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The N7 lacks hardware features

whs37

whs37

Android Enthusiast
The other day I bought a Curtis Klu for $59 as a present for a friend. A really nice little tablet. It had a micro SD card reader, a seperate 3.5mm charging port, a seperate micro USB port and a real button that you could easily handle for power on/off.

I really don't understand why they did not put a micro SD card reader and a seperate port for the charger on the N7. And the buttons are so finagle that I still have trouble finding them. I would think that those two extra ports and a useable switch would have cost pennies to get them included.
 
I agree that the button are awkwardly placed, and are a bit of a pain.

There is no SD slot because Google is moving away from SD support on Nexus devices. They think that it makes file management too confusing for the average consumer.

I've never heard of any phone or tablet having a separate charging port, and don't see why you would need one. If you want to transfer files over USB then the tablet can charge off of the USB port on your computer. You can also get apps like Airdroid that allow wifi file transfer.
 
To the original OP: If you weren't a regular, respected contributor, I'd have thought you were trolling :)

Of course there are features of the N7 that could have been designed better (or included at all, like the SD slot). Yet, it's all about tradeoffs, and there is no perfect tablet. If there was, it'd always be out of stock. :)

Compared to the Klu, the N7 has twice the screen pixels, twice the RAM, probably 4x the computing power, 4x the internal flash memory, front camera, GPS, etc. There are some that claim the KLU isn't recognized by the android market, making "Google Play" useless. So, again, there are tradeoffs.
 
what it dosnt have exterior wise it makes up in interior wise ;) i can agree i wish they would of added a slot for added memory expansion and hdmi out or atleast the ability to connect a mhl hdmi cable to it. but thats ok im fine with being able to game hard on it lol.
 
whs37 said:
The other day I bought a Curtis Klu for $59 as a present for a friend. A really nice little tablet. It had a micro SD card reader, a seperate 3.5mm charging port, a seperate micro USB port and a real button that you could easily handle for power on/off.

I really don't understand why they did not put a micro SD card reader and a seperate port for the charger on the N7. And the buttons are so finagle that I still have trouble finding them. I would think that those two extra ports and a useable switch would have cost pennies to get them included.
Click to expand...

So you're saying that the Clu is a nice tablet and has features the Nexus 7 doesn't? I just looked at the Clu's specs. It has an 800 x 480 screen, no GPS, no camera at all, a slower processor and less memory. I think I can live with the lack of SD card slot given every other advantage the Nexus has over a tablet like the Clu.
 
lol... I looked at the Clu's specs also about 3 hours ago..... a 4hr battery?

Sorry took me this long to stop laughing long enough to get up off the floor
 
Button?
I don't use any.
Open my case, the tablet turns on. Close my case and it turns off.

Why do I want an sd card?
 
My Nokia phone has a front and back camera with led flash USB port microSD slot and a separate charging jack, GPS, radio WiFi Bluetooth, and three day battery life. My Archos43 tablet has a microSD slot WiFi Bluetooth USB port microHDMI port long battery life stereo speakers and flip out stand. So what you want is out there!
 
I see the point your trying to make. But it would probably hold up better if the Nexus 7 wasn't being compared to something that quite frankly is a POS in comparison in every other way.
 
I agree that no SD card slot on the N7 stinks. How Google can claim it's a benefit for customers yet EVERY review I've read slights them for it? Ulterior motive.

I couldn't disagree more about a separate charging port. That's a path to inconvenience. I have a ton of gadgets and most of them charge using the same micro USB port. I don't have to carry around a separate cable and charger for my devices. My Kindle, Nook, N7 and GNex all charge with the same cable and charger. That's convenience and I think it's brilliant.

When I want to use my PSP or DS I have to dig around for the correct charger which is seldom easily accessible. Same goes for my iPad, though being newer, the cable is usually laying around.

To each their own. If the OP prefers a separate charger then that's fine for him.
 
A separate charging port sounds terrible. Why would I want to introduce yet another type of charger? I was very pleased when everyone started standardizing on micro USB.

The SD card is, of course, a feature that some people want and others don't. It's certainly valid if you want it.

I don't know what the problems are with the buttons. I have no trouble with them. What you're saying, though, is akin to saying, "This Mercedes doesn't have an armrest compartment or or a lighted mirror in the sunshade, therefore it is an inferior car to this Kia." Cherry-picking a couple features that you like doesn't tell the whole story.

I promise, though, that nobody will ever be happy with everything :). You might be surprised how much "pennies" here and there add up to a more expensive item.
 
Italo said:
I agree that the button are awkwardly placed, and are a bit of a pain.

