Nexus 9 - Oct 15 - $399

[jacktesterson]

I'm quickly falling in love with the tablet. I think it's the 4:3 aspect ratio and speed of the tablet that's winning me over.

I got used to the Tab S and am now realizing how slow it felt in comparison

Like the new keyboard too.

It does get hot when under load but its at the top of the tablet and my hands are at the bottom most of the time so doesn't bug me. Browsing the web and basic use it stays cool anyways

I do notice the buttons are flush. I'm in a dark room tonight and it takes a moment to find the buttons

Tap to wake works fine

Browsing is much more fluid compared to Tab S.

Just ran Antutu

 

[jacktesterson]

Mine has the clicking sound in a spot on the back. I pressed and held it for a bit and it seems to have stuck again.

Performance for me has been great.

 

[jacktesterson]

There is a notification light but it doesn't work. Seems to be a bug

 

[Slickone]

ASUS kinda messed up the first Nexus 7 from 2012. Mostly quality issues, but also the uncalibrated screen and crappy speakers. The next year ASUS fixed those issues and made the 2013 Nexus 7 really great.

Seems like HTC is repeating history and it's first Nexus tablet is plagued with silly quality issues. And maybe if they make the next Nexus 9 they'll fix those issues.

Though I kinda expect poor quality control from ASUS. I'm surprised HTC made a product with these quality issues though.

My moms 2013 N7 has a screen issue. If you touch it in certain spots, it goes black.

 

[nexus5rocks]

What is up with 1st batch Nexus tablets?
I'm kinda happy Best Buy was out of stock when I went to look for it over the weekend.

 

[Chrono]

Would you recommend this then? I have a $50 off coupon for best buy + $50 gc. Have until the 15th to use the coupon but so far it's out of stock everywhere in socal.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Would you recommend this then? I have a $50 off coupon for best buy + $50 gc. Have until the 15th to use the coupon but so far it's out of stock everywhere in socal.

I'm on the fence. It's a good tablet, but not really a great tablet. It's borderline over priced. It's got some build quality issues (mainly poor buttons and a hollow back). And you can't even buy a cover or case for the thing yet (Google always fails at launching accessories on time). Also because of the squared edges, it has a chunky feel even though it really isn't that thick.

If I didn't really want an Android tablet with a 4:3 aspect ratio, I'd definitely be returning this. And also I like Nexus tablets because they are so easy to unlock, root, ROM, and mess around with. But for an average user, it's kinda hard to recommend.

 

[Ravynmagi]

This is what some Nexus 9 owners have resorted to using as a sleeve for their Nexus 9...

http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-9/accessories/nexus-9-t2908774/page3

 

[jacktesterson]

I'm on the fence. It's a good tablet, but not really a great tablet. It's borderline over priced. It's got some build quality issues (mainly poor buttons and a hollow back). And you can't even buy a cover or case for the thing yet (Google always fails at launching accessories on time). Also because of the squared edges, it has a chunky feel even though it really isn't that thick.

If I didn't really want an Android tablet with a 4:3 aspect ratio, I'd definitely be returning this. And also I like Nexus tablets because they are so easy to unlock, root, ROM, and mess around with. But for an average user, it's kinda hard to recommend.

The "holo" back is a non issue, I feel. How is it? I've not once noticed it holding the tablet in any way while using it. Tablet feels very solid in hand. Sure you can find it when your not actually using it.

The buttons thing isn't a concern to me either with my nexus 9. They are a little flush but they don't make me worry about anything.

 

[winteriscoming]

yea at this price i will prefer ipad mini too.

 

[Ravynmagi]

The "holo" back is a non issue, I feel. How is it? I've not once noticed it holding the tablet in any way while using it. Tablet feels very solid in hand. Sure you can find it when your not actually using it.

The buttons thing isn't a concern to me either with my nexus 9. They are a little flush but they don't make me worry about anything.

I'd probably feel that way and overlook the flaws if it was a $300 tablet. But if Google is going to charge premium prices now, they (HTC) needs to stop cutting corners and get the quality right.

 

[Ravynmagi]

BB is going to have the iPad Air 2 for $100 off on Black Friday. So $400 for 16GB, $500 for 64GB.

Apparently no Black Friday deals on the Nexus 9.

Google probably didn't time this launch very properly, because Black Friday falls within the 30 day return period. Haha.

