It's not even an Apple or a Samsung device but Nexus 7, manufactured by Asus for Google, has generated considerable consumer attention and kudos from tech experts. They agree that the Android tablet is a solid lure, thanks to its impressive specs and more impressive price tags.

For $US200, the slate is a steal, according to CNET's Marguerite Reardon. When compared with the competitions, even with smartphones, the Wi-Fi 7-inch tablet is a standout especially for users planning to squeeze the most out of their daily gadget tool.

For the most part, the Nexus 7 is the best tablet available for reading digital books. "The Nexus 7 is a terrific step up ... I highly recommend it to readers," said Ms Reardon.

"It's very light, and the size is perfect. It's about the size of a typical paperback book and can easily be held with one hand. It fits nicely into a pocket or purse, so it's portable if you read while commuting or traveling," she added.

Against the regular-sized tablets and phablets, Nexus 7's screen size seemed sandwiched in the middle but there lies its advantage too. By being smaller, it is more portable and comfortable to use and by being bigger when pitted with say the Galaxy Note 2, Google's signature tablet is easier on the eyes.

And it is cheaper, with the Note 2 easily fetching price tags that are more than twice that of the Nexus 7, online checks would show.

But is not having phone capabilities too much a downside for the Nexus 7? Michael Liu, writing for Gizmodo, doesn't think so. Gadget use nowadays treks mostly on the pattern of online surfing, chatting and texting and less on phone conversations, Mr Liu said.

The Nexus 7 is just the right fit for these dominant proclivities, he added. Yet if the need to make a call to another device arises, there is Google Talk for free calls and SMS services plus free apps like GrooveIP, which provides decent phone feature services, Mr Liu wrote on his piece.

Even for the most demanding users, the Nexus 7 can stand on its own despite its lack of camera. Its stock Android version promises exciting possibilities for hardcore users of the platform plus its long battery life stretchers the usual hours of enjoyment. These extra abilities of the tablet, among others, somehow compensate for its downsides, Mr Liu said.

It would have been nice to get the Galaxy Note 2, Mr Liu admitted, but "its exorbitant price tag," seems too much.