Acer Expands Iconia Tab Line With 8-Inch Windows and Android Variants, Aspire Switch 10 2-in-1
Things are kicking up leading at IFA 2014 in Berlin. Acer has announced a bevy of new products at the trading convention that includes new Windows and Android variants for its Iconia Tab line and a new model for its Aspire Switch 10 2-in-1 line of products.
The Iconia Tab line will have three more options for users to choose from. The Iconia Tab 8 W, which is geared more for work, is Acer’s Windows-based tablet that runs on Windows 8.1 with Bing and comes with a full year of Microsoft Office 365 Personal. Users will have access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook free of charge for the first year.
It is 9.75mm thin, weighs 370 grams, and has a battery life that will last up to eight hours. Powered by an Intel Atom Z3735G quad-core processor, it also features a 1280x800 HD display with IPS technology, has dual stereo speakers, dual cameras, and a microSD port for expanded storage. The Iconia Tab 8 W also comes with an optional Acer Crunch Keyboard that is a full-size keyboard that weighs less than 200 grams.
The Iconia Tab 8 W will be available in Novmeber at the starting price of $149 in Pan America (149€ in EMEA).
For those who are uninterested in Windows-based tablets, there is the Iconia Tab 10 which run on Android 4.4 and powered by a MediaTek quad-core processor. Designed more with entertainment in mind, it comes with a 10.1-inch FHD screen, and two built-in speakers that will deliver 5.1 audio over stereo headphones thanks to Dolby Digital Plus. There is also a micro HDMI port and the tablet comes with Wireless Display capability. And for those worried about scratching or damaging the screen, you can rest easy. The Iconia Tab 10 features the next generation of Corning Gorilla Glass to make it more durable.
The Iconia Tab 10 will be available September at the starting price of $199 in Pan America (199€ in EMEA) and comes in Black or White.
The third tablet announced is the Iconia One 8. Powered by the same Intel Atom Z3735G quad-core processor as the 8 W, the One 8 is, however, thinner (8.5mm), weighs 340 grams, runs on Android 4.4, and features a 1280x800 HD display. However, unlike the other two tablets, the One 8 will be available in 10 different colors. Users will be able to choose from Jade Green, Sunshine Yellow, Vivid Orange, Sky Blue, Essential White, Midnight Black, Fragrant Pink, Violet Purple, Mia Blue, and Garnet Red.
No price or availability was provided for Pan America but the Iconia One 8 will be available October for 149€ in EMEA.
However, Acer wasn’t done. It also announced a new addition to its Acer Aspire Switch 10 2-in-1 series. The SW5-012 features full HD 1920x1200 or HD 1280x800 resolution with a battery life of up to 8 hours (HD) and 7 hours (full HD). According to Acer, it is one of the thinnest 2-in-1 devices on the market by measuring 8.9mm thin in tablet mode and 20.2mm with the keyboard dock. Without the keyboard, it weighs .585kg and 1.17kg with the keyboard and is powered by an Intel Atom quad-core processor. It comes with 32/64GB of storage, 2GB of RAM, a 2MP HD webcam, and comes pre-loaded with Microsoft Office 365 personal while running on Microsoft Windows 8.1.
The Acer Aspire Switch 10 series will be available in September in Pan America with a starting price of $329.99 (€329 in EMEA).
