Pixel Tablet - A Solid…

27/08/2023 07:23

The Pixel Tablet is a solid Android tablet, especially when combined with the included dock. Sure, it’s not going to compete with ultra high-end Android tablets, but nor does it need to. It does what it sets out to do, and does it well.

Docking the Pixel Tablet is simple and intuitive, and the magnets hold it in place well. The LCD display looks good, and the responsiveness of the touch-screen is excellent. The fingerprint reader is also reliable and works well.

The Pixel Tablet is snappy and responsive under normal usage, the cameras do a good job, and the sound (when docked) is decent. Handoff between the Pixel Tablet and the dock is seamless.

My main usage of the Pixel Tablet is as a replacement for a Nest Hub– a function it performs well, with the added benefit of running full Android, and the ability to detach from the dock. When docked, the Pixel Tablet is a Chromecast receiver and supports multi-room audio.

What I don’t fully understand is why the Pixel Tablet doesn’t operate as a Nest cam when docked (like a Nest Hub Max). It also does not offer face unlock. This is due to the limited capabilities of the front-facing camera (it lacks dual-pixel autofocus and only has an 84-degree field of view), and seems to be a design choice (rather than an omission). The Nest Hub it replaces lacked a camera altogether, so this isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but would have been a “nice to have”.

Would I recommend the Pixel Tablet? Yes – it looks good, has decent performance and functionality and the included dock is great. But make sure you understand what its limitations are before diving in.

Disclaimer: I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for my honest review.