Google Nexus 7 or Amazon Fire HD?

[soulcougher73]

Between these two 16GB $200 tablets is there a clear winner? We are prime members but the Nexus can still access all the Amazon content (reader, videos, etc)?

I did notice the Fire has 2 stereo speakers which would come in handy im assumign for videos. One thing i hate about our iPad3 is the crappy 1 speaker on the backside. Makes netflix a pain at times to hear.

 

[Red Storm]

If you need to have Amazon instant video and whatnot I believe the Kindle Fire is the only mobile device to have that?

 

[badb0y]

If you need to have Amazon instant video and whatnot I believe the Kindle Fire is the only mobile device to have that?

I know 100% iPad has Amazon Instant Video but I am not sure if Android has it (probably does).

 

[bearxor]

Amazon is supposedly getting close to releasing a instant video app for Android.

Between these two tablets, I think it's kind of a tough call. If you don't care about the Android ecosystem and are invested in Amazon, it might be a better choice. I would go with the Nexus 7 because it was better spec'd and ran pure Android.

 

[soulcougher73]

Amazon is supposedly getting close to releasing a instant video app for Android.

Between these two tablets, I think it's kind of a tough call. If you don't care about the Android ecosystem and are invested in Amazon, it might be a better choice. I would go with the Nexus 7 because it was better spec'd and ran pure Android.

Well we do have Galaxy Nexus' and like them a lot for phones. If Android is to get instant video then that might be the way to go. Does it have 2 speaker stereo sound?

 

[Ravynmagi]

Between these two 16GB $200 tablets is there a clear winner? We are prime members but the Nexus can still access all the Amazon content (reader, videos, etc)?

I did notice the Fire has 2 stereo speakers which would come in handy im assumign for videos. One thing i hate about our iPad3 is the crappy 1 speaker on the backside. Makes netflix a pain at times to hear.

The screen on the Kindle Fire HD is noticeably better, better looking colors. For some reason ASUS didn't calibrate the Nexus 7 screen properly and that has yet to be fixed. Kindle Fire HD also has much better speakers for watching videos. And I like that the soft keys on the Kindle Fire HD hide away much better given more space on screen for web browsing.

And as a person that is also an Prime subscriber and book reader, I loved the suggestions for books, videos and other products. Amazon really did an excellent job making this a great content consumption device for their own content.


The down side for the Kindle Fire HD is that it's a bit wider, heavier, and not nearly as comfortable to hold in the hand as the Nexus 7. Oh my god, holding the Nexus 7 is a pleasure, Google did fantastic with the back and sides and the width of the bezel. Also the Nexus 7 is powered by a Tegra 3 processor, it's fast and smooth, while the Kindle Fire HD's OMAP 4460 should have been left in 2011 where it came from. It's performs well enough, but it is definitely slower.


For the right person that is a Amazon Prime subscriber, I think it's a tough call. The Fire HD provide an Amazon experience that Amazon apps on the Nexus 7 don't even remotely match. But the Nexus 7 is faster and more open. I don't think there is a clear winner.

For everyone else that isn't an Amazon Prime subscriber or heavy into Amazon content, the Nexus 7 is the clear winner.

 

[bearxor]

Does the Nexus 7 have stereo speakers? Yes.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Does the Nexus 7 have stereo speakers? Yes.

It has two speakers. But two speakers next to each other doesn't create a stereo effect, so I wouldn't call them stereo speakers.

 

[lopri]

Yeah the two are really not very comparable at this point, both from hardware point of view and from usage point of view. It's really up to your choosing. Nexus 7 does have an issue with colors and sound, but Kindle is slower and less versatile. Amazon Prime members have a lot to enjoy from Kindle if that's their thing as well. For my usage Nexus fits the bill better.

 

[bearxor]

It has two speakers. But two speakers next to each other doesn't create a stereo effect, so I wouldn't call them stereo speakers.

You're right, but if I had said no, someone would be chime in and say "we'll it has two speakers..." So, damned if you do...

 

[bigrash]

I had the Kindle Fire (non HD) and decided to get the Nexus 7. Between the 2, I prefer the Nexus 7 a lot more than the Kindle. I really like the Kindle but hated the Amazon market. I rooted it to ICS but even that created other problems.

