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Acer's Windows 8-based Iconia W510 tablet hits the FCC, ready for November launch
Now that we've taken a look at the Acer Iconia W510, it's heartening to see it finally hit the FCC. The documentation doesn't tell us much we don't already know about the Windows 8 tablet, though it's interesting to note it packs a 7300mAh battery, which will hopefully lead to that promised nine-hour battery life. As a quick refresher, the W510 packs a Clover Trail-based Atom processor, 2GB of RAM, a 10.1-inch display, and will cost roughly $500 for the 32GB SSD model. The timing of the FCC listing does seem to point to Acer actually hitting that November 9th launch date, so keep your fingers tiles crossed.
Acer Iconia W510 review: as Acer enters the Windows 8 era, it returns to its netbook roots
More Info Acer unveils 11.6-inch Iconia W700, 10.1-inch W510 Windows 8 tablets Acer will stop making cheap crap, but keep selling netbooks CE-Oh no he didn't!: Acer's JT Wang tells Microsoft to 'think twice' about Surface If you don't remember today's specimen, you'd be forgiven: the Acer Iconia W510 is one of many, many tablet / laptop hybrids that have debuted over the past few months. Plus, this isn't even the highest-end Windows 8 PC Acer has to offer: unlike the W700, which has a 1080p screen and Ultrabook guts, the W510 runs off a Clover Trail-based Atom processor, and has a smaller 10.1-inch (1,366 x 768) display. Accordingly, the price is also lower: the W510 starts at $550 for the tablet only, though if you want to purchase it with the keyboard dock that price climbs to $750. (And if the dock really does double the battery life to 18 hours, you might want to.) All told, this is one of the least expensive systems we know of running full Windows 8. But is it any good? Let's find out. Note: We originally published a preview of the Iconia W510 on October 9th, 2012, at which time we only had a pre-production unit that wasn't ready to be benchmarked. In the absence of any hard performance scores, we chose not to include a review card or pass final judgment. Finally, on January 29th, 2013 we updated our story after testing a final unit. Our story now includes benchmark scores, a review card, a verdict and comparisons to other systems, some of which we had not tested when we published our original preview.
Intel details Clover Trail tablets: three weeks on standby, 10 hours of use, 'full' Windows 8 experience
You only have to look at the tidal wave of Ultrabooks to know that Intel design specifications can carry a lot of influence with manufacturers. That's why the chip-maker's claims about its latest reference tablet, built around a dual-core Atom Z2760 processor (aka "Clover Trail"), likely give us a broad hint of what to expect from devices like the forthcoming Lenovo Think Pad 2, ASUS Vivo Tab and Samsung ATIV Smart PC. In particular, Intel has shown us slides claiming that the dual-core 1.8GHz chip with Imagination SGX545 graphics will offer the "best Windows 8 experience" on a tablet with "compatibility and support for traditional apps and peripherals." And if you think that sounds like a subtle jibe at ARM-based tablets running Windows RT -- a version of the OS that doesn't even try to play nice with existing software -- then you could be right. To be fair though, the point of RT is to offer superior portability, and that's why Intel is also keen to emphasize that Clover Trail won't impact too heavily on your freedom of movement. Tablets should come in below 1.5 pounds (680 grams -- similar to the RT spec and much lighter than a Windows 8 Pro tablet) and 8.5mm in thickness, with built-in 3G, 4G and NFC. You shouldn't need to carry a charger either, since a new power management system promises a distinctly un-laptop-like three weeks on standby and a full day of "active use" -- defined as being at least 10 hours. Windows 8 tablets won't be like Windows 8 Pro machines, however, so don't go expecting USB 3.0, or a guarantee of 1080p visuals (most Clover Trail devices we've seen are 1,366 x 768) or souped-up security -- the Atom Z2760 is very much an evolved Medfield processor, with similar silicon and firmware, rather than a shrunken laptop chip. Needless to say, what really matters is how well manufacturers adopt this design and what price points they manage to hit. Intel says that at least 20 different Clover Trail tablets are already in the works, and early price tags seem to be around the $799 mark -- a hefty demand for sure, but perhaps one worth paying for those who need full-fledged Windows 8 and true portability at the same time. RT tablets, meanwhile, will have to come in much cheaper than that in order to be worthwhile.
