If you’re a hard core gamer looking for the next best thing to enhance your gameplay, how about an Nvidia Shield Tablet? The latest launch by the company is an 8 inch Android tablet that promises to deliver the perfect combination of power, portability, and performance. The company also launched a few accessories including a wireless controller and tablet cover that will have to be purchased separately.
Nvidia Shield Tablet Specs
At the heart of the Nvidia Shield Tablet is the world’s faster mobile processor, the Tegra K1, which is based on the Kepler architecture that powers the world’s most extreme gaming PCs. The Shield’s display is a 1920×1200 multi-touch Full HD display.
For the best in sound technology, the tablet features front facing stereo speakers and dual bass reflex port, making every note crisp and clear.The tablet also comes with a stylish GPU-accelerated NVIDIA DirectStylus 2 which is ideal for taking notes or engaging in creative oil and watercolor painting.
If you’d like to play games on the big screen, take advantage of the Nvidia Console Mode, which lets you plug the device onto your TV and enjoy all the action on the big screen. You can also stream games from a GeForce GTX-powered PC and play them on the tablet using Nvidia GameStream technology while Nvidia Grid Cloud Streaming lets you stream PC games from the Nvidia Grid. With Nvidia ShadowPlay, you can seamlessly record your best gaming moments or stream all the action to Twitch.
Apart from access to all the best games on Google Play, the tablet also comes preloaded with over 200 shield optimized games and top Google Play apps such as Netflix and Pandora among others.
The Nvidia Shield tablet is available in 16GB and 32GB versions, with microSD support for up to 128GB. The 16 GB Wi-Fi variant is currently available for preorder at $299 while the 32GB Wi-Fi, LTE variant will become shortly available at at $399.
You can preorder this ultimate gaming tablet here.
Quick Look: Shield Tablet Tech Specs
- Processor: Nvidia Tegra K1 192 core Kepler GPU, 2.2 GHz ARM Cortex A15 CPU
- RAM: 2GB
- Display: 8-inch 1920×1200 multi-touch Full HD display
- Audio: Front facing stereo speakers, dual bass reflex port with built-in microphone
- Storage: 32 GB (WiFi+4G LTE) / 16 GB (WiFi-only)
- Wireless: 802.11n 2×2 Mimo 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.0 LE; GPS / GLONASS
- Connectivity: WiFi+4G LTE or WiFi-only; Mini-HDMI output; Micro-USB 2.0; MicroSD storage slot
3.5 mm stereo headphone jack with microphone support - Motion Sensors: 3-axis gyro; 3-axis accelerometer; 3-axis compass
- Cameras: Front: 5MP HDR; Rear: 5MP auto focus HDR
- Video: 4K Ultra-HD Ready
- Stylus: DirectStylus 2 with 3D Paint (Included)
- Battery: 19.75 Watt Hours
- Dimensions: 8.8 x5 x 0.36 x 390g
- Operating System: Android KitKat
Nvidia Shield Tablet Accessories
Accessories are almost impossible to ignore and the Nvidia Shield Tablet features some handy ones. First is the Shield Wireless Controller. Priced at $59.99, it comes with console grade controls, a stereo headjack with support for chat, a microphone for voice commands and search, a touchpad, rechargeable battery and a USB charging cable.
There’s also a tablet cover with an entertainment and keyboard stand and a magnetic connection capable of waking up on opening and sleeping on closing. Its priced $39.99.
Nvidia is for the first time making a global launch, although the U.S will be its first recipients. Europe should see the device land on their shores in August while the rest of the world will follow suit in the fall.
Truly Ultimate?
The Shield Tablet is certainly a compelling device. The ability to stream games from PCs and the cloud as well as the ability to effortlessly stream to the video gaming platform Twitch is certainly taking things to a completely new level. There’s also the ability to plug it to a TV set and play games on the big screen. 12 top games that are optimized for the Tegra K1 are ready to play and Nvidia is promising MORE to come in the following days. Then there are entertainment apps such as Hulu Plus and Netflix for anyone who needs a break. With a bevy of high end features, the Nvidia Shield tablet certainly looks to impress. However, there will always be casual gamers who are happy with an iPad or a Nexus 7 while hardcore gamers will always want something more. Still, Nvidia certainly has its own following who should be pleased with the latest gaming device.
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