doing that, you may risk stability, upgrade path, etc
I don't want to load anything if I can help it.

 

[Plutonius]

I would save up until you have the money to buy what you want. If you need it now, I would probably go with the iPad for it's higher resale value (when you save enough money, sell it and get what you really want).

 

[alphaod]

If you're ecosystem agnostic, get the Nexus 7.

If you want an iOS device, then get the iPad and ignore the specs.

 

[TroyBoy30]

Neither.... yet

Let me tell you why.

I LOVED my Nexus 7 (2012) and regret selling it for my 2013 model "upgrade". Unfortunately, after getting 4 units with defective touch screens, I gave up on it. Google has not addressed the community with a response, so as soon as they do, and as soon as they resolve the problem, I plan on getting one with LTE. I personally believe the issues are hardware in nature, but we will see if Kit Kat fixes anything.

I am upgrading my 3rd Gen iPad to the new Air and I'd like to have a smaller, lighter tablet in the Android ecosystem for the added freedom. I am not loyal to any brand, they all have their pro's and con's, but I tell you what, I hope this is the last time Google partners with Asus for any of their future devices. I've had nothing but terrible experiences with them (besides their motherboards and routers).

Sources:

6 pages -

http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/nexus/zEqstgT2ZT8[1-25-false]

42 pages -

http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/nexus/W0Hfkq8hf-c[1-25-false]

touch screen issues were fixed pretty quick. i never had any trouble with mine though. The resolution is nice for movies but its simply too small for reading the internet

 

[rtomyj]

+1. That's why I said there is probably an app for that, but the stock player seemed terrible. I figure if this was the level of effort and polish to showcase the device, it lags far behind the Apple experience. For me, the next thing you know, I am getting outside apps to do tasks better than the built in apps. Reminds me of Windows, lots of built in apps but then you get another 20 third party apps that do it right. But doing that, you may risk stability, upgrade path, etc
I don't want to load anything if I can help it.

Yep. I like the choice of other apps but only if my needs are very specific will I use something not stock (or with Androids case, where it plainly sucks). If stock can't offer basic functionality, cya unfinished OS.

 

[Spacial]

I have and enjoy both.

You get lots more for your money with the Nexus 7, but Apple enthusiasts don't want to hear that.

 

[bossxii]

I'll agree that specs aren't normally a big thing to focus on but the things I think that are pretty vital in this scenario are the resolution/ppi and extra storage. Again, I'm not trying to push one way or the other but these two things seem like they'd make a good difference to anyone, right?

But I'll completely agree that the overall experience probably is better on the Mini so maybe that's the thing I really need to focus on...

Appreciate the responses!

PPI is important if your going to be using the device primarily for reading. If mainly used for games and movies the PPI is much less noticeable imo. It's tough to suggest a device I have used and while I admit it's a nice device for the money the Nexus 7 just looks bad to me overall. The design looks cheap, although it feels rather nice in hand and the screen looks very sharp. As an Apple user it's pretty much a no brainer since I have so many apps purchased and tied to the Apple eco system, but if starting new it would come down to the basic usage desire.

iPad Mini (non retina) for me has poor screen for reading, grainy and overall a rather slow, sometimes laggy device on certain apps. I have only used the the Nexus 7 (2nd gen) at work for a few hours and found it more responsive and the text looks amazing. Flipboard is one of my main apps for a news aggregate and side by side he N7 looks much better than the Mini. However overall I use my mini for lots of other things that I simply wouldn't do on the Nexus since I would not want to rebuy apps or deal with it due to the incompatibility of an Android device and syncing with all my other Apple devices.

 

[TacticalDesire]

I would be happy with either.

 

[osofast240sx]

Which would you buy?

I know I'll get a mostly biased answer here due to where I'm asking but hoping for some honest feedback based on all the info you're aware of. It's a gift for someone who has never owned any Apple/Android devices - phones or tablets.

iPad Mini 16GB $299 - Very simplistic. Bigger screen. Easy setup to sync with iTunes. Better App support.

Nexus 7 32GB $269.99 - Sharper resolution. Twice the memory. Lower cost.

The above is just what comes to mind when I quickly assess the differences. I've read about issues with the Nexus 7 which has me a tad squeamish but I'm really looking for the best 'value' for someone who probably can't appreciate many of the differences...

This is as non bias I can get

1. Ecosystem
2. 475,000 apps made specifically for the iPad
3. More pixels does not always equal a better screen
4. 3rd party accessories 2nd to none

 

[The.Dude]

touch screen issues were fixed pretty quick. i never had any trouble with mine though. The resolution is nice for movies but its simply too small for reading the internet

Link/source to fix? I'm 100% certain these things are still.being returned left and right for defective screens. Best Buy went so far as to design an app to test screens just due to the amount of returns and complaints.

 

[TroyBoy30]

Link/source to fix? I'm 100% certain these things are still.being returned left and right for defective screens. Best Buy went so far as to design an app to test screens just due to the amount of returns and complaints.

google it. the last update was supposed to fix the issue. mine has never had any issues with gps or screen

 

[gadget123]

I'm amazed anybody would consider any Android tablet over Ipad.

