Nvidia's Shield Tablet Back On The Market, Lower Price This Time
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.
| Processor | Nvidia Tegra K1 192-core Kepler GPU, 2.2 GHz Quad Core CPU, 2 GB RAM |
|---|---|
| Display | 8-inch 1920×1200 multi-touch IPS display |
| Audio | Integrated stereo speakers with built-in microphone |
| Storage | |
| Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n 2×2 Mimo 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth 4.0 LE | |
| GPS / GLONASS | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
| Mini-HDMI 1.4a output | |
| Micro-USB 2.0 with host and device support | |
| MicroSD Card, up to additional 128 GB | |
| 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack with microphone support | |
| Motion Sensors | 9-axis (G-sensor, compass, gyro) |
| Audio | Front-facing stereo speakers, dual bass reflex port |
| Gaming Features | Shield controller compatible |
| GeForce NOW cloud gaming | |
| Console Mode | |
| Nvidia ShadowPlay | |
| Cameras | Front: 5MP HDR; Back: 5MP auto focus HDR |
| Video Features | 4K Ultra-HD Ready |
| Software Updates | 19.75 Watt hour Lithium ion |
| Weight and Size | Weight: 13.7 oz / 390 g |
| Height: 8.8 in / 221 mm | |
| Width: 5.0 in / 126 mm | |
| Depth: 0.36 in / 9.2 mm | |
| Operating System | Android Lollipop OS |
| Software | Google Play |
| Nvidia SHIELD Hub | |
| Nvidia Dabbler | |
| Twitch | |
| Squid | |
| Camera Awesome | |
| Optional Accessories | Shield tablet K1 cover |
| Shield controller | |
| Shield world charger | |
| 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.
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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)
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.
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.