Over the past couple of months there have been several leaks about a potential NVIDIA-branded tablet based on the Tegra 4 SoC. Most speculated that NVIDIA had decided to enter into the hardware market directly with a "Tegra Tab" in a similar vein to the release of NVIDIA SHIELD. As it turns out though NVIDIA has created a platform for which other companies can rebrand and resell an Android tablet.
According to NVIDIA, the Tegra Note platform will enable partners to bring 7-in tablets to market packed with the feature set NVIDIA has been promising since the launch of the Tegra 4 SoC. Those include stylus support, high quality audio, HDR camera capabilities and 100% native Android operating systems.
Maybe more interesting are the partners that NVIDIA is teaming with for this launch. While companies like ASUS have already done the development work to prepare various size tablets based on Tegra chips in the past, NVIDIA is going to introduce a couple of its graphics cards partners to the mobility ecosystem: EVGA and PNY in North America.
While we have questions about the capability for either of these companies to truly support a tabletin today's market but the truth is likely that NVIDIA is handling most if not all of the logistics on this project. What is not in question is the potential for high value: these tablets will start with a suggested retail price of $199.
We already know most of the technical details about the Tegra 4 SoC including the 4+1 Cortex A15 CPU cores and the 72-core GPU. NVIDIA claims they will get 10 hours of video playback with this platform but I would like to get data on the weight and battery size before calling that a win. The display resolution is a bit lower than other competing high-end options in the market today but the sub-$200 price point does mean there had to be some corners cut.
UPDATE: I asked NVIDIA for more information on the size, weight and battery capacity and got a quick answer. The battery capacity is 4100 mAh and the entire device weighs 320g. Compared to the Google Nexus 7, the current strongest 7-in tablet in my opinion, that is a 4% larger battery (vs 3950 mAh) and 10% heavier device (vs 290g). The Tegra Note reference is also a bit thicker at 9.6mm compared to the 8.65mm of the Nexus 7.
There are more details on the official NVIDIA blog post making the announcement this morning including direct OTA Android updates so check that out if you think you might be interested in one of these tablets in the coming months!
I like the idea of Nvidia
I like the idea of Nvidia pushing it’s Tegra platform to help stay relevant but you can already get a Nexus 7 (2012) with Tegra for around $150 or you can get a Nexus 7 (2013) with a much better screen for $229.
Not to mention Amazon has plans to update it’s Kindle Fire models and will be able to fight on price.
Then there are rumors that Microsoft will push a 7-8 inch Surface model, granted not many people want a windows RT tablet over android but it is a crowded market to fight it out with low margin sub $200 models.
I think Nvidia should have just gone for a slightly more premium model to position itself as the premier tablet option in the 7-8 inch range and go head to head against Apple.
Still more options for good quality tablets is a good thing so I do hope Evga and PNY are successful selling these so Nvidia can possibly have a more premium option later.
Nvidia and MICROSOFT should
Nvidia and MICROSOFT should come out with a tablet…. EVGA should team up with them on win RT as its going to smoke apples ios in future anyway…
They did, it was called
They did, it was called Surface RT.
Tegra 1 = Garbage
Tegra 2 = Garbage
Tegra 3 = A dog
Tegra 4 = uhh, can’t fool me 4 times!
You forget that Nvidia i500
You forget that Nvidia i500 modem hasn’t passed a single certification as of yet.
Once you get to $299 option phones and tablets come with more then Wi-Fi options and higher resolution. The Tegra 4 is just slow at 1080p and having a Tegra 4 and a separate modem that is certified will cost extra and be reflected in the MSRP. That’s why you don’t see too many people jumping on the Tegra 4 bandwagon.
I think it’s a good first
I think it’s a good first tablet for NVIDIA. I’d rather have an 8″, or my 1st choice, a 10″ Tegra Note, but I’m getting one of these. Don’t care about the difference in screen resolution. Last years Nexus 7 had the same resolution as this Tegra Note 7 and people loved it, as I remember it. Not the best display, but still a very good one. Besides it will be better for gaming because it refreshes quicker (which I really don’t care about either). It’s the stylus and the speed for me. I don’t care that it’s plastic. Everything is plastic for crying out loud. Not saying that metal isn’t more attractive, but for this price and performance, I don’t care. As far as the thickness (negligible) and weight difference between the 2, the Tegra Note 7 has a larger battery than the new Nexus 7. I’m hoping this tablet becomes a hit because it will promise better tablets in the future from NVIDIA.
The whole Windows RT thing just ain’t gonna work in my opinion. Why would anyone switch from Android or iOS to that? Can’t think of one good reason. Now a Windows 8.1 tablets are another story. There’s software on my desktop that is only on Windows. RT can’t run it. Why Microsoft wants to ditch the desktop (and all that software) for RT is beyond belief. I’ve read it’s their goal at Paul Thurrot’s site (I think).
Does anyone have experience
Does anyone have experience with the passive “direct” stylus? Does it really ignore your palm when writing on it?
I wonder if the stylus will
I wonder if the stylus will be running on a Wacom style digitizer for pressure based input for use with sketching or other graphic design.
can you guys confirm how much
can you guys confirm how much RAM this device will have? some other site listing 1GB of RAM in their spec and some other talking about 2GB or RAM.
Agreed. After testing tegra 3
Agreed. After testing tegra 3 and for a very short time holding the Antutu world record I can say that tegra 3 was GARBAGE. great cores, terrible I performance. This was reflected in tablets amd phones but IGNORED by Nvidia. Never again.
Just to add, if you really
Just to add, if you really look into mobile you will know that it is qualcom who is the undisputed leader @ 28nm. Can thing change at 22/20nm? Sure, maybe samsung but I don’t it. What I don’t understand is what happened to Texas instruments.
the problem with samsung is
the problem with samsung is their top chip is still exclusive for their product only. unlike qualcomm they also selling device like other companies like LG, Sony, etc. even if their top chip is better than qualcomm best chip will they have the gut to sell the chip to competitor that also selling smartphones and tablets like them? most likely they will keep it to themselves for competitiveness advantages.
about TI i heard a lot of delay with their OMAP 5. maybe they can’t really compete with qualcomm solution so before the division drag the company into financial problem they let it go and keep the focus on what they good at.
I should probably point out
I should probably point out that Apple’s A7 chip is made by Samsung…