 

[sswingle]

We are heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem but I still prefer my Nexus 7.

 

[Geekbabe]

We're entrenched in the Amazon Eco system & the Kindle Fire HD is pretty amazing, screen & sound quality are really good.

 

[Chiropteran]

For me, Kindle Fire edges out the Nexus because I own a lot of amazon videos which can't be played on the Nexus. If Amazon ever releases a video player for android, I'll probably never buy another Kindle Fire.

* Actually, can play amazon video through a browser on the nexus 7, if you tell it to act like the desktop browser, but it's a hassle and performance isn't where it should be. A dedicated app makes for a vastly improved user experience.

 

[deputc26]

Nexus 7 is a no brainer I think, it's just much more capable (maps, play store, battery life etc. etc.)

 

[soulcougher73]

Tough call for me. Think ill hit up BB and hold them just to see how they feel overall in the hand. I have a feeling Nexus 7 will be better. And if they do get the Instant Video in the future that would be sweet.

But the screen and sound on Fire may sway me since i like to watch video content a lot.

 

[papaschtroumpf]

Nexus 7 is more flexible: you can use the amazon ecosystem, but don't have to, you can still get google play, etc...
Nexus 7 will also get more android updates, etc...

I don't think the Kindle HD has a GPS? NExus 7 with a program like coPilot (maps stored locally) is pretty handy.

 

[Crow550]

C|nets prizefight on it: http://cnettv.cnet.com/amazon-kindle-fire-hd-vs-google-nexus-7/9742-1_53-50131591.html

 

[soulcougher73]

Not sure anyone will care. But we ended up getting both to have a few days hands on. We're returning the Fire HD. Nexus 7 just offers much more and $15 cheaper. Wife loves the overall size and feel in her hands and enjoys the familiarity on stock Android since we also have the galaxy nexus'.

 

[bigrash]

Not sure anyone will care. But we ended up getting both to have a few days hands on. We're returning the Fire HD. Nexus 7 just offers much more and $15 cheaper. Wife loves the overall size and feel in her hands and enjoys the familiarity on stock Android since we also have the galaxy nexus'.

Nice.

 

[Tom]

Those of us who like the Nexus 7 should at least thank Amazon for pricing the Kindle Fire HD 16gb at $199..because that's probably a big factor in the lower price for the 16gb Nexus 7.

As to the Kindle costing $15 more, that's only for the ad-free version. Personally, the lock screen ads don't bother me, in fact they frequently have good offers, like $10 gift card for using a Discover card, free mp3s and books. The more annoying ads under the carousel can now be turned off for free.

I think they're equally good values but with different strengths. However, its considerably easier to add Google apps and the Play Store to the Fire HD, than it is to add hdmi out to the Nexus 7.

Funnily, the Nabi 2 kid-centric tablet might be more capable than either of them. Tegra 3, hdmi out, and a microsd slot. Particularly since its gonna be on sale Black Friday at Walmart and Best Buy.

It does have a lower rez screen though.

 

[mrrman]

I am looking at ther Nexus 7 to but how does the ASUS TF700T-B1-GR 10.1-Inch Tablet compare?

 

[mosco]

I would go Nexus 7. Android's "big advantage" over iOS is supposed to be its customizability, and I find the Kindle's interface and stuff even more limited than iOS.

 

[s44]

I am looking at ther Nexus 7 to but how does the ASUS TF700T-B1-GR 10.1-Inch Tablet compare?

The Infinity has: same processor (slightly higher-clocked), better screen, and the ability to connect a keyboard dock.

It also costs a lot more. If you're not looking to use the keyboard/laptop mode, then the Nexus 7 or 10 are better options.

 

[dagamer34]

If you are using your tablet as a media device: Kindle Fire HD.
If you are using your tablet as a portable computer: Nexus 7.
If you care at all about the underlying Android OS: Nexus 7.
If you are primarily buying this tablet for your family: Kindle Fire HD.
If you own a LOT of Amazon content: Kindle Fire HD.

I'd say bust out the pro/con chart for each device and decide that way. I know personally I would never be able to put up with the performance inadequacies that the original Kindle Fire had, and haven't seen any evidence that it was fixed in the HD.