Windows 8 Tablet in action (Acer Iconia W510)

[lopri]

The W510 will be out November 9th, for $499.99 for 32GB of internal storage or $599.99 for 64GB. Neither model comes with the keyboard dock, though, and to get the whole kit you'll have to shell out $749.99 — that gets you the 64GB model plus the dock.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/9/3475334/acer-iconia-w510-preview-windows-8

I am not sure about it's practicality but it does look nice and shiny. 1366x768 display looks more than OK judging from the video. Without the dock, it's lighter than iPad. With the dock, it looks like one of those Atom-based nettops. (it's not ARM based WinRT but fully functional x86 Windows 8)

Check out the video to see what it actually looks like. It looks well-made. (doesn't mean it will sell, but just saying)

 

[luv2liv]

i like everything about these new convertibles with win8, except the price!
would buy if this was hovering around $400, not $750.

 

[Tom]

why does this $500 tablet have a 1366x768 screen when the 9" Kindle and Nook have 1920x1200 screens and cost less than $300 ?

tablets are all about the screen.

 

[dguy6789]

It has an x86 processor, it runs the full version of Windows; it's more a laptop than a tablet.

 

[Eug]

How slim is Windows 8 x86? Cuz I consider 64 GB to be absolute bare minimum for Windows 7 64-bit. I have 96 GB on my ultraportable (see sig), and that's just a "comfortable minimum" for me.

 

[dguy6789]

I have Windows 8 Pro 64 bit on my main PC and the Windows folder is 16.8GB if that helps any. I don't remember exactly how much space was taken up on a clean install.

 

[BladeVenom]

why does this $500 tablet have a 1366x768 screen when the 9" Kindle and Nook have 1920x1200 screens and cost less than $300 ?

tablets are all about the screen.

I agree. It makes it seem already outdated.

 

[Eug]

I have Windows 8 Pro 64 bit on my main PC and the Windows folder is 16.8GB if that helps any. I don't remember exactly how much space was taken up on a clean install.

What about after installing stuff like Office and other common apps?

Yeah, I think my complete Win 7 and app install could fit on a 32 GB drive, that leaves little room for a swap file, and no room for other content. 64 GB would be usable, but 96 GB leaves a lot more breathing room.

Mind you sometimes I like having HD video on my laptop, and some of those files are 10 GB apiece.

OTOH, I'm just fine with a 16 GB Nexus 7, as the OS only takes a couple of GB IIRC, and I put all my big video files on a USB drive.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

why does this $500 tablet have a 1366x768 screen when the 9" Kindle and Nook have 1920x1200 screens and cost less than $300 ?

tablets are all about the screen.

It's a real Windows PC unlike the Nook and Kindle which are fairly limited for a software standpoint even compared to other tablets.

 

[Chrono]

Yes... so that means full x86 software compatibility... means a lot actually

 

[Tom]

It's a real Windows PC unlike the Nook and Kindle which are fairly limited for a software standpoint even compared to other tablets.

That doesn't answer the question of why it doesn't have as good a screen when it costs $200 more ?

 

[Roland00Address]

why does this $500 tablet have a 1366x768 screen when the 9" Kindle and Nook have 1920x1200 screens and cost less than $300 ?

tablets are all about the screen.

• It is still an ips screen
• It is a lower resolution for apps/programs still don't have scaling due to dpi perfected
• Less thick, better battery life for less leds are need to run the display.
• A lower resolution screen means less pixels the gpu has to push for the interface. A slow gpu is often what people associate with "lag." A bad first impression will kill windows 8.
• Cost saving

 

[jpiniero]

I got the chance to use iPad 1 and 3 for a bit. There really is no comparison as the 3's screen is so much better. I would highly recommend not buying a tablet with a lowres screen unless it was cheap.

 

[Dominato3r]

That doesn't answer the question of why it doesn't have as good a screen when it costs $200 more ?

Because it makes up in other features?

 

[Ravynmagi]

why does this $500 tablet have a 1366x768 screen when the 9" Kindle and Nook have 1920x1200 screens and cost less than $300 ?

tablets are all about the screen.

