Acer Iconia Tab A500 Comprehensive Review & Insights

Introduction to Acer Iconia Tab A500

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 was a promising tablet in the world of mobile computing when it was launched during the early 2010s. A product reflecting Acer's ambition to tap into the growing tablet market, the Iconia Tab A500 combined attractive hardware with competitive capabilities that appealed to both tech enthusiasts and everyday users. It provided an engaging multimedia experience, with its large display, advanced graphics processing unit, and multimedia friendly features.

Design and Build

At dimensions of 260 x 177 x 13.3 mm and a weight of 730g, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 displayed a robust physical profile. The weight, while slightly on the heavier side for tablets, contributed to a solid and reliable feel when handled. Its build showcased a sleek, professional aesthetic, suitable for both personal and professional environments.

Display

The A500 featured a 10.1-inch LCD screen capable of displaying 256K colors. With a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels and a 16:10 ratio, the display supported a pixel density of approximately 149 ppi. This ensured a crisp viewing experience for web browsing, media consumption, and other visual tasks, although it lagged behind in clarity when compared to the higher resolutions available later in the decade.

Performance and Operating System

Running on the Android 3.0 operating system which was later upgradeable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), the Iconia Tab A500 featured the Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 chipset. This included a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a ULP GeForce GPU. Such a configuration was commendable at the time, enabling smooth multitasking and a reasonable performance in handling graphics-intensive applications and games.

Memory and Storage

The tablet came in two storage variants — 16GB and 32GB — both paired with 1GB of RAM. For users seeking more storage space, a microSDHC slot was provided, facilitating easy expansion. This feature catered to users who needed more space for apps, media files, and documents.

Camera Capabilities

Photography on the Iconia Tab A500 was enabled through a 5 MP rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash, delivering basic yet effective photo capability. The device also featured a 2 MP front-facing camera, which was adequate for video chatting and selfies, considering the standards at the time.

Multimedia and Sound

Acer enhanced the multimedia experience with stereo speakers, offering robust sound for media consumption. Additionally, a 3.5mm jack allowed for connecting headphones or external speakers, a necessity for personalized audio experiences. These sound capabilities ensured that the A500 was suitable for enjoying movies, music, and games.

Connectivity Options

The A500 tablet was equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n capabilities, making it suitable for connecting to various wireless internet networks. Despite lacking cellular connectivity options, the inclusion of Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR allowed seamless connectivity with other devices. GPS was integrated for navigational purposes, adding a layer of utility for users on-the-go.

Sensors and User Interface

To enhance user interaction, the tablet incorporated sensors like an accelerometer, gyro, and proximity sensor. The device's browser supported HTML and Adobe Flash, enhancing the browsing experience by facilitating dynamic web content and multimedia applications.

Battery Life

The non-removable Li-Po 3260 mAh battery provided a stand-by time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of up to 6 hours. Such battery performance was decent for the era, ensuring that the tablet could be used for extended periods for both work and entertainment without frequent recharging needs.

Market Position and Pricing

During its launch, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 was priced at approximately 200 EUR, placing it as a competitively priced option among contemporary tablets. Although now discontinued, its historical significance and contribution to the early tablet market are noteworthy.

Conclusion

The Acer Iconia Tab A500, with its balanced feature set and reliable performance, was a viable option for consumers exploring the burgeoning tablet market of the time. While newer models have since surpassed it in terms of technology and features, the A500 remains an interesting piece of technology history, illustrating the rapid evolution of mobile computing over the last decade.