14 DAY TRIAL // NVIDIA introduced its second-generation slate, the Shield tablet, this summer. The device takes advantage of Console-level graphics and is offered with a gaming controller, in an attempt to make this slate a true gaming device.
Anyway, a few months later NVIDIA pushed out the LTE model of the device. The new variation boasts the same 8-inch screen with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution and NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor under the hood, but it comes with 32GB of internal storage instead of just 16GB as in the original model.
NVIDIA Shield Tablet 4G is compatible with A&T and T-Mobile networks
Furthermore, it supports AT&T and T-Mobile 4G networks, so in theory users can connect to the internet from anywhere in the US.
Another particularity of the tablet is that it enjoys GameStream, a service which lets users stream a game installed on your PC over the network and to the NVIDIA Shield Tablet.
The device you hold in your hands ends up acting as a display and a game controller, but the game itself continues to run into the background on the PC.
This should allow users to play Windows-bound games that aren’t available for the Android ecosystem, as well as titles that are more demanding and won’t normally be available for a slate.
You can go about streaming games from your PC to your Shield tablet in two ways, over a Wi-Fi network which reportedly brings about very good results and over 4G, but this is a bit trickier.
To achieve this, the PC has to send the data to your home router, which then relays it over the internet. From there, the Shield Tablet’s LTE draws it out.
Do you really need LTE on your Shield Tablet?
As Gizmodo reports, the LTE connection is pretty stable and won’t drop out at unexpected moments, but the overall game play is plagued by visual glitches due to data compression and sometimes is quite laggy.
On top of that streaming over LTE will certainly burn a big hole in your data plan. Bottom line is that even if you can use the LTE tablet to stream gaming over the internet when you’re not in the vicinity of your home Wi-Fi, you’re better off using it for browsing and running apps.
The idea is that you might be able to save $100 / €79 by getting the cheaper Wi-Fi only version instead. You’ll still be able to play Android games on the go, but the PC gaming on your tab will be limited to the confines of your home, which is not such a big deal after all.