Google's first tablet, the recently launched Nexus 7, is expected to touch the 8 million units sales mark by the end of this year. The mammoth 8 million figure estimates will likely give rival tablet makers sleepless nights as Nexus 7 stakes its claim in the consumer market.

The Android-based tablet, co-developed by Google and Asus, was launched in July 2012. Since the launch, the 7-inch tablet has given stiff competition to rival tablets. Digitimes indicates that Taiwanese suppliers will ship 4 million touch panels for the Nexus 7 in Q3 2012. Tech-Thoughts.net predicts that 3 million and 3 to 5 million Nexus 7 units will be sold in Q3 2012 and Q4 2012, respectively. However, Google has not commented on the projected figures.

The Nexus 7 is powered by a quad-core Tegra 3 processor with 1GB of RAM. The device has an on-board storage of 8GB/16GB. The 7-inch display has 1200x800 resolution. The tablet also sports a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera for video calling. The tablet offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options to users and a 4325mAh battery boosts the device. Weighing at only 340gms with 198.5 x 120 x 10.45mm dimensions, the Nexus 7 has a bevy of features in its kitty that entice tablet consumers.

Tablet enthusiasts have appreciated the Nexus 7's built quality. The tablet is priced attractively and the entry-level version sports a $199 price tag. With high demand for the entry-level version of the tablet, Google suffered initial glitches in the supply chain but currently, it seems to be on course with estimated shipping time of three to five business days. "Google and Asus may have roughly doubled their [sales] estimates and cranked up the production volume," said Sameer Singh, founder of Tech-thoughts.

A winner in the first four months of its launch itself, the question that piques the mind is whether the Nexus 7 will maintain its promising sales figures. With rivals vying for consumer attention and the purported iPad Mini launch in the anvil, time will tell if the Nexus 7 lives up to the 8 million unit sales forecast.