4G Tablet Showdown: AT&T Stirs Selection with Acer Iconia

AT&adenosine monophosphate;T is entering the most affordable 4G 10-inch tablet yet into the market contest this workweek with release Sunday of the Acer Iconia Tab A501. That should arouse up the competition among 4G tablets, which include the rival Samsung 4G Galaxy Tab 10.1 on Verizon, as well the pricy HTC Jetstream along AT&T.

Of of course, no pad of paper comparison is complete without considering Apple's iPad 2. It lacks 4G capabilities, but remains the about fashionable tablet with consumers up to now.

If you're in the market for a 4G 10-inch tablet, chances are you'll own to get a two-year sign with your carrier of choice: AT&T or Verizon. The Samsung Coltsfoot Yellow journalism 10.1 comes for $530 on Verizon, while AT&adenylic acid;T offer the HTC Jetstream for $700 ($850 unlocked) and the Acer Iconia Tab A501 for $330 ($480 unlocked). You can't get the iPad 2 with a contract, thus that's $630 with either Verizon or AT&T. Besides the Jetstream, every last tablets go with 16GB of storehouse (Jetstream has 32GB).

You'll also want to check the connectivity options: The Galax Tab runs on Verizon's 4G LTE network and then does the Jetstream on AT&T's LTE network, just the Iconia Tab works only with HSPA+ — still quick, simply not as fast as LTE. Data pricing is also something to in earnest look at, as this can get very burdensome: the Jetstream needs a minimum data plan of $35 per month for 3GB, while the Galaxy Tab starts at $30 per month for 2GB ($50 for 5GB, $80 for 10GB). With the Iconia Yellow journalism, you can either induce a monthly design, or paid — $15 gets you 250MB and $25 hikes your valuation account to 2GB (no overage fees on a prepaid plan).

The HTC Jetstream is the most expensive 4G pill, merely it's as wel the most acting (on theme). IT has a 1.5GHz dual-heart processor, while the Iconia and Galax Chit also flow on dual-meat processors, but at 1GHz. All three tablets come with 1GB of RAM and 10.1-inch displays at 1280 by 800 pixels.

The thinnest and lightest 4G tablet is Samsung's Tablet 10.1, which is even as lissom as the iPad 2 (and slightly lighter). The Iconia Tab and Jetstream are scarce Sir Thomas More than a half-in thick, and weigh 27 and 25 ounces respectively. The Jetstream and the Galaxy Tab run along Mechanical man 3.1 Honeycomb, while Acer's Iconia A501 will come with the slimly reinforced Android 3.2 (Samsung's and HTC tablets are place to encounter the same update in the near future).

The Jetstream has an 8-megapixel shooter happening the back and the Iconia Tab has a 5-megapixel camera, piece the Galaxy Tab comes in at 3 megapixels. Compared to the iPad's cameras, the Android tablets win by a long-staple shot. The Acer and HTC tablets also feature MicroSD slots for additional storage, while Samsung's Coltsfoot Chit follows the iPad, with a deficiency of expandable storage and a proprietorship USB port. As an added bonus, you'll find an HDMI port on the Jetstream and A501.

If you're looking for the best value 4G tablet, the Acer Iconia Tab makes up for its massiveness and slower 4G radio with its damage, which even unlocked, is still the least high-ticket. If you want 4G LTE on AT&T, the only other option is the Jetstream, which despite its performance, is priced at more than double the cost of the A501. Meanwhile, Samsung's Tabloid 10.1 strikes a fine balance between functioning and Price and runs connected Verizon's more far-flung 4G LTE network.

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