x86 Windows 8 Tablets: Acer Iconia W3 Launched

News
By Tomshardware
published

Acer launched the first x86 tablet featuring Windows 8 Pro.

Windows 8 had its minimum resolution lowered from 1366 x 768 to a mere 1024 x 600 a while ago, and now we know why. The Iconia W3 is the first 8 inch tablet capable of running Windows 8 Pro on Intel's x86 architecture.

This tablet utilizes the dual-core Intel Atom Z2760 clocked at 1.8 GHz, which includes hyperthreading and allows the tablet to run on the 1280 x 800 screen on the built-in Intel HD graphics. The dual channel RAM architecture (LPDDR2) is limited to 2 GB of RAM, so naturally, there will be no 64-bit version tablet available. Both the forward and rear facing cameras are 2 MPX.

The device is offered in both 32 and 64 GB internal storage options, with no mention of expandable storage thus far. Thanks to the Intel HD Graphics, the tablet can output full-HD through its micro-HDMI port, and also comes with connectivity due to a USB 2.0 port and 802.11b/g/n WiFi. The device is said to have Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010 edition pre-installed, and promises of an 8-hour battery life have been made. The launch date is set for sometime next week, with the larger model available from Amazon for $430.

While this tablet may not be the most impressive x86 design, it sure has prepared the way for more tablets of its kind to congregate on the market, with rumors of Intel's Haswell chips in Windows tablets already floating around. We await with baited breath.

Tomshardware
Tomshardware

Tom's Hardware is the leading destination for hardcore computer enthusiasts. We cover everything from processors to 3D printers, single-board computers, SSDs and high-end gaming rigs, empowering readers to make the most of the tech they love, keep up on the latest developments and buy the right gear.

14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • de5_Roy
    weird. why is clovertrail suddenly in so many tablets and phones?

    one more thing: i thought clovertrail still used imagination's powervr igpu....
    says so right here:
    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ativ-smart-pc-500t-windows-8-atom,3360-4.html
    Reply
  • elemein
    Is this in Canada yet? If so, when will it come?
    Reply
  • teh_chem
    Aesthetically ugly tablet. However...while I don't think it's a great chip, I was impressed with the Atom Z2760 when I was playing with a Windows 7 tablet. If the battery life could be improved, I would have less hesitation to pick one up.
    Reply
  • digiex
    Hope there is an Android version. W8 for a mobile device is not worth it.
    Reply
  • shafe88
    10975296 said:
    Hope there is an Android version. W8 for a mobile device is not worth it.
    Wait till you see W8 for desktops.

    Reply
  • w8gaming
    Failure to include a SD card slot is repeating the same mistake of Apple. Even Android is going to have USB3.0 soon so this tablet is too low spec and too high priced to have any staying power. Acer has bet wrong once again. If they stop making junk products maybe their profits will improve.
    Reply
  • teh_chem
    10975436 said:
    Failure to include a SD card slot is repeating the same mistake of Apple. Even Android is going to have USB3.0 soon so this tablet is too low spec and too high priced to have any staying power. Acer has bet wrong once again. If they stop making junk products maybe their profits will improve.
    It has a microSD slot capable of accommodating up to 32GB cards. Brief review of the tablet here shows the card slot: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/acer-iconia-w3/4505-3126_7-35781405.html
    Reply
  • stevejnb
    Getting into the right ball park, but, break the $400 barrier and a full Windows 8 tablet would be a pretty good bargain. Simply put though, for a pure media consumption device, a sub $200 Android is still the way to go, but a sub $400 Windows tablet is definitely better over all.

    10975296 said:
    Hope there is an Android version. W8 for a mobile device is not worth it.

    Really? Curious, have you ever used one, or is this just a herd-mentality "DURRR WINDOWS 8 IS TERRUBL!" routine? I'm typing from one right now, plugged into my HDTV via the micro hdmi cable on it. Just finished playing Neverwinter online on it too. Earlier today my girlfriend was working on a resume on it using full MS office and browsing in a full desktop browser. Later on, I may well unhook it and bring it with me, setting it up to use it at a coffee shop, picking whether I want to use it as a tablet or as a laptop with a mouse and keyboard hooked in.

    A full Windows 8 tablet is more functional than an Android or Apple tablet. Perdiod. Their pricing is stupid at this point in time and as a pure tablet it doesn't have as many apps as Android/Apple, but, that isn't such a big deal when you can, you know, just switch to desktop mode and use anything that works on a desktop PC.

    My advice to everyone who hears Windows 8 and jumps on the "I hate Microsoft" bandwagon.. Give it a try. These tablets are far more complete than what their competitors offer.
    Reply
  • zedon
    It's not really fair to compare the price straight across to apple or android. With these you are actually getting some useful software which you are paying for. If you took off the windows office software you could probably save $100 or so.
    Reply
  • Vanessa Deagan
    I'm a Windows hater. However, after having a quick play around with the bigger W510 in my local PCWorld store, I decided to buy the W3. I was extremely impressed with the smoothness of the browser, in both the "Modern UI" and Desktop modes. Scrolling was perfect, even on pages with embedded video. Pinch to zoom was super snappy and responsive.

    I've owned a Nexus 7 since the day the were available here in the UK, and I can only describe the experience as "lacklustre", at best. Things I like about the Nexus 7: the form factor, ability to play back just about any video I throw at it (I use ES Strongs File Explorer to stream from my NAS drive - it excels at this), easily programmable (free tools, easy to set up). Things I don't like about the Nexus 7: the browsing experience - it's awful - jerky, laggy, stuttery most of the time (just try using a Nexus 7 to browse Google's own news aggregate).

    Of course the first thing I'm going to try and do is install Ubuntu :). But even running Windows 8, and from what I experienced with the W510, the W3 should be a pretty cool productivity device (email, browsing, office etc). While I have years of experience developing Win32 apps, I've never written a "Modern UI" (a.k.k "Metro") app before, but I'll definitely look into this.

    I see a lot of potential with this device. Naturally, the first thing I'm going to do is try to install Ubuntu 13.04 on it :)
    Reply