Opinions

[El Barto]

Hello,

I'm thinking of buying this tablet for my dad and I wanted some opinions, I have some fairly specific questions which is why I'm writing this rather than just relying on the reviews I've read online.

I personally own a Motorola Xoom and to be honest, it's really rubbish. It works fine some times then others it just slows right down and basically becomes unusable, so much so that I even avoid using it often and rather boot up my PC as it'll actually be quicker! The screen also some times just goes black requiring a restart (using the hardware buttons) and over all I'm not that happy with it, for what a tablet should be able to perform, this really doesn't.

Now what I'm basically wondering is if the Nexus 7 has these issues? I'm no fan of Apple but given my experience on the Xoom I'm considering buying him an iPad instead of Android. Obviously though as I'm posting this I'd much rather buy an Android based tablet because I don't really like the way Apple do things and lock you in to their system so I'm wondering what people's experiences are of the Nexus 7.

Thanks for your replies & opinions in advance.

 

[AntimonyER]

I personally don't see near the lag or bugs in the N7 like what you are talking about. The N7 has a more capable processor, running a smaller screen, so that should help with some of the stuff you are talking about...

 

[whs37]

My N7 has never failed or left me in the dark. That does not mean that it can never happen. But I find the N7 to be extremely reliable and VERY fast.

What I really like is the Maps app that lets me use it as a navigation device. Works really great and a lot better than e.g. a TomTom because I have a lot more real estate on the screen.

I also use it as a phone with GrooveIP. Now I have a second phone number because I have no cellphone. And the calls are free in the US and from overseas to the US.

Another neat application is 'Watch TV'. It lets me watch old TV shows and comics that I like. I am sure your father would like that. For that you also have to get the Boat browser because that seems to be the only one where Flash works.

ES File Explorer, Kingsoft Office and Gmail are others that I use a lot. For the office and mail apps you should have a bluetooth keyboard - the on-screen keyboard is too limited for such apps.

 

[MartinS]

I had a Xoom which I sold to get the Nexus.

The Xoom was still on Honeycomb 3.x when I sold it and the 2 devices are like chalk and cheese. Everything annoying about the Xoom is rectified in the Nexus:

Weight
Size (opinion I know)
Speed in operation
Screen (IMO the Xoom screen was poor)
Random reboots
Browser closing without warning or error message (infuriating)

As I say, the Xoom may be OK with JB but I didn't have the chance to try it. I guess Honeycomb caused a lot of the problems.

I'm happy with the choice of the N7.

 

[davewood44]

In my opinion the nexus 7 is great, but it does crash more often than I would like, It freezes every now and again and stutters on opening apps ever so often.

But even with that......its great for the price. However, if he is easily frustrated and likes things simple then you can't go wrong with the iPad mini, too expensive in my opinion but it gets decent right ups as and plenty of apps.

(I don't participate in apple v android....I'm a lover of both)

 

[n4zty]

In my opinion the nexus 7 is great, but it does crash more often than I would like, It freezes every now and again and stutters on opening apps ever so often.

But even with that......its great for the price. However, if he is easily frustrated and likes things simple then you can't go wrong with the iPad mini, too expensive in my opinion but it gets decent right ups as and plenty of apps.

(I don't participate in apple v android....I'm a lover of both)

are you using any roms on your nexus 7? i personally have never experienced any of those symptoms, i do game alot on my tablet such games as modern combat 4, asphalt 7, need for speed most wanted. never have such cpu/gpu process hogging apps been able to slow my beast down. keep in mind these after-market roms are not always 100% stable thats why for now i remain rooted and unlocked but on stock 4.2.1

 

[davewood44]

Are you using any roms on your nexus 7? i personally have never experienced any of those symptoms, i do game alot on my tablet such games as modern combat 4, asphalt 7, need for speed most wanted. never have such cpu/gpu process hogging apps been able to slow my beast down. keep in mind these after-market roms are not always 100% stable thats why for now i remain rooted and unlocked but on stock 4.2.1

.....................

No, stock. I don't understand how you have no issues? I don't mean it has lots but it does stutter often and restarts every couple of days. This is my 3rd one.....they all done it.

I can live with it, but every android device I have had has done it, its just part of the course I presume for such a open platform, and part of the problem so many folks go apple, they presume iOS doesn't crash, it does, even my iPad 4 closes apps every now and again.

PS I'm using tapatalk HD beta and can't work out if I'm copying your post correctly, as its formatted on my nexus 7 the same as what I'm writing, hence I have dotted between the quote and my reply

 

[whs37]

You must be doing something wrong. My N7 is smooth sailing all the way. Maybe one of the applications you always install has thrown a monkey wrench into the system.

