Acer on Monday announced a pair of Windows 8-based tablets: the Iconia W510 and Iconia W700. The W510 is technically a hybrid PC: It sports a 10" screen and a detachable keyboard that transforms the tablet into a clamshell notebook or flips backward over the device in a presentation mode. The W700 is a higher-end device with an 11.6" full-HD screen. Both devices provide over 8 hours of battery life, Acer says.
Acer Iconia W510
“The most unique part of the W510 tablet is the tri-mode, allowing users to touch, type, and view,” an Acer press release notes. “A detachable keyboard dock can be connected to the tablet for optimal typing as well as extending the battery life up to 18 hours. Rotating the tablet 295 degrees allows it to be used in presentation mode, which is excellent for watching a video, browsing a webpage, or viewing a PowerPoint presentation.”
Acer Iconia W700
Acer’s devices, notably, are based on Intel chipsets, though the company says it will release ARM-based Windows RT tablets “two to four months” after Windows 8 launches, as well. The W510 will cost $799, Acer notes, while the W700 will cost $999.
Acer has also announced a touch-based Aspire Ultrabook, which comes in versions with both 11.6" and 13.3" screens. These devices will feature battery life of 9 to 13 hours, the company claims. And Acer will offer two all-in-one PCs in 23" and 27" screen variants. The PCs feature swiveling screens, multi-touch, and full HD graphics.
ASUS, meanwhile, has announced two Intel-based Windows 8 tablet PCs—the Tablet 810 and Tablet 600—and three hybrid PCs than can switch between pure tablet and notebook modes. These are named the Taichi, Transformer AiO, and Transformer Book. Toshiba, meanwhile, will offer at least one ARM-based Windows RT tablet, although the company’s official announcement is still forthcoming.
Microsoft is expected to reveal a number of coming Windows 8 and Windows RT hardware designs during Computex. Stay tuned!