Finally the first 8.1 inches Windows 8 based tablet – Acer Iconia W3 is launched in the market. With this, the beginning of new category small size Windows based tablets is seen. Last year when Windows 8 was launched it simply inspired a number of PC players to experiment on different hardware designs, however, most of them were seen focusing on the devices that belonged to 10 inches tablet category. The Iconia W3 falls into the category of small tablets, which is dominated by devices like Nexus 7 and iPad mini.
In terms of performance and features, this newly launched device seems to be promising. Well, let’s check some of its important features in an expert point of view in the following paragraphs.
Also Read: Apple iPad mini Vs Google Nexus 7
Acer Iconia W3 Specifications
Acer Iconia W3: The Hardware
The Iconia W3 device features 8.1 inches WXGA LED display with 1280 by 800 pixel resolution backed by a Dual core Intel Atom 1.5GHz Z2760 processor along with the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator carrying 2GB RAM. The storage space is of 32GH, however, the moment you turn it on for the very first time, the usable memory is somewhere close to 8GB, which means you need to buy additional 32GB Micros SB card to increase the memory. Then you will find a Micro USB port, which helps in connecting the device with your PC to transfer your data without any hassle. The Micro HDMI port in it simply helps in connecting to your audio or video systems to enjoy a perfect entertainment or help you for other purposes. Talking about the power, you have the battery backup up to 6 hours. One flaw, which is noticed by the experts, is that this device has poor viewing angles, which can dismay many of the users.
Acer Iconia W3: The software
The Acer Iconia runs on Windows 8 Professional version, which gives the users the ability run all the new breed Win 8 applications and try out the legacy versions. The users can very easily install things like Stream, Call of Duty Black, Startcraft 2 and OPS along with a number of other big stuff. Though it doesn’t carry a dedicated graphics cards, which means you will not be able to run AAA titles at high quality, but for RTS based or other smaller games can run smoothly. This therefore helps in handling the PC to manage different shaders and particle effects. The other pre-installed applications, which Acer has incorporated, are Spotify, Netflix Encyclopedia Britannica, Kindle, Skype and TuneIn Radio that are important for any level user.
The Windows 8 in this device simply makes the overall environment very much pleasant and dynamic, hence when you install different applications, you can really have a good user experience, which is not the case over iOS or Android based devices. The Windows 8 store is known to have loads of content hence you can find more news apps like Nook, RSS Reading apps and Pulse for the users. You can find loads of games and several other things, which gives an extra edge to Iconia W3 device, thus attracting both users and developers towards it. So whether you are an engineer or a software developer, you can run anything and everything (right from Auto cad to Adobe) over it and carry out a wide range of task over this device.
Read: Windows 8 Start Screen delays? Here’s How to Skip and Boot Directly to the Desktop
Connectivity
The Iconia is armed with Broadcom WLAN module; which supports the WLAN standards 802.11 B/G/N. You can find a Bluetooth 4.0 chip in it, which is smartly integrated in the device, but Iconia W3 fails to have 3G and not even the LTE module. At the same time, there is no high level versions of the tablet with similar kinds of features found in W3 are seen in the market either. As the tablet runs on Windows 8, you have the option of using the mobile internet via the external UMTS stick; whereas the GPS module is not seen integrated at the moment.
Cameras and other accessories
The Iconia W3 comes up with two cameras and both of these have the resolution of 2MP. Using any of the cameras, you can easily record okay quality videos and capture images with a resolution up to 1920 by 1080 pixels. As per experts, the cameras do not record high quality pictures and hence you may find blurry and pale kind of images. As far as the accessories are concerned, you will find some manuals, quick start guide, micro USB, adaptor, Windows 8 recovery DVD, power supply unit and of course an accessory keyword, which measures 11.25 inches. The discrepancy seen in sizes though helps in typing comfortably but at the same time it appears mismatched and clunky.
Acer Iconia W3 Slideshows
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Final word
Acer Iconia W3 is available currently at a cost of 379 dollars, which makes it a cheaper tablet in this sector. So, will the Acer Iconia W3 would dominate the market is a big question, which only time will suggest.
Allie is a writer blogger. She loves writing, travelling and reading books. She contributes to punchh
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The screen seems a bit small compared to the large keyboard. I think I’d still go for a small laptop than for a W8 tablet.
I hope it will better this old one. Particularly, its screen must better
wow