Google is pretty good about announcing security update support up front so you can make that decision at least. I think the Nexus/Pixel phones are generally 2 years of updates, 3 for security. Maybe a little short if you're optimistic about how long you'll keep the device but that's better than most manufacturers being late or inconsistent about updates.

Would you like to help polish GNU/Linux with mainline kernel and open source drivers on that Nexus 7?

If it's a 2013 WiFi version (a mostly great device): https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Google_Nexus_7_2013_(asus...

There was also the fact it's memory (I think it was flash memory) got really slow after a year or two. Like unusably slow. That's probably how they got it so cheap, to try to showcase and build momentum, but after two years (from both hardware and software POV), it's useless.

I still have some iPad 2's floating around, which have the same issue, albeit on a longer scale. Can no longer update the OS, most new apps won't install as they target a different OS, it _seems_ to be getting more sluggish over time (though there was a clear performance drop between two of the major OS versions - I think it was 6 to 7). It's a shame as it's still a useful and nice piece of hardware.

Not on the same scale but I had my Nexus 7 replaced twice due to failure while under warranty, then the 3rd time it failed shortly after the warranty ran out. They all failed the same way, just refused to charge any more.