 

[jacktesterson]

I'd probably feel that way and overlook the flaws if it was a $300 tablet. But if Google is going to charge premium prices now, they (HTC) needs to stop cutting corners and get the quality right.

Why is it a "flaw"? They obviously put it there or know its there.

It has zero impact on the device while looking at or holding it. My 2 cents.

 

[jacktesterson]

I returned mine today.

 

[SpacemanSpiffVT]

Selling a 16 GB Brand new, sealed Nexus 9
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=36896923#post36896923

 

[PokerGuy]

Based on the information I've seen thusfar, reception for the nexus 9 has been less than stellar. Build quality questions, bugs that still need ironed out and so forth. I could deal with more "issues" on a $200-300 tablet (like the nexus 7), but if it's going to be priced as a premium device, it's going to compete with the ipad air and ipad mini etc, and right now it doesn't seem to come out favorably in that discussion.

I'm definitely an android guy and certainly not an ifan, but it's starting to look that way.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Yeah, I decided mine is going back. I was going to wait until Black Friday (after I hopefully got an iPad Air 2). But I still have my iPad Mini 2 and Nexus 7 and LG G Pad 8.3, so not like I'm dying for a lack of tablets.

To me this feels like the Nexus 7 2012 all over again. Great specs, but a poor quality product.

HTC is definitely out of practice when it comes to making tablets and it shows.

 

[jacktesterson]

I went back to my Tab S 8.4 tonight and I don't know what I was thinking. It's the perfect size and the screen is on another level.

Nexus 9 was definitely quicker and I wish I could put a Google Play edition rom on my Tab S. That would speed it up as well and I prefer stock Android.

 

[SpacemanSpiffVT]

Do you find the Tab S screen much better than the N9?
Tab S looked really great in person... but you cant put CM on there.. which blows.

 

[jacktesterson]

Do you find the Tab S screen much better than the N9?
Tab S looked really great in person... but you cant put CM on there.. which blows.

Tab S screen is better for sure in my opinion.

Nexus 9 screen isn't bad by any means though.

 

[thilanliyan]

I looked at both the N9 and Tab S 8.4 before settling on the Tab. Screen is better on the Tab IMO.

 

[jacktesterson]

Decided to pickup another Nexus 9 today. I had bought one on launch but returned it due to excessive light bleed. I still prefer 4:3 tablets and I prefer Android so I decided to give it another try. Glad I did.

Happy to say the Nexus 9 I bought today has almost zero light bleed. Not sure if HTC did a revision, but I only have a very tiny tiny spot on bottom left corner. I have no complaints at all. My original model had it on 3 sides plus some cloudy spots. (On all black backgrounds)

Buttons are fine. The screen itself is very nice. I've been using a Tab S 8.4 and Asus VivoTab 8 lately and the first thing the Nexus 9 stood out was speed. Its a very quick tablet.

The other thing I wanted to comment on is I purchased a white model this time it was because my local store where I had some store credit only had the 32GB in white in stock. I originally had a black. I usually prefer black but I think the White Nexus 9 just looks better. Finger Prints also do not show nearly as much on the white back. The white just looks fancier.

Very happy with my new Nexus 9. I wanted a 4:3 tabnlet for browsing and almost ordered a Teclast Air Ii but I'm glad I went back to the Nexus 9. Im going to sell the VivoTab and have a Nexus 9/Tab S 8.4 combo.

 

[thilanliyan]

^Yeah I'm really hoping the Lollipop update brings some speed improvements to Touchwiz on the Tab S (it supposedly does on other Exynos devices). I tried using other launchers but I actually sorta like the Touchwiz launcher so I'll live with the occasional lag until the warranty is up. The screen is beautiful for videos, and I've found it to be an amazing e-reading experience as well. I usually read in bed, I'm using the Kobo app and in night mode the text is white and the background is black...perfect for the AMOLED screen...really easy on my eyes.

 

[jacktesterson]

 

[cbrunny]

Got one for Christmas. after having used it for almost a month, it is very clear that android has improved overwhelmingly on the tablet front since my last tablet purchase in 2011. I still get some lag though, which I don't understand. But, it's more than bearable.

I do like the 4:3 ratio in many things, but media consumption is not one of them. There are a few games that reduce the FOV in an unexpected way that I am not a fan of as well. The front facing speakers more than make up for it though.