Acer Iconia Tab A100 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of the Acer Iconia Tab A100

The Acer Iconia Tab A100 was a significant player in the early years of the tablet revolution. Released in April 2011, this device was designed to cater to users looking for portability without compromising on performance. Although it has been discontinued, it remains a memorable piece of technology that laid groundwork for future innovations. Below is a detailed look into this compact, yet powerful tablet.

Design and Build

With its dimensions of 195 x 117 x 13.1 mm and weighing just 450 grams, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 was designed for ease of use and portability. The relatively compact design made it easy to carry around and use in various settings. It was available in two color variants: Black/Red and Black/Blue, providing a sleek and sophisticated appearance. The build quality was robust for its time, although the design could be considered somewhat bulky by today’s standards.

Display

The 7.0-inch LCD screen was one of the main attractions of the Iconia Tab A100. With a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, it offered sharp and vibrant images, suitable for media consumption and web browsing. The 170 ppi density was sufficient for a clear and detailed viewing experience, though not quite comparable to the retina displays seen in later models. However, it was practical for everyday tasks and readability.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Iconia Tab A100 was powered by the Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 chipset, with a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and ULP GeForce GPU. This combination provided sufficient power for multitasking and running apps smoothly. Despite being an early model, it handled Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) efficiently and could be upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). With 1GB of RAM, it was able to handle the basic operations expected from an early tablet efficiently.

Storage

This tablet came with two internal storage options, 8GB and 16GB, allowing users to choose based on their storage needs. In addition, it supported microSDHC cards, enabling users to expand their storage and keep more data directly on their tablet, a feature particularly useful for users with extensive media libraries.

Camera

At the time of its release, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 featured respectable camera capabilities. The main camera was a 5MP shooter, equipped with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of recording video at 720p@30fps. Although tablets are not typically known for their camera quality, this was a decent offering for the era. Additionally, it featured a 2MP front-facing camera, adequate for video calls and the occasional selfie.

Connectivity and Sensors

Lacking cellular connectivity, the Iconia Tab A100 relied on Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for internet access, with the flexibility to become a hotspot. It supported Bluetooth 2.1 for wireless connections with peripherals such as keyboards and headphones. GPS functionality was included for location-based services, but FM radio was absent. The microUSB 2.0 port facilitated data transfer and charging.

In terms of sensors, it included an accelerometer, gyro, and compass, which helped in navigation and improved the interactivity with various apps, especially games and navigation tools.

Battery Life

Battery life was powered by a non-removable 1530 mAh Li-Po battery. While this capacity might seem small by today’s standards, it was sufficient for the device’s requirements to provide a decent operational time, though it might have required frequent charging with heavy use. The choice of a non-removable battery was aligned with the industry trends of the time.

Audio

The Iconia Tab A100 featured stereo speakers and included a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who preferred wired headphones. The stereo speakers provided a satisfactory sound quality for media consumption, such as playing music or watching videos. Sound output levels were appropriate for personal use, although external speakers or headphones were preferable for more immersive audio experiences.

Software and Features

Running on Android Honeycomb out of the box, and upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich, the Iconia A100 provided a user-friendly interface with a balance of performance and functionality. It supported Adobe Flash, which was crucial for browsing a wider range of web content during that period. This operating system allowed for multiple home screens, widgets, and a variety of apps from the Google Play Store.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 was a noteworthy device in the early tablet market. With its compact form factor, adequate performance specifications, and reasonable pricing (around 100 EUR at launch), it was a well-rounded device for consumers seeking a portable, lightweight option for digital media consumption and internet browsing. Its legacy remains as part of the evolutionary journey towards the advanced tablets we have today.