[Acer Iconia A500] tgtoys:
Ok here we go...

The best I can guess from reading about all of your lag problems is that there is a program or programs that are running in your background processes and eating up cpu/memory. Go to settings-applications-running applications and see what is on right now; subsequently see what is running directly after a reboot. If a bunch of random apps are running, it is very likely they are causing the lag. Especially if they are syncing or accessing the web. My suggestion would be to either uninstall these apps or go into their individual settings and turn off anything that would have it constantly working (not just running, it is ok for some apps to run in the background, as Android is programmed to control memory usage while allowing apps to run when not it use, but specifically 'working' in the background will eat up resources). Also, how often do you have your syncs scheduled? Any info that you do not need to have constantly synced (ie backup email addresses, facebook, weather intervals, etc.) should be either turned off or set to sync only a few times a day. For example, I have 11 running apps right now (been running without a reboot for a few days), consisting mainly of core Android processes, my keyboard, email, cpu scaler, and just 2 apps that I have downloaded that run in the background (mind you I have about 50 apps installed).

Furthermore...

All this talk about the iPad and how smooth it is...that's because it utilizes hardware accelerated graphics, something that Android will now have with the release of Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0. True, the level of smoothness on an iPad typically surpasses that of an Android device, but that is soon to change. Then what will the iPad really have? A boring home screen that consists of nothing more than only our app drawer and a ton of games. Android brings WAY more to the table, no question about it.

Going on...

I am running a custom rom (Taboonay 2.1b) with an overclocked/undervolted processor (1.4ghz -150mv) and my Iconia gets kick ass battery life. I need to really try to kill this thing, no joke. I play hi-def/3d games, watch flash content on the web, Netflix, internet browsing, email, create word docs, use external usb peripherals, and more. To get the best battery life you just have to be smart about it.

Suggestions:

Turn off auto backlight. I don't think it works very well on the Iconia anyway, I have my brightness set at about 20% and it's perfectly visible (if you're used to having it brighter give it some time, you'll adjust) and when I am in bright light I simply change it as needed.

Check sync schedule. Weather really only needs to be updated like every 3 hours at most. Do you really need to know the temperature AS it changes? Don't think so.

Do you have multiple email addresses? Unless they are work related, you can probably just set them to sync manually and check it a couple times a day without it turning on itself.

Facebook/Twitter syncing is the devil. Unless you are a 15 year old girl that needs to know what her bff is doing at all times, slow down the sync on these apps!

Is your WiFi set to turn off with your screen? This is a BIG ONE! Settings-Wireless/Networks-WiFi Settings-WiFi Disconnect Policy-When Screen Turns Off. You'll notice a change immediately.

For some more info on what's killing your battery, and therefore more than likely sucking up resources and causing lag, go to Settings-Applications-Battery Use. The blue lines should line up accordingly: Your device should only be Awake and have the WiFi on when the Screen is on, except for a few dashes here and there for normal syncing. Large blue squares of Awake when the screen isn't on means something is running in the background that probably shouldn't be. WiFi on all the time kills battery. Get it? Also, the list of apps that take up battery should only be ones that YOU KNOW you are using on a constant basis. If something is on there that you don't normally use a lot, it means it's running in the background and sucking up a lot of resources (other than screen, tablet idle, and Android OS, these should be there).

Moral of the story...

I gave my 3 year old kids my iPhone. It's a kids toy, same with the iPad. Period. An Android device is one of the most powerful, customizable and capable devices available. There is a lot more that can be done with it than with most other more simple devices. With great power comes great responsibility. Take control of your device, what you do with it and what it does. Lag? What lag.

Phew. I'm a little drunk at the moment, so hope I didn't go too crazy here. What was this post about by the way? Ha! Hit the thanks button if this made any sense to anyone out there :D