I'm not that pro as well. But I root my Nexus 7 for few reasons. To overclock my CPU and GPU speed, to use Titanium backup, to get rid of Multi Ghost Tapping issues for 1st gen Nexus 7 2012, to use apps that can show in-games frame rate per second FPS, boost battery life....

But even without root, Android is quite user friendly....

First, you need to know sometimes the search function in Google Play Store is really dump, it cannot return the results that I wanted, so you better google the apps name and you will get the link in the first few results linking you to Google Play Store web page if you are on desktop and click Install, your tablet will start downloading it in no time, or if you are on tablet's browser, it will bring you to Google Play Store app.

1. FB Messenger is compatible, can be found here
2. You need Xposed framework which requires root access or alternatively use custom ROM, some of them have this settings for you to adjust, disable it or alert at certain percentage.
3. Install custom kernel which allows you to use Double-tap-to-wake and Double-tap-to-sleep/Sweep-to-sleep so you don't have to worry the power button's lifetime. 

Charging rate is ok for me, it took around 150 minutes to fully charge from <10% for my unit.
Setup an US based Google account and you are good to go, you get full access to Google Play Store services like Magazine, Movies&TV, Music which are currently not available in Malaysia.

Custom kernel replaces stock ROM kernel which provides many tweaks to your device such as individual control of all cores activity, clock speed, screen color intensity control, d2w/s2s feature.

Here is a popular custom kernel which can be found on xda forum for your reference.

Bought a TPU case when I got my Nexus 7 but still prefer using it naked with only screen protector applied, I love the back cover of this tablet, not glossy at all 

I use a Nilkin case, bought from lelong http://www.lelong.com.my/google-nexus-7-ii...4-11-Sale-P.htm

the fit is nice and so far it is has been holding up fine. tbh,  i prefer using the N7 without any fixed case, perhaps i'll get a decent sleeve case to cover the n7.

if you are not rushing, you might be able to get these cases at cheaper price from taobao, qoo10 etc, but the price that i paid at lelong is pretty fair in my opinion

How do I know whether my Google acc is US based or MY based? I do not have prob installing PvZ2 in my Nexus 7

Google see which IP address you're currently viewing from. If you want to view US items, you need be on US IP

Nope. Just need a US based created Google account on the phone.

Actually PvZ2 publisher EA is having 2 different accounts in Play Store, one is Electronic Arts which is only available for US based account to access and download content, other region or we call it RoW(rest of the world) will have to download EA games from EA Swiss Sarl.

Actually PvZ2 publisher EA is having 2 different accounts in Play Store, one is Electronic Arts which is only available for US based account to access and download content, other region or we call it RoW(rest of the world) will have to download EA games from EA Swiss Sarl.

New nexus 7 owner reporting in... Mine was pre-loaded with latest KitKat as it was manufacturing in Jan 2014... Looking for nice casing.. Anyone selling original Google caring in forum?