Help Advise about the A500

[nosferatu_12]

Hi there, Im thinking of getting an a500 but I have a couple of questions that I hope you guys help me with.

-Can you plug in an externeal HDD and copy/paste files between the HDD and the tab without having to root the device?

-How is the video playback? I have seen some reviews on youtube and it seems to have some problems to play HD video specially 1080p

-Between the a500 and the Toshiba Thrive wich one do you consider to be the best one?

Thanks in advance

 

[Charlesleonard]

I've had mine for about 6 months and am quite happy with it. As far as using a hard drive through the usb port, no problems so long as the drive is fat32. I have a 60 gb that won't work but my 320 gb works fine.

 

[nosferatu_12]

Thanks for the reply and how about HD video playback have you tried that?

 

[MahaloCat]

Thanks for the reply and how about HD video playback have you tried that?

No Problem on HD Video playback.
Use FX Player rather then Stock and use the SW fast Setting for BEST Picture quality and SMOOTHNESS.

I love my A500 and it has Fantastic Dev Support. Also ICS is coming soon.
Not sure if the thrive is getting it.

 

[Charlesleonard]

No Problem on HD Video playback.
Use FX Player rather then Stock and use the SW fast Setting for BEST Picture quality and SMOOTHNESS.

I love my A500 and it has Fantastic Dev Support. Also ICS is coming soon.
Not sure if the thrive is getting it.

I second that. But remember if you're streaming video, then your wifi connection plays a big role.

 

[AndroidMax]

The only negative I have at all about my Acer is the fact that they designed it to charge on an idiotic proprietary 12 volt plug, and have released absolutely no mobile charging support at all for it! It won't charge via USB like the rest of the world. A huge missed opportunity on the part of Acer....

 

[kenji57]

The only negative I have at all about my Acer is the fact that they designed it to charge on an idiotic proprietary 12 volt plug, and have released absolutely no mobile charging support at all for it! It won't charge via USB like the rest of the world. A huge missed opportunity on the part of Acer....

Actually charge through usb only really works for phones.

Tablets have a bigger battery to run the larger screen and usb just doesn't deliver enough power.

Even if a tablet will accept power through usb, it has to be turned off to charge otherwise the drain is greater than the power in.
It's not just Acer - check Thrive, Transformer, Ipad

 

[AndroidMax]

Actually charge through usb only really works for phones.

Tablets have a bigger battery to run the larger screen and usb just doesn't deliver enough power.

Even if a tablet will accept power through usb, it has to be turned off to charge otherwise the drain is greater than the power in.
It's not just Acer - check Thrive, Transformer, Ipad

My other tabs, the Vizio, zoom family and galaxy are all USB charge. Although computer USB only supplies 500 mA, a USB charger can supply an current it needs. The vizio is 5v 2.5 amps. The I pad uses 5v, 2.2 amps...

 

[Mikael A]

Thanks for your great answers.

 

[kenji57]

My other tabs, the Vizio, zoom family and galaxy are all USB charge. Although computer USB only supplies 500 mA, a USB charger can supply an current it needs. The vizio is 5v 2.5 amps. The I pad uses 5v, 2.2 amps...

Yes, but using the usb port for charging when standard usb doesn't supply enough juice is a problem when you want to connect to your PC for data transfers or tethering but your battery is low on charge.
People on the Xoom forum were complaining about that exact problem and I think Acer got it right on this one.

I tend to think of "charge through usb" as meaning that I can plug into the usb port on my PC to recharge, like I often do with my phone, so I don't have to carry the AC charger around.
Using a special AC charger which happens to plug into the usb port isn't really the same thing.

Plus 12v delivers more power for faster charging. 12v@1.5A = 18W , 5v@2.2A =11W

Just wondering what would happen if you accidentally plugged the 2.5A charger into your HTC Evo. The more I think about it the more I think Acer got it right using a proprietary 12v connector. I think other manufacturers are just trying to save a few cents and little bit of weight and space by doubling up the usb port for charging.

 

[nosferatu_12]

Thank you all for your help I think I will be picking up the Iconia a500 in early January unless I find a good deal before that.

 

[AndroidMax]

Yes, but using the usb port for charging when standard usb doesn't supply enough juice is a problem when you want to connect to your PC for data transfers or tethering but your battery is low on charge.
People on the Xoom forum were complaining about that exact problem and I think Acer got it right on this one.

I tend to think of "charge through usb" as meaning that I can plug into the usb port on my PC to recharge, like I often do with my phone, so I don't have to carry the AC charger around.
Using a special AC charger which happens to plug into the usb port isn't really the same thing.

Plus 12v delivers more power for faster charging. 12v@1.5A = 18W , 5v@2.2A =11W

Just wondering what would happen if you accidentally plugged the 2.5A charger into your HTC Evo. The more I think about it the more I think Acer got it right using a proprietary 12v connector. I think other manufacturers are just trying to save a few cents and little bit of weight and space by doubling up the usb port for charging.

USB uses four pins. Two are power and two are data. The Acer power pins on the USB jack are not connected, so no damage.

 

[2manyPHONES]

Thank you all for your help I think I will be picking up the Iconia a500 in early January unless I find a good deal before that.

