You can taste the iPad influence in Google’s Nexus 9 tablet. Laying eyes on it for the first time, you’d be forgiven for thinking Apple made it. The slim bezel and the 4:3 aspect ratio screen are very iPad, but the display is slightly smaller — 8.9 inches to Apple’s 9.7.

At 15 ounces (425 grams), the Nexus 9 just as light as the iPad Air 2. The metallic rim adds the iPad feel, but I noted one important difference: It's easier to hold the Nexus 9 in one hand. I was able to grasp it more or less comfortably with my fingertips on one side and my thumb on the other, but I'm 6'4" (with what I suspect are normal-sized hands for that height) so your mileage may vary here.

Even the Nexus 9's pixel count is identical to the iPad’s at 2,048 x 1,536. Clearly, Google and HTC, which built the tablet, have stopped any pretense about differentiating and are going with what works.

The Google Nexus 9 with optional keyboard case. Image: Mashable, Elizabeth Pierson

We’ll save the discussion about the merits of imitation for another time, but there’s no question the Nexus 9 is a well-made tablet. Powered by the latest Android software — version 5.0 or “Lollipop” — the Nexus 9 is one of the first devices to pack a Tegra K1 processor. That brings 64-bit processing, which translates into faster performance overall while preserving battery life. Firing up a few apps and websites, I found the tablet to be plenty fast and very good a multitasking.

Lots of people use tablets to watch movies, and the Nexus 9 has something special in that department: Great stereo speakers. Dialing up the latest Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer on YouTube, I could hear the action even in a loud, crowded room.

When you fold the corner of the Nexus 9's "origami" case, it automatically launches the camera. Image: Mashable, Elizabeth Pierson

My favorite feature of the Nexus 9 is how the camera works with the "origami" style case. The case attaches via magnets, but fold over the corner that covers the camera and the camera app automatically launches. People do take photos with tablets after all, and at least this can mean they won't look extra ridiculous with a tablet cover hanging from the bottom.

If there’s a tablet that will move the needle for Google it’s the Nexus 9. Smaller tablets are getting eaten alive by phablets, but Googles latest big-screen mode looks like a winner at first blush. Just don’t tell Apple.