Based on specs alone, the Google, Samsung Nexus 10 tablet is touted by many as the first serious challenger to Apple's iPad. But as more reviews of the new device roll in, the picture is becoming increasingly complex. Some clearly had their hair blown back just as they expected, and swear the hype is true, others aren't so sure.

iPad Mini Release Draws Small Crowds, Has Apple Lost its Edge? 

Google Nexus 10 specs

Perhaps the most hyped device in Google's new lineup, many view the Nexus 10 as the first device with legitimate potential to become an "iPad killer."

"Nexus 10 is the ultimate tablet for watching movies or reading magazines. We wanted to build a premium entertainment device, so we partnered with Samsung to do just that," Google said in its recent product announcement on the company's blog.

"Nexus 10 is the highest resolution tablet on the planet with a 10.055-inch display at 2560-by-1600 (300ppi), that's over 4 million pixels right in your hands. It comes with a powerful battery that will get you up to nine hours of video playback and more than 500 hours of standby time. With a set of front-facing stereo speakers, you can watch movies right from your Nexus 10 and they simply sound awesome. But what makes Nexus 10 unique is that it's the first truly shareable tablet. With Android 4.2, you can add multiple users and switch between them instantly right from the lockscreen.

"We believe that everyone should have quick and easy access to their own stuff -- email, apps, bookmarks, and more. That way, everyone can have their own home screens, their own music, and even their own high scores."

Price/models

6GB for $399; 32GB for $499; available on Nov. 13 in the Google Play Store in the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan. You'll also be able to purchase the 32GB version in more than 2,000 Walmart stores in the U.S.

Specs broken down

Dimensions and Weight

10.4 x 6.9 x 0.35 inches, 1.33 lbs

Screen Size

10.06 inches (larger than the Apple iPad's 9.7-inches, smaller than the Microsoft Surface RT's 10.6)

Screen Resolution

2560 x 1600 pixel, 300 ppi (Best available)

Speakers

Dual, Stereo (same as Microsoft Surface RT)

Average Battery Life

10 hours (same as Apple iPad, Microsoft Surface RT)

Processor

1.7 Ghz Samsung

RAM

2GB (larger than the iPad's 1GB, same as Microsoft Surface RT)

Expandable Storage

None (same as iPad, Surface has microSDXC card slot)

Cameras

Back: 5MP photo/1080p video, with LED flash; Front: 1.9MP photo/720p video (back camera and video quality is same as Apple iPad, but has LED flash, front camera is better than iPad's 1.2 MP. Surface hasn't released camera specs, but video quality is the same as Nexus 10)

The Google ad Samsung Nexus 10, will have the highest pixel density of any tablet on the market, and will be released in the first half of 2013, according to CNET.

Google's Nexus 10 tablet will have a 2,560x1,600 pixel density, which CNET says will "push the display manufacturing tech envelope." That high of a pixel density would place the Nexus 10 at the top of the heap with a higher count than Amazon's 8.9-inch display Kindle Fire HD and Apple's 9.7-inch display iPad 3. It's also higher than the rumored screen specs we've been seeing for Microsoft's 10.1-inch Surface tablets.

"By stuffing that density into a 10-inch screen, the PPI jumps to just shy of 300," says CNET.

As numerous sources note, the biggest drawback of Google and Samsung's 10-inch tablet is that Google lags well behind Apple in building strong collection of tablet-oriented apps. "An app built for a 4-5" phone screen might look OK on a 7" tablet, but not on a 10" tablet. Google is currently making a push to increase the number of tablet-optimized apps," says Seeking Alpha.

The Google, Samsung Nexus 10 also features micro USB and micro HDMI ports, a clear advantage over Apple's iPad 4, which has neither.

But Just how well do the impressive-sounding specs and shiny new features hold up when testing the device first-hand? According to the following reviews, while the screen quality is great, it may not be the sword-in-the-stone Google is claiming it to be. Many point to Android 4.2, and the screen-size as the real standouts on the device. And some even prefer the Google Nexus 7, overall.

Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Times wanted to like the device much more than it actually could, and thought the iPad won in almost every test it threw at the device, hands-down.

"When you put it to the test, you're likely to find that the high-end Google tablet is worth the price though not something you would brag about to friends."

