If you thought $199 was a steal for Google’s Nexus 7 tablet, you may want to think again. Digitimes is reporting that Google and ASUS have teamed up once again and are currently working on a cheaper Nexus 7 tablet model that will go on sale for a mere $99 later this year.
Google is said to launch the $99 version of the Nexus 7 alongside an updated and thinner $199 version. Both tablets will supposedly feature HannStar Display panels, and will hit the market by the end of the year. That’s about all the known details so far, but we’re guessing Google and ASUS will somehow be forced to use cheaper components if they plan on releasing such a discounted product.
If Google can maintain the quality of the Nexus 7 in its rumored $99 model, they will absolutely blow the entire tablet market out the window. A Nexus 7 tablet for under $100 would be an amazing feat, and coming in at a fifth of the cost of an iPad, we’re sure that a lot of people would scramble for a Google tablet. However, Apple is also rumored to release a cheaper 7-inch tablet of their own shortly to compete with the Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD, and the Nook Tablet series.
Digitimes reports that ASUS has denied the claims that they’re working on a $99 Nexus 7 tablet, so take this rumor with a grain of salt. Plus, we’re still curious as to how Google plans to sell a $99 tablet without losing a ton of money. As it stands, it requires around $150 to produce a Nexus 7, so in order to sell a $99 tablet, they’ll either have to use cheaper components or sell the device at a subsidized cost.
[device id=2841]
Would rather pay more for higher quality components. $249 for the 16gb isn’t outrageous. I just don’t have a justification right now to pull the trigger. Maybe I could, if I were to get into digital book reading.
“they will absolutely blow the entire tablet market out the window.” huh?
Blow it out the window? You can throw something out the window (get rid of it,) or blow it out of the water (destroy or defeat).
Either way, it the specs are better then the old kindle fire I would get one.
It’s an expression.
no it’s not. thats my point
Okay 🙂
Drat i wanted a 2 Cent tablet! >:O
good thought, I don’t think the specs would be that great on this device. either that or the price won’t be $99 , remember it is a GOOGLE product. unless they failed to comply to a certain policy and have to reduce price due to wrong advertising or promotions. stuff like that happens all the time.. Google should take this device and focus on maybe a younger crowd that wont require spec like the average tablet user and aim to entertain the early age group. in that case parents wont hesitate to purchase these devices for there children at a affordable price and with a great reputation. lower specs lower price lower age group.. just my two cents.
FWIW, Asus squashed this rumor pretty quickly after it came out