Windows 8.1 is as good on small tablets as big ones

Acer last month released the 8-inch Iconia W3 tablet, which happened to be the first "small tablet" to run Windows 8. Unfortunately, it's a pretty terrible tablet. It's heavy and cumbersome, looks and feels like it was designed for a child, and has a display that will bring tears -- sad tears -- to your eyes.

That would be worth discussing at length except that Acer apparently agrees, and is working on a revamped version of the tablet for release later this year. That makes a review of the hardware itself irrelevant.
Windows 8 is built around vector-based text and graphics -- which can shrink and enlarge on the fly without affecting their quality -- and responsive design, which basically allows the software to instantly reconfigure its layout based on a device's screen size, orientation and resolution. Everything fits without being too small, too large, or out of place.
This means that Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) and its development partners didn't have to do much to make Windows 8 functional on small tablets. With the Windows 8.1 release, though, it's apparent they put a fair amount of thought into tying up some loose ends.
One of Microsoft's explicit goals for Windows 8.1 on mobile devices is to keep users in its new "Modern" interface as much as possible. The desktop mode is designed for a keyboard and mouse; trying to use it with my finger almost provoked a nervous breakdown.
Windows 8.1 is as good on small tablets as big ones - Jul. 18, 2013
 
Acer last month released the 8-inch Iconia W3 tablet, which happened to be the first "small tablet" to run Windows 8. Unfortunately, it's a pretty terrible tablet. It's heavy and cumbersome, looks and feels like it was designed for a child, and has a display that will bring tears -- sad tears -- to your eyes.

That would be worth discussing at length except that Acer apparently agrees, and is working on a revamped version of the tablet for release later this year. That makes a review of the hardware itself irrelevant.
Windows 8 is built around vector-based text and graphics -- which can shrink and enlarge on the fly without affecting their quality -- and responsive design, which basically allows the software to instantly reconfigure its layout based on a device's screen size, orientation and resolution. Everything fits without being too small, too large, or out of place.
This means that Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) and its development partners didn't have to do much to make Windows 8 functional on small tablets. With the Windows 8.1 release, though, it's apparent they put a fair amount of thought into tying up some loose ends.
One of Microsoft's explicit goals for Windows 8.1 on mobile devices is to keep users in its new "Modern" interface as much as possible. The desktop mode is designed for a keyboard and mouse; trying to use it with my finger almost provoked a nervous breakdown.
Windows 8.1 is as good on small tablets as big ones - Jul. 18, 2013

Hi there
perhaps there should be an addendum in brackets : (or as BAD) !!!.

Anyway my fingers are FAR too large to be able to use a small tablet for anything else than watching pure video -- I certainly can't use the on screen keyboard -- I think the current phraseology is "Seriously Digitally Challenged" !! but the Biological meaning not the scientific (Binary / mathematical) meaning.

When you've got hands as big as Steam Shovels you can't even THINK of using small tablets -- although the advantage is that in "dubious places" you get left well alone. !!!!

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Acer | Iconia W3
$ 379.99 for that junk! No thanx, I'd rather get the Acer Chromebook for $199! with 11.6’’ screen - yep 'cos size does matter!:dinesh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
Acer | Iconia W3
$ 379.99 for that junk! No thanx, I'd rather get the Acer Chromebook for $199! with 11.6’’ screen - yep 'cos size does matter!:dinesh:

At least it uses win32 but the price is see is $ 429.99 !!!
What? Is this one of those changing prices again... :sick:
In the end, price matters as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Yup was alluding to value for money...didn't M$ recently provide OEM's with a huge discount as well? Yes it is a the old tried and tested Win32 but it depends how much actual "computing" one does with your tablet as it were - still at that price - No way! :shock:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
I'm not surprised this tab was terrible. Acer isn't generally a name synonymous with high end equipment.

Apparently they're redesigning this tab with a new display which could make it a bit better, but to be great they would need to shove a Silvermont chip in it too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Dell Venue 8 Pro, i5 2500K overclocked PC
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4gb Surface Pro, 8gb PC
Will be interesting to see what Intel does with Bay Trail.
Just got a convertible tablet/laptop with a cloverview CPU, it actually runs well for a tablet. Very smooth and responsive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
Back
Top