Acer Iconia Tab A500 WiFi (1GB + 32GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is a 10.1-inch Android 3.0 tablet designed to compete with the iPad 2, boasting strong connectivity options including a full-size USB port, micro-HDMI, and microSD expansion as key pros. However, the device is heavy at 730g and features a bulky design that makes it less comfortable to hold for long periods. While the 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor offers a fast experience, the PVA screen suffers from narrow viewing angles, falling short of IPS-based competitors. The tablet delivers good, solid battery life for media consumption, although the 5-megapixel camera produces only mediocre image quality. Ultimately, Trusted Reviews found that the combination of high weight and the immature app ecosystem at the time made the A500 difficult to recommend over alternatives like the Asus Eee Pad Transformer.

The Notebookcheck review characterizes the Acer Iconia Tab A500 as a high-performance Android 3.0 tablet with a robust aluminum-style chassis and strong Nvidia Tegra 250 processing power. Key strengths include extensive connectivity, such as a full-size USB 2.0 port and HDMI, though the 750g weight makes it heavier and less comfortable for extended handheld use than the iPad 2. The 10.1-inch WXGA display offers high contrast and excellent viewing angles, yet its high reflectivity hinders outdoor usability, and user experience is hindered by mediocre, noisy camera performance. With battery life ranging between 3 to 6 hours depending on usage, the A500 serves as a capable, interface-rich alternative for power users, despite minor design flaws like a tricky microSD cover and tight port spacing.

The TechRadar review of the 2011 Acer Iconia Tab A500 highlights a solid Android tablet featuring a durable, brushed-aluminum chassis, setting it apart from plastic rivals. Key advantages include versatile connectivity with a full-sized USB port and a functional microSD card slot, alongside solid performance from the 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor. The 10.1-inch display and Dolby Mobile audio enhance the media experience, though the screen can appear less vibrant than competitors. Conversely, the A500 is noted for being heavy and bulky, affecting portability compared to rivals. The review points out minor software inconsistencies and occasional touchscreen responsiveness issues, along with a scarcity of tablet-optimized apps for the Honeycomb platform. Furthermore, the tablet suffers from underwhelming battery life, failing to meet the standards set by competitors like the iPad 2.

The Laptop Mag review highlights the Acer Iconia Tab A500 as a sturdy, budget-friendly 10.1-inch Android tablet featuring a premium brushed-aluminum design and a high-performance NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. A major pro noted is the inclusion of a full-size USB port for expanded peripheral connectivity, alongside excellent audio quality and a crisp 1280 x 800 display. However, the tablet is criticized for being heavy at 1.7 pounds and having mediocre camera performance with awkward front-camera placement, hindering its ergonomics compared to competitors. The review also cites a limited selection of tablet-optimized apps in the Android Market as a significant drawback at the time. Priced at $449 for the 16GB model, the A500 is deemed a compelling, versatile alternative to more expensive tablets like the Motorola Xoom, despite falling short of the iPad 2 in app selection. It is recommended for users prioritizing connectivity and build quality over weight and app quantity.

The Acer Iconia Tab A500, a 2011 Android Honeycomb tablet, offered a competitive $449 price point with a 10.1-inch display and Nvidia Tegra 2 processor. Key pros include a full-size USB host port for peripherals, micro-HDMI output, microSD expansion, and strong gaming performance, alongside respectable performance from its stock Android build. However, the device is heavy at 1.69 pounds, has a highly reflective screen, inconsistent 1080p video playback, and average battery life around 6 hours. For more details, visit CNET. CNET

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is a sturdy, 10.1-inch Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet highlighted by its exceptional connectivity, including a full-sized USB port and micro-HDMI, along with a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor for solid performance. The device boasts a brushed-metal design and enhanced audio through Dolby Mobile, though it is notably heavy at 750g and features a highly reflective, glossy screen that struggles in bright, outdoor conditions. While the user experience is mostly clean, pre-installed, non-removable bloatware and average battery life (6-8 hours) are drawbacks, making it a functional, business-oriented option that relies heavily on its connectivity rather than a refined, lightweight design.

