Nvidia has now launched the new Shield Tablet K1. The gaming slab carries over much of the original Shield Tablet's specs, but it comes in a slimmer build and at a more pocket-friendly price.

According to the tech giant's official website, the 16 GB Wi-Fi only version of the K1, which is the only version that has been announced so far, is priced at $199. That's a full $100 cheaper than its predecessor.

The K1 got its name from the Nvidia Tegra K1, the same high-performing SoC that powered the original Shield Tablet. The chip harbors a 2.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A15 CPU and a 192-core GeForce Kepler GPU. It remains to be one of the most powerful Android SoCs out in the market today.

The screen size is measured at eight inches with a 1920 x 1200 resolution display. The setup is high enough to guarantee good pixel density of 283 but low enough for the CPU/GPU combo to keep performance in check during intense 3D games. The tablet weighs 356 grams and is 9.2 millimeters thick.

In the software department, the K1 runs Android 5.0 Lollipop right off the bat. Given the fact Android 6.0 Marshmallow is just around the corner, many expect the tablet to be compatible with the firmware update.

Design-wise, the K1 only brings minor changes. The most noticeable tweak is the removal of the pen slot from the tablet's chassis. Nvidia is now making the ShieldDirect Stylus 2 an optional commodity as it's no longer included in the price. Additionally, the K1 will be shipped without a charger or an adapter. Those are separately sold too.

The ShieldDirect Stylus 2 retails for $19.99 while the optional magnetic keyboard is priced at $39.99. Furthermore, the Shield Controller, which can turn the tablet into a mini gaming console, sets interested takers back $59.99.

A few months ago, Phone Arena listed down the year's best tablets for mobile gaming. The original Shield Tablet had the distinction of being the only entry that was built exclusively for mobile games. The other top-performing tablets were designed to be "all-rounders."

Nvidia's first tablet had specs befitting a high-end Android tablet plus extra capabilities that improved the gaming experience. Among these features is the ability to stream games from the Nvidia Grid cloud network or from a desktop computer with a compatible GeForce GPU. The K1 retains this feature and a lot more.