Google Nexus 7: The best 7-inch tablet yet for $199

From the many online reviews, the Nexus 7 has got to be the tablet to beat in the 7-inch category. For mere $199 you get to own a highly specced Android tablet produced by Asus in collaboration with Google.

Image credit: PC World

Nexus 7 Specifications

Tablet name              : Google Nexus 7
Dimensions               : 198.5 x 120 x 10.45 mm
Display                      : 7", TFT active matrix (LED backlight)
Display Resolution    : 1280 x 800 (216 ppi)
Weight                      : 340g
OS                             : Android 4.1 - Jelly Bean

Processor                 : 1.3GHz, NVidia Tegra 3, Quad-Core
Storage                    : 8 GB and 16 GB
RAM                         : 1 GB
Communications      : NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Camera                    : Front-facing only - 1.2 MP
Location navigation : GPS receiver
Multimedia               : Audio Microphone , Speaker
Interface                  : 1 x Micro-USB
Battery Capacity      : 4325 mAh, about 10 hours run time
Other features          : Gyro sensor, Accelerometer, Magnetometer

Announced               :  27 June 2012
Available                  : TBA (probably third quarter of 2012)

This will be much more affordable than the locally produced but yet to be release 1Mpad, or 1Malaysia Pad which is priced at RM999 (US$330).

The Nexus 7 is priced at $199 (RM630) for the 8GB storage and $249 (RM790) for the 16GB variant. With the increasing size of apps in the market, the 16GB is a better option considering the fact that this tablet has no SD expansion slot. But for the budget conscious the 8GB unit should do just fine.

I mentioned not too long ago that that in future heavy school bags could be replaced by affordable tablet computer. This may just pave the way to have the idea a go.

Any resemblance to the iPad? Image credit: wptv.com

Specification-wise, this seem to be the best Android tablet yet, but until you get to touch and fiddle with the gadget yourself, this is just a paper claim. If industry norm is to be followed by Google-ASUS, the tablet should be available in two to three weeks from now.

Con:
Having no rear-facing camera is not a good news when most tablets offer it. But 3G connectivity is a deal breaker for me as WiFi is not yet widely available here, especially when you travel outside of the city. So, I may just pass this one.

But for RM599, it is very tempting to get the 8GB version as a second/backup tablet.

First Malaysia-branded Android tablet for RM999

Last week MalTechPro Sdn Bhd unveiled the first Malaysian made 7-inch tablet known as 1Malaysia Pad, or 1Mpad which is fully equipped with a capacitive touch screen, android system, wireless broadband, 3G and the latest applications.

The 1Malaysia Pad launched on 24 May 2012. Picture credit: The Sun Daily

In my previous posting, I wrote an article regarding India's world cheapest tablet, the Aakash and Malaysia seem to have followed suit in launching an Android tablet. But unlike the US$45 to $70 Indian version, the 1Malaysia Pad is priced further up at RM999 (US$315).


1Mpad specifications in brief

Not much was available from the media coverage but for a start, this are what have been made known:
Price                       : RM999 (introductory price for the first 5,000 units)
Screen size             : 7 inch
Operating system     : Android 2.3, Gingerbread
Storage capacity      : TBA
Mobile connectivity   : WiFi, 3G
Camera                   : 3 MP
Released                 : May 2012
Availability               : available now for pre-order

The Borneo Post reported that the tablet is equipped with a proprietary 1Malaysia messenger app which would allow users to send messages, pictures and videos for free.


First impression

While this appears to be more powerful than the low-coast Aakash, at its current high list price, the tablet doesn't appear to be a fantastic deal. RM999 is relatively expensive for a 7" tablet, more so with better specced and affordable offerings in the market are available, such as the Galaxy Tab 7 Plus at RM1,200 (US$380) and still dropping in price. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 was last seen priced cheaper at RM799 (US$250) but I'm unsure if this model is still available in Malaysia.


Who will buy them?

Befitting its name, this tablet is targetted to be first marketed to students at a discounted price. Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry planned to include MalTechPro as a merchant in the ministry’s student discount card program, due to kick off next month.

The amount of the discount has not been decided yet but this is touted to be a replacement for the current 1Malaysia netbooks in universities.

Would you buy one of these for yourself? I think it is too expensive and the manufacturer will have to persuade the government to push it to the people through various 'donation' programs.


Early Verdict

An introductory price of RM699 - RM799 would have been more appealing considering such technology has been around for sometime, plus, the OS is an outdated one. Throw in the option for WiFi and Wifi + 3G to reduce the price further.

Tablets - the solution for heavy schoolbags?

School children carrying heavy schoolbags is not something new. But with the flawed education system (that's what I think) - rather than to just 'sufficiently' equip children at early age - these kids end up having to shoulder a lot of physical weight alongside mental pressure of being fed with too much information/knowledge too early.

During our days, we had to walk for a couple of kilometres to school but lugging just half the weight that today's children have to carry. I can't recall seeing anyone at school having to bend to balance the weight on their backs.

World cheapest tablet, Aakash. Image: gogi.in

Late last year, India came out with an idea to "help tens of thousands of low-income students connect to the digital world" by introducing the cheapest tablet, the Aakash. Priced from US$35 to $45 (RM106 - RM137) with option to buy an upgraded $75 variant, this is one tablet that could be affordable to many Malaysian students.

Will using tablets solve the heavy schoolbags?

Like many others, I have a school-going child in a Chinese medium primary school and the burden she carries on a daily basis can be as heavy as 10kg - 12kg. That could constitute 20% to 25% of her body weight which is not healthy at all. To some extent I think the use of tablets/computers in schools could be a solution to ease the heavy burden of carrying textbooks. 

I must be quick to point out that there are several issues that need to be factored in if tablets are to be allowed in school, but that's beside the point and is for another discussion.

There are some tablets in the market that one can buy for less than US$100 such as the Velocity Micro Cruz, Maylong Universe M-250, Wonder Media, Ainol's Novo7, Pan Digital, Nextbook Android, etc. Surely, someone or some corporations can bring down the cost and patent a low-price tablet specifically for students. The shear volume will take care of the profitability issue when it is adopted by the relevant ministry.

I agree with  Mobile World magazine editor, Kasmhminder Singh's contention that  instead of giving students RM100 each, as what happened during the recent government drive, it would be more useful over the long term to look into how tablets could become the new textbooks.

Tablet could be locked so that it is not possible to install games easily, and it can go online to only authorised sites and networks. Compress the bulky text books into e-book versions like the apps in iPads and Tabs. Book publishers can still collect fee every year when the text books are loaded into the tablet. 

Jane E. Brody discussed this quite interestingly in her article, Heavy Backpacks Can Spell Chronic Back Pain for Children; give it a go, it's a good read.

So, let's throng the electronic stores and grab one right now?

It will happen sometime, perhaps in the near future. It is not a question of 'if' but rather 'when', so, while waiting for that to happen, do what can be done now. There are some good backpacks that will transfer perhaps two-thirds of the weight to the hips via a padded belt and good design.

An example of this is the SPI ergonomic backpacks. Google to find out more about it. It is more expensive and not stylish or typically used by children in their early teens, but they are designed to reduce problems with carrying weight on the back. We bought one of these for our daughter.

Within the next 10 years or so, many schools will start adopting the use of electronic school bags. I'm convinced.