Certainly a much better price than any LTE enabled iPads :) Does this version of the Tegra Note have a "real" stylus, with pressure sensitivity and all that sort of stuff? Can it be used effectively for handwriting notes or drawings?
There is still some pressure sensitivity even if the stylus is not pressure sensitive, but it is not very good. A lot of sites have praised the tegra note stylus, but not one has shown it being capable of actual decent handwriting. But hey, it is a 200$ device, what do people expect, it ain't no galaxy note.
I own one, and would have to say it's about on par with a (resistive) ipaq from the mid 2000's when it comes to handwriting. The input lag is noticeable and distracting though - it certainly can't hope to replace paper for note-taking.
I think the price premium for LTE on this is somewhat just out of convention for tablets in this price range - LTE is a $100 option on the Kindle Fire HDX, for instance (it's an $80 option on the Nexus 7, but you're required to get the 32GB version if you want LTE, so the actual added cost depends on whether you wanted the 16 or 32GB version).
I'd guess that nVidia just decided it wasn't worth creating two 3g only chips: one with data and voice for phones, and a second with data only for tablets and other devices. For LTE they did make separate phone/everything else baseband chips, and that the voice listing on the 3g model only reflects them listing everything the baseband can do not actual tablet features.
It's pretty disappointing to see such limited band support given what current Qualcomm devices are offering--particularly, being a T-Mobile US customer, the lack of band 4 UMTS on the US-LTE model. I'm curious about where the limitation lies--is it a limitation of the i500, or some other front-end radio component that they cheaped out on?
I'm guessing they haven't validated support for all those bands yet. Their modem is much more software driven than Qualcomm's, so much of the different bands may still have yet to gain the necessary firmware functionality.
Interesting, mainly because I think it points to what direction Nvidia is heading with Tegra K1 designs later this year. This will be more proof of concept to show integrated isn't a must-have if they can get the SoC + LTE modem TDP low enough that SoC performance overshadows the benefits if integrated LTE.
It also weighs another 46g, so it may have improved build quality or bigger battery to compensate for the LTE modem. But yeah I agree 50% premium for LTE is pretty high. I think the actual selling price will probably be closer to $50-60 more, it just comes off as a bit of sticker shock because the Note 7 is a pretty low-priced device as is.
It's actually right around average for the add-on cost of cellular radios for other tablets--$130 (iPad), $100 (Kindle Fire), $80 (Nexus 7) off the top of my head. I have no involvement in supply chain concerns so I can't say how much cost there is from manufacturing, but beyond the increased BoM for the cellular silicon, there are additional licensing costs as well from the technologies involved. Aside from that, I assume that, like upgrading storage, OEMs use the addition as a margin-builder.
You have to license a sh!tload of patents when adding radios to a consumer electronics device. A 100$ premium for LTE is quite average. But still obscene.
Any word on how they're using the micro-SD card slot on Android 4.4.2? I have heard some very strange things about how Kit Kat changes SD card usage and utility.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
21 Comments
Back to Article
bj_murphy - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
Certainly a much better price than any LTE enabled iPads :) Does this version of the Tegra Note have a "real" stylus, with pressure sensitivity and all that sort of stuff? Can it be used effectively for handwriting notes or drawings?Roland00Address - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
The stylus is just a normal capacitive stylus without pressure sensitivity. Yet the stylus is much more accurate due to the software nvidia uses.ddriver - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
There is still some pressure sensitivity even if the stylus is not pressure sensitive, but it is not very good. A lot of sites have praised the tegra note stylus, but not one has shown it being capable of actual decent handwriting. But hey, it is a 200$ device, what do people expect, it ain't no galaxy note.mickulty - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
I own one, and would have to say it's about on par with a (resistive) ipaq from the mid 2000's when it comes to handwriting. The input lag is noticeable and distracting though - it certainly can't hope to replace paper for note-taking.skumdogg - Monday, February 24, 2014 - link
It does have pressure sensitivity. It works a treat for all kinds of stuff!killerroach - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
I think the price premium for LTE on this is somewhat just out of convention for tablets in this price range - LTE is a $100 option on the Kindle Fire HDX, for instance (it's an $80 option on the Nexus 7, but you're required to get the 32GB version if you want LTE, so the actual added cost depends on whether you wanted the 16 or 32GB version).Taracta - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
Does the "+voice" means this LTE, 3G version is an actual phone instead of just being a tablet with celluar data?DanNeely - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
I'd guess that nVidia just decided it wasn't worth creating two 3g only chips: one with data and voice for phones, and a second with data only for tablets and other devices. For LTE they did make separate phone/everything else baseband chips, and that the voice listing on the 3g model only reflects them listing everything the baseband can do not actual tablet features.teiglin - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
It's pretty disappointing to see such limited band support given what current Qualcomm devices are offering--particularly, being a T-Mobile US customer, the lack of band 4 UMTS on the US-LTE model. I'm curious about where the limitation lies--is it a limitation of the i500, or some other front-end radio component that they cheaped out on?tviceman - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
I'm guessing they haven't validated support for all those bands yet. Their modem is much more software driven than Qualcomm's, so much of the different bands may still have yet to gain the necessary firmware functionality.chizow - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
Interesting, mainly because I think it points to what direction Nvidia is heading with Tegra K1 designs later this year. This will be more proof of concept to show integrated isn't a must-have if they can get the SoC + LTE modem TDP low enough that SoC performance overshadows the benefits if integrated LTE.ToTTenTranz - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
$100 for a baseband chip? Is this normal?How much profit do they get in selling this chip? 5000%?
chizow - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
It also weighs another 46g, so it may have improved build quality or bigger battery to compensate for the LTE modem. But yeah I agree 50% premium for LTE is pretty high. I think the actual selling price will probably be closer to $50-60 more, it just comes off as a bit of sticker shock because the Note 7 is a pretty low-priced device as is.teiglin - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
It's actually right around average for the add-on cost of cellular radios for other tablets--$130 (iPad), $100 (Kindle Fire), $80 (Nexus 7) off the top of my head. I have no involvement in supply chain concerns so I can't say how much cost there is from manufacturing, but beyond the increased BoM for the cellular silicon, there are additional licensing costs as well from the technologies involved. Aside from that, I assume that, like upgrading storage, OEMs use the addition as a margin-builder.Anders CT - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
You have to license a sh!tload of patents when adding radios to a consumer electronics device. A 100$ premium for LTE is quite average. But still obscene.One wonders about the 46 grams of extra weight.
sonicmerlin - Saturday, February 22, 2014 - link
Those patents are all FRAND- pennies on the dollar.Rocket321 - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
Wish the screen was higher res than 1280x800...Morawka - Saturday, February 22, 2014 - link
and i wish a 32 GB LTE ipad didnt cost $730chizow - Sunday, February 23, 2014 - link
Updated Tegra K1 model Note 7 is rumored/leaked to sport 1920x1080 resolution. Should be out Q2/Q3 of this year.Aidic06 - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
Any word on how they're using the micro-SD card slot on Android 4.4.2? I have heard some very strange things about how Kit Kat changes SD card usage and utility.Krysto - Monday, February 24, 2014 - link
I just want a Tegra K1 Note 10/12 Is that too much to ask for?