How well does the original Nexus 7 still work?

[jacktesterson]

Specifically with KitKat?

Any custom Roms you would recommend?

Thinking of buying my father one for his birthday tomorrow. Can get a 16GB one new for $119 locally. Seems the best deal for this price

How is the screen? How smooth is the device specifically with browsing? Whats battery life like for you? Personal experiences are always best.

Tablet would be used for Chromecast, Netflix, Browsing, Email, Social Media and games like Candy Crush.

Any info given today would be helpful

 

[tvdang7]

Not going to lie. the original nexus 7 was slowing down way too much to my liking.

 

[foghorn67]

Not going to lie. the original nexus 7 was slowing down way too much to my liking.

Mine did that, so I wiped it about a month ago. So far so good, seems responsive.
I think they used lower cost memory back then, and it's starting to decay.

 

[tsupersonic]

It's also too slow for me - I have the 2012 & 2013 versions, so I haven't used the 2012 version in quite a bit. It is an adequate device for all those purposes for that price point. If you can swing the extra to get the latest model, it is that much better - HD display (with better color accuracy), stereo speakers, better battery life, and faster overall.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I have the 2012 version. It's perfectly fine for watching videos, browsing the web.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

there are way better alternatives for a negligible amount more, like the dell windows 8 tabs. at this point id even pass on the current nexus 7

 

[jacktesterson]

Yeah. Dad thinks his HTC One S is plenty fast as a comparison

Driving up tomorrow so may pick one up.

Don't really want to spend anymore than that.

 

[jacktesterson]

there are way better alternatives for a negligible amount more, like the dell windows 8 tabs. at this point id even pass on the current nexus 7

Id love to get him a Venue 8 Pro but I'm in Canada and they are $269

 

[gorcorps]

I would say it was clunky the day it was released. It remains one of my more regrettable purchases.

 

[jacktesterson]

I would say it was clunky the day it was released. It remains one of my more regrettable purchases.

Yeah. Tegra 3 experience with a HTC One X+ felt slow, it's what's holding me back really

 

[Fardringle]

My original 8GB Nexus 7 is now 18 months old. I use it all of the time - a lot more than I should - for everything from basic book reading to web browsing, wireless network surveys (I sometimes set up new networks and tweak old ones for my work), and occasional heavier game playing. I have not ever wiped/reset it and honestly haven't ever rooted it (and therefore haven't used any mods) simply because I don't have a specific need to do so. The only time it has ever felt slow to me in any way is if an app misbehaves and refuses to close or let go of resources.

When I'm only using the tablet for reading, particularly on long trips, I put it in airplane mode and can easily get 10-12 hours of battery life. With the wireless enabled for web browsing and other light usage, I get about 8 hours. Watching Netflix with the screen brightness turned up gets around 6 hours. When playing games that really push the system, battery life can drop down to around 4-5 hours.

 

[jacktesterson]

My original 8GB Nexus 7 is now 18 months old. I use it all of the time - a lot more than I should - for everything from basic book reading to web browsing, wireless network surveys (I sometimes set up new networks and tweak old ones for my work), and occasional heavier game playing. I have not ever wiped/reset it and honestly haven't ever rooted it (and therefore haven't used any mods) simply because I don't have a specific need to do so. The only time it has ever felt slow to me in any way is if an app misbehaves and refuses to close or let go of resources.

When I'm only using the tablet for reading, particularly on long trips, I put it in airplane mode and can easily get 10-12 hours of battery life. With the wireless enabled for web browsing and other light usage, I get about 8 hours. Watching Netflix with the screen brightness turned up gets around 6 hours. When playing games that really push the system, battery life can drop down to around 4-5 hours.

Thanks

 

[dawheat]

Haven't even turned on my 1st gen Nexus 7 in months. Compared to new devices, it's slow, doesn't have a great screen, stutters under load, and generally aggravating in comparison to current devices. Back when it first came out, I was happy with it so it's a little surprising how quickly expectations change.

Using a Note 3, iPad Air, MBP, and full-on desktop all make using the Nexus 7 frustrating to use.

 

[openwheel]

The current Nexus 7 is still the best Android experience IMO. This thing is better than my Note 3, G2, S4 and Moto X. I may be one of few lucky ones without any touch issue with this Nexus 7 FHD.

Great form factor, speedy, clean and smooth OS. Best of all, it has the best screen I have ever used. What more can I ask for from a WiFi only small tablet?

 

[Yuriman]

I recently wiped mine and put stock kitkat on it, and it's acceptable. UI and browsing has some dropped frames, but nothing is frustratingly slow, just a little choppy.