Acer reportedly replacing Iconia W3 Windows tablet after just a few months

billsey

From engadget:

 

acer-said-to-replace-iconia-w3-in-sept/

padgett

Might be a Bay Trail Z3770 chipset running at 2.4GHZ and 64 bit capable. Is supposed to be higher speed/lower power than the Z2760.

 

I was surprised at the June intro of the W3 but from one standpoint it is mainly a repackaging of the 510 and uses the same chipset. CT was just the first 22nm Intel design while BT is supposed to be the first to really take advantage of it. Possibly the W3 was more of a "proof of principle" to test acceptance of the smaller form factor before deciding how to package it.

 

Was looking at BT to be an I3-I5 replacement for larger systems but no reason it can't be smaller. Personally I'd like to see a 64 bit capable Windows machine that fits in my pocket (W3 is a strain), essentially Windows in a Galaxy tab 2.0 7 FF.

Tony-home

That would be great. Bay Trail is supposed to be at least twice faster than CT, while staying at the same power envelope. BTW, CT is 32nm, so move to 22nm BT should bring in major power savings.

 

I heard that W3 also has poor quality screen - Ars review was complaining about it a lot. Granted, Ars is a 101% apple media shop and they would try to find any possible bad thing about competitor, but probably there is some reality in that complain.

 

What I would love to see in W3 is the 3G connection and decent speaker. Combined with Skype it should enable phone-like use.

padgett

I love press releases. You have to be careful to read exactly what is said. Can't find the quote now but Acer said they were not going to upgrade the W3. Didn't say there isn't a W4 in the works for a 4Q13 release. Discounts under $300 already indicate that W3 will be a short run.

 

It seems clear to me that the W3 was designed for a public beta and they found out a lot:

1) Market expects an excellent screen regardless of size

2) Wifi range/speed needs some work, may be an antenna issue)

3) Case needs to be a bit narrower (can get under 5" ?) to be truely pocketable.

4) Inclusion of PowerPoint was brilliant (Word and Excell help also)

Nice to have

5) GPS

6) Ability to act as an IR remote to control TV/cable/satellite box.

7) Blue Tooth keyboard with trackpad that fits in an eyglass case.  (e.g. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005C6CVAE/ ) page up/down on side and laser pointer make very nice for PowerPoint presentations)

 

Other than being smaller, the W3 is capable of everything the W510 can do including booting Windows to Go and all the same cables and adapters work. If something needs to be left out I would suggest 3G/4G capability. Almost any smartphone can be a hotspot now. Unless some provider starts making available an unlimited any device voice and data plan (unlikely), a single seperate MiFi hotspot able to support anything (actually five anythings) and on a single plan just makes more sense to me.

 

(I need redundancy in everything for my day job. Most people don't.) 

 

Be nice if Acer made a special deal available for those who bought W3s (hint 8*)

 

ps some make a big thing out of 32 bit vs 64 bit Windows. I have both and don't really see any difference in what I do.

 

pps you are correct CT was 32nm and the new Bay Trail is 22nm and "T" version is speced at <3W. Most likely the "replacement" will be a Bay Trail-T/Z3770 32 bit and 4GB RAM capable. BT can support USB 3.0 but not sure is the small FF tablet can afford the power. Would make a WTG boot much faster.