Availability And Options
The Shield Tablet comes in two different configurations: a Wi-Fi only model with 16GB of internal storage for $299 and a Wi-Fi + LTE variant with 32GB of storage for $399. This is the first consumer product that Nvidia is launching worldwide (the Shield Portable and Tegra Note 7 were available in the U.S.-only), and it's currently available from a number of retail outlets in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Additional regions will be added this fall.
The version that comes with a cellular modem supports LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 (1900, 1700, 850, 2600, 700) and HSPA+ bands 1, 2, 4, 5 (2100, 1900, 1700, 850) in North America. It comes unlocked and is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks. For those living outside North America, it supports LTE bands 1, 3, 7, 20 (2100, 1800, 2600, 800) and HSPA+ bands 1, 2, 5, 8 (2100, 1900, 850, 900).
Nvidia also offers a cover to protect the Shield Tablet’s screen for $39. It attaches to the side of the tablet with strong magnets and works like Apple’s Smart Cover, turning the screen on or off when it's opened or closed. The flexible cover folds back and also doubles as a stand for holding the tablet upright in landscape mode. There are three sets of magnets inside the back cover; the lower and middle sets allow the cover to prop up the tablet at two different angles. The set near the top holds the cover flat against the back so it doesn’t get in the way when it isn’t needed. The surface of the cover that contacts the screen is a soft felt material, while the exterior has a padded, vinyl-like texture.
The two different angles supported by the Shield Tablet Cover
The other complimentary hardware (or necessity, if you want the full gaming experience) that Nvidia offers is its Shield Controller, available for $59. This wireless controller uses Wi-Fi Direct instead of Bluetooth for communication, which keeps control latency to a minimum. It allows sufficient bandwidth for transmitting bi-directional 16-bit audio (32kHz upstream and 16kHz downstream to the Shield Tablet), which you'll want when a headset and mic are plugged into the controller's headphone jack. Up to four Shield Controllers can be paired with the tablet at one time.
Accessories
The Shield Tablet includes the stylus and also comes with a wall charger and USB cable.
Correction: This article was updated at 1:55 pm ET to clear up confusion regarding the HDMI cable listed among the accessories. Only the press kits come with an HDMI cable — the retail boxes do not include one.
- The Nvidia Shield Tablet And Controller: Defending Against Boredom
- Availability, Options And Accessories
- Shield Tablet: Look And Feel
- Shield Controller: Look And Feel
- Software Tour
- Stylus And Inking
- Console Mode And GameStream
- Grid, ShadowPlay And Twitch
- The Games
- Benchmark Suite, Methodology And System Specs
- Results: CPU Core Benchmarks
- Results: HTML5 And JavaScript Benchmarks
- Results: GPU Core Benchmarks
- Results: GPGPU Benchmarks
- Results: Display Measurements
- Results: Battery And Throttling
- A Multifaceted Shield Worth Carrying Into Battle

Lol this is epic! xD
Anyway, great and unique review. Especially for the so many GPGPU benchmarks.
Nvidia tablet at $299 seems to be a great buy.
I know people are excited about the raw performance of this tablet. But, other than raw GPU power, EVERYTHING else is compromised.
-matt64
After clarifying this with Nvidia, only the press kits included the cable. The retail boxes do NOT include the HDMI cable. I'm sorry for the confusion and we'll update the article to correct this.
-matt64
P.S.
How is the heat on the thing after a few hours in warm weather?
Heat can cause lock ups (as you will know); but maybe its a software thing that will be ironed out.
I was hoping it would be smoothe and excellent; but I knew it would get hot. Too slim you see. Look at the PS Vita as comparrison. Chunky and cool.
The heat was not an issue I was thinking about when I mentioned a design flaw for gaming (I have a neat solution for).
Although the heat issue did give me the idea for a slot on the back of the unit (maybe magnetic) to put 6mm thick (30mm diameter) frozen metal wafers in located on the back near the CPU/GPU housing, so that it can drop the heat off a bit during an hours play. You get a kit of two or three or somthing; keep one in the freezer and swop them.
Nobody plays them all day do they?
For general browsing, should not be required; but when you start pushing the graphics, they be pretty handy on a hot day.
My Terga 4 smartphone has automatically shut itself down due to overheating itself a hundred times in summers in the Far East..
10,000 ideas.
nice.