Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab (A500)

1 of 68
  • 6282463.jpg

    The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is one of several 10-inch Android tablets priced below the Apple iPad. It has a stylish exterior, dual-core processor, and comes in 16GB and 32GB versions. Follow along as I crack open the Iconia Tab A500 for a look at the hardware inside.

    For more analysis of the Iconia Tab's hardware, check out my post, "Acer Iconia Tab teardown: Easy-to-service, 3G-ready".

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282464.jpg

    As of this writing, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 is available in 16GB ($449.99) and 32GB ($499.99) versions.

    The current versions only support Wi-Fi connectivity, but there is speculation that Acer will release a 3G version on AT&T (the A501) in mid-2011.

    As with the Asus Eee Pad Transformer, there's already a spot on the A500's motherboard for a 3G card.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282465.jpg

    The Acer Iconia Tab A500 has a dual-core NVidia Tegra 2 1GHz processor, 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, a 10.1-inch touchscreen display (1280x800), a 2 MP front camera and 5 MP rear camera. The Iconia Tab comes with Android 3 Honeycomb installed.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282466.jpg

    Along with the Acer Iconia Tab device, the box contains a USB cable, power adapter, and product documentation.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282467.jpg

    The Acer Iconia Tab A500 weighs 1.69 lbs. and measures 10.24" (W) x 7.0" (H) x 0.52" (D). It weighs slightly less than the Motorola XOOM, but more than the Acer Eee Pad Transformer, Apple iPad 2, and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282468.jpg

    Along the bottom edge of the Acer Iconia Tab A500 is the device's docking port.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282469.jpg

    The Acer Iconia Tab's volume button, screen rotation lock switch, and microSD card slot are located along the top edge.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282470.jpg

    Along the Acer Iconia Tab's right side are the DC-in jack, Micro USB, USB port, and reset button.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282471.jpg

    The Micro HDMI power, headphone jack, and power button are located along the Acer Iconia Tab's left side.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282472.jpg

    On the back of the Acer Iconia Tab, you'll find the the 5MP camera and LED flash.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282473.jpg

    The small cover along the Acer Iconia Tab's top edge hides the microSD card slot and second slot that's cover with a thin piece of gray plastic. This second slot will likely be used for the upcoming 3G version's SIM card.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282474.jpg

    The Acer Iconia Tab has no external case screws. Luckily, the back cover is very easy to remove. Using a thin metal blade, I started near the docking port and popped loose the cover's plastic catches.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282475.jpg

    Once the Acer Iconia Tab's cover was loose, I switched to a plastic spudger to avoid damaging the case. Working my way around the case, I popped loose all the plastic tabs in a few minutes.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282476.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282477.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282478.jpg

    When the Acer Iconia Tab A500 was released, only Wi-Fi versions were available. Acer has indicated that it will launch a 3G or 4G version of the Iconia Tab (A501) in mid 2011. There's already a spot for the 3G or 4G card inside the A500.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282479.jpg

    Upon removing the Acer Iconia Tab's back cover, I noticed the left speaker was damaged. I did not cause the damage when removing the back cover, so it must have come from the factory this way. I'm not sure how, or if the damage will affect the speaker's sound quality.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282480.jpg

    The Acer Iconia Tab's 3260 mAh, 24Wh Li-Polymer battery (BAT100) is held in place with standard Phillips screws.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282481.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282482.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282483.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282484.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282485.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282486.jpg

    Before removing the Acer Iconia Tab's motherboard, I detached all the cables connecting it to other parts of the tablet.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282487.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282488.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282489.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282490.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282491.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282492.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282493.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282494.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282495.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282496.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282497.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282498.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282499.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282500.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282501.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282502.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282503.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282504.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282505.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282506.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282507.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282508.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282509.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282510.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282511.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282512.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282513.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282514.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282515.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282516.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282517.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282518.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282519.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282520.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282521.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282522.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282523.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282524.jpg

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282525.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282526.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282527.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282528.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282529.jpg

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 6282530.jpg

    The Acer Iconia Tab was straightforward to open and disassemble. Provided you can get replacements parts, the average tech or tinkerer should have little trouble servicing this tablet.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

1 of 68

Bill Detwiler cracks open the Acer Iconia Tab. Inside this Android tablet, he found hardware from NVidia, Elpida, SanDisk, and Broadcom.

Read More Read Less

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is one of several 10-inch Android tablets priced below the Apple iPad. It has a stylish exterior, dual-core processor, and comes in 16GB and 32GB versions. Follow along as I crack open the Iconia Tab A500 for a look at the hardware inside.

For more analysis of the Iconia Tab's hardware, check out my post, "Acer Iconia Tab teardown: Easy-to-service, 3G-ready".

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

1 of 68

Related Topics:

Hardware Laptops PCs Servers Storage Networking
Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

    • 1 of 3

  • 2018 Gift Guide: Weird but really useful gadgets

    This is a listing of some of the weird, odd gadgets that I've picked up over the years -- but I have found them to be super useful and use them pretty much daily. They have practically become ...

  • What's in an IT pro's toolbox?

    Gone are the days of being able to make do with a screwdriver, a pair of pliers, and some sticky tape. If you're in the business of repairing PCs, smartphones, or tablets, then you need ...

  • Pictures: Inside Lenovo's new Beijing campus

    Lenovo showed journalists around its recently opened campus in Beijing, which aims to create a 'Silicon Valley environment' for its 10,000-plus employees. ...

  • 9 devices with e-ink displays

    The monochrome, sunlight-readable displays remain largely synonymous with e-readers, but they're moving into other devices large and small.