Nexus 7 or is 9 worth the cost?

C. Brenden · #1 08-21-2015, 01:37 PM

I'm considering a tablet purchase and am wondering if the Nexus 9 is worth the extra cost. How does it compare in size, brightness, capability, speed to the 7 version. Looks like a used 7 is under $100 and a 9 is $300-$400. For those who have seen/used both is the 9 nicer to use?

Krynn · #2 08-21-2015, 02:20 PM

While it's a good device, the Nexus 7 is starting to get old and might not get updates for too much longer. I'd pass on it for that reason alone (and it's why I'm looking at upgrading from my Nexus 10).

The Nexus 9 is great, except for one glaring feature: it's limited to a max of 32gb storage. If all you are going to use it for is aviation, then go for it.

If having just 32gb is a limiting factor (like it is for me), I'd suggest looking at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 or 10.5 (best screen of any android tablet). If you'd like to keep it the price down, the Asus ZenPad S 8.0 with 64gb is a really attractive choice.

I'm probably not going to decide which way I'll be jumping until this fall when the new Nexus comes out.

Oliver · #3 08-21-2015, 02:27 PM

Be aware that there are two generations of Nexus 7 - the seconds generation is MUCH faster. I bought a refurbished gen2 a few months ago on eBay for around $170 to replace my gen1 Nexus 7. Non-refurbished used devices are even cheaper.

IHMO, you can't get wrong for this price.

Lionclaw · #4 08-21-2015, 02:42 PM

I'm a HUGE fan of Android, but I just couldn't bring myself to buy the N9. I really wanted to like it, but it just felt clunky in-hand. And there's the price...

The 2013 N7 has served me well. I also picked up a Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.4 Pro a while back for $200. I believe the N7 did better in sunlight.

C. Brenden · #5 08-21-2015, 05:25 PM

I definitely want a tablet I can read it the sunlight - it's for that reason that I'm not an ipad fan. I don't like the ipad in the sunlight.

tomkk · #6 08-21-2015, 05:48 PM

Just got a Nexus 10 for my -12 and mount it on a RAM setup. Works great and has great sunlight readability.

Snowflake · #7 08-21-2015, 07:16 PM

I've been waiting for a Nexus tablet refresh for quite a while now... The 7 is getting dated even though the second gen is still quite a peppy performer. The 9 is limited to the same memory as the 7, and since i'm only using it in the airplane it's probably not going to be a real problem that it's only 32GB.

I got to play with an nVidia Shield the other day, and then went and did some research on it. It's about neck-and-neck with the Nexus 7 for most features i'd care about, *plus* it's got a stylus... Being an old Palm guy I have been missing my stylus for ages... I'd buy one, but the design is a year old and nVidia is apparently refreshing it in the fall, so i'll wait.

There are no plans for a Nexus tablet refresh this year, according to all but one available report. The only indication of a Google tablet coming this year is from a report back in spring that Google was working on a dual-OS Chrome/Android tablet. My laptop is a Chrome laptop, and has served me phenomenally well for two years. I bought it on a whim, and it's honestly been the best computer i've owned for ages. Not practical in a cockpit though, so i'm still looking for the "perfect" tablet.

C. Brenden · #8 08-21-2015, 07:58 PM

Is Garmin Pilot the preferred software for the Android? That is what I was planning on using for my EFB. I assume that the 32 GB is plenty for that application.

Bicyclops · #9 08-21-2015, 10:05 PM

Try Avare. It works, has a lot to like, and the price is right.

Ed Holyoke

rscooter · #10 08-21-2015, 11:23 PM

I have used my nexus 7 2013 for a year and has served me well, I liked it thank you. The screen was OK in the light but not too good for my old eyes (58). Short on storage (16 gigs no room for expansion) but OK for local sectionals and other things but had to watch out for no room.
I just bought a new Samsung Tab A 9.7 the other day and what a great improvement. A bit slower CPU and a little less pixels All so minor but it's size (RV8A) is great and it has GPS-A and glasnost (Russian sats) it picks up the satellites in an instance and no delays and no drops it makes you think it's faster and better. Screen brightness is real good even in direct sunlight you can read it real well. Running AVARE also and is great and free. It has 32 gigs on board and room for a 128 gig micro sd crd. All for 325 at Costco
Scott