With an available keyboard dock, Windows Pro 8, a 10.1-inch display and a dual-core Intel Atom processor, the Acer Iconia W510 is a decent tablet hybrid. The display supports native Windows 8 touch inputs and gestures to make it easy to use in tablet mode and make the most of the new Metro interface. Round out the package with stereo sound, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a spare battery and full-sized USB port in the keyboard dock and you have a great all-around device for getting things done on the go. Brian Westover of PC Magazine summed up the device with “The Acer Iconia W510-1422 may not be the fastest tablet—it's pretty slow for anything beyond Web browsing and document editing—but it does offer portability and unparalleled battery life.”
In many ways, the W510 is the next generation of netbook. It has a similar shape, features and performance with a few added perks. The keyboard dock holds the tablet firmly in place while the miniature keyboard and touchpad provide easy input for text documents, emails and other uses. The IPS display offers great viewing angles and the 1388-by-768 screen resolution offers plenty of detail without crippling the performance of the device. At 2.8-pounds, including the keyboard dock, the device is extremely portable. With the added battery within the keyboard dock, the W510 achieved nearly 15 hours in Engadget’s battery benchmark.
Unfortunately, this portability comes with a few drawbacks. The Atom processor is competent for basic productivity work, web browsing and media consumption. However, it is woefully inadequate for any gaming, video editing or other processor-intensive functions. The trackpad on the keyboard dock does not support multi-touch input or gestures either. Finally, to make the keyboard fit the form of the tablet, it is quite shallow and a little cramped.
With the price of the tablet, you could pick up a more powerful ultrabook or similar device for slightly more. TechRadar summed up the pro’s and con’s of the device well when they said “In trying to be everything to everyone, it embraces the tired old "Jack of all trades, master of none" cliche. While we loved the portability it offered, we'd rather sacrifice our shoulders and haul a heftier notebook with a full keyboard.”
The Good: Crisp display, outstanding battery life, well-made keyboard dock and Windows 8 Pro.
The Bad: Weak processor, limited touchpad and a high price tag.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Doug Dineley, InfoWorldLightweight, Atom-based Windows 8 tablet-laptop convertible gets amazing battery life.
- KobMon, What Hi-FiConsidering its price, there’s not much to recommend the W510 over cheaper, better quality units unless the keyboard is a must.
- Dave Oliver, WiredThe Acer Iconia W510 is a good-looking tablet with a securely fastening dock on the accompanying keyboard that gives you instant laptop capability. It has a good array of ports and full-fat Windows 8 but it's let down badly by its underpowered processor which just about copes with light tablet dutie...
- Shawn Knight, TechSpotA hybrid like this is the perfect platform for Windows 8 to really showcase its potential but unfortunately, the Intel Atom processor holds the system back.
- Anand Tuliani, tech2It’s the first time we’re seeing a Windows 8 tablet selling for the price of a mainstream laptop or the iPad 4. Of course, the iPad is more intuitive and fluid, not to mention the awesome Retina display. But if you’re specifically looking for a Windows 8 device without having to break the bank, the...
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Manuals / User Guides
- Acer Iconia W510 Manual (PDF)
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