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Overview

If you spared a glance toward my previous article, which extolled the virtues of using a PC as your primary gaming platform, then you know that I am pretty enthusiastic about the merits of gaming on a PC. In that same article, I mentioned in the “Exclusive Technologies” portion that PCs are becoming increasingly capable of streaming games to other devices. One of the early devices aiming to promote this practice comes directly from NVIDIA, with whom I professed a love affair. After briefly mentioning the capabilities, I realized, as stated in the article, “Gosh, now I really want a Shield.”

Because I’m an adult with terrible financial priorities, I got one and am starting to get to know it rather intimately. Released July 31, 2013, the NVIDIA Shield is a Tegra 4 Android 4.4 device with a 5-inch screen and a console-style controller designed to play media, Android games, and PC games from computers with modern GTX videocards.

Specs

Processor NVIDIA® Tegra® 4 quad-core mobile processor with 2 GB RAM Display 5-inch 1280×720 (294 PPI) multi-touch retinal- quality display Audio Integrated stereo speakers with built-in microphone Storage 16 GB Flash memory Custom Armor Color Silver Wireless 802.11n 2×2 MIMO 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.0 GPS Connectivity Mini-HDMI output Micro-USB 2.0 MicroSD storage slot 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with microphone support Motion Sensors 3-axis gyro 3-axis accelerometer Input controls Dual analog joysticks D-pad Left/right analog triggers Left/right bumpers A/B/X/Y buttons Volume control Android Home and Back buttons Start button NVIDIA power/multi-function button Battery 28.8 Watt hours Weight & Size 579 grams 158mm ( W ) x 135mm ( D ) x 57mm ( H ) Operating System Android™ KitKat 4.4.2 OS Software Google Play NVIDIA® TegraZone™ Sonic 4 Episode II THD Expendable: Rearmed Hulu Plus TwitchTV

Specs via shield.nvidia.com

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