The Asus Google Nexus 7 and HP Slate 7 represent a pivotal moment in Android tablet history – the push for affordable, 7-inch devices. While both aimed to deliver a portable Android experience, they took different approaches. The Nexus 7, backed by Google, prioritized performance with Nvidia’s Tegra 3, while the Slate 7 focused on aggressive pricing, utilizing a dual-core processor. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which tablet holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a responsive and enjoyable Android tablet experience, the Asus Google Nexus 7 is the clear winner. Its Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset provides a significant performance advantage over the HP Slate 7’s dual-core processor, making it better suited for gaming, multitasking, and overall system fluidity. While the Slate 7 offered a lower price point, the performance trade-off is substantial.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, June. Released 2012, July | 2013, February. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 198.5 x 120 x 10.5 mm (7.81 x 4.72 x 0.41 in) | 197.1 x 116.1 x 10.7 mm (7.76 x 4.57 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 340 g (11.99 oz) | 372 g (13.12 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 142.1 cm2 (~59.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~60.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit IPS LCD | FFS+ LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Dual-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Nvidia Tegra 3 | - |
| GPU | ULP GeForce | - |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.2 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0 | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (multimedia) | Up to 5 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 4325 mAh battery (16 Wh) | Li-Ion, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black/Silver, Red |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
Asus Google Nexus 7
- Superior performance thanks to the Nvidia Tegra 3.
- Higher display contrast ratio for a better viewing experience.
- Google’s software optimization provides a smoother user interface.
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load.
- May be harder to find in good condition due to age.
HP Slate 7
- Lower price point at launch.
- Potentially slightly better battery life during light usage.
- Compact and portable design.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Nexus 7.
- Likely lower display quality.
- Limited software support and updates.
Display Comparison
The Asus Google Nexus 7 boasts a contrast ratio of 908:1, indicating a richer and more vibrant visual experience compared to the HP Slate 7, for which display specifications are less readily available. While both likely utilized IPS panels common at the time, the Nexus 7’s higher contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and more accurate color reproduction. This difference would be most noticeable when viewing photos, videos, or playing games. The Nexus 7’s display was a key selling point, aiming for a premium feel in a budget-friendly package.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet was known for its camera prowess, and detailed camera specifications are scarce. Given the era, both likely featured relatively low-resolution sensors. Without specific data, it’s difficult to definitively compare their camera performance. However, the Nexus 7, benefiting from Google’s software optimization, likely offered slightly better image processing and overall camera quality, even with a similar sensor. Focusing on camera quality for either device would be a misallocation of expectations.
Performance
The core difference between these tablets lies in their chipsets. The Asus Nexus 7 is powered by the Nvidia Tegra 3, a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 processor, while the HP Slate 7 features a dual-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9. Despite the higher clock speed of the Slate 7’s processor, the Tegra 3’s quad-core architecture and more efficient design provide a substantial performance advantage. The Tegra 3’s architecture allows for better multitasking and handling of graphically intensive applications. This translates to smoother gameplay, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall user experience on the Nexus 7.
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to compare without standardized testing data. The HP Slate 7’s dual-core processor *might* offer slightly better battery efficiency under light loads, but the Tegra 3’s ability to offload tasks to its GPU could potentially balance this out during more demanding usage. Real-world battery life would depend heavily on usage patterns, with the Nexus 7 likely experiencing faster drain during gaming or video playback due to its more powerful processor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus Google Nexus 7 if you prioritize performance and a smoother user experience, especially if you intend to play games or run demanding applications. Its superior processing power and contrast ratio make it a more versatile device. Buy the HP Slate 7 if your primary need is a very basic, affordable tablet for light tasks like web browsing and email, and you are willing to accept noticeable performance limitations to save money.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nvidia Tegra 3 in the Nexus 7 still capable of running modern Android apps?
While the Tegra 3 was a powerful processor for its time, it's unlikely to provide a smooth experience with the latest versions of Android and demanding apps. It may be possible to run older Android versions or lightweight apps, but performance will be limited.
❓ Does the HP Slate 7 receive software updates anymore?
No, the HP Slate 7 is no longer receiving software updates from HP. This means it's vulnerable to security risks and may not be compatible with newer apps that require updated Android versions.
❓ Which tablet is better for playing older Android games?
The Asus Google Nexus 7 is significantly better suited for playing older Android games due to its more powerful Nvidia Tegra 3 processor. The Tegra 3’s GPU will provide a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ Is the difference in performance between these tablets noticeable in everyday tasks like web browsing?
Yes, the difference in performance is noticeable even in everyday tasks. The Nexus 7 will load web pages faster, switch between apps more smoothly, and generally feel more responsive than the Slate 7.
