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Acer Iconia W3
Acer Iconia W3
Acer Iconia W3
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6/10
Informr score
The Acer Iconia W3 currently has an Informr score of 6 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 6 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

Until now, tablet support for Windows 8 was limited to 10-inch devices. This is less than ideal from a portability standpoint. The Iconia W3 is the first 8.1-inch tablet to ship with support for Windows 8 Pro. While it does offer improved portability, it comes with a few tradeoffs in return. Gizmodo sums up the tablet well by saying “It’s great hardware let down by its form factor and a crappy screen, but by virtue of being the only competitor, it’s the best 8-inch Windows 8 tablet on the market.”

The performance of the tablet is respectable. No, it is not a gaming tablet. But for productivity purposes, media consumption and web browsing, it has plenty of power thanks to its Atom processor clocked at 1.8-GHz. Support for microSD cards and USB OTG helps to improve flexibility and accessory options as well. The best part is that Windows 8 Pro allows you to install legacy Windows applications and have a full version of Windows that fits in your bag with ease. Best of all, the processor is incredibly battery-friendly, with PC Magazine’s video test achieving nearly 10 hours on a single charge.

Unfortunately, there are a few things that are really working against the Iconia W3. The first is the display. It is an LCD TFT display at 1200x800. This not only means that graphics are less than stellar but that viewing angles are atrocious as well. Dana Wollman of Engadget described the screen well: “Even for a budget tablet, the W3's 8.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 screen feels like a letdown.” You won’t be letting anyone peek over your shoulder with tablet. They could not read your screen. The lower resolutions also means that you cannot snap applications on the screen. So no multitasking on the tablet without the normal bouncing between apps. The last problem with the tablet is the materials. For a device at this price point, it feels cheap. Screen bezels are thick, the plastic chassis of the tablet is sturdy but cheap looking and it is about as visually interesting as a rock.

The Good: Windows 8 Pro, portability, outstanding battery and low price.

The Bad: Poor viewing angles, cheap feel, dull display and no included dock.


Windows
Operating system
Operating system
Windows
1.5 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.5 GHz
8.1"
Screen Size
Screen Size
8.1"
2+ MP
Camera
Camera
2+ MP
3500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


TouchArcade
TouchArcade

Blokshot Revolution is one of those brilliant titles that finds a central mechanic that feels good and runs all the way home with it. It's exciting, tense, and has a great learning curve that keeps it fresh well beyond what you might expect from its somewhat simple premise. It takes skill, quick thi...

- Shaun Musgrave, TouchArcade
Good E-Reader
Good E-Reader

I was turned off automatically by the chosen design aesthetics with 4 different colors on the back, body and sides. Just pick one color and stick with it! The speaker quality was also very poor, that warranted me constantly having to strain to hear anything. The display is terrible and is much akin...

- Michael Kozlowski, Good E-Reader
Ars Technica
Ars Technica

I don't really understand the Acer Iconia W3. I mean, I understand on a conceptual level why OEMs want to produce sub-10-inch Windows tablets: Android and iOS have both demonstrated that there's a substantial desire for this kind of form factor. But in practice, I don't get it. The Windows desktop...

- Peter Bright, Ars Technica
The Verge
The Verge

Ultimately, it might be up to Microsoft to really make this form factor shine. This first effort from Acer is cheap and plasticky, and I can’t help but feel that Microsoft won’t want all these smaller Windows tablets to head down the bargain route. A Surface mini feels inevitable, and wi...

- Tom Warren, The Verge
PC Pro
PC Pro

At best, the Iconia W3 proves Windows 8.1 can run smoothly and for a respectable duration on a compact tablet. We can only hope there’s more attractive hardware to come, though, because the W3 doesn’t have anything like the quality to justify its premium £330 price tag.

- Barry Collins, PC Pro


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Quick view

Screen Size
8.1"

The Acer Iconia W3's screen size is 8.1 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1.5 GHz

There is a Intel Atom Z2760 Dual core 1.5 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
2+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 2+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
32/64 GB

Internal memory is 32/64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
3500mAh

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 3500 mAh battery. Acer's performance ratings are 7 days standby time, 8 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

Iconia W3 Specs

Overview
Release Date June 19, 2013
Regions Available USA, United Kingdom
Operating System No

Compare Windows Smartphones

Processor Intel Atom Z2760 Dual core 1.5 GHz
Internal Storage 32/64 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/e/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Additional Main Camera Info
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel density 186 pixels
Size 8.1 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 3500 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 2 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 8 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 8 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 7 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Silver
Dimensions [H x W x D] 13.5 x 21.9 x 1.1 cm (5.3 x 8.6 x 0.4 in)
Weight 499 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader No
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
Audio Formats: MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, DOCX, PDF, PPT, PPTX, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Manual (PDF)
Acer Iconia W3 Reviews
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