Ipad 2 vs Acer Iconia

[MichelleB]

Posted this on the community board but didn't get any responses....figured I'd try here:

I am looking into a tablet for my husband for father's day -- the budget is an issue so not open ended funds. I went and looked at both these models at Best Buy last night. I am so torn. I then went and signed up for consumer reports and they say the acer is the better value. I can get a 32GB Acer for $489 but the Ipad would be $599. The Acer has a USB port which makes that appealing plus it's android. Yet the Ipad is lighter and the battery lasts up to 2 hours longer. Ipad doesn't use flash but the Acer will. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone have the Acer and can tell me if you're happy with it?

 

[crazelion]

Do the Acer have Google Honeycomb. If so I would get. On the tech boards Asus Transformer is getting all the love.

 

[MichelleB]

The Acer does have the honeycomb. From someone who's technologically challenged, what exactly does this mean as far as differences in the 2?

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

I wouldn't get either one. The Viewsonic Gtablet is going for $280 on W00t today, and with an added 16g micro SD does whatever an Ipad can do.

 

[crazelion]

I wouldn't get either one. The Viewsonic Gtablet is going for $280 on W00t today, and with an added 16g micro SD does whatever an Ipad can do.

I have bad things about the View Sonic G tablet viewing angles is really bad on them.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

It would depend - do you use other Apple products? I would think if you have ITunes set up with your movies and music it would be easier to stay with Apple. I have an Ipad and I love it - except the fact it doesn't run flash. It doesn't affect me too badly though because I have a laptop I do most things on - my IPad is for reading, games, showing photos, email, facebook and other things when we travel.

Another factor for me is that Apple has wonderful customer service.

 

[NotUrsula]

There was a big comparison review in the Wall St. Journal last week. They liked the Acer a lot but said that it did have some flaws.

If you don't subscribe on your own to WSJ, you can probably get to the article by going through your public library's website using your borrower account credentials. The link to the article is: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304066504576343202672233760.html?KEYWORDS=iconia

 

[SuzanneSLO]

There was a big comparison review in the Wall St. Journal last week. They liked the Acer a lot but said that it did have some flaws.

If you don't subscribe on your own to WSJ, you can probably get to the article by going through your public library's website using your borrower account credentials. The link to the article is: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304066504576343202672233760.html?KEYWORDS=iconia

The article is also available for non-subscribers at the allthingsd website under the Personal Technology column. http://allthingsd.com/20110525/acer-iconia-tab-a500-tablet-review/

-- Suzanne

 

[Swimalie]

It would depend - do you use other Apple products? I would think if you have ITunes set up with your movies and music it would be easier to stay with Apple. I have an Ipad and I love it - except the fact it doesn't run flash. It doesn't affect me too badly though because I have a laptop I do most things on - my IPad is for reading, games, showing photos, email, facebook and other things when we travel.

Another factor for me is that Apple has wonderful customer service.

I agree. I got my husband an iPad 2 for his birthday in May. He loves it! Of course we are Apple people with 4 Mac desk tops, 1 Mac laptop, 2 iPods, etc. Apple products last forever. One of our desktops is from 1985 and still works!

 

[MichelleB]

Thanks to all of you for the info! I read the article....now to decide. Thanks!

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

It would depend - do you use other Apple products? I would think if you have ITunes set up with your movies and music it would be easier to stay with Apple. I have an Ipad and I love it - except the fact it doesn't run flash. It doesn't affect me too badly though because I have a laptop I do most things on - my IPad is for reading, games, showing photos, email, facebook and other things when we travel.

Another factor for me is that Apple has wonderful customer service.

You can get the cloud browse app which will allow you to run flash! I just got my iPad yesterday. The kids played Webkinz (needs flash) this morning

 

[BSil]

I'd also keep in mind the upcoming release of iOS5 (in the fall). That is going to really make some great improvements to the ipad/iphone/ipod overall. I got my kids ipads for Christmas, and it was one of the best things we have ever bought them.

I can say that having access to the whole itunes library from the ipad is pretty darn neat. My kids can be anywhere in wireless range, and stream shows/songs from the itunes hard drive. It will be even more amazing when they can mirror their ipad display wirelessly through an apple tv on the tv when the new OS is released. And the wireless syncing that is coming with that new OS will make it so you really never need to plug it in again (except to charge it).

 

[Best Aunt]

Got an ipad 2 this morning. It is very user-friendly, if that's important to you. You can have it up and running in minutes.

Also, they are getting hard to find. I checked the apple website, and they said 1-2 weeks. Stores here are running out of them. I think they are having a problem getting parts. So if you decide you want one and you see it, get it while you can. You're probably not the only one who thinks this is a good idea for Father's Day.

 

[englishteacha]

I am coveting an iPad. I can't justify the money for one, but I'm a Mac person through and through. I've pondered getting a netbook of some kind, but I love my Mac so much I don't think I'd be happy with something else. I teach in Maine, and all my students have MacBooks, I have a school MacBook to use, and I have always had a Mac for personal use until recently. (My old Mac was ancient in computer years-2001- and I got a hand-me-down Dell which I sort of hate. I can never make the Dell do what I want it to!) So, I'd say to get the iPad. I don't think you'd be disappointed.

 

[Swimalie]

Got an ipad 2 this morning. It is very user-friendly, if that's important to you. You can have it up and running in minutes.

Also, they are getting hard to find. I checked the apple website, and they said 1-2 weeks. Stores here are running out of them. I think they are having a problem getting parts. So if you decide you want one and you see it, get it while you can. You're probably not the only one who thinks this is a good idea for Father's Day.

Actually, 1 to 2 weeks is pretty good. When I ordered the one for my husband in March the wait time was 3 to 4 weeks. It took 4 weeks to the day to arrive.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

They had iPad2s at my local Target this past weekend - first time I have seen them in stock. They are getting easier to find locally.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

They had iPad2s at my local Target this past weekend - first time I have seen them in stock. They are getting easier to find locally.

I also found mine at Target this week...they had a bunch. I was shocked to see them, so I went ahead and bought mine (a few weeks earlier than I had planned). I'm having tons of fun with it!