Need Google Nexus7(16Gb) Tablet? Get it for $149

By SheebaSudeep

Among the Android faithful, Google's Nexus 7 remains the tablet of choice, the flagship model stocked with a "pure" install of the OS.

Google hasn't budged on Nexus pricing, even in the face of big cuts from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other competitors in the 7-inch tablet space.

But with new Nexus models , resellers are looking to clear off their inventory.Its reported that Staples is offering the Google Nexus 7 (16GB) for $149 shipped and the Nexus 7 (32GB) for $169 shipped when you use coupon code 20098 at checkout. Sales tax applies to both.

Those are definitely the lowest prices , but even if you've been waiting patiently for a deal like this, you have to ask whether the Nexus 7 is still a smart buy.

Its key specs include a 1.2GHz Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a 1,280x800-pixel screen, a front-facing camera, Bluetooth, and Android 4.2.2.

Even so, $149 (or $169) for such a powerful tablet is nothing to sneeze at. But consider that Amazon's Kindle Fire HD is currently on sale for $169 (albeit with only 16GB of storage), while the Nook HD (8GB) is the deal to beat at $129 (B&N's one-week sale has apparently become permanent). Actually, the fairer comparison is the 16GB Nook HD at $149. Although it lacks a camera, it does have an expansion slot and higher-resolution display.

Indeed, there are pros and cons for all these models. It looks like the key takeaway here is that if you've been waiting for a sweet deal on a Nexus 7, you've found it. Personally, I'm eager to see what's next from Amazon, Google, and Apple.

Bonus deal: Need a little extra power for your Nexus (or smartphone or other mobile gadget) when you're out and about? Today only, and while supplies last, All4Cellular has a 2,200mAh USB backup battery for $5.99, plus $2 for shipping. It's available in your choice of colors (save for pink, which is, surprisingly, sold out). I've seen similar tube-shaped chargers selling for three times the price.