There is no SD slot because Google is moving away from SD support on Nexus devices. They think that it makes file management too confusing for the average consumer.

I've never heard of any phone or tablet having a separate charging port, and don't see why you would need one. If you want to transfer files over USB then the tablet can charge off of the USB port on your computer. You can also get apps like Airdroid that allow wifi file transfer.
Click to expand...
1. You are probably right. But what about the 'non-average' user. Are these devices only made for dummies.

2. The micro USB port is very fragile. The seperate 3.5mm port on the Klu looks a lot more robust. And since it is being used frequently for charging (every second day in my case), I would rather have a more robust port.
 
ndoren said:
To the original OP: If you weren't a regular, respected contributor, I'd have thought you were trolling :)

Of course there are features of the N7 that could have been designed better (or included at all, like the SD slot). Yet, it's all about tradeoffs, and there is no perfect tablet. If there was, it'd always be out of stock. :)

Compared to the Klu, the N7 has twice the screen pixels, twice the RAM, probably 4x the computing power, 4x the internal flash memory, front camera, GPS, etc. There are some that claim the KLU isn't recognized by the android market, making "Google Play" useless. So, again, there are tradeoffs.
Click to expand...
You are correct. The Klu does not perform like the N7. But my point was that if they can put those ports on a $59 tablet, it must not be a big deal (cost wise) and it would certainly be nice to have them in the next edition of the N7. And the N7 buttons are a story in itself.
 
Guys, I appreciate your lively discussion on the subject. My point was simply that features which are present on a $59 tablet could probably be easily implemented on the N7 with very little cost.

I am not suggesting that the Klu is a better tablet than the N7 - by no means. But there is room for improvement on the N7. Wait until we get the first reports that the USB ports broke.
 
whs37 said:
2. The micro USB port is very fragile. The seperate 3.5mm port on the Klu looks a lot more robust. And since it is being used frequently for charging (every second day in my case), I would rather have a more robust port.
Click to expand...

My feeling too, which is why I'll be buying the dock to charge my N7.
 
whs37 said:
Guys, I appreciate your lively discussion on the subject. My point was simply that features which are present on a $59 tablet could probably be easily implemented on the N7 with very little cost.

I am not suggesting that the Klu is a better tablet than the N7 - by no means. But there is room for improvement on the N7. Wait until we get the first reports that the USB ports broke.
Click to expand...
well if they (any manuf) would release a dock that uses the pogo pins the charging port wouldnt be a issue. Personally the usb port works fine for me as well as the buttons, but would like a charging dock that used the pogo pins. ;)

Your point is valid though.
 
I just hope everyone picks a wireless charging standard and runs with it. The wireless charging isn't quite as efficient but it's sure a pleasant way to charge your device. No cables dangling, no precise positioning.

I'm hopeful about the Qi standard, since more than one manufacturer has picked up on it.

I really enjoy my Touchpad's Touchstone dock.
 
with the nexus.. and any product that has a target price point.. there is only so much it can afford to have in it.. you give some and get some..

if you get everything you want and put it into one device.. there is NO way to meet the price point.

they nexus had to give up on some small things to be able to get the other important features.

at the time of release.. it has a quad-core.. with 1 RAM .. nice screen and resolution... quality construction.
it had to give up buttons.. sdmicro.. back camera..

I for one.. after using the nexus7..
they make some good trade-offs.
 
I wonder though how some of the $60 tablets can afford to include such items as SDreader, charging plug and real buttons. Those are penny items. I agree on the rear camera. That costs probably a bit more.

If at least they could make a charger that uses the pogo attachment. Then the USB port would not be so much at risk.
 
i dont see your point on a separate charging port.

why do you want to have 2 ports? 2 cables to plug in... more to get in your way.
what advantage do you get?

1 cable to do it all.. 1 port.. make total sense to me.
 
whs37 said:
I wonder though how some of the $60 tablets can afford to include such items as SDreader, charging plug and real buttons. Those are penny items. I agree on the rear camera. That costs probably a bit more.

If at least they could make a charger that uses the pogo attachment. Then the USB port would not be so much at risk.
Click to expand...
bet ya that $60 tablet dont have nowhere near as nice a screen or processor. ;)

Not to mention updates when google drops em, not days, weeks, months, or even years later to get em. ;)
 
dan330 said:
i dont see your point on a separate charging port.

why do you want to have 2 ports? 2 cables to plug in... more to get in your way.
what advantage do you get?

1 cable to do it all.. 1 port.. make total sense to me.
Click to expand...
Because I am afraid that the USB port will break one of these days. The heavy usage with the frequent charging is not a good scenario.
 
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