HP Slate 7 Extreme review

What makes it unique? In November, NVIDIA did a really interesting thing. With the help of EVGA, they launched a seven inch Android tablet. What makes that interesting, you ask?  NVIDA, who is known for making video cards and mobile processors, is sticking to the same business model they use in the world of desktop video cards for computers. It works like this: NVIDIA designs the hardware (every spec), then manufacturers like EVGA and HP build the physical devices. This is a really cool idea because HP and EVGA don't have to do all the R&D work on all the things inside the tablet that make it work. This should allow for widespread distribution from a whole boat-load of manufacturers on the cheap, and a short development cycle. That means that lots of people, from all over the world, can build these tablets quickly and cheaply. Should you buy one? So, is the Tegra Note actually a good device?  Well, I recently did a whole lot of testing on an HP Slate 7 Extreme (HP's version of the Tegra Note which I will call "S7E" from now on), and I think the answer is a solid "yes." Tegra Notes run about $199, including the S7E. That's $30 less than the Nexus 7.  The S7E doesn't have nearly as good a screen as the Nexus, but the rest of the specs are pretty impressive. The screen on the S7E isn't bad, it's just no Nexus. In fact, with the Tegra 4 and its lower-resolution screen, the S7E is one of the fastest tablets on the market. If you'd like to play some games (when not reading books from your library, of course) the S7E will handle even the most advanced titles without a stutter or hiccup. One of the coolest features of the S7E has to be the magnets. These magnets are designed to hold the optional "smart cover" open or closed, which is pretty slick.  What HP isn't advertising is the fact that the magnets are strong enough to mount the tablet onto flat, metal surfaces. In fact, that's the S7E stuck to the locker at my desk in the picture (yes, that's Hitchhiker's Guide and Yoda). I know what you're thinking; how useful are those magnets? Say you're cooking in the kitchen and want handy access to a recipe? No problem, just stick it to the fridge. Out in the garage working on your car? Stick it to your tool chest. What a library wants to promote Test Drive? Stick it to a magnetic board near your checkout desk with some signage that says, "Take this device home, and try it for yourself!" Oh, and don't forget about the stylus. It's pretty great, and offers some pretty cool features (like the ability to take an instant, cropped screenshot). "Stylus mode" is activated automatically when you remove the stylus from its holder. It doesn't work quite as well as Samsung's S-pen, but it's pretty close. Wrap-up The Tegra 4 in this tablet is blazing fast (especially for games). For other tasks, it holds its own against great tablets like the Nexus 7. The build quality isn't as good as the Nexus, but you save $30 buying the S7E. The 1280×800 IPS display is just OK. Whites look a little faded and dull, but didn't bug me while reading eBooks (my favorite test). According to Android Police, the S7E has a slightly better screen than the EVGA Tegra Note 7. It's something to keep in mind, but I'm sure all of the Tegra Note screens are at least acceptable (based on other reviews). In short, it's an amazing value for the money. The only real mark against it is the mid-range quality of the screen. If you've got $30 more to spend, I'd probably still recommend the Nexus 7 (and its gorgeous screen) over the S7E. However, if you're buying a bunch of devices for Test Drive, $30 per device can add up quickly, which makes the S7E attractive. The S7E has officially earned the Quinton Lawman Geek Stamp of Approval. Quinton Lawman is a Technical Writer at OverDrive.

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