Nvidia's Shield Tablet Back On The Market, Lower Price This Time

Nvidia announced that after considerable consumer demand, it has brought back the popular Shield Tablet K1, just in time for the holidays. The hardware in the device has not changed, but the company added Support for the GeForce NOW cloud gaming service and lowered the price point to make the package a little bit more compelling.

The Shield Tablet K1 is an Android-based tablet designed with gamers in mind. It features a 2.2 GHz quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM and an Nvidia Tegra K1 Kepler GPU. The tablet is also equipped with an 8-inch Full-HD display. When the device came out last fall, we did a full review of it, where you can find a detailed account of Matt Humrick's impressions of the device.

The Shield Tablet K1 features the latest version of Android, and Nvidia vowed to continue to support the device. The company said it expects the Shield Tablet to be one of the first tablets to support Google's upcoming Marshmallow build.

Nvidia built the Shield Tablet to natively play the latest Android Games, but the Shield Tablet K1 is also compatible with Nvidia's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service, which offers over 60 PC games hosted by the company. Nvidia is even offering three free months of the service with the purchase of a new Shield Tablet K1. After the trial, the service will be offered at a monthly rate of $7.99.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ProcessorNvidia Tegra K1 192-core Kepler GPU, 2.2 GHz Quad Core CPU, 2 GB RAM
Display8-inch 1920×1200 multi-touch IPS display
AudioIntegrated stereo speakers with built-in microphone
StorageRow 2 - Cell 1
Wireless802.11a/b/g/n 2×2 Mimo 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi
Row 4 - Cell 0 Bluetooth 4.0 LE
Row 5 - Cell 0 GPS / GLONASS
ConnectivityWi-Fi
Row 7 - Cell 0 Mini-HDMI 1.4a output
Row 8 - Cell 0 Micro-USB 2.0 with host and device support
Row 9 - Cell 0 MicroSD Card, up to additional 128 GB
Row 10 - Cell 0 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack with microphone support
Motion Sensors9-axis (G-sensor, compass, gyro)
AudioFront-facing stereo speakers, dual bass reflex port
Gaming FeaturesShield controller compatible
Row 14 - Cell 0 GeForce NOW cloud gaming
Row 15 - Cell 0 Console Mode
Row 16 - Cell 0 Nvidia ShadowPlay
CamerasFront: 5MP HDR; Back: 5MP auto focus HDR
Video Features4K Ultra-HD Ready
Software Updates19.75 Watt hour Lithium ion
Weight and SizeWeight: 13.7 oz / 390 g
Row 21 - Cell 0 Height: 8.8 in / 221 mm
Row 22 - Cell 0 Width: 5.0 in / 126 mm
Row 23 - Cell 0 Depth: 0.36 in / 9.2 mm
Operating SystemAndroid Lollipop OS
SoftwareGoogle Play
Row 26 - Cell 0 Nvidia SHIELD Hub
Row 27 - Cell 0 Nvidia Dabbler
Row 28 - Cell 0 Twitch
Row 29 - Cell 0 Squid
Row 30 - Cell 0 Camera Awesome
Optional AccessoriesShield tablet K1 cover
Row 32 - Cell 0 Shield controller
Row 33 - Cell 0 Shield world charger
Row 34 - Cell 0 Shield DirectStylus 2

When the Shield Tablet K1 was first launched, it carried a price tag of $299. With the relaunch of the tablet, Nvidia has lowered the price of entry; starting today, the Shield Tablet K1 is available in the U.S. for $199.99. The company offers a selection of accessories for the tablets, as well: The Shield Controller is $59.99, the Shield Tablet Cover sells for $39.99, and extra Shield DirectStylus 2s are available for $19.99.

The tablet and accessories are also available in Canada and select European countries. Nvidia offers an international charging kit for $29.99 for countries with different power plugs.

Follow Kevin Carbotte @pumcypuhoy. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube.

 Kevin Carbotte is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware who primarily covers VR and AR hardware. He has been writing for us for more than four years. 

  • InvalidError
    I was on the fence about the Shield Tab at $300 and was annoyed when it disappeared from the market before I could get around to trying one but at $200, I've definitely got to try one if I can.
    Reply
  • rtware923
    Definitely a better price point. I'm wishing that I hadn't paid $300 for mine but $200 is a great price for these.
    Reply
  • Miharu
    I think a 8" screen is a bummer. I would prefer a 10" model.
    Reply
  • SylentVyper
    Maxwell has been around awhile, wonder why they're still using Kepler?
    Reply
  • jaber2
    I will consider buying one at $0.00
    Reply
  • cknobman
    Maxwell has been around awhile, wonder why they're still using Kepler?

    Because they likely never sold the original stock they built a long time ago.

    This product had fail written all over it when released.
    High price
    Small screen
    Peripherals were extra and expensive (for $300 they should have at least included the dang controller)
    Reply
  • Johan Kryger Haglert
    It wasn't too expensive.
    It just cost a little more than Nexus 7 but it had more capable hardware and was better for gaming with more features.
    I even bought the controller without buying the tablet ..

    To me the issue is that it's not 10" or even 12 or 13.3", if it was 8" you can just as-well make it a phone too because that's what it is.
    4:3 ratio and better screen could also be interesting.
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    16964803 said:
    I think a 8" screen is a bummer. I would prefer a 10" model.
    Everyone has different preferences for screen sizes.

    Personally, 8" is my sweet spot: large enough to read comfortably yet small enough to carry just about anywhere. The Shield Tab's 390 grams might stretch the limits of what I am comfortable holding for extended periods of time though.
    Reply
  • 80-watt Hamster
    I'm curious why Achoo22 seems to hate the Shield so much. At $200, it clobbers almost everything in its size/price range.
    Reply
  • Murissokah
    I have one and I'm pretty happy with it. I have to say the gaming aspect of it eventually faded and I use it for work mostly. Still a very reliable tablet with good battery life and a pretty decent screen. Currently doubles as a pip-boy for Fallout sessions.
    Reply