Acer announces new Windows 8 devices, including the 8.1-inch Iconia W3 tablet

Acer has kicked off Computex by announcing a series of new devices, including a refresh of the 13.3-inch Aspire S7 and the launch of the Iconia W3, an 8.1-inch tablet that brings the new Microsoft platform to a smaller screen size.

The Intel-powered Iconia W3 weighs just 1.1 pounds and is 11.35 mm thick, it is powered by an Intel dual-core 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 processor. It is available as 32GB or 64GB models and is priced upwards of $379, going on sale tomorrow. Keyboards area available for the device — priced around $90 — but do not come included.

The tablet’s 1,280 x 800 display is capable of playing video at 720p, and it includes a two-megapixel camera on the back, Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, USB slots and space for a micro-SD card.

Interestingly, the device comes loaded with both the home and student version of Microsoft’s Office products, the merits of which are explained by Luca Rossi, vice president of the consumer business unit at Acer Europe:

With the Iconia W3, Acer is giving the millions of students, consumers and professionals who create, read, work and play in the Windows environment a single-handed device that does it all. These adventurous will enjoy the industry-leading combination of a Windows 8 tablet in a sleek and lightweight 8-inch design, giving them a new and more effective way to take their fun and productivity on the go.

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The Taiwanese firm also announced a refresh of its Aspire S7 Ultrabook. The new  S7-392 model runs on a fourth-generation Intel chip and includes a 1 TB hard disk. The refresh brings with it extended battery life, an enhanced electroluminescent (EL) backlit keyboard and an improved cooling system.

Acer is also talking up the new wireless display (based on Intel’s WiDi) technology which allows for big-screen entertainment and greater productivity levels, it says. The S7 begins shipping in July and is priced upwards of €1,450 in Europe, US pricing has not been announced.