Nexus 7 vs. iPad, toughness

[BladeVenom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKaPmrXKfO0
Nexus 7: 3 iPad: 0

The cost of their warranties also reflects the superior construction of the Nexus 7. iPad warranty cost is 20% of the cost of the product, while the Nexus 7 warranty is only 10% the cost of the product.

On its Web site, the company offers a two-year warranty for the $499 iPad, (16GB version with Wi-Fi only) for $99, with no deductible. A two-year warranty for the Nexus 7, priced new for $199 is $18.99, but no information was provided about the amount of the deductible on the site's quote tool.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti..._up_better_than_iPad_in_drop_water_dunk_tests

 

[QueBert]

I'm sure the toughness has nothing to do with the fact it's smaller, hay my cell phone's warranty's cheaper than the Nexus 7, so by your logic here my cell phone's got better toughness right?

Also the number you quoted is totally meaningless due to the "no information" part. Unless of course you think the deductible's magically going to be $0. I'll bet money with the deductable the Nexus will actually be more expensive % wise to get replaced. Which by your logic would make it less tough right?

 

[Bateluer]

In the dunk test, both devices were dropped for a few seconds into water while they were running. The iPad came out with touch capability and video still working, but no sound. The Nexus 7 had video and touch controls after the water dunk, as well as sound. "Wow, that's impressive," a tester says in the video after hearing the sound still working on the Nexus 7.

Only idiots would take their expensive electronics into the bath or pool.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Everyone knows the ipad isn't tough at all. I would bet on my touchpad surviving most falls that would destroy an ipad as well. I still like my ipad more. I just take special care not to drop it.

 

[Ns1]

So this is what it's come down to? Dunking tablets in water?

 

[akugami]

Just a note, on the first fall test, it is kind of subjective because the Nexus fell on it's back bottom while the iPad fell right on the corner. Which is probably the worst place (along with face flat) that a tablet can fall on.

On the second drop test, the Nexus did fall on a corner but the height was so much lower. This was definitely a loss for the iPad as I would expect the iPad to be fine at a drop from that height and from a relatively flat angle where most of the bottom is going to hit almost simultaneously.

Not arguing for or against either device on the fall test, just noting the fall angles and height that can greatly contribute to a device breaking.

 

[jpeyton]

Apple's designs are pretty to look at, but have never been very robust. The fact that they put glass on the back surface of their best-selling phone should tell you that.

 

[jpeyton]

Not arguing for or against either device on the fall test, just noting the fall angles and height that can greatly contribute to a device breaking.

The iPad's glass broke because aluminum and plastic deform in different ways under pressure. Plastic is more likely to retain it's original shape after being stressed.

It's the same reason why almost all car bumpers are plastic.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Just a note, on the first fall test, it is kind of subjective because the Nexus fell on it's back bottom while the iPad fell right on the corner. Which is probably the worst place (along with face flat) that a tablet can fall on.

On the second drop test, the Nexus did fall on a corner but the height was so much lower. This was definitely a loss for the iPad as I would expect the iPad to be fine at a drop from that height and from a relatively flat angle where most of the bottom is going to hit almost simultaneously.

Not arguing for or against either device on the fall test, just noting the fall angles and height that can greatly contribute to a device breaking.

You only have to hold an ipad and feel how little "give" it has from basically any angle to know that almost any drop is going to transfer considerable stress to the glass on front. It's shaped such that the majority of drops are going to be on one of the corners, where the aluminum will crumple into the edge of the glass as all the weight of the ipad is driven down into it. In other words, never ever drop it, at least not without some sort of protective case.

The ipad's construction makes it feel very nice and solid to hold in the hand, but it also makes it extremely fragile. I went into my purchase a year ago knowing this, so I'm wondering why anyone is surprised by tests like these.

 

[BladeVenom]

I'm sure the toughness has nothing to do with the fact it's smaller, hay my cell phone's warranty's cheaper than the Nexus 7, so by your logic here my cell phone's got better toughness right?

Also the number you quoted is totally meaningless due to the "no information" part. Unless of course you think the deductible's magically going to be $0. I'll bet money with the deductable the Nexus will actually be more expensive % wise to get replaced. Which by your logic would make it less tough right?

The Nexus 7's plastic absorbs an impact better.

"Magically?" How about if they didn't mention a deductible, it might be because there isn't on. The majority of their warranties don't have one.

 

[Yuriman]

I wonder if the weight distribution in the tablets makes the iPad more likely to have a side/corner landing than the Nexus?

 

[jiffylube1024]

I'm actually shocked that either of the tablets survived the bathtub! I assumed any tablet would just die being dunked like that.
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As for the tests, they seemed pretty fair. If you watch carefully in the first test, they are both dropped at the same angle; it appeared to be about 10 degrees back from perpendicular to the ground. The iPad fell straight down more because of its weight (almost twice that of the Nexus).

Same goes for the sideways drop off a ledge test.

It would be interesting to see other 10" tablets dropped next to the iPad because 10" tablets are all in the 550-650g range (+/- 50g, except for the old beefy HP touchpad which was heavier), while the Nexus 7 is a svelte 340g.

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the Aluminum backing that makes the ipad pleasant to hold and actually pretty durable in normal usage situations is a problem for drop tests; as jpeyton points out, aluminum will deform when it receives stress and that will break the glass in many scenarios. The plastic, meanwhile, is much less rigid and is more likely to either deform and snap back or warp without taking the glass out with it.

 

[psych2]

As for why would you test for water damage in a bathroom, I for one love to use my tablet on the can, it's the perfect reading spot for multitasking