Is the Acer Iconia Tab A100 Worth It? Read Our Review

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Design and Display
3. Operating System and Performance
4. Camera and Audio Features
5. Battery Life and Storage Options
6. Comparison with Other Tablets
7. Software and Applications
8. Video and Multimedia Experience
9. Gaming Capabilities
10. Connectivity and Additional Features

The Acer Iconia Tab A100: A Budget-Friendly Android Tablet

The Acer Iconia Tab A100 is a seven-inch Android Honeycomb tablet that offers a budget-friendly option for those looking to purchase a tablet on a limited budget. With its sleek design and impressive performance, this tablet aims to provide a satisfactory user experience without breaking the bank.

Design and Display

With its long and narrow design, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 is perfect for watching widescreen movies. Its seven-inch display offers a resolution of 1024 by 768, which is comparable to other seven-inch tablets in the market. The tablet features a capacitive multi-touch display that is both vibrant and sharp. However, the viewing angles may not be as impressive, as the display tends to fade when tilted.

In terms of design, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 sports a unique geometric-Shaped Blue plastic back, which may not appeal to everyone. Nonetheless, the tablet feels sturdy and well-built. It features stereo speakers, a micro HDMI port, a micro USB port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a micro SD card slot for expandable storage. The presence of a reset hole adds convenience in case of any software issues.

Operating System and Performance

The Acer Iconia Tab A100 runs on the Android Honeycomb operating system, specifically version 3.2. This ensures compatibility with the latest tablet features of Android, making it an attractive choice for users who want to explore the full potential of their tablet. The inclusion of pixel doubling allows for seamless scaling of Android 2.0 applications meant for phones, providing a better user experience.

Powered by a 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU with hardware graphics acceleration and 1 GB of RAM, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 delivers smooth performance and Snappy multitasking capabilities. It can handle Tegra 2-optimized games and is capable of handling Adobe Flash with ease. Overall, this tablet offers excellent performance for its price range.

Camera and Audio Features

The Acer Iconia Tab A100 features a five-megapixel rear camera that can capture 720p videos and take impressive photos. The inclusion of an LED flash enhances low-light photography. On the front, there is a two-megapixel camera for video chatting using applications such as Google Talk. While the camera quality may not be exceptional, it is more than sufficient for basic photography needs.

Audio-wise, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 provides a satisfactory experience with its stereo speakers. The sound quality is decent, making it suitable for casual media consumption. However, for a truly immersive audio experience, it is recommended to use headphones or external speakers.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The Acer Iconia Tab A100 comes with a non-user-replaceable battery that provides around five hours of battery life, which is relatively shorter compared to larger tablets in the market. This tablet utilizes a 12-volt 1.5-amp barrel charger for charging, which may seem unconventional but gets the job done.

In terms of storage, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 offers two variants: 8 GB and 16 GB of internal storage. While both options are sufficient for basic storage needs, it is recommended to opt for the 16 GB variant for a more comfortable experience, especially considering the limited expansion options.

Comparison with Other Tablets

When compared to other tablets in its price range, such as the Vizio 8-inch tablet, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 stands out with its superior specifications. With a price point of $329 for the 8 GB variant and $349 for the 16 GB variant, it offers excellent value for money. It provides a more powerful CPU, better display resolution, and a newer version of the Android operating system.

Compared to larger tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 offers better portability without compromising on performance. It shares similar specifications to its larger counterparts, making it an excellent choice for users who prefer a more compact tablet experience.

Software and Applications

The Acer Iconia Tab A100 comes preloaded with a range of useful applications, including Google Books, Gmail, and the Android Market. While it does not include an office suite, users have the option to download and purchase office suites from the Android Market. Additionally, there are various social networking applications available, providing seamless integration with popular platforms.

Video and Multimedia Experience

With its high-resolution display and NVIDIA Tegra 2 graphics, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 offers a satisfying video and multimedia experience. It can play high-quality videos, including 720p and 1080p content, with smooth playback. The inclusion of an HDMI port allows users to connect the tablet to their TVs for an enhanced viewing experience.

Additionally, the tablet supports Adobe Flash, enabling access to a wide range of web content, including Flash videos and games. Streaming media options are also available, allowing users to rent and watch movies directly on the tablet.

Gaming Capabilities

The Acer Iconia Tab A100's NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU and hardware graphics acceleration make it a capable gaming device. It can run Tegra 2-optimized games smoothly, offering a visually impressive and immersive gaming experience. Users can access the Android Market to download and play a wide variety of games.

Connectivity and Additional Features

In terms of connectivity, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity with other devices. However, it does not include a 3G radio, meaning users will have to rely on Wi-Fi for internet access. In terms of additional features, the tablet includes a planner application, a media server function, and various Acer-specific applications to enhance the user experience.

Highlights

• Budget-friendly seven-inch Android Honeycomb tablet
• Sleek design with a long and narrow form factor
• Vibrant and sharp capacitive multi-touch display
• Powered by a 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU with 1 GB of RAM
• Five-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a two-megapixel front camera
• Approximately five hours of battery life
• Storage options of 8 GB and 16 GB with limited expandability
• Superior specifications compared to other tablets in its price range
• Preloaded with essential applications and access to the Android Market
• Excellent video and multimedia playback capabilities
• Capable of running Tegra 2-optimized games
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options

FAQ

Q: Is the Acer Iconia Tab A100 suitable for budget-conscious consumers? A: Yes, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 offers a budget-friendly option for those looking to purchase a tablet without spending a Fortune.

Q: Can I use the Acer Iconia Tab A100 for video chat? A: Absolutely! The tablet features a two-megapixel front camera, making it perfect for video chatting using applications like Google Talk.

Q: How long does the battery of the Acer Iconia Tab A100 last? A: The Acer Iconia Tab A100 provides approximately five hours of battery life, ensuring a decent usage time before needing a recharge.

Q: Can I expand the storage on the Acer Iconia Tab A100? A: While the internal storage options are limited to 8 GB and 16 GB, there is a micro SD card slot available for expandable storage.

Q: Does the Acer Iconia Tab A100 support Adobe Flash? A: Yes, the tablet supports Adobe Flash, allowing users to access Flash-Based content on the web.

Q: Can I use the Acer Iconia Tab A100 for gaming? A: Absolutely! The tablet's 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU and hardware graphics acceleration make it capable of running various games from the Android Market.