It's got twice the memory.
It's got twice the storage.
I'm guessing the Cedar Trail processor has more than twice the power of the TI OMAP 4470.
It's running Windows 8, so can run probably thousands of times more apps.
Don't think Microsoft is locking the bootloaders on x86 tablets, so you can load other operating systems on it, such as Linux.
It's got micro SD so storage can be further expanded.

Most other Windows 8 tablets are in the $800 price range. This is actually quite a nice deal. It's a shame people are judging all tablets based on the subsidized ones from Amazon and Google. Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire are sold dirt cheap at no profit because they make up for it with their content. I don't think we'll see this type of behavior with Windows tablets.

 

[Red Storm]

Yes... so that means full x86 software compatibility... means a lot actually

I used to think the same, but then I realized... trying to use traditional applications designed for mouse and keyboard is not going to be enjoyable or efficient with a touch screen. I will remain skeptical until I see it in action.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I really wasn't sure I'd buy a Windows 8 tablet this year. My fear was they'd be too expensive, most seem to be around $800, and too chunky, most seem to be well over 2 pounds.

I'm really impressed with Acer (think the first time I've ever said that). This looks pretty nice. Sure, the resolution isn't killer, but then again I haven't been impressed with Windows DPI scaling in the past, so this may be a good thing anyway (haven't been able to play with Windows 8 on a very high DPI screen yet).

Can't believe this thing is only 1.3 pounds, this thing is as light as most Android ARM based tablets and it has an x86 Ceder Trail in it (sure it's no Ivy Bridge, but it'll get the job done).

Only complaint I have is the squared edges. I'm worried how comfortable those edges are going to make the tablet feel in the hand. Hopefully since it's rather thin and light the edges aren't much of an issue.

With pretty much all other Windows 8 tablets priced well outside my comfort zone, I think this will be the tablet I get.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I used to think the same, but then I realized... trying to use traditional applications designed for mouse and keyboard is not going to be enjoyable or efficient with a touch screen. I will remain skeptical until I see it in action.

Have you had a chance to play with Windows 8 on a tablet? Desktop apps actually work surprisingly well with touch input now. Microsoft has done some good improvements over Windows 7 in this area.

 

[Red Storm]

Have you had a chance to play with Windows 8 on a tablet? Desktop apps actually work surprisingly well with touch input now. Microsoft has done some good improvements over Windows 7 in this area.

I have not. Which apps? Because I'm thinking of all the random apps I use in Windows and using with touch does not sound very appealing to me. I need to see it in action with traditional Windows applications, not touch optimized apps.

 

[runawayprisoner]

Atom Z2670?

Avoid it. Avoid it. Avoid it!

Been burned by Intel's shoddy drivers support for the Atom Z line before. Twice!

First with the Atom Z530, and then with Atom Z670. Not seeing how this one will be any different.

If Intel still can't bring proper drivers support to Atom Z530 after... what... almost 5 years, then why would this be any better?

And by "proper drivers", I really mean "something that does not cause sleep issues, display artifacts, Aero slow-down, or in some worst case scenarios that happen... more than twice a day: BSOD".

I still love my Atom Z devices to death, and I refuse to part with them. But... you have been warned.

Again, you have been warned. I can't stress enough how bad Intel's drivers support for the Atom Z line IS.

 

[Tom]

Atom cpu. 1366x768.

Why does this sound like a $500 netbook with a touchscreen instead of a keyboard ?

Surely I'm wrong ?

 

[Dominato3r]

You guys are thinking of Atoms of yesteryear. This Atom line is about as big as the launch of Windows 8. Pretty much every reporter has said these things fly.

 

[Ravynmagi]

You guys are thinking of Atoms of yesteryear. This Atom line is about as big as the launch of Windows 8. Pretty much every reporter has said these things fly.

Yeah, this is Cedar Trail. Some people think Intel probably should have avoided the Atom branding, because as we see from some of the earlier replies, people have a bad impression of previous generations of Atom processors. Cedar Trail sounds like it should be a great processor for a tablet.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I actually tried the Windows 8 Release Preview on a Atom Z670 based tablet (Dell Latitude ST) and performance was very good. Plus 8 is much more touch friendly using desktop applications, MS really worked hard on touch input for 8 and it really shows.

 

[lothar]

Can it play Crysis?