"It sounds like a better deal than what you get from Apple for its $499 16 GB, 9.7-inch iPad, which has a 2,048 by 1,536 resolution and 264 ppi. But once in use, the Nexus 10 does feel like its worth about $100 less than its Apple rival. I tested out the Nexus 10's display and compared it with the third-generation iPad and each time the Apple tablet won."

"The larger screen ... makes the Nexus 10 great for watching movies. It's so wide that when you watch a video you get a much larger image than on the iPad and hardly any black bars above and below the content."

But the Nexus 10's real untapped potential may be as a gaming device. "All that real estate is also great for games. In fact, the Nexus 10 has the potential to be a better gaming tablet than the iPad. That's because at 0.35-inch thick and 1.33 pounds, it is slimmer and lighter than its competition. The Nexus 10's back cover also has a grip that's good for holding the device when you move it around while you play."

"One thing that is unique to the Nexus 10's cameras is the new Photo Sphere feature, which arrives on Android devices with the 4.2 Jelly Bean update. This feature seems perfect for trips to exotic locations such as the Grand Canyon or the top of the Eiffel Tower."

"But besides that, Photo Sphere is not much more than a bragging point for Android users. It takes a long time to shoot a full 360-degree image and I could never get it to look perfect. But if you do take the time to shoot an entire location that surrounds you, the results are visually stunning."

"The sound produced is great for a tablet as far as volume goes. Quality of sound, though, is a bit on the tinny side."

"The only problem I truly have with the Nexus 10 is the lack of apps that have been optimized for its screen. Many essential apps are the same ones built for 4-inch Android devices. This includes Facebook and Pandora, which simply get stretched out. The apps themselves look great on the Nexus 10's screen, but it's annoying wasting such a large display on smartphone apps."

"All in all, the Nexus 10 ... is a solid tablet and very good deal at 16 GB for $399 or 32 GB for $499. Anyone who gets one this season will have received a great present, but if you can afford spending an additional $100, the iPad may be the way to go."

Forbes

"While the Nexus 10 can run phone apps, most just don't look that great on the larger screen, while Apple has done a great job convincing developers to adapt their apps for the iPad.  And Apple smartly configured the iPad mini so regular iPad apps work without modification. One can't say that same for Android's highly fragmented eco-system where there are many different form factors and screen sizes."

"Personally, I'm happier with Google's Nexus 7 tablet than I am with the 10-inch model. It's easier to carry, lighter and I can even put it in some pants and coat pockets."

"Though there are some advantages to a larger tablet (including a larger on-screen keyboard) there are times when smaller is bigger."

Time

Time prefers Apple's design aesthetic, but in most other cases admits, "It may be the first full-sized Android tablet that deserves to be a hit."

"I'd still take the iPad's aluminum case over rubbery plastic in a heartbeat, but otherwise, the Nexus 10′s hardware certainly gives the iPad a run for its money. This tablet is slightly thinner and lighter than the full-sized iPad. Its dual-core processor and 2GB of RAM paid off in fast performance in the apps I tried.  Unlike most tablets, it puts its stereo speakers on the front, so sound is projected right at you rather than fading into the distance. And it has MIMO wi-fi, a technology which can provide a considerable speed boost in the right circumstances."

"Most strikingly, the Nexus 10 out-Retinas the iPad with a 2560-by-1600 10.1″ screen at 300 pixels per inch. (The full-sized iPad's 9.7″ display is 2048-by-1536 at 264 PPI.) Text and photos look fabulous in a way they haven't on any other Android tablet I've used."

"The best thing about the Nexus 10 is its operating system - Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, a medium-sized upgrade which is debuting on the new Nexus devices. Like Android 4.1 on the Nexus 7, it's smooth, good-looking and generally pleasant in a way that previous versions of Android were not."

"After a very slow start compared to Apple, Google has also made progress with its stores for movies, music and magazines. For instance, dozens of magazines are available that take advantage of the Nexus 10′s high-resolution screen."

"What remains extremely disappointing - and prevents the Nexus 10 from truly being the iPad's peer - is the paucity of third-party software to shine on this tablet. Google Play has plenty of apps, but too few of them are designed with a roomy tablet screen in mind."

"If you want to see what Google's operating system is like at its best, you should check out the Nexus 10."