Only a few months have passed since the ipad (hereinafter referred to the last generation is implied; "Gambrine" No. 6/22, "number one") with an incredible resolution of 2048×1536 for a tablet, as competitors on Android appeared on sale. They almost reached the impressive Retina numbers, but the proposed 1920×1200 deserve to be told about them. So far, models with Full HD screens produce two companies-Acer and ASUS. On their example, we will figure out how much the OS from Google is adapted to the high requirements of the displays, what is happening with the applications, and, of course, we won’t do without direct comparison with the iPad. The text will be built a little unusual. First, we will run in appearance and technical filling, and then we will compare the screens and capabilities.
Acer Iconia Tab A701
The tablet looks original. A rounded rectangle, the entire front of the front is a display covered with a protective glass, silver plastic inserts on the sides, the back side is made of plastic with a “porous” soft-cover. Selects A701 thickness – 12.4 mm, 3 and 4 mm more than that of the iPad and ASUS Transformer Infinity, respectively. Emphasizes impressive dimensions the absence of wedge -shaped bevels. From a technical point of view, this is a drawback, but in life, on the contrary, the advantage: the edges are not so pressed on the palm of your hand.
Otherwise, everything is familiar. On the upper end there is a gyroscope blocking slider (turns off the automatic screen of the screen), the volume swing, the sides of which are marked with tactfully distinguishable points, and the microphone hole. On the right-Micro-HDMI and slots for the SIM card and Micro-SD. On the left-a 3.5 mm jack and the inclusion key equipped with a small LED signaling the arrival of messages and mail. From below-the drowned “Reset” button and unusual, slightly wider, micro-USB. Any cable is suitable for connecting and communicating with the computer, but for charging – only a corporate cord, rigidly connected with a fork for 220 in. This approach to replenishment of the battery is great, but we will not swear on Acer, competitors behave no better.
A pair of speakers on the lower face is blown up for the sound. Photos are taken either by the front camera on 2 megapixels, or the rear, by 5 megapixels. In bright lighting, the pictures are good, if the conditions are not very “noisy”.
Filling A701 – modern standard. The basis is the platform NVIDIA TEGRA 3 (cm. Slot "Different Troika"). In support, she costs 1 GB of RAM, which is not so much for Google OS. The volume of the set -out drive varies from 32 to 64 GB. It is not necessary to chase the latter, if desired, it is allowed to add a few dozen gigabytes using the SDHC card. Wi-Fi 802 is responsible for communication.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 and 3G. If a cell module is not needed (for example, you plan to distribute the Internet on Wi-Fi from the phone), then you can save a couple of thousand and take the A700 model.
Our hero works under the operating system Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. On the update to the current version 4.There are no information, but given that we have the only top representative of Acer, we think it will not be long in coming. From the software "additives" – a couple of widgets "Clock", "Weather" and Acer Ring Management menu. At the lower edge of the desktop is a green circle, opening a circular list of pre -set programs. There is also your videos/audiopler, file manager and the ability to turn Internet pages into QR codes.
Apple iPad
We talked about the iPad recently, so now we just recall the main points. He looks more interesting than a competitor. The back is made of metal and decorated with a black jacket logo. The front is the display, under which the “home” key is located, and above it is the eye of the camera. Unlike the vast majority of Android planes, Apple oriented her piece of iron for use in vertical, rather than landscape mode.
On top there is a button on and the headphone connector. Right – volume swing and sound disconnection lever. From below – the entrance for the corporate cable through which the battery is charged and the contact with the computer is installed. Flash drives are traditionally not supported. Hold the iPad with one hand is not as convenient as A701: sharply mowed edges are strongly pressed into the palm.
The iPad is based on a processor with two nuclei on architecture Cortex A9 , exactly the same was in iPad 2. But the updated chip with four computing blocks is responsible for the graphics – PowerVR SGX543MP4 speed 250 MHz. RAM is now not 512, but 1024 MB. How much such a solution is faster or slower than Nvidia Tegra 3 is not known. Apple uses their own system iOS , So it is impossible to compare performance with benchmarks.
IPad is potentially capable of working with LTE networks, but this is valid only in the United States. Russian Yota and Megafon distribute high -speed Internet at frequencies not supported by Apple. So the connection set here is the same as Acer: Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth and 3G.
Apple's rear camera is better. With comparable 5 megapixels, colors are more natural, and there is practically no digital noise. But the speaker is one, so no stereo.
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
Transformer Pad has already visited our editorial office, but then it was a version Prime ("Gambling" No. 4/22, "Optimus Prime"), with a conventional screen. Fresh Infinity is similar to its predecessor, but there are differences.
