PCWorld - Acer’s Iconia W4 is a big step up from its predecessor, but it doesn't stand out among the current crowd of 8-inch Windows tablets.
It’s been less than a year since Microsoft handed out Acer’s Iconia W3 tablet to developers attending its Build 2013 conference. The Iconia W3, powered by an Intel Cedar Trail-class processor, delivered less-than-stellar performance, too-short battery life, and was saddled with a mediocre display.
Fortunately for Microsoft, none of that seems to have hindered its effort to interest other manufacturers in building Windows 8 tablets. Acer has at least half-a-dozen competitors today, and its latest effort—the Iconia W4—is much better than last year’s model.
Most of the 8-inch Windows tablets are simple black slabs with a few ports around the edges and a capacitive Windows button on the bezel. Acer's engineers mix it up with a touch of gray edging around the screen and a wider strip at the bottom that houses a physical Windows button. I really enjoyed having a real button to wake the tablet from sleep mode or to take me back to the Windows Start screen. Read More
