Acer Iconia W3
Key specs
Critic consensus
“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 offers no meaningful value in this form factor. The last time I used a device with an effective resolution as low as 1024×640, Windows NT 4 had just been released. And then there's the size—if I'm using the W3 with its dock at a typical laptop distance, everything is just too small.”
“The Acer Iconia W3-810 provides a more-than-serviceable Windows 8 experience in a design you can easily take with you. WIth nearly 9 hours of battery life, a free copy of Office 2013 and some helpful Acer software, this tablet can help you do real productivity work and run all of your favorite Windows applications on the go. What holds the Iconia W3 back is its lackluster display. You can get a screen with better viewing angles for less than half the price.”
“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 with Windows 8.1 it will make a lot of sense. For Acer, it’s back to the drawing board. A refreshed W3 with an IPS display would be a good start, and losing some of the unnecessary weight would also help make this device a little more appealing. Hold onto your dollars until we start to see better 7- and 8-inch Windows tablets.”
“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 to a 3D TV in its viewing angle. Finally, there is only 8 GB of memory when you power it up for the first time. I don’t think Star Wars – The Old Republic would even install all the updates after the client was done.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
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 1200×800. 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.
What people actually want to know
When was the Acer Iconia W3 released?
The Acer Iconia W3 was released on June 19, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the Acer Iconia W3?
The Acer Iconia W3 has a 3,500 mAh battery.
Does the Acer Iconia W3 support wireless charging?
No, the Acer Iconia W3 does not support wireless charging.
Does the Acer Iconia W3 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Acer Iconia W3 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Acer Iconia W3 have NFC?
No, the Acer Iconia W3 does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I download the Acer Iconia W3 manual?
You can view and download the Acer Iconia W3 manual on our dedicated manual page.
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