Evga Tegra Note 7 splices together tablets and gaming

The tablet world continues to grow, this time adding a gaming-focused, stylus-enabled handheld device.

Fans of gaming and tablets rejoice – in the ever-increasing tablet world, there is now a device catered specifically to you.

The Tegra Note 7 from graphics chip manufacturer Nvidia was announced for pre-order Monday, offering a tablet focused on gaming performance. Though the graphics, sound, and stylus options make this an interesting offer, some tech reviewers are a bit hesitant to ditch their gaming consoles for a handheld just yet.

The Tegra Note 7 is the first tablet offering from Nvidia, and it sticks to what it knows: a good sensory experience with common-sense usability. This focus can be seen throughout the Tegra Note 7. A quad core Tegra-4 chipset, which offers quality graphics on a tablet size, powers the device. Sound pumps from speakers on either side, giving games a surround-sound experience. A stylus that has its own compartment within the device, offers more opportunity for handheld note taking, sketching, and maneuverability around the device.

Aside from those features, the Tegra Note 7 offers what can be expected of tablets today. The device runs on Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2, has a 1,280x800 resolution, and sports two cameras – 0.3-megapixels on the front and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera. The screen measures at 7 inches, with a three-paneled back that features a dimpled rubber center panel. The device is a bit heavier and thicker than its competitors, weighing in at 0.7 pounds and measuring 0.38 inches thick. It retails for $200, far less than its competitors offering roughly the same device. Currently it is available for pre-order, and will be available for sale on Nov. 19.

Tech reviewers are impressed with the Tegra Note 7’s graphics performance but not wowed by the device in comparison to its direct competitors, the Galaxy Note 8, Google Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HDX, and iPad Mini Retina (which was also released today).

“Removing the stylus from the equation, the Note 7 is still a viable tablet option that offers lots of value at a low price,” says Eric Franklin at tech website CNET. “However, with only a 1,280x800 resolution, both the Kindle Fire HDX 7 and the 2013 Nexus 7 -- which house 1,920x1,200 screens -- offer prettier and sharper experiences for about $30 more.”

Mr. Franklin also takes issue with the devices’ built-in smart cover design, which leaves a length-long groove on the side of the device, whether a cover is in place or not.

Brad Molen of UK-based tech website Engadget says though a cheap price point and solid gaming hardware work well for the Tegra Note 7, the tablet will need a better screen resolution, better camera, and a cleaner design to really compete with the tablet heavy-hitters.

“NVIDIA has done a great job making Tegra 4 less expensive for the masses,” he says. “However, it had to make some compromises to get there.”