Need help with Android Tablet Decision

[varaonaid]

I'm trying, (probably lot many people) to decide between the current dual core tabs and the quad core.

I will be using this tablet for most anything you can use a tablet for - lots of art applications, streaming movies and music (flash required), some sort of g-sensor/accelerometer, and bluetooth, as I already have a good bluetooth keyboard that pairs nicely with my Android Phone.

I currently own the Acer A500 but I'm still within my return period. I'm strongly leaning towards returning it and getting a quad-core tab but I like the features such as the full size usb port and I want to be able to use that for an external HD for movies, music, etc. Of course, a lot of web surfing will be included. I will be using it for some office features but mostly through Google Docs, as that's what I use on my current mini-notebook (which I'll probably get rid of once I have the tablet decided on for sure). Price is a thought but I want a 10" inch screen and front facing camera so I can use internet video chat, etc. which I think means I'm in the $500 dollar general price range.

I find the Asus Prime intriguing but I'd like to have a USB port without having to have the dock to get it. I read somewhere about either Toshiba or Lenovo coming out with a quad-core with full size usb but I can't find the release date on it now. I'm willing to wait a bit, but also know there is always something better around the corner and at some point I need to just pull the trigger as they say. I consider myself fairly computer literate, I'm the one called to get any family member out of a computer jam. Also had an Android phone for 2 years and followed the development closely for some time prior to that. In addition, I used to run a triple boot laptop with two linux distros and a Windows install so I'm fairly comfortable with the ins and out of doing something like that.

I guess my questions are, has anyone heard of any release dates for quad-core tabs beyond the Asus Prime? Are there any other tabs that you'd say "forget the quad core and go for... instead?" Any info on release dates (other than the general sometime in 2012 would be uber cool to hear).
Oh, I'll also be using it in the hospital quite a bit with multiple surgeries coming up and digital magazines and e-books are definitely part of what I'll be using it for.

Thanks so much in advance! I look forward to your advice!!

Rae

 

[mrsbelpit]

You may get some answers on quad cores coming up at MWC, which starts on Feb 27, although I wouldn't expect to see those tablets released for at least a couple of months. Is there anything your Aconia can't do that you need a new tablet for at this point? Especially knowing that it will probably be upgraded to ICS?
I think you can buy a USB adapter for the Prime if you want to get that quad core, maybe see if it's available. I think if you're not sold on the Prime, you'll be waiting at least a few months before you see another quad core out.

 

[varaonaid]

I hate to wait that long and my A500 does most of what I want it to do...but I feel slighted paying almost the same for a dual core as a quad core. Seems live Asus is the only company that has just talked about a quad core tab but actually brought it to market. I know that in addition to Acer, Toshiba, Lenovo and others have talked about the design and upcoming quad core tabs but no dates on when they will be available. A stupid USB port, that's all that I needed for the Transformer Prime to be perfect.

 

[varaonaid]

I should add that it's fairly fast but there are times it gets overburdened and slows. I know a quad core wouldn't.