 

[koigirl]

I'm an Apple person: 2012 MBA, iPad 3 (soon to upgrade to iPad Air), iPhone 5s, Time Capsule, Apple TV, etc. I bought a 2013 Nexus 7 in August to explore Android and have only good things to say about it. Beautiful HD screen, nice build quality, good battery life, etc. Happily, I haven't had the touchscreen issues others have experienced. Touch may be very slightly laggier than my ipad/iphone but not enough to ruin the experience. Almost all of the apps I use on a daily basis with Apple devices are available on Android and work just fine for me: Pulse, Kindle, games, etc. Chrome browser works great. I personally prefer the control center, widgets, and app switching on Android. Timely OS updating as it's pure Android and background app updating works well too. I do wish I had sprung for 32GB and LTE because I could utilize the extra storage and think I'd use it even more with LTE because it's so portable. I do wish they'd bump the screen size to 8" as 16x9 is a little cramped on 7" screen. I have been pleasantly surprised and think it's a great little tablet for the $$. If I was purchasing a tablet for a young kid to haul around, this would be it. Super durable and inexpensive with a beautiful screen. Does the job for $229.

 

[C5Longhorn]

I'm an Apple person: 2012 MBA, iPad 3 (soon to upgrade to iPad Air), iPhone 5s, Time Capsule, Apple TV, etc. I bought a 2013 Nexus 7 in August to explore Android and have only good things to say about it. Beautiful HD screen, nice build quality, good battery life, etc. Happily, I haven't had the touchscreen issues others have experienced. Touch may be very slightly laggier than my ipad/iphone but not enough to ruin the experience. Almost all of the apps I use on a daily basis with Apple devices are available on Android and work just fine for me: Pulse, Kindle, games, etc. Chrome browser works great. I personally prefer the control center, widgets, and app switching on Android. I do wish I had sprung for 32GB and LTE because I could utilize the extra storage and think I'd use it even more with LTE because it's so portable. I do wish they'd bump the screen size to 8" as 16x9 is a little cramped on 7" screen. I have been pleasantly surprised and think it's a great little tablet for the $$. If I was purchasing a tablet for a young kid to haul around, this would be it. Super durable and inexpensive with a beautiful screen. Does the job for $229.

I'm glad to hear your positive review. I'm another user on the fence about picking up a Nexus 7 to go along side an iPad. I recently sold an iPad 3 and am not sure when I want to u another one and whether I want a mini or Air. I was going to pick up a used Nexus 7 2nd Gen to hold me over until I decide.

All the reports of touch screen issues had me concerned though. I'm still somewhat undecided at this point.

Rick

 

[macguy360]

also have to figure in resale value. Thats a big thing for me. if i can't sell it for close to what i paid in a year is a big thing.

resale value is only good for the 16gb models. The 32gb and the 64gb iPads always take a huge hit on resale.

I bought a 16gb Amazon Kindle fire hex and love it. The ecosystem is good. The games run very well. The ability to download Amazon prime content for free and watch it later when not on wifi is awesome. The build quality is just as good as Apple.

 

[x-evil-x]

resale value is only good for the 16gb models. The 32gb and the 64gb iPads always take a huge hit on resale.

I bought a 16gb Amazon Kindle fire hex and love it. The ecosystem is good. The games run very well. The ability to download Amazon prime content for free and watch it later when not on wifi is awesome. The build quality is just as good as Apple.

i sold my iPad 2 64 gig a year after i got it (for the iPad 3) for 600$. still seems very high to me. I would say 32 gig model should keep value best.

 

[macguy360]

i sold my iPad 2 64 gig a year after i got it (for the iPad 3) for 600$. still seems very high to me. I would say 32 gig model should keep value best.

So you lost $280 give or take $20 for taxes. Compared to someone who purchases a 16gb iPad for $540 and resells it for $400-$425. They only lose $115 to $140.

 

[koigirl]

I'm glad to hear your positive review. I'm another user on the fence about picking up a Nexus 7 to go along side an iPad. I recently sold an iPad 3 and am not sure when I want to u another one and whether I want a mini or Air. I was going to pick up a used Nexus 7 2nd Gen to hold me over until I decide.

All the reports of touch screen issues had me concerned though. I'm still somewhat undecided at this point.

Rick

Yeah, I don't know. I see the slightest stuttering with scrolling in Pulse but I haven't had any touchscreen issues. Games (Candy Crush is my current time-waster) work beautifully.

 

[C5Longhorn]

Yeah, I don't know. I see the slightest stuttering with scrolling in Pulse but I haven't had any touchscreen issues. Games (Candy Crush is my current time-waster) work beautifully.

I think I could live with it, if my experience is like yours. My main uses for the tablet are consuming content. I will download podcasts, use internet, email, ebooks, videos, news apps, etc.

Rick

 

[mfr1340]

I had both

I had both mini and the 7. I had the nexus7 first because I wanted to see what the other side was like. I liked the size but as soon as the mini came out I picked it up. The Nexus was put away. I kept the 7 for awhile because it had a stand alone GPS reciver. But I never go anywhere that I need the GPS. My wife used the 7 but found out it wont re-charge unless it is off or asleep. I just sold it at my garage sale for $125.00.
I forced myself to use the mini even with the poor screen. The only time I noticed the poor screen was when I was reading (but that is what I do the most of) with the mini. It also lags when playing games like real raceing 3.
I am waiting to get both new iPads. Air while at home and the mini for in bed and outside the house.

 

[C5Longhorn]

I had both mini and the 7. I had the nexus7 first because I wanted to see what the other side was like. I liked the size but as soon as the mini came out I picked it up. The Nexus was put away. I kept the 7 for awhile because it had a stand alone GPS reciver. But I never go anywhere that I need the GPS. My wife used the 7 but found out it wont re-charge unless it is off or asleep. I just sold it at my garage sale for $125.00.
I forced myself to use the mini even with the poor screen. The only time I noticed the poor screen was when I was reading (but that is what I do the most of) with the mini. It also lags when playing games like real raceing 3.
I am waiting to get both new iPads. Air while at home and the mini for in bed and outside the house.

What was your experience using the Nexus 7 to for internet, email, ebooks, news apps, etc.?

Thanks,

Rick