Surprised Windows 8 tabs are not dominating but is little commonality

padgett

At the start of the year I really thought Windows 8 tablets and Windows to go were going to be the Next Big Thing. As we near midyear evidently I was rong.

 

May be because the marketting has not been very good or maybe the whole idea of one-device-does-all is poorly understood (why Clover Trail devices do not have onboard GPS is just duuuumb).

 

Can understand the Apple iOS phenomena, they are wonderful for people who do not like computers in the first place. Android is about where Windows 3.11 was in 1990 - nice but limited. I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.0 7 in my car because a 7" screen is the max for a double din. Do expeact Acer et al to announce a 7" Clover Trail when Bay Trail comes out and then things are really going to get interesting.

 

(aside: once a mfr is uderstood I tend to stay with them. Have two  Acer Apsires and the W510 at the moment and can say at least Acer has not lied to me as a major Korean mfr did. Have not been very helpful at times (suspect I know more about UEFI than anyone they allow to touch the public) but that is just the nature of the beast). As to Windows 8 leave us just say an MSDN subscription is helpful)

 

As a gearhead, one of my real interests is real mobility and why I keep harping on mfrs to provide a mini locking dock with a standard connector (one used by a Malata DS-A02 has HDMI, USB, and RJ45 out and 12vdc in sound familiar ?).

 

As it is I have to cobble things together with a powered USB hub (really needs to have USB 3.0 speeds even if they cannot make the power requirement, I can handle that externally) but in the car I have full connectivity with 3G/4G through a MiFi device in the glovebox, diagnostics, code read and clear, and access to the full cactory shop manual in need. Full GPS & Sat-Nav plus online traffic updates. About 150 albums on the smart card plus CD/DVD/R capability & a FDR

 

(aside: when  rearended last year had the fractional second of impact, location, & could see I was pushed about 8 feet. If there had been an issue I was ready to subpoena the other driver's cell phone & text records).

 

At home it can act as a remote for my cable tv and bring up listings. If wand a show, just touch the scream.

 

In office with keyboard, mouse, 24" monitor at 1920x1080, and RJ45 connection ithas the look feel and capability of a desktop (and with Windows to Go on a 200 GB SSD can be an enterprise desktop with full local policy settings and Smart Card authentication with signing and encryption)

 

Or it can be an alarm clock with wake to music. I do not have a Sears garage door opener or it could open that also.

 

Yes Virginia, it took some tweaking and a few extra software bits and homemade cables and a Smart Card reader, and USB CD/DVD/R, and a second power supply, and a powered USB hub but we are talking less than a Benjamin and most is multi-use.

 

The MiFi device I already had for mobility and a backup for my home/office cable (in Florida you do not take power, phone, or cable for granted).

 

But what seems to have stalled is the whole downward push or "real" operating systems into tablets. May just be pent up demand that will explode when a "W507" or "W508" comes out in a form factor that fts into an inside jacket pocket. (The Samsung is nice when taking a date to a nice restaurant since can drop in pocket when flipping the fobic to a valet. I prefer not to leave in car then. W510 is too big.)

 

Of course with a locking mobile dock that problem would go away.

 

Maybe I should get a blog but hopefully Acer is listening. I fell we are right on the edge...

 

rouge1

It seems the Iconia W3 is what you're looking for. It is available for preorder at Amazon right now.

padgett

Boy take a month off and see what appears. Amazon is accepting preorders but no ship date as yet - any guesses ? Is not on the Acer Store as yet but did see 6/16/13 ship date mentioned on Target. Said will e-mail delivery date. Wonder how many preorders they received.

 

Like the W510 it seems to lack a real GPS so car will need a powered hub.

 

Am a little concerned about the 8" form factor. My tab 2.0 is 7.6"x4.8"x.41" and the W3 is 8.62"x5.31"x.45", will fit my tab holders in the car but not certain about my inside jacket pockets, may pop a stitch. If it fits that hits a critical size point, 10" is awkward to carry.

 

Idea of a low cost bluetooth keyboard is interesting since could sit on a passenger's lap while tab is on the dash.

 

Hope they wil provide a mobile dock and power supply or will need to build one. Wonder if it will have the oddall W510 connector.

 

Guess I will find out when it arrives

 

ps http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Iconia-W3-810-1600-8-1-Inch-Tablet/dp/B00CM1BN5G/ & http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Iconia-W3-810-1416-8-1-Inch-Tablet/dp/B00CM1BN5Q/

 

pps saw a concern on one report about Windows Office Home and Student being included. According to M$ Office H&S needs 3 GB of hard disk. My W510 still has 11 GB free of the 32 GB (also have a 32 GB SD card for music and maps) after upgrading to Win 8 Professional.

 

ppps looks like Acer is only selling in Finland: http://www.acer.fi/ac/fi/FI/content/series/iconiaw3 to bad they do not ask the forum to beta test am sure we would find things immediately.