Acer announces $379 8-inch Iconia W3 Windows 8 tablet
I am a huge fan of my Surface Pro with Windows 8, and over the last couple of weeks I have been using it quite a bit as a tablet with the included stylus. There have been rumors of smaller form factor Windows 8 tablets, and Engadget has now posted the news and press release for the upcoming Acer Iconia W3 8-inch tablet.
The 8 inch form factor is new for Windows 8, but what makes this device even more compelling is the low $379 price that includes Office Home & Student 2013. The press release focuses on holding the device in one hand which may appeal to field workers and students on the go. You can pair the 8-inch tablet with a full-size Bluetooth keyboard accessory.
Specifications of the Acer Iconia W3 include:
- 8.1 inch backlit LED with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution
- Dual core 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Z2760 mobile-optimized processor
- 32 or 64 GB internal storage with microSD card slot
- Up to 8 hours battery life
There is a microUSB port and a micro-HDMI port for connecting to external devices. There are no USB ports so the device really is more of a companion device than a laptop replacement. Given the relatively low price, comparable to iPad and Android tablets, it looks to be a good choice for those who need a full Windows experience on a small device.
Related ZDNet Windows 8 coverage:
- Surface Pro: My week as engineer and train commuter
- Microsoft Surface Pro review
- Microsoft blows Surface Pro launch, but Best Buy and Staples provided excellent customer service
- Surface Pro versus MacBook Air: Who's being dishonest with storage space?
- Forget about difficult Surface Pro repairs, Microsoft Complete coverage is just $99
- Goodbye Surface RT, hello Surface Pro: I won't miss getting work done again
- Microsoft Surface RT gesture and keyboard shortcut guide