Have you been thinking about the Acer Iconia W3 since the price was reduced? A full Windows 8 tablet with a full Web experience, flexible connectivity and a weight of just 540 gram / 1.2lb? I have. At $299 it’s a ultra mobile PC at almost giveaway pricing. It even comes with a Microsoft Office license!
The problem is that the screen is cheap. The viewing angles are tight, there’s a mesh-like layer which reduces clarity and it’s only 1280×800 in resolution.
I had a chance to get the W3 in my hands last week and took four photos that show the viewing angle problem. It is, in my opinion, a real problem for usage in landscape mode. At video-viewing distances, not a major issue but for reading, it’s pretty horrible. In portrait mode, however, it’s not an issue, and that’s how I’d be using the W3 most of the time if I had it because thumbing across the bottom is way easier in this mode.
The choice is up to you though. If you want a UMPC, this is your only choice below 10-inches until the Lenovo Miix 8 or other small formfactor Win 8 tablets appear.
Personally I’m sticking with the Acer W510 that I’ve grown used to and am very close with now. Along with a cheap ASUS Fonepad I’ve got it covers all angles. I would, however, be interested in a lighter 10-inch tablet/2-in-1 with 3G and Windows 8.1. Perhaps later in the year!
Note: I’m on tour at IFA (Berlin) and Intel’s Developer Conference (San Francisco) next week. I’ll bring you any UMPC-related information I uncover.
The W3 is very tempting but I am going to wait till a Win 8 tablet in the same form factor as Google Nexus 7 comes out–I want a truly pocketable tablet without the short-comings of devices like iPad or Android ones!
Surely if an 8″ Acer W3 can be had for $300 then a 7″ full Windows can be even cheaper.
PS. I am still very enamored with my Acer Iconia W510!
Sometimes going smaller can make electronics more expensive. I would like a 7″ screen though or at least 8″ with smaller bezels.
How’s WiFi performance? Can the micro USB port power an external mechanical or DVD drive?
Chippy, have you tried the handwriting recognition on this? I tried it on the 510 and (like the RT) found that pen strokes went all wavy.
Not surprisingly this was not a problem on the surface pro (with active digitiser) but then I found that devices that do not have the digitiser were actually ok. This was on an HP touchscreen laptop and on an ASUS 11 inch tablet.
The idea of big Windows tabklet is really rather interesting, though I’m fully satisfied with my android tablet – it has all necessary functions and it is even more interesting since you have a number of apps to choose from
Bought the W3 w/ 64GB at $350. (now $300 at MS Store).
Price is good, but the screen bothers me a bit.
I think it is trying hard to win back some sales against Android and iPad. iPad Mini was on sale here for $300. and many Android tablets are now below $200., even the latest Nexus 7 2013, is only $230 (and was on sale briefly earlier).
I noticed that the W510 doesn’t have that mesh artifact. So why this one? I saw this on the Acer 522 as well, while the Acer 722 doesn’t.
Why does Acer keep repeat using these annoying screens?
I got my acer w510 last year and I was very satisfied with it. I was planning to get a w3 for the folks until I saw the viewing angles and color shift in various w3 videos online. It’s a bit disappointing since I like the size/form factor and the fact that it’s full windows 8 with office installed. I opted to get my mom a latitude 10e for a little more than $250.
Amazon here in US has Acer Iconia W3 64GB version with MS Office for $299. I do believe they are saying it will upgrade to Windows 8.1 too. Bought one for my 50th B-Day present for myself this Sunday the 8th. If I don’t like it, I can send it back. The Toshiba looks promising with IPS screen and new bay trail processor.
Let the battle for 7 and 8 inch UMPC’s begin….Loving my Acer Iconia W510, but disappointed about the keyboard problems. Still 15 hours total battery time is really nice. And the connected standby is really a nice option too. Great Work Chippy! Looking for more great info. Keep up the fantastic work. Dan