Acer adds 7" Iconia Tab A100 to tablet lineup, $330
Summary: Acer joins the 7-inch tablet party with the launch of the Iconia Tab A100 today, but will consumers be buying?
In the same week that we find out HP's 7-inch tablet TouchPad Go is almost launch-ready, Acer announces its own 7-inch Iconia Tab A100, which is available exclusively from Walmart starting today.
Besides sharing the same display size as the likes of RIM PlayBook and HTC Flyer, the A100 is subtly different from its competitors. For one thing, it's the first North American slate to run Android Honeycomb 3.2, which is geared for 7-inch screens, so it should provide a better user experience than the smartphone OS (Android 2.4 Gingerbread ) that shipped with the HTC Flyer.
Touted as a mobile entertainment device, the mini Iconia Tab comes pre-loaded with Adobe Flash 10.3, Acer LumiRead, Google Books eReading apps, as well as Acer's media sharing platform clear.fi that links up all DLNA-compliant devices so users can access their files wirelessly.
Other technical specs of the A100 include:
- Display: 7-inch TFT WSVGA, 1024x600 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio with 75-degree wide viewing angle
- CPU: NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core
- GPU: Ultra Low Power GeForce
- RAM: 1 GB
- Cameras: 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with flash and can record HD 720p videos in camcorder mode; 2-megapixel front camera
- Ports/Connectors: 1 HDMI port, 1 microUSB port, and a Micro-SD card reader
- Connectivity: Acer InviLink Nplify 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, Bluetooth
- Battery: 1530 mAh Li-polymer battery for up to five hours
- Dimensions: 0.5-inch thick
- Weight: 0.92 pounds
The A100 is priced very competitively, starting at just $330 for the 8 GB, Wi-Fi only model. Because the slate has a built-in a Micro-SD card slot, it can get away with providing less internal storage space to keep its price tag relatively low. (The 16 GB, Wi-Fi-only PlayBook, by contrast, is retailing for $499 at Best Buy -- I'm pretty sure an 8 GB Micro-SD card does not cost $170.) For those looking for more on-board storage capacity, the 16 GB A100 will set you back $350.
While I can understand the appeal of the 7-inch form factor from tech companies' point of view: many already have a 10-inch tablet in their lineup, so shrinking the design by a couple of inches allows them to offer a similar product at a more budget-friendly price point. But are consumers interested in tablets at this size? Wouldn't 7-inch slates be competing with e-readers like the Nook Color?
What do you think? Is a 7-inch tablet with a lower price tag like the A100 more enticing than a larger 10-inch slate that costs a bit more money?
[Source: Engadget, ThisIsMyNext, Acer press release, Acer Clear.fi]
Related:
- Acer Iconia Tab A100 Tablet (Photos)
- PCWorld: Are Seven-Inch Tablets the New Sweet Spot for Tablet Buyers?
- Acer founder: Tablets, Ultrabooks are passing fads Acer's tablet: dawdle on software and die
- Dual-boot your Nook Color with Android using a micro-SD card, $35
- CNET Asia's Crave Blog: Acer Iconia A100: A fast tablet without 3G
- CNET Reivew: Acer Iconia Tab A100
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Talkback
RE: Acer adds 7
RE: Acer adds 7
Agree - or price it at $299 to grab attention :O
RE: Acer adds 7
Why are people so fixated on size? Is bigger automatically better? Last I checked bigger was just that. Bigger. And better is better. The fact that the 7" model is cheaper at all vs. the 10" is just a bonus. The price of the former model should in no way be predicated on the price of the latter.
RE: Acer adds 7
RE: Acer adds 7
The 7" format is much more convenient to use. Yes, the bigger screen on the 10" is nice but you can't put them in your pocket and you can't hold them for hours without getting a strain. You can do all that with the 7".
However, the 5 hour battery life on this particular model would be the deal breaker for me. I like 7" but I still want plenty of battery life.
RE: Acer adds 7
I've had an Archos 70 with 250GB internal hard drive since January and it's great. I got a 10.1" Toshiba Thrive just to use in developing apps, but for my use away from home, I take the A70. When standing around or walking, it fits in my back pocket if I'm just listening to music or it is easy to hold to read or watch a movie. And how many tablets have 250GB internal hard drives?
RE: Acer adds 7
I have the 8GB. The 250GB wasn't out yet when I bought mine. But 8GB is fine for my needs. I mainly use it for e-mail, internet browsing and book reading. I do other things with it but those are the main things I use it for. And I carry it around in my back pocket a lot! :)
RE: Acer adds 7
A stated 5 hour battery life means about 3-4 hours or so in real world usage -- worthless.
It is really a shame... it looks like a great 7 inch tablet otherwise.
RE: Acer adds 7
Absolutely agreed. And 7" is no excuse as the Galaxy tab and HTC Flyer get much better life in this form factor.
Errrr
RE: Acer adds 7
RE: Acer adds 7
RE: Acer adds 7
RE: Acer adds 7
However I *do* find the smaller format far more practical in everyday use than the larger screened devices. Yes I read ebooks on my machine but I also surf happily enough and play games when the mood takes me, *but* I find that the 7" format really comes into its own when I want to type emails etc. whilst mobile! Holding the device on portrait mode I can very easily type with my thumbs and so my machine thus becomes a far more productive device than the 10" iPad is for my friends who have to either type with one hand or place it a very ergonomically unsuitable angle.
Personally, the price isn;t as important as the functionality. If a 10" and 7" device cost the same amount but deliver similar features I'd be more than happy to purchase the smaller format machine, simply because for me at least it would better fit the use I have for it.