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Netbook-come-tablet devices seem to be the flavour of the week at the Computex show in Taipei. Yesterday we showed you ASUS’s new Transformer Books, and today rival Acer has revealed similar products in the W510 and W700.
Just like the new Transformer Book from ASUS, Acer’s offerings will run on Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system when it launches later this year. Both combine PC functionality with portable tablet usability with a host of features.
Both fall into Acer’s existing ICONIA tablet range, which is split into Android devices (model numbers beginning ‘A’) and Windows devices (model numbers beginning with ‘W’).
The ICONIA W510 features a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen with multitouch support for Windows 8. The user can choose to use the tablet on its own, or dock it into a netbook-sized keyboard, which, as with the ASUS Transformer Prime, has its own battery to extend the battery life to an impressive 18 hours. The keyboard dock also contains a micro SD card slot, SIM card slot, Micro USB port and HDMI-out for connecting to a TV.
The ICONIA W700 is a larger device, sporting an 11.6-inch capacitive touchscreen, again with multitouch support for Windows 8. This model doesn’t come with a keyboard dock unfortunately, but it does sport its own cradle, which allows the screen to be tilted to the optimum angle.
For those who want to use a keyboard they can, thanks to a generous offering of three USB 3.0 ports. There will also be a Thunderbolt port for super speedy connectivity to screens and external hard drives, along with a HDMI port to hook up to a TV and Dolby Home Theater quality sound.
The multipurpose cradle allows the ICONIA W700 to be docked in either landscape or portrait mode, allowing the tablet to be tilted by up to 70 degrees.
As with ASUS’s new gadgets from yesterday, there is currently no release date or price for the Acer ICONIA W510 and W700. Windows 8 is expected to launch in October, so expect to see these devices in the shops sometime around then.
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