NVIDIA SHIELD OTA Update & Performance Review
NVIDIA SHIELD Gaming Platform
When the NVIDIA SHIELD is all closed up it looks much like a game controller without the controls. The overall dimensions of the SHIELD are 5.31″ x 6.22″ x 2.24 inches when it’s closed up like we see above. Overall I would say the SHIELD is a pretty slick looking system.
Opening up the NVIDIA SHIELD it reveals the controls and the 5″ multi touch screen. The SHIELD’s screen has a resolution of 1280×720 which certainly isn’t to bad for a 5″ screen.
Pointing out the obvious, one of the key features of the NVIDIA SHIELD is the console grade controller seen above. The controller is quite similar to the design used for the Microsoft XBOX console systems, though the D-Pad and left joystick are switched out. The XBox and SHIELD both feature the A, X, Y,& B buttons as well as the bumpers and triggers seen below. Just above the D-Pad and buttons there is a pair of stereo speakers that sounded good to me and were plenty loud for me.
The underside of the NVIDIA SHIELD has four rubber feet for those few moments that you’ll actually set it down. The text on the back of the SHIELD has the model # P2450, input voltage of 5 Volts 2 Amps, FCC #’s. The main focus of the text brings our eyes to the NVIDIA logo and the fact that the SHIELD is powered by the 4 core NVIDIA TEGRA processor!
The back edge of the NVIDIA SHIELD has pretty much what you would expect from a console grade controller, including the left and right triggers, as well as the left and right bumpers above them. The I/O panel features a mini HDMI port, micro USB port, head phone & microphone jack, and a micro SD card slot. Above all of the ports, there is some ventilation holes and we can make out some of the aluminum fins that keep the SHIELD cool during those long gaming sessions. While we can’t see it in this photo, there is a fan that is tucked inside of the NVIDIA SHIELD. Throughout my time benchmarking, and gaming I never heard it running. It wasn’t until I was running a game and put my ear right up to the exhaust port that I was able to hear it running, and even then it was barely audible.
When the NVIDIA SHIELD is fully closed, it measures only 2.25″ thick.