Acer has been present on the tablet computer market for more than a year, and has already managed to be remembered by the buyer for several bright models from its products. Even now Iconia devices are on sale, although the launch of this line began back in 2011. Then one of the first tablets came out - Acer A500. It was notable for its novelty (due to the work on the Android 3.0 operating system), not quite an ordinary design (the developers, unlike many others, did not copy the appearance of the successful Apple iPad) and affordability - the device cost only fourteen thousand rubles. Read more about what the user received for this money in this article.
Device Concept
If you take the tablet in hand, it seems that its creators profess strict minimalism - there really is nothing superfluous in the device. Even such a common and convenient navigation mechanism on the device as physical keys on the front side was decided to be removed - all functions are performed using virtually designated buttons. How comfortable it is - must be judgeddirect buyers of the tablet. However, the question of how to turn on the tablet does not bother the user with the device - there is a key with the corresponding marking, which we will discuss later.
Returning to the design, we should note the metal case (which can only be seen on more expensive devices), as well as a colorful screen with a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels. However, let's not get ahead of ourselves and start a step-by-step description of the Acer A500 device.
Package
We are used to the fact that the packaging of devices from this manufacturer, as a rule, is somewhat modest, simple and concise. If we are talking about the Acer Iconia tablet, we see a different picture - the box is beautifully made and looks expensive: the developers obviously expected to make it something like a gift box. It contains a tablet in all its glory with a stylistic signature (name), as well as icons of some of the most significant functions of the device.
If we open the box, we will find a power supply (which, by the way, has rather large dimensions due to high power), a cable for connecting to a PC, and a cloth for cleaning the screen.
Appearance
In addition to the simplicity in the design of the device, you can also notice some manufacturability, convenient placement of various elements on the side panels. The device is quite thin - without bending, but so much so that it is quite comfortable to hold it in your hands. On one of the sidebars (in landscape orientation) you can find a buttonpower on and headphone jack (standard, 3.5 mm). On the other there is a USB input, a microUSB connector, as well as a miniature button for resetting the settings (the so-called Reset). The bottom edge (in the same position) houses the port, apparently used to connect to the tablet's docking stations.
The metal frame that surrounds the display goes to the back of the tablet - here it covers the entire space. The developers have made this panel (which is in direct contact with the skin of the user's hands) with a special faceted texture, which is a real pleasure to touch. And dirt, scuffs and scratches on such a coating will not be visible. In the lid of the device you can see the slots for the speakers, and on the left side of the device there is a camera. The Acer Iconia tablet has a flash located here.
As a small summary, I would like to say that the model looks pretty nice, and the grayness of the metal and its arrangement with plastic give the device a technological look.
Screen
We will traditionally start with the display - the most noticeable element for any touch device. So, we have already noted its resolution, and I want to say that thanks to it, the displayed picture looks quite smooth and bright. The device cannot boast of color reproduction - it is not the most “juicy” here, as is popular on modern gadgets. However, for everyday work and performing ordinary functions, the screen of the Acer A500 tablet is quite suitable.
The display is covered with special glass, which, according toreviews, not so actively dirty with handprints. Also, the situation can be saved by a matte film, which is sold separately from the tablet.
In a vertical orientation, the proximity sensor eye and the front camera are located in the upper part.
Performance
When characterizing the data about the processor and platform of the device, it should be understood that we are talking about the 2011 model. Of course, by modern standards, the tablet can be considered outdated, while at that time these figures were perceived quite differently.
So, the Acer A500 is based on the Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset (two cores), which gives a performance of 1 GHz.
To put it simply, in practice, the work of the tablet with videos in Full HD and 1080p formats has a lot of problems. The first are not reproduced at all, the second are jerky and delayed. 720p video files may be acceptable, but the picture will be appropriate.
The Tegra 2 processor is capable of running cutting-edge games of the time. Of course, he cannot reproduce modern bulky toys. But some classic games (for example, the same Angry birds, which is mentioned in almost all reviews) will go with a bang.
