W3 phantomware ?

Am still listed for a 3 July delivery from Amazon. Office Depot is now showing a 6/26/13 release. Just received a flyer in the mail from Staples offering at $349 (save $30 plus 5% "revards, sku 48343) but is not listed online and when I contacted Live Chat "Hi, we dont have the 8.1" but we have the 10.1 which is out of stock right now."

 

US Acer store "No results were found for: w3"

 

Does anyone know what is really happening ?

Answers

  • ryu0307
    ryu0307 Member Posts: 1 New User

    I asked about the w3 variant with a 3G module but I dont think it will be released here in the US, rumors also stated that instead of windows 8 it will be released with a windows 8.1 hence the delay

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Maybe so. Seeing June 26 on Office Depot now and "Windows 8.1 will be launched at the Microsoft Build developer conference in San Francisco on June 26 and the final version will be available as a free downloadable Windows 8 update." which would match.

     

    Nothing on MSDN yet.

     

    See http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/operating-systems/windows-blue-update-to-build-on-and-improve-windows-8-1131737 since links do not seem to work.

     

    Next Wednesday then ?

  • OrionBG
    OrionBG Member Posts: 45 Troubleshooter

    Windows 8.1 will be released in Q4!! October or November maybe! Certainly Not during BUILD! Then only a beta preview version will be made public, nothing more!

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    If you believe Q4 then I have this bridge you might be interested in...

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Just found on the Acer US site: http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/NT.L1JAA.001 . Also is now listed on the "Drivers and Manuals" page as Iconia W  W3-810 but only drivers, no user's manual yet. p/n NT.L1JAA.001

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    W3 is on the front page of the Sunday paper 23 June, 13 suppliments from both Office Depot and Staples. Have been calling but neither seems to have any in Orlando. Staples says it was a misprint.

     

    Wonder if these will become collector's items.

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Anyone know what the difference is between the W3-810-1600 and the W3-810-1833 ? Specs look like one has a SD reader and the other does not but both list a card reader in the features. Both are on US page as 32 GB.

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Just FYI but Microsoft has released the Windows 8.1 "preview" on MSDN (x86 and x64 versions) and the .iso should be available on http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/download-preview RSN. I suspect this is going to be fastracked to production.

     

    Will be installing on a spare drive for checkout. I have a lot of removable drives.

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    And just to prove me rong, at first light this morning I started calling Home Depots (closer than Staples) and a W3-810-1600 is now in residence. And even with Fla tax was less than Amazon (fortunately not shipped so able to cancel order). Still needs to drop a bit to match the iPad mini.

     

    Box is pretty bare, not even the mini to normal USB connector. Fortunately I have many. Same for HDMI. Power connector is now standard and power supply says 12v so mobile use will be easy.

     

    Will fit in some jacket pockets but is tight (about an inch wider than a Samsung Tab 2.0 7)

     

    Is loaded with Windows 8, and not 8.1. Expect a free upgrade when released (in preview now)

     

    Does include a key for "Windows 8 Small Screen Touch with Office Home and Student 2013 (no Outlook or Lync). Will need to see what happens.

     

    Going to let it get a full charge before I start exporing but is phantomware no more. 

  • f2
    f2 Member Posts: 24 New User

    Well, mine arrived today at my door.  But I'm still reluctant to open the plastic wrap as Office Depot will not take it back if it is unsealed and this feels like "opening a pig in a poke."  Sight unseen and untested. 

     

    The keyboard arrived two days ago but that was not vacuum sealed.  I actually paired it my my BB Playbook but without a trackpad, it was hard to do much that that combo.

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Answered in the "W3 Notes" thread since is now real but my OD receipt says it may be exchanged for up to 14 days. Am not concerned.

     

    If really concered either send it back or post a "for sale" here (is that permitted ?) am sure that by Thanksgiving there will be more and probably better ones out with a price point around $300.

This discussion has been closed.