Outwardly, Transformer looks no worse than the iPad: a metal cover with circular grinding, the front panel is a display covered with a protective glass. Thickness – record 8.5 mm, weight – modest 598 grams. Keeping infinity is more convenient ipad. Although the faces are also brazen, but not to the “sharp wedge”, which is why they are not so strongly rested on the palm of your hand. Compared to the first model in Infinity, a plastic plug appeared on the back, behind which wireless modules are hidden. As in the iPad, it practically does not interfere with the passage of the signal.
The location of buttons and ports has changed. The power key and the indicator of the work are located on top (with horizontal placement), right there – volume swing. She did not receive identification signs, so to determine where the “plus” and where “minus” will have to experimentally. On the left side are the entrance for Micro-SD cards, a nest for headphones and micro-hdmi. Below-ASUS company connector for charging and connecting with a computer/docking station. The latter is the main pride of the entire Transformer series.
It is allowed to fasten a full-fledged keyboard with a touchpad, an additional battery, another slot for flash drives and a USB port to the tablet. She didn’t get to tests, but since nothing has changed since Prime, we can say that for the tablet it is an excellent addition, even though Android is not particularly adapted to communicate with such input devices.
Only one speaker is responsible for the sound. The main camera is 8 megapixels and in quality just above the iPad. The filling, as in the A701, is built on the basis of the quad -core NVIDIA TEGRA 3, but this time in version T33. Otherwise – all the same. RAM – 1 GB, built -in – 32 or 64 GB. But the 3G module in Infinity, like its predecessor, does not. Although in the future its appearance is not excluded.
A sample on Android 4 works.0.3, which boasts with proprietary widgets, file manager and players. Soon firmware 4 should appear.1.
Comparison of screens
Having familiarized himself with the appearance and capabilities, let's move on to the most interesting – direct comparison of competitors. Let's start with the screens.
Until recently, the standard was considered to be a resolution of 1280×800 in the case of displays with a diagonal of 10.1 inches and 1024×768 in relation to 9.7-inch matrices. With the release of the iPad everything has changed. Apple increased the number of points four times, raising their density to impressive 264 ppi. I must say, the result was stunning – it seemed that you were not a screen, but a good paper with a picture printed on it.
The new products of Acer and ASUS responded to Apple attack: A701 and Infinity resolution – 1920×1080, which is 224 ppi. We admit that in comparison with last year's models, beginners look gorgeous, but they are not unatted to the level of the iPad. The smaller number of pixels and the total design Android affects. While iOS seems to be licked to shine, the OS from Google looks a little sloppy, which is why the vow effect disappears. However, if we compare our heroes with representatives on ordinary matrices, then the differences are noticeable with the naked eye. Resolution is enough to hide all the irregularities of icons, letters and menus. Android itself copes with scaling and https://sister-site.org/richy-reels/ even in third -party programs adjusts fonts for the requirements of Full HD. But everything related to graphics, like on the iPad, looks scary without optimization. Games seem blurry, and the "squares" rod from all the cracks. The update process is on Android, but not as fast as on iOS.
In terms of working with documents, photos and sites, the general perception of all competitors is approximately the same. Despite the fact that the iPad matrix is a little better, it is difficult to notice the difference without a direct comparison. The iPad has better with the angles of the view and the clarity of the image, but the color rendering level is the same. But Infinity boasts an outrageous brightness of 600 threads, which is not available either Acer or Apple. Given that the tested samples do not have an anti -reflective coating – this is the only tablet with which it is realistic to work under the bright sun.
Application
A701 and Infinity-from the point of view of use-twin brothers. Both are built on approximately the same platforms and work under the control of the same OS. Honestly, we did not see the difference in the month of communication. Well, except that Acer has a company control ring to access the frequently used programs, 3G module and the ability to connect a USB-host that is understood both flash drives and joysticks. In the sleeve of Infinity-a docking station with a keyboard.
A701 management is a little better than a competitor. The touch buttons are faster, plus there is a slider for blocking a gyroscope. However, Acer did not have a cooling: the tablet is markedly warming during the game, and on the charge it can completely turn off the high temperature.
How much our heroes better than Apple iPad is a rhetorical question. iOS is radically different from Android, and a direct comparison will lead to an overflow overflow. We will single out only a few of the most important factors. iOS works smoother: Internet pages when scrolling do not lose clarity, and programs are launched faster. However, iOS is more closed and not so flexible in the settings. Change it and adjust it to yourself like Android is impossible.
Your difficulties and with file download. For example, films must be converted into a native format for Apple. If you use third -party players, you will have to observe the structure of the folders and load content into a strictly designated place for this. Android in this sense is more friendly and can cope with almost any encoding, while not straining you with the arrangement of files.
