As an iPad(2) owner, I have first-hand experience with a good tablet – one that does just about everything well.  And, as you know, Apple charges a premium for their stuff.  They always have and always will.

But, there’s a price war going on among companies like Amazon (Kindle Fire) and Google (Nexus 7).  I tried the original Fire and wasn’t terribly impressed.  Its best feature was its price.  You got a lot of value for the $200 price tag.  Amazon has since upgraded the Kindle Fire and added ‘HD’ to its name.  The price is still $200 so is certainly worth considering.

However, I decided to invest in the Google Nexus 7 (16gb version).  WOW! sums up my experience with this tablet.  The 8gb version cost $200, with a 16gb price of $249.  I chose the latter because I could get it with a no tax, free shipping deal, where the 8gb model added both and the total price was about the same.  Here’s a picture of the Nexus 7:

And some specs:

Having had some time to play with the Nexus 7, it doesn’t disappoint at all.  And having installed ~110 applications from Google’s Play Store, ALL FREE, I’m finding that only a couple apps that I use frequently on the iPad aren’t available for this version of Android (yet).  RedLaser is the one I miss the most, but expect it’ll be available soon since it runs fine on Android phones.  Another bummer is that Google gives you a $25 Play Store credit when you buy a Nexus 7, but I can’t figure out how to spend it since so many of the apps are free.

Above all, performance, battery life, screen brightness and resolution, navigation, app access and update processes, and overall functionality of the platform are excellent!

If you’re it the market for a tablet and cost IS an important consideration, then the Nexus 7 might work for you.  I am so impressed with mine that I’ve recommended this tablet for purchase by the Lopez Library as a loaner.  So you might get to check out their tablet soon enough, or if there’s interest, I can do a show and tell at the library using my tablet as well.

A FEW WEEKS LATER, and I’m still in love…

I really like this case I bought for my Nexus 7 (always buy a case to protect your gadgets):

Blurex Ultra-Slim Case ($15 from  Amazon)

And just in case you’re curious, here are the apps I have installed on my Nexus so far.  It’s important to note that all 120 apps are free, so I haven’t spent any of my $25 Play Store credit yet.  How cool is that!