Google Nexus 10 - Review & specs

Google Nexus 10 - Review & specs

Google Nexus 10 tablet

Google's Nexus 10 combines the highest resolution screen in a 10-inch tablet with a slim body mostly covered in soft-touch rubberized paint. It's quite a looker. It holds up on build quality and ergonomics with the iPad, and it's actually lighter and thinner to boot (though it does get as hot or even hotter than the iPad).

Further, Android has largely closed the gap with iOS in terms of quality apps and how those apps function. Largely, but not entirely. Developers still mostly aim at iOS first, and some wonderful, must-have apps for iPad (like Reeder) are still unavailable here.

You'll also notice some slowdown from time to time while coming in and out of apps. You'll see it some more while reading hi-res magazines or books. That's not there in the iPad.

One note about the screen: It's brighter and more true white than either the iPad or the Kindle Fire. But it's also a little harsher on the eyes. It's a tradeoff. Color in movies seems a little less cinematic on the Nexus, but also better at capturing some details. You'll also notice the letter boxing a little less than on the iPad because of the 4:3 display.

One actually-kind-of-large nitpick is the cover. It's a big downer. The Nexus 10's cover is actually attached to a small plate that snaps into the back of the tablet. To remove it, you've got to replace it with another plate that doesn't have a cover attached. It seems clever for about five seconds of holding it, until you realize that wait, no, of course I don't want my cover to be constantly attached to my tablet. Extra points off for it not being useful as a stand (or, obviously, a keyboard).

The Nexus also has a strange design detail that makes it tricky to hold with one hand. It's slightly thicker on one end than the other—a wedge design sort of like an ultrabook. But the thick side has that sort-of slippery backplate, which can slide from your grip, and holding the skinny side leaves you supporting the heavy end uncomfortably. Another small thing that will wear on you using it every day for weeks.

The Nexus 10 is what probably the tablet you want if you're going to be using your tablet like command central from your couch. Android 4.2 is powerful, fast, and complete. And for $100 less than the iPad, it's likely you'll find enough value to offset its imperfections. This is closer to ranking 1.5 than a clear number 2.

Google Nexus 10 Specs
Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.35 inches
Weight: 603g
Processor: Exynos 5 Dual
Memory: 2GB RAM
Storage: 16GB, 32GB
Ports: Micro-USB, Magnetic charger, Micro HDMI
Battery life: 4 hours 50 minutes
Price: Starts $400 16GB