But the games are the same everywhere. Of course, there are exclusives for iPad, but more or less popular projects are available for both platforms. There are differences in the graph, but small and concern trifles such as work with light or particles.
Acer and ASUS have very interesting products – powerful, with a good shell and beautiful displays. With the transition to a new type of matrices, the lag behind the Apple was greatly reduced, but it was not possible to catch up with the iPad. The quality of the image of Apple is still the leader. However, if for some reason you are not satisfied with iOS, then the A701 and Infinity will be an excellent alternative. Which one to choose is to decide. Acer has the following advantages: a more convenient case, the presence of a 3G module, work through Micro-USB and a thoughtful location of the keys. ASUS has a bright screen and the ability to buy a docking station with a full-fledged keyboard and touchpad. In standard versions, prices for these tablets are approximately the same – about 22,000 and 23,000 rubles per Acer and ASUS, respectively. For comparison: Apple iPad with 32 GB and 3G module will cost 27,990 rubles, without the support of cellular communication-24,490 rubles.
Acer Iconia Tab A701
Pros:
The lowest price
It is convenient to keep with one hand
Work through Micro-USB
Supports USB host
Cons:
Hearing the charge
The screen "blind" on the bright sun
Apple iPad
Pros:
Awesome screen
A lot of exclusive games
For a long time of work
Many accessories
Cons:
High price
the faces are strongly pressed into the palm of your hand
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
Pros:
High brightness of the display
For a long time of work
Light, lies well in the hand
Great design
You can buy a docking station-keyboard
Cons:
There is no 3G module
Connection with a computer only through a corporate cable
Different triples
Nvidia Tegra 3 appeared at the beginning of this year and quickly gained popularity. The crystal is based on the architecture of the ARM Cortex A9 and is equipped with five cores. Only four of them participate in the main work, the remaining is turned on only during downtime and is responsible for playing music and updating mail. A dozen ULP GeForce computing blocks that support Opengl ES 2 operates graphics.0, Openvg 1.1 and egl 1.4.
The first version of Tegra 3 functions at a frequency of 1.4 GHz. New, T33, installed in Transformer Pad Infinity, is dispersed to 1.6 GHz. Note that the TEGRA Zone store is available to tablets on the NVIDIA platform, where you can buy games with improved graphics. It is also possible to display a 3D stereo picture on a TV, and some games allow you to connect a USB turn.
Table 1
Technical characteristics
Display
Acer Iconia Tab A701
10.1 inches (1920×1200), IPS, sensory, multi
Apple iPad
9.7 inches (2048×1536), IPS, sensory, multi -plane
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
10.1 inch (1920×1200), IPS, sensory, multi
operating system
Acer Iconia Tab A701
Android 4.0.4
Apple iPad
iOS 5.1
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
Android 4.0.3
CPU
Acer Iconia Tab A701
NVIDIA TEGRA 3
Apple iPad
Apple A5X + GPU Power SGX543MP4
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
Nvidia Tegra 3 T33
RAM
Acer Iconia Tab A701
1 GB
Apple iPad
1 GB
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
1 GB
Built -in memory
Acer Iconia Tab A701
32/64 GB
Apple iPad
16/32/64 GB
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
32/64 GB
Support for memory cards
Acer Iconia Tab A701
SDHC (up to 32 GB)
Apple iPad
No support
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
SDHC (up to 32 GB)
Cameras
Acer Iconia Tab A701
2 MP (frontal), 5 MP (back, autofocus)
Apple iPad
0.3 MP (frontal), 5 megapixels (back, autofocus)
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
2 MP (frontal), 8 megapixels (back, flash, autofocus)
Connectors
Acer Iconia Tab A701
Micro-HDMI 1.4A, 3.5 mm Jack, Micro-USB
Apple iPad
Dock-connector
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
Micro-HDMI 1.4a, 3.5 mm jack, dock
Wireless modules
Acer Iconia Tab A701
Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.0, 3G
Apple iPad
Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, 3G/4G
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 3.0
Navigation
Acer Iconia Tab A701
A-GPS, GLONASS
Apple iPad
A-GPS, GLONASS
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
A-GPS, GLONASS
Dimensions
Acer Iconia Tab A701
26x17x1.2 cm
Apple iPad
24.1×18.6×0.9 cm
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
26.3x18x0.85 cm
Weight
Acer Iconia Tab A701
675 g
Apple iPad
662
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
598
Price for September 2012
Acer Iconia Tab A701
21,000 rubles (32 GB + 3G)
Apple iPad
27 990 rubles (32 GB + 3G)
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
23,000 rubles (32 GB)