I ordered one (tablet, cover and controller) about a week before release and got it a few days after launch.
In this article I will talk about the hardware, the software and gaming experience will follow in another article very soon ;-)
By the way, as the tablet is called Nvidia Shield, the previous Shield now is called Shield Portable.
Nvidia Shield Tablet
The most obvious characteristics of the Nvidia Shield Tablet are that the it measures 8 inches and has frontal speakers.
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| Nvidia Shield and Controller. |
Specs
- Processor Nvidia Tegra K1
- RAM 2 GB
- Display 8 inch 1920 x 1200
- Audio front facing stereo speakers, dual bass reflex
- Storage 16 GB (WiFi-only) / 32 GB (WiFi + 4G LTE)
- Micro SIM card reader
- HDMI out
- Camera 5 MP front and back
- Nvidia gaming features (e. g. ShadowPlay, Streaming, wireless controller, ...)
- Stylus
- Android 4.4.2
The version with WiFi only and 16 GB storage costs around 300 Euro, while the LTE version with 32 GB costs about 380 Euro.
I got the WiFi only model for my self and added a 64 GB micro SD card to it.
I got the WiFi only model for my self and added a 64 GB micro SD card to it.
Hardware
After unboxing, the tablet felt great with a soft touch back and a nice looking SHIELD logo on the back as well. The weight is good, not too light, actually it feels high class and well balanced in portrait and landscape mode.
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| Soft touch and SHIELD logo on the backside. |
The front speakers sound great, more than loud enough and clear. They still sound great even if you hold the device in your hands, covering some parts of the speakers.
Next the stylus attracts attention. It is placed in the tablet, locked in tight but can get out easily. The stylus itself is very thin but has a good weight. The tip is very thin but with an edge so thin and broad lines can be drawn easy.
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| The stylus with the special tip. |
The HDMI out works great when connecting the tablet to a TV or other screen. When connected to the TV the tablet can be used in two modes, the mirror mode where the content just got displayed on both screens, and the console mode where the tablet screen is shut off and the content is shown at the TV only in a high resolution.
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After taking a closer look, there is a little point for criticism. The edges at the front along the display are a bit hard, maybe even sharp when touching with the finger on it.
Also the buttons for power and volume aren't very good to feel as they don't stick out so much and they also feel a bit soft in pressing without a good haptic feedback. So sometimes it's a bit hard to turn the tablet on or change volume by this buttons.
Software
The operation system is android 4.4.2 with some very small changes from Nvidia. Basically just a few apps have been added as well as some settings specific for the Shield.
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| Some functions and settings specific for the Nvidia Shield. |
There are some additional apps to work with the stylus as well as apps for gaming. Further on there is one game included and preinstalled, Trine 2.
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| Trine 2 |
Cover
The cover is attached to the tablet by two pins and very strong magnets.
Also when the cover is closed or fully opened it will be kept in place by magnets as well as in the two positions at the back that help to use the cover as a stand for the tablet. This way there are three positions in which the tablet can "stand" on a flat surface or even on my knees.
When the cover is opened the tablet automatically wakes up while closing it sends it to sleep.
The inside of the cover is soft to protect the display while the outside is a bit harder.
Also when the cover is closed or fully opened it will be kept in place by magnets as well as in the two positions at the back that help to use the cover as a stand for the tablet. This way there are three positions in which the tablet can "stand" on a flat surface or even on my knees.
When the cover is opened the tablet automatically wakes up while closing it sends it to sleep.
The inside of the cover is soft to protect the display while the outside is a bit harder.
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| The Cover works very good as a stand. Stylus to half drawn out. |
Nvidia Controller
The Nvidia Game Controller is a accessory every gamer should get along with the Shield Tablet. It sells for about 60 Euro.
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| Nvidia Gaming Controller |
Connected by WiFi instead of BT the controller has a way better connection to the tablet than most other BT controllers. This means less lag and delay and a way better gaming performance.
For playing together with friends, up to four controllers can be connected to a single Shield Tablet for some great multiplayer experience.
Hardware
The build quality is great, the controller is well balanced and feels very good in the hands. All the buttons work as intended with a nice feedback on button press. The design is very similar to a Xbox controller, which is one of the best out there in my opinion.
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| Great design and build quality. |
In addition there is a touch panel in the middle, with a bit a strange design, but it works for those cases that needs to select something while not having the touchscreen next to you (e. g. when the tablet is lying next to the TV because of the HDMI connection).
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| Touch panel and volume buttons. |
The battery duration is quite fine and lasts for several days of playing.
On the top side between the shoulder buttons are a micro USB port to charge the controller and a headphone jack located. The great thing about this is, that when the tablet is connected to a TV a few meters away or standing in front of you but you want to play with a headphone, the cable only needs to reach to the controller in your hands.
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| USB charge and headphone port. |
Conclusion
The tablet alone would be worth buying already but together the controller make a great gaming experience which I will cover in another article soon.
This device was made for gaming and that is exactly what it feels like from the first minute. At the moment I think this is by far the best android tablet for this purpose at the market right now.
In my opinion a must have for every android gamer but also PC gamers might want to get it.
--- Edit ---
Find my article about the gaming experience with the Nvidia Shield Tablet (and controller) here: Nvidia Shield gaming and more
