Apple Ipad vs Google Nexus 7 head to head review

GOOGLE HAS FINALLY made its first real run at the tablet market, releasing its own-brand budget Nexus 7.

Looking to pull the same trick as Amazon's Kindle Fire in the US, the Nexus 7 retails for close to half the price of the Ipad, yet despite this disparity the small tablet performs better than you might think against Apple's premier device.

Design
The Nexus 7 and Ipad are completely different both visually and physically. The Ipad measures 241x186x9.4mm and houses a 9.7in Retina LED backlit widescreen display that boasts 2048x1536 resolution. The Nexus 7 by comparison measures 197x120x10.5mm and features a 7in 1280x800 216ppi display.

The increased size carries over into the Ipad's weight. The Ipad's WiFi-only version weighs 652g and the 4G model an even heavier 662g, nearly double that of the Nexus 7, which weighs 340g. This means that the Nexus 7 is significantly more practical for use on the go, with its smaller screen and significantly decreased weight making it far more portable than the Ipad.

A chief reason for the Ipad's higher weight is its metal casing. The Apple tablet's back is entirely made of metal, while the Nexus 7 back is comprised of a textured, rubberised plastic. While the Nexus 7 doesn't feel cheap, in fact feeling far more high end than its budget cost would make you think, the Ipad definitely feels more luxurious and sturdy.

This impression is helped by the Ipad's Smart Cover, which acts as a protector for the Ipad's screen and as a stand. The Nexus 7 doesn't come with a cover, meaning that despite being very sturdy and tough, its outer rim is more prone to chipping than that of the Ipad.

Winner The Ipad
Despite being heavier the Ipad is tougher and comes with a useful Smart Cover.

This article was originally published on V3.