Google's New Pixel C Tablet Is Built With Nvidia's Tegra X1
Google unveiled its latest tablet built with the Tegra X1 SoC: the Pixel C. Unlike previous tablets made by Google, which were co-developed and manufactured by other companies such as Asus and Samsung, the Pixel C will be the first tablet designed and built exclusively by Google in house.
In the heart of the Pixel C is Nvidia's Tegra X1, a powerful SoC currently used inside of the Shield Android TV. The SoC has eight 64-bit ARM CPU cores in a big.LITTLE configuration, with four Cortex-A57 cores and four Cortex-A53 cores. For the GPU side of the chip, Nvidia packed in 256 CUDA cores based on the Maxwell architecture, and the entire SoC is built on a 20 nm TSMC process.
It is fortunate that the Tegra X1 contains such a relatively powerful GPU, because the Pixel C will need it. The tablet's 10.2-inch display features a high 2560 x 1800 (308 PPI) resolution. The tablet is also one of the earliest devices of its kind to feature a USB Type-C port. On the software side it's running Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
| The Pixel C | ||
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| SoC | Nvidia Tegra X1 | Nvidia Tegra X1 |
| CPU | 4 x Cortex-A57 + 4 x Cortex-A53 | 4 x Cortex-A57 + 4 x Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | 256 Nvidia Maxwell CUDA Cores | 256 Nvidia Maxwell CUDA Cores |
| Display | 10.2-inch 2560 x 1800 (308 PPI) | 10.2-inch 2560 x 1800 (308 PPI) |
| OS | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| MSRP | $499 | $599 |
The tablet will be available in two different capacities: a 32 GB version for $499 and a 64 GB version for $599. An optional attachable keyboard will be available for an additional $149. The Pixel C is expected to be out in time for the holiday season this year.
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clonazepam ReplyWhy is the keyboard an extra $150.00?
For that price, the keyboard probably has a trackpad and a battery providing double (or more) the power. Don't know for sure though. -
gangrel It's a 32 GB tablet with a rather strong processor, and a major screen. No way 4G fits into the price point.Reply
That said, I'll probably pass. First, a tablet of this size becomes less portable. Second, the processor is strong for now, but the next-gen Qualcomms are expected to be more powerful and have less heat issues...the A-57 cores, IIRC, are the source of the heat problems. -
alextheblue ReplyIt's a 32 GB tablet with a rather strong processor, and a major screen. No way 4G fits into the price point.
Wow 32 WHOLE Gigabytes? And a lightning-fast-if-you're-comparing-to-a-phone CPU! They really outdid themselves.
At this price I'd expect to see 64GB, a microSD slot, and either an X5 or X7 Cherry Trail T. The only thing the Pixel C has going for it is a decently high resolution display, but at 10" I'd rather have a decently calibrated 1080p unit if it means all the other hardware gets bumped way up.
That keyboard price is outrageous too. Who do they think they are, Apple? If they bundled the keyboard or included LTE this price would look a lot more attractive. -
Ephemeral_1 Price does seem Apple high... You do get slightly better screen resolution an 32 vs 16 GB compared to an Ipad air 2, but if the build quality, and or software real world experience are not as good then they are no value.Reply -
Larry Litmanen ReplyIt's a 32 GB tablet with a rather strong processor, and a major screen. No way 4G fits into the price point.
That said, I'll probably pass. First, a tablet of this size becomes less portable. Second, the processor is strong for now, but the next-gen Qualcomms are expected to be more powerful and have less heat issues...the A-57 cores, IIRC, are the source of the heat problems.
I don't know about you but i had a tablet before, storage is a huge issue. Most people do not want 4G because no one wants to pay more money so most go for a WiFi model, you can't always access Wifi like when you are on the train so you have to have content stored locally.
A season of a NCIS or some show like that can be around 7GBs, if you have only a few season plus the OS, plus music, pictures, apps and games, you will run out very fast.
Micro SD card for extra storage is an absolute must, without it i would not buy any tablet.
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jestersage The keyboard incorporates a battery that can wirelessly charge the tablet when folded in. So you only have to charge one device. That accounts for much of the price.Reply
I prefer a lower resolution, too. 1080p is fine. And more storage or a micro SD option.