Acer have launched the first 8 inch Windows 8 tablet, the Iconia W3 is an Intel powered Windows 8 tablet with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 pre-installed. Acer position this a mobile companion that can be used a full Windows PC. I have my reservations of running Windows 8 on an 8 inch tablet because the desktop targets would be very small and not a good experience but Windows 8.1 does reduce the need for the desktop. I do like the idea of having a device smaller than my Surface but I could use as a full Windows device if needed. It weighs 540 grams and measures 11.35 mm so it’s lighter than my Surface RT but is a little thicker. The display is 1280 x 800 and can be paired with an optional Bluetooth keyboard.

The Atom powered device has 8 hours of battery but I wonder how well it will perform, hopefully we will have a review soon. The 32GB and 64GB W3 will be available in June from retailers from €329 and the optional keyboard will be available for €69, the case will be available for €24.90.

 

Acer Debuts Industry’s First 8-Inch Windows 8 Tablet

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Acer today unveiled the Acer Iconia W3, the industry’s first full-featured 8.1-inch tablet running Windows 8 with Intel Inside®, bringing entertainment and full PC capabilities into a single hand.  With Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 pre-installed at no additional expense, the Acer Iconia W3 is the ultimate mobile companion.

The Iconia W3 provides an unprecedented tablet experience, with a design that is compact enough to use comfortably in one hand for reading and web browsing, with a screen large enough for entertainment and desktop applications. It’s ideal for professionals, students and families who want the ease of use of a one-hand tablet along with access to programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

The Acer Iconia W3 was introduced at a press event at Computex along with other new products that highlight the company’s focus on redefining technology through touch, including the new Acer Aspire S7 and S3 Ultrabooks as well as the Liquid S1 phablet. #AcerTouch.

“With the Iconia W3, Acer is giving those who create, read, work and play in the Windows environment a device they can hold in one hand that does it all,” said Michael Birkin, Acer Chief Marketing Officer. “With the  combination of Windows 8 and a sleek 8-inch design, the W3 is a joy to use and a better way to have fun and productivity on the go.”

Productivity Boosting Office Suite and Design

Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 comes pre-installed on the new Iconia W3. A €139¹ value, the package includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, giving customers the applications they need right at their fingertips.

The Iconia W3’s design makes it incredibly useful for productivity in several different ways. The slim and sleek device weighs 540 grams and measures only 11.35 mm thin, so it’s easy to take anywhere. The device pairs with an optional full-size Bluetooth keyboard that holds the tablet upright for typing and then conveniently docks to the tablet to lay flat for easy, screen-protected transportation. The keyboard mirrors the size of those found on larger 13.3-inch notebooks, so it is comfortable to use and makes working on documents and presentations even more convenient.  The Acer Iconia W3 was designed with a virtual keypad sized for optimal thumb typing.

Windows 8 Companion Brings PC Capabilities Anywhere

Since the Acer Iconia W3 runs Windows 8, it keeps files, photos, and contacts synced across other Windows 8 devices, so customers can work on documents and programs on the go and then conveniently access the most current version from another device.  Plus, because it runs full Windows 8, the Acer Iconia W3 is compatible with x86 legacy Windows programs. Consumers can customize  Windows 8 by utilizing Live Tiles right on the start page to keep updated on the topics, news, weather and other events that they care about most.

The range of capabilities paired with the slim size makes the Iconia W3 great for sharing at school, work and home. Windows 8 supports multiple user IDs, so customers will have access to their email, Live Tiles and other apps. The device keeps content secure and safe with multiple layers of security and parental controls, even with multiple people using it.

On the Go Performance for Productivity and  Entertainment

The new tablet is powered by an Intel® Atom™ processor, optimized for mobile to smoothly handle a range of apps, including web browsing and enjoying digital media. “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with Acer, and with the Iconia W3 we have created a breakthrough mobile device with all-day battery life that enables productivity as well as entertainment,” said Hermann Eul, Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s Mobile and Communications Group. “The W3 brings the performance and compatibility of the Intel® Atom™ Z2760 processor to a smaller, sleeker form factor.”

The Acer Iconia W3 provides up to 8 hours of battery life(2) to boost all-day productivity in classes, while traveling, or simply for staying in touch throughout the day. Connected Standby helps extend battery life by turning the display off while the device remains powered on to handle background tasks. The Acer Iconia W3 keeps consumers connected to Wi-Fi networks and hotspots with 802.11b/g/n wireless technology.

The crisp 8.1-inch LED-backlit display brings 720p video to life with incredible detail and brightness. The 1280 x 800 resolution makes photos, multimedia, text and graphics appear crisp and clear.  The W3’s front- and rear-facing 2MP webcams ensure that the tablet is outfitted for social networking, video conferencing and sharing.

The Iconia W3 was designed to enable quick sharing of data between devices to bring full PC productivity to a tablet form factor. It has a micro-HDMI port for connecting to a TV or external display for sharing presentations, photos and video. The micro-USB port allows easy sharing of data and a connection to devices like phones, MP3 players, USB drives, or a mouse.  The new tablet is available with either 32GB(3) or 64GB(3) of internal storage, and customers can add an additional 32GB(3) via microSD for extra storage and convenient transfer of photos and video between devices.

Pricing and Availability

The Iconia W3 with 32GB and 64GB capacities will be available in June from retailers starting at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of €329.- and €379.-. (4) The optional keyboard will be available for a price of €69.- and the case will be available for €24.90.- (grey) and €27.90 (white).

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