 

[Teknologic]

Weird, I don't get how you consider all these problems self-evident. I wouldn't be happy with that.
I rarely get any force closes or any hiccups for that matter, I've been very impressed with jellybeans all the way through. What you're describing reminds me of the early days of eclair, when I just got my N1. But I've used every version of Android since then and this is by far the smoothest, most stable one (with the late gingerbread versions in second).
I'd recommend you do a factory reset and take some time to manually set up your N7 again. It shouldn't be that buggy at all.

 

[n4zty]

not saying every1's n7 is perfect just saying mine is lol perhaps im not pushing my n7 hard enough do ya have some games/apps sure enough to make it cry my name? loool i would like to do further testing if thats the case.

 

[iwchris]

I am very pleased with mine it doesn't freeze its very fast,and just seems to get the job done, and that's coming from an apple nut.
Just one criticism and that is the voice to text is not as good as an ipad.

 

[whs37]

I am very pleased with mine it doesn't freeze its very fast,and just seems to get the job done, and that's coming from an apple nut.
Just one criticism and that is the voice to text is not as good as an ipad.

That is something I also noticed. The voice input is a hit and miss affair. 50% of my inputs are wrong. Too bad.

But this is the only critisism I can make after 2 months intensive use.

 

[iwchris]

That is something I also noticed. The voice input is a hit and miss affair. 50% of my inputs are wrong. Too bad.

But this is the only critisism I can make after 2 months intensive use.

I hope that they will sort this out with one of the future updates I would then give it a full thumbs up 10/10

 

[MartinS]

In my opinion the nexus 7 is great, but it does crash more often than I would like, It freezes every now and again and stutters on opening apps ever so often.

But even with that......its great for the price. However, if he is easily frustrated and likes things simple then you can't go wrong with the iPad mini, too expensive in my opinion but it gets decent right ups as and plenty of apps.

(I don't participate in apple v android....I'm a lover of both)

Just to reiterate a couple of other comments. My N7 never crashes in general use. I wonder if you have a rogue app. Don't forget that 4.2(.1) is new and not everything will be updated for it.

 

[Jesus359]

Everything works on my Nexus. Its fast and smooth, no bugs or anything. Its a little glitchy, but I've read that its because of the 4.2.1 update, so I would probably suggest staying in 4.1, I've heard its a lot smoother. Battery lasts about 6hrs, more or less when I,m using it constantly and have a lot of apps open. Takes a while to charge though, the screen in very clear.

 

[davewood44]

I stand corrected....my nexus 7 does suffer crashes and startups but I am on the latest software which has bugs so I cannot comment in all fairness..............so ignore my ramblings, unless of course your new nexus 7 comes with the latest software in which I'm right!

 

[Jesus359]

Its supposed to come with 4.1 then the updates start coming in, but even if it does come with 4.2 there's always rooting and downgrading to 4.1 or install a rom that has 4.1, which should make it stable again.

 

[MartinS]

Rooting and downgrading to 4.1 shouldn't have to be the answer. 4.2 is stable on mine

 

[whs37]

I have 4.2.1 and cannot complain.

 

[val88]

I think in general if you start to see issues with your N7 more than likely something you have installed is killing your tablet. Seen it quite often. Thats why I don't indiscriminately install apps. I read the reviews from people with my device and see if there is a trend. I only install 1-2 apps per week to make sure its not causing a problem. Once you install 12-20 apps in one shot, good luck trying to figure out which one is causing the problem.

 

[Rcarnes91]

The only problem I have had with my Nexus 7 is my 2 year old somehow manages to get it to reset no idea how though

 

[Demache]

I've had this issue where the screen doesn't come back on when you turn the screen off. The OS is still running (plays music, volume works) but the sleep button does nothing. Force a hard reset (hold power for like 20 seconds) and it reboots and its fine again. From what I've read, its not too uncommon of an issue either.

Hasn't done it since I flashed the CM 10.1 nightlies though, so it might just be a one off software bug in SmoothROM 4.2.

I had really bad slowdown issues in stock and SmoothROM 4.2 as well. Once again, CM10.1 nightly, perfectly fine.

 

[El Barto]

Hello,

I thought I should reply back to this thread and thank everyone for their great input! It was very helpful and in the end I went for the Nexus 7 for my dads Christmas present, although due to stock issues he didn't get it until February but it was worth the wait!

He's found it really good and uses it all the time without and problems, like the ones I stated about my Xoom. So much so that I'm going to be selling my Xoom soon & buying at Nexus 10 for myself.

Thanks again for all the replies, I thought I should reply not only to thank everyone but if someone else reads this they'll know it was certainly the right purchase to make.

 

[breadnatty08]

Glad to hear, El Barto!
I've played with a Nexus 10 for a moment and it really is an amazing device. Screen is awesome! Have fun.