back to article Acer locates 'missing' tablet strategy

Acer has announced the launch date and pricing of its Iconia 10.1in tablets. The company has a two-OS strategy supporting both Windows 7 and Android 3.0 Honeycomb in its W500 and A500 models, respectively. Acer Iconia W500 Acer's Iconia W500 in netbook mode The W500 will be available in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G versions, and …

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  1. Paul Crawford Silver badge
    FAIL

    Apple, fish & barrels

    Apple must be laughing all the way to the bank with the iPad.

    It has been around now for ages (in technological time-scales) and yet the completion seem to be unable to find their tablet arses to fondle with both hands and a map.

    Where did these companies put the engineers and designers that have vision, flare, and competence to deliver? Or have the gone down the Nokia road of death with endless committees arguing what should be done, leading them to a CEO begging Microsoft for a lead forward? Which might come in 1-2 years if they get W8 on ARM...

    1. Ammaross Danan
      Coat

      True and Sad

      It's quite sad how true the OP's statement really is. However, if you've spied the Samsung 8.9" and 10.1" follow-ups to the Galaxy Tab (which was terrible btw), you'd likely be singing a different tune in the way of competing tablets.

  2. Drem

    Rubber pointing stick...

    "green, ThinkPad-style rubber pointing stick" - I thin you mean a nipple mouse, like those found on older laptops, I replaced the rubber cap on one of mine not that long ago

    1. Elmer Phud
      Boffin

      Nipple mouse?

      We never used to call them 'nipple mouse' - always called them something that ladies usually say men can never find.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Badgers

        ob xkcd

        Indeed, there's a spectrum of terms:

        http://xkcd.com/243/

    2. Peter Gathercole Silver badge

      IBM trademarked the name TrackPoint

      but other names include TouchStyk. Other names can be found in the relevant Wikipedia article, and many other good information sources.

      IBM's name was the original, though, as they developed it to a product even if they did not invent it.

  3. Tigra 07
    Thumb Up

    Looks good

    That looks cool, i'm liking this option of tablet or laptop rather than one or both.

    A laptop is great, but sometimes you need something slightly more portable and bigger than a phone.

  4. Wang N Staines

    No. Thanks.

    A pile of wet stuff.

  5. Thomas 4
    Coffee/keyboard

    Meh

    The problem with attachable keyboards for fondleslabs is that by the time you've factored in the extra weight and volume, you might as well just say "screw it" and buy a netbook. Same goes for the netbooks with reversable screens.

    The only one that looks like it might have solved the formula is the Asus one with the slideout keyboard. Icon because this thing really needs a new keyboard.

  6. Hayden Clark Silver badge
    FAIL

    The 1990's called,

    ... they'd like their laptop back.

    That has to be the most fugly attempt at a tablet yet. The keyboard looks like a cheap accessory - they couldn't even make the connector door into a smooth cover. The colour is horrible - metallic beige. When you fold the dock plug away, the keyboard now only attaches to the screen by the latching hook. Knock it, and the hook snaps off - or moves about in your bag, scratching the screen.

    The whole concept of a folding USB-plus-docking-pins is laughable. You're with your cool friends - would you dare to get this contraption out of its bag, while their poking and sweeping on their iPads?

    Suggestions:

    1) Abandon the keyboard-as-deskstation idea, and make the bracket just be for powering the keyboard. Use Bluetooth for keyboard comms. Now the hinge/stand need only have a couple of contact points for power

    2) Make the stand self-erect when the screen is put on the keyboard base. Need to channel some Psion 3/5 vibes here.

    3) Make the keyboard be really thin and light, so you can use magnets alone to attach it to the screen.

    4) Choose a better colour and finish.

    1. Bassey
      Boffin

      Re: Hayden Clark

      "You're with your cool friends - would you dare to get this contraption out of its bag, while their poking and sweeping on their iPads?"

      Sounds like your nights out with friends are an absolute riot!

  7. Steve J. Rapaport
    FAIL

    Acer's new horseless carriage!

    Now with detachable horse for those times when one of those newfangled 'engines' just won't do.

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