Camera
As we have already noted, the tablet has two cameras. Traditionally, one of them is located on the front, the other - on the back of the device. Thus, with the help of the main one (with a resolution of five megapixels), you can take pictures and videos of what is happening around, andusing the front one (its matrix has a resolution of only 2 megapixels), the user can take a “selfie” or conduct a video conference in chats.
The quality of the image received on the Acer A500 is mediocre, you should not expect that it will perfectly convey the color balance. Perhaps, using such optics, it will only be possible to photograph text files for further reading from the device. And some more sophisticated methods of use, given its capabilities, are difficult to come up with.
Battery
Autonomy is usually a very important parameter for a mobile device. This is not surprising, because no one likes to sit with a gadget at the outlet or carry a portable battery with them. Since the Acer A500 tablet operates on the basis of the Android operating system (and even one of the earliest versions), you should not count on a high level of its autonomy.
The technical specifications state that the model can last up to six hours on a single charge. If you conduct tests that are simple in nature, you can determine the real life of the battery (which, by the way, is 3260 mAh). It is equal to 4-5 hours (depending on the nature of the actions performed on the tablet). If you need to stretch the duration of the gadget in conditions where there is no way to recharge, you can resort to the services of the “Airplane” mode. Well, or in extreme cases, carry a charger for Acer A500 with you and be ready to look for an outlet.
Memory
For tablets questionplacement of personal data, of course, is the most relevant. Especially for those that do not provide the ability to install a memory card.
There were two versions of the A500 model on sale - 16 and 32 GB of internal memory. Which tablet to choose, the user decides, based on their own needs and style of working with the device. However, even if you take less than you would like, you should not be upset - the computer supports memory cards, with which you could fit even more on the device. Thus, you can easily watch your favorite TV series on the road or download new “toys” without any difficulty.
Reviews
Since the model was introduced back in 2011, since then there have been a lot of reviews dedicated to it. This may indicate the popularity of the device, its demand among users.
Most of the reviews are positive. They describe the benefits that we identified during the review. People note that it is worth working with the tablet due to the presence of a USB port, two cameras, and low cost. Also, some focus on the attractive, according to their opinion, design of the device, its high-quality assembly.
Of course, there are some negative reviews in which people describe the shortcomings they have encountered. These include a too short charging cord; inconvenient button (responsible for how to turn on the tablet); a soiled screen on which fingerprints are too clearly visible; little autonomy. Some evenmentioned various malfunctions in the Acer A500: the Wi-Fi module does not turn on, the download of applications from the Android Market fails, and much more. You can solve such problems either by rebooting yourself, or by contacting a service center.
However, it should be understood that each of the above characteristics is only a personal opinion that does not claim to be objective. Perhaps some of the shortcomings will not seem so to you after you experience it yourself.
Cost
When the Acer A500 tablet (you already know the specifications) was on sale, it was offered for 12-14 thousand rubles. Considering that the device has a fairly strong equipment and supports a large number of functions, being, in fact, universal, we can say that it is inexpensive. That is why the reviews talked about such an indisputable advantage as the affordable price of the Acer A500 model.
Conclusions
So, it's time to draw some conclusions. It is impossible to unequivocally state anything about which tablet is good or bad. There are two opposite sides, choosing one of which is not so easy.
Model A500 is a fairly strong tablet computer that has a whole set of tools for a comfortable user experience. For this, buyers love the gadget. Also, the tablet has an attractive metal case, which plays not only an aesthetic, but also a practical (protective) role. Some elements (for example, the camera) cannot be called ideal - but their disadvantagesavailability should not be attributed.
At the same time, the device is clearly not the most powerful (even by those standards) bundle, and in terms of performance, the tablet, roughly speaking, has room to grow. Therefore, how justified the purchase of such a device would be, everyone decides for himself. As the reviews can tell, many people were satisfied.
