iPad Mini vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HD vs Nook HD: Mini Tablets’ Competition

Apple has announced the long-rumored 7.9 inch iPad Mini and iPad 4 yesterday, and the new models of iPad will be pre ordered on October 26.I have mentioned the 7 inch rivals of iPad Mini in my blog a few days ago, so how does it stack up against them when Apple is obvious late to this game? Of course, Apple has done its best to make a big splash into the smaller size market to make up for lost ground. The lighter and thinner design, the bigger staring storage, and 4G LTE capabilities are certainly the selling points. The iPad Mini starts at $329, which is highest in the small tablets market and is it really worth the price tag ?Just have a look at the comparison of iPad, Nexus 7,Kindle Fire HD and Nook HD.

Specs
 

Specs	iPad Mini	Nexus 7	Kindle Fire HD	Nook HD
Size	7.9 inch	7 inch	7 inch	7 inch
Resolution	1024x768 163ppi	1280x800 216ppi	1280 x800 261ppi	1440 x 900 243ppi
Weight	308 grams	395 grams	340 grams	315 grams
Processor	Dual-core A5	1.3GHz quad-core Tegra 3	Dual-core 1.2GHz OMAP4460	1.3 GHz Dual-Core OMAP 4470
Camera	5-megapixel rear-facing 1.2-megapixel front-facing	1.2MP front-facing camera	1.3 megapixels front-facing	None
battery life	10 hours continuous use	9 hours video  10 hours web browsing or reading	11 hours continuous use	10.5 hours reading,9 hours video
Connectivity	Wi-Fi Bluetooth 3G/4G	Wi-Fi Bluetooth NFC	Wi-Fi Bluetooth HDMI-out	Wi-Fi Bluetooth HDMI-out
Speakers	Mono	Dual stereo	Dual stereo with Dobly audio	Dual stereo
Price	$329(16GB)	$199(8GB)	$199(16GB) with Dobly audio	$199(8GB)

Software

The small tablets all runs android system except for iPad Mini, which runs the latest Apple OS iOS.(Interested in operating system, compare them here.)

Beyond the basic software loaded on other three android tablets, Apple also give a big deal that offering the third-party content and software ecosystem. That’s a huge app ecosystem right out of the gate; over 275,000 apps are designed for iPad including iPad Mini. And Apple has all the video and music you could want. The advance Wi-Fi technology will take you into an faster internet world.

The Nexus 7 runs stock, unmodified Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean bringing the best Android experience to you with no clayware apps, no foolish UI changes, and no waiting on updates. There are approximately 600,000 apps at Google Play, but most of them are not optimized for tablets.

Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD, on the other hand, is running the most modified version of Android based on Android 4.0 ICS. Amazon has transplanted in a combination of Bing and Amazon services in the system. The Kindle Fire HD presents itself with ads, suggested items, and the prevalent Kindle branding. There are only 51,000 apps available at Amazon.

Nook HD comes with the Android 4.0 ICS. It offers some special service of Nook magazine, Nook Video, Nook Catalog for shopping and the others to let you get a better experience of Nook. , Over 2.5 million books and about 10,000 apps are offered at Barnes & Noble store. The highest resolution of the small tablets at present on Nook HD can give you an incredible video and text experience.

Verdict

From the comparison of software and specs, we can found that iPad Mini is the same, or kind of a little higher, level as Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. Overall, Nook HD is the lowest one , but it still has its competitive compared to iPad Mini’s high price. We now just don’t know whether iPad Mini can performs better or something special are neglected, but you need to think twice if you want to buy a iPad Mini considering the specs and price and the iPad 4.



Related articles:

• Amazon 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD VS Apple New iPad
• Google Nexus 7 vs Windows RT Surface: the New battle
• The Comparison between Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7

3G-based Google Nexus 7 Unveiled, the Same Price, More Powerful

Google Nexus 7 tablet has become the highest selling Android tablet in its history since going on sale on 27 July, Carphone Warehouse, the UK’s largest independent mobile retailer, said. Although new tablets, including the Kindle Fire HD, Nook HD, the upcoming iPad Mini and Microsoft Surface, are aroused with some attractive features, Nexus 7 still keeps its popularity. However, the lack of 3G function also alienates some people.

Luckily, thing has changed. Rumor that there will be a 3G-capable Nexus 7 tablet has confirmed by Taiwan's NCC, a certification agency, with the model of ME370TG.

Details
 
The present model of Nexus 7 is ME370T, only supports Wi - Fi, providing two choices of 8 GB and 16 GB, but a 32 GB version has been leaked on the web just recently. There are two certain reasons that the ME370TG appeared in Taiwan NCC will be the 3G version of Google Nexus 7.First, the model has been added a “G”,and the other is this version will support the GSM/DCS/WCDMA/WLAN/bluetooth/NFC and so on.

However, the 3G version has only the choice of 32 GB, which may mean that the price will not attractive. In addition, although the 3G version has been verified by the NCC, the releasing data is not sure, there is even the possibility that Google will set the price after the launching of Apple iPad Mini.

Released on October 24?