The SmallNetBuilder review positions the 10.1-inch Android Honeycomb Acer Iconia Tab A500 as a competitive tablet, praising its solid build, wide viewing angles, and superior Dolby Mobile audio, despite a slightly "fuzzier" screen compared to IPS panels. Key advantages include extensive connectivity through a full-sized USB host port, micro USB port, and micro HDMI output, though a significant drawback is the reliance on a proprietary 12V charger rather than USB charging. While the tablet offers expandable storage via a microSD slot, it lacks a pre-installed file manager, and its hefty, heavy design makes it hard to hold, with battery life trailing at 6 to 7 hours and experiencing excessive drain from waking up unexpectedly.

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is a $449, 10.1-inch Android tablet featuring a high-resolution, 1280x800 display and a durable aluminum build, positioned as a budget alternative to the iPad 2. Key pros include a fast dual-core processor, full-sized USB port for peripherals, and useful micro-HDMI output, though it is notably heavy at 1.69 pounds, with a dim screen and poor camera quality. Running Android Honeycomb 3.0, the device offers excellent multitasking but suffers from a lack of tablet-optimized apps and underperforming battery life, leading to a mixed, budget-focused recommendation. Techlicious

The Acer ICONIA TAB A500 is a 10.1-inch Android 3.0 tablet with a brushed aluminum design, powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor to offer a budget-friendly alternative to the iPad 2. Key strengths include extensive connectivity with a full-size USB 2.0 port, micro-HDMI, and microSD storage, alongside a bright, high-contrast display suitable for media consumption. However, the tablet suffers from heavy weight, poor camera performance, and subpar battery life, making it less portable than competitors. For more details, visit PhoneArena.

The PCMag UK review identifies the Acer Iconia Tab A500 as a competitively priced, media-focused alternative to the iPad 2, featuring a 10.1-inch, 1280x800 display and a fast NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. It stands out for its extensive connectivity, offering both a full-size USB port and a micro HDMI port. The device provides a solid, well-built feel with its brushed aluminum rear panel. Performance-wise, the A500 matches top-tier tablets in application launching and web browsing speed, complemented by a light implementation of the Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS. Its 16:10 aspect ratio makes it an excellent choice for watching videos. The inclusion of specialized multimedia folders enhances the user experience for media consumption. However, the tablet is noted to be quite heavy at 1.7 lbs, making it bulkier than competitors. Critics point to a limited app ecosystem for Honeycomb and an awkward angle for the front-facing camera. Additionally, the 16:10 screen format feels too narrow for comfortable web browsing when held in portrait orientation.

The 2011 The Verge review of the $450 Acer Iconia Tab A500 highlights a surprisingly solid, metal-finished 10.1-inch Android 3.0 device that offered strong connectivity, including a full-sized USB 2.0 port. Pros include a bright display, impressive stereo speakers, and a functional port selection that enhanced its media capabilities. However, the tablet is burdened by significant cons, including a heavy, thick design, poor camera performance, subpar battery life, and the limitations of the immature Honeycomb app ecosystem. The Verge

The NZ Herald review of the 2011 Acer Iconia Tab A500 highlights a stylish, robustly built device with a 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and a 10.1-inch display, offering excellent performance for gaming and media, though it is slightly heavier than competitors. Key advantages include its extensive connectivity—featuring a full-size USB port and Micro-SD slot—and impressive Dolby Mobile audio, although the speaker placement can lead to muffled sound. Powered by Android 3.0 Honeycomb, the tablet provides a responsive experience with "sharp pricing," offering good value despite limited tablet-specific apps and a battery life of just under eight hours. Copy

The April 2011 review of the Acer Iconia Tab A500 highlights a robust Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet featuring a premium brushed aluminum design and extensive connectivity options, including a full-sized USB 2.0 port. Powered by a 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, the 10.1-inch device delivers strong performance for media and gaming, bolstered by decent Dolby-enhanced speakers. However, the tablet's significant weight and thickness make it less portable, and the highly reflective screen hinders outdoor usability, while battery life remains only average. Copy