Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab (A500)

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500

\n\tThe 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.

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\n\tFor more analysis of the Iconia Tab’s hardware, check out my post, “Acer Iconia Tab teardown: Easy-to-service, 3G-ready“.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Box

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

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\n\tThe 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.

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\n\tAs with the Asus Eee Pad Transformer, there’s already a spot on the A500’s motherboard for a 3G card.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: In the box

\n\tThe Acer Iconia Tab A500 has a dual-core NVidia Tegra 2 1GHz processor, 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, a 10.1-inch touchscreen display (1280×800), a 2 MP front camera and 5 MP rear camera. The Iconia Tab comes with Android 3 Honeycomb installed.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Box contents

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

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Front

\n\tThe 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.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Bottom edge

\n\tAlong the bottom edge of the Acer Iconia Tab A500 is the device’s docking port.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Top edge

\n\tThe Acer Iconia Tab’s volume button, screen rotation lock switch, and microSD card slot are located along the top edge.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Right side

\n\tAlong the Acer Iconia Tab’s right side are the DC-in jack, Micro USB, USB port, and reset button.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Left side

\n\tThe Micro HDMI power, headphone jack, and power button are located along the Acer Iconia Tab’s left side.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Back

\n\tOn the back of the Acer Iconia Tab, you’ll find the the 5MP camera and LED flash.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: microSD card slot and future SIM card slot

\n\tThe 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.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Prying loose the back cover

\n\tThe 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.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Popping off the back cover

\n\tOnce 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.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the back cover

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Inside

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Empty space for 3G card

\n\tWhen 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.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Damaged speaker

\n\tUpon 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.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the battery screws

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

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the battery

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: 3260 mAh 24Wh Li-Polymer battery (BAT100)

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Disconnecting the docking port PCB ribbon cable

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the dock port PCB

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Docking port PCB

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Disconnecting the motherboard cables

\n\tBefore removing the Acer Iconia Tab’s motherboard, I detached all the cables connecting it to other parts of the tablet.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the motherboard screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the motherboard

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Motherboard with EMI shields - Top

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Motherboard with EMI shields - Bottom

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Motherboard and battery removed

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the right speaker screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the left speaker screw

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Speakers

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the USB port PCB

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: USB port PCB

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the microphones

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: GoerTek microphones

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the motherboard and battery mounting plate screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Disconnecting the touchscreen controller ribbon cable

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the motherboard and battery mounting plate

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the touchscreen controller PCB

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Atmel touchscreen controller PCB

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Atmel mXT1386 touchscreen controller

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Atmel mXT154 touchcreen controllers

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Front panel and display assembly

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: AU Optronics B101EW05 10.1-inch LED-backlit WXGA display (1280x800)

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: GPS antenna

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Compal WLAN antenna (DC33000UK20)

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the 5MP rear camera

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: 5MP rear camera

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Removing the motherboard EMI shields

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Motherboard - Top

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Motherboard - Bottom

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: 1.0 GHz dual-core NVidia Tegra 2 application processor (12B2B305 1108A3)

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: 1GB Elpida B8132B2PB-6D-F LPDDR2 SDRAM

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Texas Instruments LVDS83B power controller

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Wolfson WM8903 Ultra low power audio CODEC

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Invensense MPU-3050 Triple Axis Gyroscope with Embedded Digital Motion Processor

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Texas Instruments LC02A 12K G4 DZ40

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Broadcom BCM4751 Integrated Monolithic GPS Receiver

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Intersil ISL6251 Low Cost Multi-Chemistry Battery Charger Controller

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Texas Instruments 51125 Dual-Synchronous, Step-Down Controller (power management chip)

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: AzureWave AW-NH611 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth, FM Combo Module IC

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: 16GB SanDisk SDIN4C2-16G NAND Flash

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: ENE Technology KB930QF A1 (clock generator?)

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Texas Instruments TPS65862 power-management IC

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Winbond 25X10BVN1C 1M-bit Serial Flash Memory

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Motherboard markings

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Acer Iconia Tab A500: Complete teardown

\n\tThe 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.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler