2 min read

Nexus vs Fire?

You (or someone in your life) wants a tablet, they are great! But which one to buy?

First off, I think buying an apple tablet isn’t a good idea : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HumancentiPad I also dont like iOS and for the money, andorids have FAR more bang.

So assuming android, in my mind basically have 4 options :

  1. Google Nexus (7 or 10)
  2. Amazon Kindle (Fire / Fire HD)
  3. Top tier electronics companies (samsung, asus etc)
  4. Not so top tier electronics companies

Cost wise, there is a fair amount of difference, but i instantly discount options 3 and 4, because i want updates to my OS to happen quickly and non google made devices are notoriously slow to be updated.

So its down to Google or Amazon.

Nexus 7 Nexus 7 £187.80

Amazon Kindle Fire Amazon Kindle Fire HD £159.00

I, personally, dont think there is a “right” answer to this question. But, instead, the right tablet for you depends on a two key questions.

  1. Will it be used, a lot, by a child?
    Yes? Buy the Amazon Kindle. They come with a great feature that lets you lock the tablet down and limit activity on it by type. Meaning you can allow the child to spend as long as they like reading ebooks, but only 10 mins of computer games or internet a day.

  2. Are you a geek?
    Yes? Buy the Google Nexus. Its slightly more powerful, has a “pure” android experience and will be updated to the latest Android fastest and first. But as a geek, you already knew that :P right?

I went with the Nexus 7 and love it. I am slightly envious of a friend who has the Kindle, due to its X-ray feature.

Still, i personally wouldn’t trade that for the extra speed and pure android experience.

Ubuntu (of linux fame) also now are getting into the tablet business http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/tablet and it turns out the Nexus (perhaps the Fire as well, but i’m not sure) meets the requirements for their OS, so then you have that as another option, should you get bored with Android.