According to the blog BGR, Google will replace 16 gb version by 32 gb version with the same price of 249 dollars to enhance Nexus 7’s competitiveness for the upcoming iPad mini.As for the specific launching time, Rumor said the 3G-based Nexus 7 comes on October 24,the next day of   iPad mini apple releasing day. The 3G version appeared with 32GB storage this time may also mean that Google will debut the 3G version next week.

It is absolutely the good news for customers especially for Nexus fans that Google will release the 3G-based Nexus 7 .If the 3G version is the same price as the present 16GB version, offering the bigger 32 GB storage, the core competitiveness of Nexus 7 will without doubt been strengthened and it will be the selling point, too.

The Most likely 7 inch Competitors for Unveiled iPad Mini

It is said that Apple’s iPad Mini will be released on this October 23, which is probably is the most anticipated one in tablet market after so much surprise both in price and specs in 2012.Certyaily you can see that the majority of the new stunning tablets come 7 inch, which is smaller than before. So which of they are most likely be iPad mini’s strong competitors? The following list can give you the advice.

Google Nexus 7
There is no need to explain why Nexus 7 is a member. Actually, it is Nexus 7 that takes people into a 7 inch tablet world completely. Its most advanced android system Jelly Bean, Tegra 3-induced performance and NFC communication can quickly attract your attention and the low price of $199 may beat your heart.

Amazon Kindle Fire HD
Amazon Kindle Fire HD is another new attractive 7 inch tablet. Maybe you will think of Kindle Fire, but I just think its spec is not that good as this one. The same price $199 as Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD sports a higher resolution, a 720p front camera, Bluetooth, and the best speakers. Also, you can enjoy a penchant for watching books, movies, TV shows, and music.

Barnes & Noble Nook HD
The latest released 7 inch tablet is Barnes & Noble Nook HD which is still on order now. Nook HD features the unimaginable light weight, the highest resolution 1,140x900 of the tablet at present, microSD storage expansion, and the inclusion of the fastest processor yet in a 7-inch tablet. Besides, there is some special entertainment like Nook Magazine. The most important thing is that it is very suitable for family and kids. Nook HD also comes with a price of $199.

Undoubtedly, if iPad Mini want to succeed in the 7 inch tablet, it should offer more amazing performance and the low price for win people’s hearts.

Nook HD vs Amazon Kindle Fire HD vs Nexus 7, which one is your thing?

Since Barnes & Noble unveiled its new tablets Nook HD and Nook HD+, the new competition to make the best 7-inch tablet appears to be a three-company race: Barnes & Noble with the Nook; Google with its Nexus 7 and Amazon with Kindle Fire HD.Certainly it is indeed a blessing for all the customers who just want to own a android tablet when the new similar tablet is announced for the more options. But undoubtedly it has made us at a loss to decide which one to buy or order. So, we just need to differentiate them and choose our most proper one.

First thing ,price?

• Google Nexus 7: $199 for 8G and $249 for 16G
• Amazon Kindle Fire HD: $ 199 for 16G and $249 for 32G
• Nook HD: $199 for 8G and $229 for 16G with the up to 64GB expanded storage.

As to the price, I think all the three are almost equal.

Check out the screen quality

• Google Nexus: 1280×800 HD display (216 ppi), Back-lit IPS display, Scratch-resistant Corning glass, weighs 340g
• Kindle Fire HD: 1280×800 resolution (216ppi), HD display with polarizing filter and anti-glare technology for rich color and deep contrast from any viewing angle, weighs 395g
• NOOK HD: 1440 x 900 pixel resolution, 243 ppi, fully laminated screen with no air gaps reduces glare and provides extra-wide viewing angles, weighs only 315g.

Nook HD definitely has the best display for its highest resolution for wonderful for video viewing and text reading, although the experience on Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD are also good.Also it is the lightest one which makes it more comfortable for traveling with a tablet.

Have a look at the basic spec

• Google Nexus 7: 1.3GHz quad-core Tegra 3 with 1G RAM running Android 4.1Jelly Bean;1.2MP front-facing camera; battery can last 9 hours video or10 hours of web browsing or reading; the input/output includes Micro USB, Microphone, NFC (Android Beam);supports WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth
• Amazon Kindle Fire HD: Dual-core 1.2GHz OMAP4460 with 1G RAM running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich;1.3 megapixels front-facing HD camera;11 hours continuous use are available; USB 2.0 (micro-B connector),Micro-HDMI (micro-D connector) port and built-in microphone are supported for input/output; supports public and private Wi-Fi networks or hotspots that use the 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n standard with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 security using password authentication; does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks.
• Nook HD: 1.3 GHz Dual-Core, OMAP 4470, 512MB RAM for 8GB, 1GB RAM for16GB;runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich; battery can last 10.5 hours reading, 9 hours video; Input/output ports covers universal 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, charging port, expandable microSD slot, HDMI port and Dual stereo speakers; Supports Wi-Fi® (802.11b/g/n)

Through the specs described above, we can found that Nook HD and Amazon Kindle Fire HD are better than Nexus 7 in terms of processor and battery life. Kindle Fire HD is also the best one speaking of the Input/output ports and its HD camera indeed focuses people’s attention. Nexus 7 runs the most advanced android system while the others run the ICS and its special NFC service can be the good selling point. Nook HD seems no obvious advantages in these specs.

