I knew when i bought the A500 it would outshine the others. 
Acer Iconia Tab A500 ? Winner European Tablet 2011-2012
Should have read Award.
Acer Iconia Tab A500 ? Winner European Tablet 2011-2012
Should have read Award.
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Acer A500 gets a reward.
- Thread starter andy d
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- acer iconia tab a500
kristalsoldier
Android Enthusiast
Nice to know. Seems like the Iconia does not get as good reviews in the press as compared to its nearest competitors - Transformer, Xoom, Galaxy tab etc.
But personally, I think, it is an excellent device. I use the A500 quite hard all day. Yes, it is a bit heavy, but its not really a negative in my books.
I do think, however, that Acer should have bundled some better apps - like a full office suite (like the Xoom) etc.
But I like the A500 and thus far it has worked well. I should also mention that the fit and finish could have been better.
Cheers
But personally, I think, it is an excellent device. I use the A500 quite hard all day. Yes, it is a bit heavy, but its not really a negative in my books.
I do think, however, that Acer should have bundled some better apps - like a full office suite (like the Xoom) etc.
But I like the A500 and thus far it has worked well. I should also mention that the fit and finish could have been better.
Cheers
kristalsoldier
Android Enthusiast
Well, I am not sure that the weight of tablets in general - at least the ones that I have personally handled which include the iPad1, the Xoom and the Iconia - is comfortable for me to hold for long periods of time. But then, at least in the case of the Iconia, I can overlook this because of the other advantages it offers me.
About fit and finish. Generally, I felt that the edges of the tab could be a bit better fitted. There are some rough parts where the metal meets the screen - I notice this particularly on the left bottom side. I also notice some creaks - but that is localized to the area around the usb port and I think that it would be quite natural for that area to be a bit creaky at places of stress like the usb port. Nevertheless, I would have preferred if the edges were smoother, the creaks did not exist. This is what I meant by "fit and finish".
Don't get me wrong, I think the Iconia looks very good indeed and, as I mentioned in a previous post, I use the heck out of it every day. I'm probably on the tablet for around 5-6 hours a day (which includes work and play).
About fit and finish. Generally, I felt that the edges of the tab could be a bit better fitted. There are some rough parts where the metal meets the screen - I notice this particularly on the left bottom side. I also notice some creaks - but that is localized to the area around the usb port and I think that it would be quite natural for that area to be a bit creaky at places of stress like the usb port. Nevertheless, I would have preferred if the edges were smoother, the creaks did not exist. This is what I meant by "fit and finish".
Don't get me wrong, I think the Iconia looks very good indeed and, as I mentioned in a previous post, I use the heck out of it every day. I'm probably on the tablet for around 5-6 hours a day (which includes work and play).
I have one and my brother has an Ipad 2.
I might be biased but I much prefer mine, I like the fact that I can just do what I like with it.
As far as the weight is concerned, the it doesn't feel much heavier than the Ipad, if at all.
So far, the ONLY tablet I would swap to is the Samsung 10.1 but even that is "locked"down because there is no usb or micro sd slot.
I might be biased but I much prefer mine, I like the fact that I can just do what I like with it.
As far as the weight is concerned, the it doesn't feel much heavier than the Ipad, if at all.
So far, the ONLY tablet I would swap to is the Samsung 10.1 but even that is "locked"down because there is no usb or micro sd slot.
kristalsoldier
Android Enthusiast
Somewhat tangentially keeping on topic, I was wondering...
(1) How long you have had your A500?
(2) How long - on an average - do you use it - say, on a daily basis?
(3) What do you use the tab for - mostly work? mostly play? half and half? etc...
(4) In retrospect, would you have bought a different tab than the A500 (which were available at the time of the release of the A500)? If yes, why? If not, why not?
My answers to the above are:
(1) Probably for about a month or so - give or take a few days.
(2) I use my tab for about 5-6 hrs a day.
(3) I generally use my tab for primarily for "work", which includes: lots of reading (PDF docs usually); lots of web-centric research (I seem to have settled on Dolphin HD - free version - as the default browser); always-on Gmail (I use the bundled app - no complaints thus far); sometimes I used the camera to keep records of docs; I use the calendar app (Google Calendar); I sometimes use Dropbox with the app from the Market to move around docs; I use the USB port quite often to transfer files - I wish there was some way to sync at least folder contents easily - maybe there is a way (aside from Acer Sync, which I have never used).
I also use the tab for some "play" - watching movies (have not had to convert a single video yet - I use MX player (free version), I sometimes (not as often as when I first got the tab) play games - at the moment limited to Angry Birds (various versions). What I'd like to get is a good designed for use on a tab Chess game as well as a Go game. Perhaps all that will happen with the 3.2 update.
I am still in need of a full Office App. The reviews of Polaris sound good - rooting is a deterrent at the moment (because of work-related issues more than anything else). I keep reading the reviews of Docs2Go and QO HD and remain confused. But sooner or later, I will have to pick one because I need the capability to edit Office docs (primarily Word, Excel and PPT).
(4) Would I have bought a different tab? When I bought the A500, the Transformer and the Xoom - aside, of course, from the iPad2 - were prominent in the market - soon to be followed by the craze for the discounted HP tab. The Toshiba Thrive (at least in my region) was not readily available. And, the Samsung tab was just being released (if I am not mistaken).
All in all, I don't think I would have opted for a different tab.
I still think the A500 offers me the best balance between price and capability. Yes, there are the creaks and slightly rough edges, but the screen does not bother me - I keep the brightness quite low as it is except while watching movies/ videos. Battery life has been good for me - one charge lasts me - based on my useage - for about 15 hrs. After that I just charge back up to the max. Only once have I reached 15% battery levels - but that was after two days of not charging.
