It looks like the promise of smaller Windows 8 tablets has been fulfilled, and Acer's revealed its plans for a smaller form factor. Yep, we heard word of (and even peeked at listings for) the 8-inch Iconia W3, but it's been unveiled in earnest here at Computex 2013, weighing just over a pound and measuring under half an inch thick. Acer's promising around eight hours of battery life, while that smaller screen can still beam out 720p video playback on its 1,280 x 800 display. Better still, Acer has added in a full version of Office free with the tablet which should go well with the optional full-size keyboard accessory (69 euros, around $90) -- one that apparently mirrors those found on Acer's 13-inch notebooks. On the tablet itself, there's front- and rear-facing two-megapixel cameras, plus connectivity through Bluetooth 4.0 and micro-USB.The Iconia W3 also houses Intel's dual-core 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 processor, one we've already seen on larger Windows 8 slabs, and will have either 32 or 64GB of internal storage, with an additional 32 gigs of space possible through microSD expansion. A built-in micro-HDMI port should also ensure displaying content on larger screens is relatively painless, although the tablet does lack the plethora of ports found on its bigger brothers, like USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt. The Iconia W3 will be priced at 329 euros for 32GB and 379 euros for 64GB -- Acer US confirms that the tablet will arrive at $379 but haven't confirmed which capacity just yet. It will go up for pre-order tomorrow at Amazon, Microsoft's retail stores and online Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples and Walmart, with a retail launch before the end of June. Before then, though, we've already got to grips with the world's first 8-inch Windows 8 tablet. Check out our impressions right after the break.
Gallery: Acer Iconia W3 hands-on
Gallery: Acer Iconia W3 tablet press shots
Filed under: Tablets, Acer
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Microsoft has repeatedly told us that we'll see smaller Windows 8 tablets, but all that talk has amounted to precious little walk. If the latest rumor is accurate, though, Acer might be the first to take action: French site Minimachines claims to have images and details of the Iconia W3, which could be the first 8-inch tablet on Microsoft's newer platform. The slate wouldn't be a barnstormer with a 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 and 2GB of RAM, but performance also wouldn't be its selling point -- the W3 would be small enough to fit in one hand while carrying the full software support of a PC. It will reportedly include front and rear cameras as well as a possible microSDHC slot, and the accessories we see in the purported leak involve both a tiny keyboard dock and a cover that doubles as a kickstand. We don't know if there's any truth to claims of a launch around the back to school season in September, although that would certainly be appropriate timing for what could be a welcome backpack companion.
[Thanks, Pierre]
Filed under: Tablets, Acer
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Source: Minimachines.net (translated)
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