What you should know:
The idea of a touch-screen slate running a full Windows operating system that can instantly transform into a working laptop is an appealing one. In practice, the slate part of the W510 is well-built and responsive, and the hinge that connects the two halves is easy to use and secure.
But, the keyboard half (which contains an additional battery) is too light, making the entire thing top-heavy and prone to tipping over. Adding to my usability concerns, $750 only gets you a 64GB SSD hard drive (with about half that space free after OS and software overhead), and the tablet half has connections -- Micro-HDMI, microSD, and Micro-USB -- that are only useful if you walk around with a pocketful of adapters.
What it offers:
Offering low-powered Intel Atom tablet/laptop hybrids for $750 or more is a dodgy proposition for budget-looking systems such as the Iconia W510, but all-day battery life is a great selling point.
The advantage:
The Acer Iconia W510 is less expensive than some other Atom-based hybrids, and its detachable tablet screen is light and portable. Battery life is excellent.
The unfavorable:
In laptop mode, the system is awkwardly top-heavy, and the puny keyboard and touch pad are not designed for serious use.
The price:
$599.99
The idea of a touch-screen slate running a full Windows operating system that can instantly transform into a working laptop is an appealing one. In practice, the slate part of the W510 is well-built and responsive, and the hinge that connects the two halves is easy to use and secure.
But, the keyboard half (which contains an additional battery) is too light, making the entire thing top-heavy and prone to tipping over. Adding to my usability concerns, $750 only gets you a 64GB SSD hard drive (with about half that space free after OS and software overhead), and the tablet half has connections -- Micro-HDMI, microSD, and Micro-USB -- that are only useful if you walk around with a pocketful of adapters.
What it offers: Offering low-powered Intel Atom tablet/laptop hybrids for $750 or more is a dodgy proposition for budget-looking systems such as the Iconia W510, but all-day battery life is a great selling point.
The advantage:
The Acer Iconia W510 is less expensive than some other Atom-based hybrids, and its detachable tablet screen is light and portable. Battery life is excellent.
The unfavorable:
In laptop mode, the system is awkwardly top-heavy, and the puny keyboard and touch pad are not designed for serious use.
The price:
$599.99
