The HP Slate 7 and Slate7 Extreme represent HP's early forays into the Android tablet market. While both aimed for affordability, they took drastically different approaches to performance. The Slate 7 focused on a lower entry price, while the Slate7 Extreme attempted to deliver a more premium experience with a significantly more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which tablet offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the HP Slate7 Extreme is the clear winner thanks to its Nvidia Tegra 4 processor. However, the HP Slate 7 remains a viable option for basic tasks and media consumption if budget is the primary concern.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, February. Released 2013, April | 2013, December. Released 2013, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 197.1 x 116.1 x 10.7 mm (7.76 x 4.57 x 0.42 in) | 200 x 120 x 9.4 mm (7.87 x 4.72 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 372 g (13.12 oz) | 319.8 g (11.25 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~60.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 142.1 cm2 (~59.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | FFS+ LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A15 |
| Chipset | - | Nvidia Tegra 4 |
| OS | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.15 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 3.0 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | Up to 5 h (multimedia) | Up to 10 h 30 min (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Ion, non-removable | Li-Po 4100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black/Silver, Red | Black/Silver |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 150 EUR |
HP Slate 7
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Potentially longer battery life during light use.
- More portable due to potentially smaller size (speculation).
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Slate7 Extreme.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
- Poor gaming performance.
HP Slate7 Extreme
- Much faster processor for smoother performance.
- Improved graphics capabilities for gaming.
- Better multitasking experience.
- Higher price compared to the Slate 7.
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load.
- May generate more heat during intensive tasks.
Display Comparison
Details regarding the displays of both tablets are unavailable. However, given the Slate 7's positioning, it likely featured a standard TN panel with moderate viewing angles and color accuracy. The Slate7 Extreme, aiming for a more premium feel, *may* have incorporated a slightly improved panel, but it's unlikely to have featured advanced technologies like IPS or high resolutions common in higher-end tablets of the era. Bezels were likely substantial on both devices, typical for the time.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It's safe to assume both tablets featured basic cameras suitable for casual snapshots. Given the market segment, image quality would have been unremarkable. The focus should not be on camera performance when considering these tablets; they were not designed for photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The HP Slate 7 utilizes a dual-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, an older architecture focused on efficiency. The Slate7 Extreme, however, boasts the Nvidia Tegra 4, featuring a quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A15 CPU. This represents a significant leap in processing power. The Cortex-A15 architecture is substantially more efficient and capable than the A9, allowing for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The Tegra 4 also includes a more powerful GPU, crucial for graphics-intensive applications. While RAM specifications are unknown, the Extreme likely benefitted from a larger allocation to support the more demanding processor.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are unavailable. However, the more powerful Tegra 4 in the Slate7 Extreme likely resulted in faster battery drain under heavy load. The Slate 7, with its less demanding processor, would likely offer longer battery life during basic tasks like web browsing. Charging speeds were likely similar, utilizing standard micro-USB charging, and were not a key differentiating factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the HP Slate 7 if you need a simple, affordable tablet for web browsing, email, and light media consumption. It's ideal for users who prioritize portability and aren't demanding in terms of performance. Buy the HP Slate7 Extreme if you prefer a tablet capable of handling more demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously. The Tegra 4 chipset provides a substantial performance boost for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the HP Slate7 Extreme run modern Android apps smoothly?
While the Tegra 4 was a powerful processor for its time, modern Android apps have become increasingly demanding. The Slate7 Extreme will likely struggle with newer, resource-intensive applications, and may experience lag or crashes. It's best suited for older Android apps and lighter tasks.
❓ Is the Nvidia Tegra 4 GPU in the Slate7 Extreme capable of playing demanding games?
The Tegra 4 GPU was a capable performer for its era, and can handle many older Android games at reasonable settings. However, it will likely struggle with the latest, most graphically demanding titles. Expect to lower graphics settings and resolution to achieve playable frame rates.
❓ Can I expect to find software updates for either of these tablets?
Given the age of these devices, it's highly unlikely that either the HP Slate 7 or Slate7 Extreme will receive further software updates. They are likely running outdated versions of Android, and security vulnerabilities may not be patched.