Amazon has the 32gb for $345 free shipping (no tax to some states). Not bad considering the 16gb is $360+tax @ bestbuy

 

[nosferatu_12]

Yeah actually just after I posted my previous message I went to amazon and found that deal and purchase the tablet, thanks for the advise anyways.
The only problem is that since I live in Costa Rica its going to take a while for me to get it xD

 

[kenji57]

USB uses four pins. Two are power and two are data. The Acer power pins on the USB jack are not connected, so no damage.

Actually I was asking what would happen if you plugged the 2.5A vizio tablet charger into your phone.

It's not a good idea to use the same type of connector with non standard power ratings.
The USB standard is 5.0v 0.5A max and there is probably nothing stopping a manufacturer making a charger that puts 16v through a USB type connector, except it's a really bad idea

 

[AndroidMax]

Actually I was asking what would happen if you plugged the 2.5A vizio tablet charger into your phone.

It's not a good idea to use the same type of connector with non standard power ratings.
The USB standard is 5.0v 0.5A max and there is probably nothing stopping a manufacturer making a charger that puts 16v through a USB type connector, except it's a really bad idea

Ah. Got ya. I plugged it into my evo this morning and it charged as normal. A correctly designed charging circuit will only take what it needs, no matter how high the source current. Voltage however, can be a different story. USB is a 5 volt standard. If the data pins are shorted together, the device is supposed to know its acting as a charger, and do the proper thing. (I'm a design engineer, working for a ce company). I do have examples of poorly designed USB chargers from a few years back that don't meet the standards, and are 12v using a mini USB, but the Chinese also make milk out of plastic, so go figure...

 

[dasudevil]

I think the only real issue with the tablet is the power cord is SHORT. Needs at least another foot or two. Other then that I would not get rid of this thing even if i won a better one. Well i did win one and it looks nicer but i cant seem to pass up quality and support from acer.

Welcome to the crew

 

[kenji57]

I think the only real issue with the tablet is the power cord is SHORT. Needs at least another foot or two.

Yep, I'm with you on that. And as EvoMax pointed out in an earlier post, there's no mobile charger from Acer.
Something to plug into the car's cigarette lighter socket would be good. You could probably find / make one that would work, but Acer should make one available.

 

[kenji57]

Ah. Got ya. I plugged it into my evo this morning and it charged as normal. A correctly designed charging circuit will only take what it needs, no matter how high the source current. Voltage however, can be a different story. USB is a 5 volt standard. If the data pins are shorted together, the device is supposed to know its acting as a charger, and do the proper thing. (I'm a design engineer, working for a ce company). I do have examples of poorly designed USB chargers from a few years back that don't meet the standards, and are 12v using a mini USB, but the Chinese also make milk out of plastic, so go figure...

You are absolutely right - a correctly designed circuit should cope. We've got a bunch of chargers that range from 0.4 to 0.7 amp and we swap them around no problem. But we also have an ipad2 (sorry folks, it's my son's) which puts out 2.2A. I'd be wary of plugging that into a phone and overheating the battery if the circuit is not correctly designed (not confident about the Huawei ideos) But fortunately it's white so it's not going to happen by accident

 

[DuckHunter]

I'll just go ahead and chime in that I have had my a-500 for 4-5 months and am loving it. Some really great apps and I find myself putting my phone down in favor of the tablet more often now.

I've also started reading more. Thanks to the Kindle app. I like some of the features it has over the other reading apps.

 

[sydb]

[deleting as probably rubbish, i've been awake too long.]

 

[kristalsoldier]

I've now had the tab for around 5 months now. It has worked well for me. I seem to be spending less time at my desk. But tbh, its main use has been consumption...till now. I recently d/led an office suite and hope it helps me to create docs etc. I tether the tab to my phone for a 3G connection, which gives me net access. The battery seems to last about 8 to 10 hrs with medium usage. As others have noted that chord is short! Wonder what Acer was thinking when they came up with that.

I should also mention that I have received OTA updates for HC, which is currently at 3.2.1. There are strong rumours about ICS being pushed out. I hope it is.

So, all in all, I think the A500 is a very good - if a bit under appreciated - piece of hardware.

 

[blacbird]

I found a charger at walmart that uses the cigarette lighter.Works great for me.Cost 15.88
Her is there homepage but i bought it in electronics at walmart

2000 ma Universal Car Cord Adapter


Third smallest pin from the right fit my iconia and it must be set at positive and 12 volts.

 

[blacbird]

The only negative I have at all about my Acer is the fact that they designed it to charge on an idiotic proprietary 12 volt plug, and have released absolutely no mobile charging support at all for it! It won't charge via USB like the rest of the world. A huge missed opportunity on the part of Acer....

I found a charger at walmart that uses the cigarette lighter.Works great for me.Cost 15.88
Her is there homepage but i bought it in electronics at walmart

2000 ma Universal Car Cord Adapter


Third smallest pin from the right fit my iconia and it must be set at positive and 12 volts.

 

[tankdriver]

Acer has just released a new one with a 6ft cord on it for 15.06. AC power pack.

Acer Store: 18W Adapter kit with AC Clip/Plug