We knew that smaller Windows 8 tablets were coming, and it looks like Acer is on the starting blocks to get this into your hands. At Computex 2013, Acer brings a surprisingly small (and relatively light: 1.1lbs) device that brings a full version of Windows 8 to a size never reached before (in practical terms) on Windows. Unfortunately, we don’t know the price for this tablet yet, but the pre-sale are set for tomorrow, so we’ll report back soon enough.
Since the Iconia W3 does not run on Windows RT, you have probably guessed that it is in fact powered by an Intel chip, the Atom Z2760 to be precise, and yes – this means it can run *any* Windows legacy software. Acer says that its Iconia W3 can provide up to 8 hrs of battery life, and we’re assuming that this is under MobileMark which is a simple battery test used across the PC industry. We are looking forward to testing it in the real world with video playback etc.
In terms of specifications, it comes with a 8.1″ 1280×800 display, it connects through WiFI (B/G/N – no mention of 4G for now) and comes with 32GB or 64GB of total storage (you’ll have to subtract the OS from that, check our Surface Pro review to have an idea of how much could be gone). The Iconia W3 also has an micro-HDMI for connecting with TV or projectors and a micro-USB port for data exchange. From the looks of it, it will require a power supply for charging.
Finally, Acer also has a keyboard accessory for those who require fast typing, and we are talking about a full keyboard, so it’s bigger than the tablet itself. This is quite exciting and we wonder how Windows 8 “feels like” on an 8″ tablet. There’s only one way to find out I guess: it’s about time for a full review.
