Pros & Cons
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- Powerful.
- Plenty of features.
- Attractive design.
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- Interface performance needs improvement.
- Gamepad costs extra.
Nvidia Shield Tablet (16 GB, Wi-Fi) Specs
| Battery Life | 4 hours, 10 (LTE video streaming) minutes |
| CPU | Nvidia Tegra K1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8 by 5.0 by 0.4 inches |
| Operating System | Android 4.4 |
| Screen Resolution | 1,920 by 1,080 pixels |
| Screen Size | 8 |
| Storage Capacity | 16 |
| Weight | 13.7 |
Nvidia tackled the mobile and gaming markets from a strange direction two years ago when it released the Nvidia Shield (now called the Shield Portable), an Android-based handheld device that combines the power and ecosystem of a tablet with the physical controls of a game system. It's a niche product, but it impressed us enough to eventually award it our Editors' Choice distinction after a series of very welcome updates. Nvidia is now tacking toward a more conventional course, but it's still committed to making a gaming portable with the $299 (for the 16 GB/Wi-Fi-only version as tested; $399 for the 32 GB/LTE version) Shield Tablet.
The 8-inch Shield Tablet is the first to sport Nvidia's Tegra K1 chip, is filled with gamer-friendly features and connectivity options, and is designed to work with the Wi-Fi-based Shield Wireless Controller in addition to Bluetooth gamepads, mice, and keyboards. It's a bit pricey for a small tablet, but its performance and design make it an attractive tablet for gamers. For dedicated handheld game systems, you'd still be better off with a Nintendo 3DS XL or a PS Vita Slim for the depth and breadth of titles available for either device. But if you're looking for a more general-purpose product that still caters to your gaming needs, the Shield Tablet is an excellent choice.
View All Design
Nvidia carries over the sleek, dark, industrial style of the Shield Portable to the Shield Tablet. The 8.8-by-5-by-0.4-inch (HWD), 13.7-ounce device is a mix of blacks and dark grays, from the matte black back with its glossy black Shield logo to the gunmetal speaker grilles flanking the 8-inch, 1080p LCD screen. It looks like a larger, more intimidating version of the Google Nexus 7, which fits its concept of being a tablet specifically for gamers.
The right edge holds Power and Volume Up/Down buttons, plus the microSD card slot hidden behind a small rubber door. The right edge also holds the included stylus, which I describe in detail below. The left edge is empty, save for two indentations for the optional $39.99 Shield Tablet Smart Cover, which attaches magnetically and automatically turns the screen on and off. Curiously, the micro USB and HDMI ports sit on the top side of the tablet alongside the 3.5, near the front-facing camera.
The Android experience on the Shield Tablet is almost identical to the Shield Portable, with the obvious exception of the devices' form factors. The tablet uses a nearly stock version of Android 4.4.2 KitKat, with Nvidia's own Shield Hub interface unobtrusively tucked away as a separate app. The Shield Hub presents a large, couch-friendly menu system optimized for use with a gamepad. It offers easy access to games and media apps while hiding the more granular elements of Android.
