Acer has used Computex to reveal a new Windows 8 tablet and an Android smartphone. The previously leaked Iconia W3 is the first in the world to take advantage of Microsoft’s relaxed Windows 8 tablet requirements by using an 8.1-inch display, while the Liquid S1 continues the Liquid range of mobile phones and is the first “phablet” from the company.
The Windows 8-based Iconia W3 offers a 1280×800-resolution display, and is powered by an Intel Atom Z2760 Clover Trail processor. Weighing in at 1.1 pounds, the 0.45-inch thick device includes a choice of 32GB or 64GB of storage with an optional microSD extension, and can connect over Wi-Fi, micro-USB, and micro-HDMI. It also has a claimed 8-hour battery life, front and rear 2-megapixel webcams, and has an optional keyboard dock that dwarfs the tablet and provides a similar sized keyboard to ones found on a 13.3-inch notebook. It is also bundled with a free copy of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013.
Running on Android Jelly Bean, the Liquid S1 offers a large 5.7-inch display running at 1280×720. Inside is a quad-core 1.5GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and an expandable 8GB internal storage. On the back is an 8-megapixel camera while the unrated front-facing version has a 24mm wide-angle lens, DTS StudioSound provides the audio processing, and its 2,400mAh battery is claimed to last an entire day. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity is supplemented by 3G access, though unfortunately no LTE. Software-wise, it has access to AcerCloud Docs cloud storage, wireless display and printing, and floating notifications and apps that overlay other already-running applications.
Acer is shipping the Iconia W3 later this month in the US and Europe for around $379 without the keyboard dock, with pre-sales starting tomorrow. The Liquid S1 will be shipping in the third quarter in Europe, starting from 349 euro ($454), but a US release is unlikely.
Acer Iconia W3
Acer Iconia W3
Acer Liquid S1