We can get the entertainment from…

• Google Nexus 7: the entire Google Play app market, a wider, better selection of games and software across the board. Google Play Store (books, comic books, magazines/newspapers, movies), about 600,000 apps, over 4 million books
• Amazon Kindle Fire HD: Amazon Store (books, comic books, magazines/newspapers, movies), 51,000 apps, Whispersync with Voice pairs reading with an audiobook,X-Ray, FreeTime, etc. Over 950,000 books
• Nook HD: Barnes & Noble store(books, comic books, magazines/newspapers, movies), about 10,000 apps, Nook magazine, Nook Video, Nook Catalog for shopping, Over 2.5 million books

For entertainment, Kindle fire HD maybe the most appropriate one, but if you just want to more games and apps, Nexus 7 is absolutely the right choice. Nook HD is more suitable for a family or kids for its featured kids’ books. Of course, for reading magazine, Nook HD is better than the others.

See what formats the devices Supported

• Google Nexus 7:ePUB, PDF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, WEBP, AAC, FLAC, MP3, MIDI, WAV, OGG, AMR, MP4
• Amazon Kindle Fire HD: Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible Enhanced format (AAX), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, PCM/WAVE, OGG, WAV, MP4
• Nook HD: PDF, ePUB, DRP, ePIB, FOLIO, OFIP, CBZ, TXT, RTF, XLS, DOC, PPT, PPS, PPSX, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, LOG, CSV, EML, ZIP, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MP4, M4A, 3GP, AAC, MP3, FLAC, WAV, OGG, AMR, MP4, 3GP, WEBM

We can found that Nook HD can support the most formats. And since the others cannot support most video formats, when watching the other format video,it just needs some apps or programs to convert it.

Last… 
In a summery, Nexus 7 is also the most advanced tablet in technology，Amazon Kindle fire is good one to have the enjoyment at your part time，Nook HD has the best display view and it is of course the best one for kids and also for magazines. I think you must have your decision now, and just take it.




Related articles

• The Comparison between Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7 
• Amazon 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD VS Apple New iPad

Nook HD and Nook HD+ Unveiled: Another Fierce Competition at Tablet Market

After the order of Amazon Kindle Fire HD, Barnes & Noble announced its Nook HD (7") and HD+ (9") tablets, available for pre-order today and shipping in late October. It is obvious that the joint of Nook HD exacerbated the intensely competitive tablet markets since the release of Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD.

With the same size 7 inch as Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD, Nook HD at the moment holds the highest resolution 1440*900 among the 7 inch tablet market with a unexpected 243 ppi, which can attract more people for the highest quality text, graphic and video experience on a 7 inch tablet. Nook HD also sports a solid fighting weight at 315 grams, which compares quite favorably to the Nexus 7 (340 grams) and the Kindle Fire HD (395 grams). The tablet uses a 1.3Ghz dual-core processor which should be able to handle resource intensive games. The price of Nook HD starts at $199 for an 8 GB model and $229 for a 16 GB version.

Regarded as the lightest and low-priced full HD tablet ever by Barnes & Noble, Nook HD+ plays in the higher-end tablet market and boasts a 9-inch 1,920 * 1,280 pixel screen with a 256 pixel per inch density, which comes nipping at the retina iPad's 264ppi. It weighs 515 grams, or about 18 ounces, has a 1.5Ghz dual-core processor and starts at $269 for 16 GB and $299 for 32 GB.

Both of the two models Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support and connect for free in all Barnes & Noble stores.  And the other main features about the new Nook tablets are:

• over 3 million books
• Enjoy your favorite magazines and newspapers on a gorgeous HD display! 
•  NOOK Apps™ supplies about 6,000 apps for everyone — from games, news, and entertainment to business, productivity, and lifestyle.
• One of the largest and most diverse collections of interactive books for kids of all ages.
• Nook Video: Offers users standard HD movies and TV shows for streaming or downloading from Disney, Sony, HBO and more.
• Nook Catalog of Shopping 
• Convenient Newspaper Experience
• Running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich 
• Expanded storage(up to 64GB)
• Up to 10.5 hours of continuous reading and up to 9 hours of video watching for HD,HD+ boasts up to 10 hours and 9 hours

The disappoint thing about the nook is that neither nook tablet has a camera, that means you cannot enjoy the fun of taking photos. Actually, this function is really we want today. Also, you may notice that there are fewer apps at Nook store than Amazon and Google play, and since the interface is unrecognizable as Android, users won't have access to the Play Store. Of course, you can solve the problem by rooting it if you're comfortable at the command-line and don't mind voiding your warranty though.

Undoubtedly, the Nook HD is more likely designed for family and you can find there are something for kids. Whether the Nook HD's great display is enough to make it the tablet to beat, it needs time to answer it.