So a few days ago we went to do a routine sales options check on the NVIDIA Shield Tablet K1, and we discovered it was out of stock on NVIDIA’s website. Puzzled but not dismayed, we hit up Amazon next only to discover that it was only available from third party sellers. A quick jaunt over to Newegg produced similar results: no Shield Tablet K1 devices to be seen. What gives?

NVIDIA has made no formal announcement regarding the tablet’s unceremonious disappearance, and it seems odd for the company to have discontinued the product so relatively early in its lifespan. It’s possible that there have been some issues regarding production further up the manufacturing pipeline. As it stands, it looks like you can currently only get your hands on a Shield Tablet K1 if you go through a third party.

We’ve reached out to the company and have been told by a representative that there has been no internal memo regarding the device’s possible discontinuation. The Shield Tablet K1 will allegedly reappear on the NVIDIA website as well as on other retailers’ sites, but NVIDIA could not confirm any timeframe for this reappearance.

What are your thoughts regarding the NVIDIA Shield Tablet K1’s mysterious disappearance? Will we see it return, like a phoenix from the ashes, or is this the end for NVIDIA’s gaming-centered Android device? Let us know your opinion in the comments below!