I consider my purchase of the A500 as an experiment (which is why the balance between cost and capability is important to me)...as a means to get acquainted with the world of tabs. I have found my experience interesting and informative and the A500 has played a key role in that.
But, I plan to upgrade in about a year or so. Now that I know - at least a little bit about tabs and their strengths and weakness and how I can work with them - my next purchase will be a lot more focused.
Most probably, I will be looking for a tab - OS remains open especially with Win 8 around the corner - that has more "business-centric apps", provision for the use of a stylus - whose execution should be excellent (won't compromise on that - the virtual keyboard leaves much to be desired for!), which is well built and which will either off-the-shelf mesh well with the MS eco-system (as an option) or which will allow for a seamless integration of apps that will allow me to enjoy the best of the MS and Android eco-system.
(1) How long you have had your A500?
(2) How long - on an average - do you use it - say, on a daily basis?
(3) What do you use the tab for - mostly work? mostly play? half and half? etc...
(4) In retrospect, would you have bought a different tab than the A500 (which were available at the time of the release of the A500)? If yes, why? If not, why not?
My answers to the above are:
(1) Probably for about a month or so - give or take a few days.
(2) I use my tab for about 5-6 hrs a day.
(3) I generally use my tab for primarily for "work", which includes: lots of reading (PDF docs usually); lots of web-centric research (I seem to have settled on Dolphin HD - free version - as the default browser); always-on Gmail (I use the bundled app - no complaints thus far); sometimes I used the camera to keep records of docs; I use the calendar app (Google Calendar); I sometimes use Dropbox with the app from the Market to move around docs; I use the USB port quite often to transfer files - I wish there was some way to sync at least folder contents easily - maybe there is a way (aside from Acer Sync, which I have never used).
I also use the tab for some "play" - watching movies (have not had to convert a single video yet - I use MX player (free version), I sometimes (not as often as when I first got the tab) play games - at the moment limited to Angry Birds (various versions). What I'd like to get is a good designed for use on a tab Chess game as well as a Go game. Perhaps all that will happen with the 3.2 update.
I am still in need of a full Office App. The reviews of Polaris sound good - rooting is a deterrent at the moment (because of work-related issues more than anything else). I keep reading the reviews of Docs2Go and QO HD and remain confused. But sooner or later, I will have to pick one because I need the capability to edit Office docs (primarily Word, Excel and PPT).
(4) Would I have bought a different tab? When I bought the A500, the Transformer and the Xoom - aside, of course, from the iPad2 - were prominent in the market - soon to be followed by the craze for the discounted HP tab. The Toshiba Thrive (at least in my region) was not readily available. And, the Samsung tab was just being released (if I am not mistaken).
All in all, I don't think I would have opted for a different tab.
I still think the A500 offers me the best balance between price and capability. Yes, there are the creaks and slightly rough edges, but the screen does not bother me - I keep the brightness quite low as it is except while watching movies/ videos. Battery life has been good for me - one charge lasts me - based on my useage - for about 15 hrs. After that I just charge back up to the max. Only once have I reached 15% battery levels - but that was after two days of not charging.
I consider my purchase of the A500 as an experiment (which is why the balance between cost and capability is important to me)...as a means to get acquainted with the world of tabs. I have found my experience interesting and informative and the A500 has played a key role in that.
But, I plan to upgrade in about a year or so. Now that I know - at least a little bit about tabs and their strengths and weakness and how I can work with them - my next purchase will be a lot more focused.
Most probably, I will be looking for a tab - OS remains open especially with Win 8 around the corner - that has more "business-centric apps", provision for the use of a stylus - whose execution should be excellent (won't compromise on that - the virtual keyboard leaves much to be desired for!), which is well built and which will either off-the-shelf mesh well with the MS eco-system (as an option) or which will allow for a seamless integration of apps that will allow me to enjoy the best of the MS and Android eco-system.
SouthofOttawa
Well-Known Member
I am thoroughly enjoying my Acer A500. I use it about 2-3 hours a day at home after work for email, twitter, tv shows, movies and as an e-reader. I bought a cheap (on ebay) case for it that helps when I use it as a stand so I don't have to hold for so long.
Only issue I had was that a USB key that I used bent one of the connectors inside the USB slot back and it wouldn't recognize any USB connections. I was able to pry the connector back into place and am no longer using that USB key anymore as others I have seem to work okay. I have had no problems playing TV shows or copied DVD's (my own) just using the Nemo Player.
I am really hoping that Netflix comes available on it soon. I also use my Samsung Captivate to tether to the A500 when I am not around wifi and that works great!
I haven't even purchased a Micro SD card for it yet but will at some point.
HDMI works flawlessly as well and looks great on my LCD.
since I only paid $299 for it when Staples had the $100 off coupon back in July, I feel that I got a great deal (half price of others) for a fantastic tablet!
Only issue I had was that a USB key that I used bent one of the connectors inside the USB slot back and it wouldn't recognize any USB connections. I was able to pry the connector back into place and am no longer using that USB key anymore as others I have seem to work okay. I have had no problems playing TV shows or copied DVD's (my own) just using the Nemo Player.
I am really hoping that Netflix comes available on it soon. I also use my Samsung Captivate to tether to the A500 when I am not around wifi and that works great!
I haven't even purchased a Micro SD card for it yet but will at some point.
HDMI works flawlessly as well and looks great on my LCD.
since I only paid $299 for it when Staples had the $100 off coupon back in July, I feel that I got a great deal (half price of others) for a fantastic tablet!