<div>Here we are, stuck between leaving desktop PCs and fat laptops behind and making a beeline for smartphones and tablets. Most people need to work with notebooks that have enough processing power and good solid keyboards. And yet, the portability and flexibility of mobile devices that can do so many different things, is a big lure too. Netbooks didn’t quite cut it. So it’s only inevitable that in-between devices that do double duty as tablets and laptops should become available. <br /> </div><div>The Acer Iconia Tab W510 is a creative hybrid in this category and an option for those who want something portable and ‘lean back’ plus sturdy and ‘lean forward’ to get some work done. <br /> </div><div>Unpacking the Iconia W510 is rather a nice process because it’s so neatly organised in its box, all the parts arranged well for protection. This is a device that launched in 2012 and made its way to India later down the line. Essentially, it’s in two pieces — one part is the tablet and the other a keyboard dock. <br /> </div><div>On the outside, with the tablet docked and closed, the W510 is a muted silver all around. It’s made of some synthetic material though and many people complain that it’s a bit plasticky, though by no means cheap or sub- premium. It does pick up scratches and marks, but it’s the rare laptop that doesn’t. You can wipe them off and this is in any case better than the rubberised soft materials that picks up oil.<br /> </div><div>A solid, sturdy, white plastic slot takes in the tablet and I found it quite secure and tight — except when touching the screen in laptop mode. Then there’s a lot of play. You certainly don’t need the screen bouncing back when you touch it. Inside, the screen is adequately clear though not vibrant. It has great viewing angles. That’s important in smaller devices, particularly. <br /> </div><div>When the tablet is docked, it also tilts far back to face the other way, enabling it to be used in a stand mode, for presentations. <br /> </div><div>The keyboard is a mixed bag. It’s got nice clear separate keys, but because this is a small device, the keys on the left are condensed and that takes some getting used to. The Shift key especially took me a lot of time to use properly. The keys are also a little hard and should have had more spring in them. The trackpad isn’t the most responsive. <br /> </div><div>The touch screen is responsive, but this isn’t a superfast machine like the ones running Intel’s Core processors. It’s good for light work that doesn’t call for multi-tasking. You can run Photoshop, but that plus a few more applications will slow things down. <br /> </div><div>The W510 does, however, have the full version of Windows 8 and not RT, which means you can use software that you’re accustomed to from earlier machines, as long as it’s compatible with Windows 8. <br /> </div><div>Rather atypically, the W510 has an 8 megapixel primary and 2 megapixel front camera. But the picture and video quality doesn’t quite match up to the results from top-end smartphones. </div><div>I found the dock plus tablet together a little heavy. It’s not handbag material. But if you’re moving around in an office, it’s perfectly easy to carry. And it resumes very fast when you open the lid. The tablet alone is, of course, quite light. <br /> </div><div>The W510 costs Rs 37,990 without the keyboard and Rs 49,990 with. I hardly think it’s worthwhile without the keyboard as you have many other options in keyboard-less tablets, including the iPad and all the Android tablets. Also, some of the ports are on the keyboard dock. <br /> </div><div>Be aware that one can’t upgrade the RAM or other specs on this device. Check out the other models in the W- series as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">mala(dot)bhargava(at)gmail(dot)com<br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">(This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 17-06-2013) </span><br /><br /> </div>
BW Reporters
Mala Bhargava has been writing on technology well before the advent of internet in Indians and before CDs made their way into computers. Mala writes on technology, social media, startups and fitness. A trained psychologist, she claims that her understanding of psychology helps her understand the human side of technology.
