Hasta La Gadget!

Each new release of the Samsung Galaxy Tab proves the company’s willingness to stick with the brand name – and power. Samsung has the power to release a new wave of tablets each year without specific specification boosts bit-by-bit. Keep that in mind when you have a peek at this machine’s top-to-bottom, especially when it comes to the final product.

Hardware

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 works with a 10.1-inch TFT LCD display with 800 x 1280 pixel resolution. That’s 149.45 PPI and certainly not the sharpest display on the market, well under the current-gen iPad‘s 263.92 PPI and especially the Google Nexus 10 with its 300.24 PPI, but it’s up at the point at which you’re no longer going to be seeing a whole lot of difference.

This machine’s display is the same resolution as the previous generation Samsung Galaxy Tab but here works with IPS TFT LCD technology instead of PLS TFT. In short this means the Galaxy Tab 3 line matches the Samsung Galaxy S 4 for brightness – not sharpness, of course, as the GS4 works with a much, much sharper panel, but for brightness without a doubt.

Samsung has also done a good job of matching the Samsung Galaxy Tab line to the Galaxy Note line from this generation – you’re seeing the Galaxy Note 8.0 – and we’re expecting the Galaxy Note III to look as vivid later this year as well.

With the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 you’re not going to find a tablet aimed at being a one-stop-shop for excellence in all things media capturing as well as display. Instead, this device acts as one of several control ports for the whole Samsung device environment. You’ll find out more about the app connections this tablet has with the rest of the Samsung devices of this Galaxy S 4 era – here in hardware, this means you’re not going to be competing with standalone devices like the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity for raw output and power – not by a long shot.

Inside the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 you’ll find a Z2560 Intel Atom 1.6GHz dual-core processor – Clover Trail+, that is – with the built-in ability to use 4G LTE (in future iterations of this hardware with a microSIM card slot, of course). This hardware will not work with said connectivity as it’s got no SIM card slot to speak of, but we’ll almost certainly be seeing this tablet working with AT&T and Verizon – and maybe even T-Mobile – inside the next half-year with 4G LTE connectivity.

While it may seem like a bold move for Samsung to move from well-known processors like their own Exynos line and NVIDIA’s Tegra SoCs in past Tab lines to Intel here in 2013, it’s worth noting that they don’t do so with their flag flying high. As mentioned in the Intel Scores column from Chris Davies earlier this year, both the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 and the ASUS MeMo Pad FHD 10 work with Clover Trail+, but neither of them have “leapt to Atom wholeheartedly.”

As it was with the release of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 lineup, here again the company is making very little of the creators of the processors under their device lineup’s hoods. With the Galaxy Tab 2 line it was Texas Instruments OMAP line, here it’s Intel’s Atom, and the results make for a well-balanced tablet collection in either case, but not a set of machines made for breaking any barriers.

Have a peek at a set of benchmark tests here to see how the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 fares and keep heart – the end result is solid for everyday media display, web browsing, and basic gaming needs.

Software

The software suite included with this machine matches that of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 era of devices. The smartphone acts as Samsung’s hero for the rest of their smart mobile devices, and with each new era the collection becomes – at once – more diverse and more aesthetically similar. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 looks like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 looks like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 – looks like the Samsung Galaxy Note III, eventually.

And inside they all look essentially the same.

You’ll find Google’s family of apps to be resting inside this machine – Chrome for web browsing, Gmail, Google+, Google Play, and Google search. You’ll get Google Now as well with a long press on this device’s physical home button and a tap of the G on the screen.

From Samsung you’ve got S-Voice and voice-controlled commands the likes of which are more precise than any previous version of Samsung’s own voice commander. More important than this is the common appearance of the apps ChatON – for Samsung-centric media-friendly chat, Group Play – for Samsung-centric media sharing and entertainment inside a Wi-Fi network, and Samsung Apps.

Samsung Apps connects the user with a Samsung account that’ll allow the user access to apps and (and with Samsung Hub, also downloadable) media from whatever Samsung device the user is using. Oddly we’re not getting Samsung Link right out of the box, this an experience rather similar to Group Play in its aim at connecting your Samsung devices together, here sharing to the cloud and pulling from tablets, smartphones, notebooks, and Samsung TVs.

Even beyond benchmarks, this machine isn’t exactly aiming to destroy its key competitors. Instead you’ll find a well-balanced tablet aiming to be an everyday driver, not exactly the one you’ll be picking up in hopes of being gaming machine of the year. It’s not longer about being number one in the ranks for each individual device for Samsung, it’s about creating a device ecosystem.

Camera / Battery

The camera on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 delivers media that leaves a bit to be desired. While we’ve seen top-notch results from the company’s hero smartphone line in the Samsung Galaxy S 4 for photos and video, and machines like the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom bringing on a best-in-class bit of performance in the photo and video phones realms, here the Galaxy Tab line once again brings a “good enough” experience to the table.

It’s almost as if Samsung is suggesting we stop obsessing over taking photos with every single machine which could potentially work with a camera and just leave the media collection to the cameras and the smartphones.

That said, you’ll still want to check the results of this device’s abilities with its 3-megapixel back-facing camera. You’ve got a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front of this machine as well, but you’ll not be wanting to use it for anything other than basic video chat on the regular.

The battery on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 sits at a cool 6800 mAh, meaning you’ll be kicking out more uptime than essentially any other smart device you own unless you’re doing nothing but non-stop video streaming and high-powered gaming at the same time. We’ve found standby time to be excellent as well, hitting at a rather low drain while most systems are deactivated.

Once the battery is actually out all the way, we’ll let you know. For now we’re running on several days’ steam without an issue – most of that is, indeed, time spent with the display off, and we’re expecting far larger dents in the device’s up time once this device sees a 4G LTE iteration.

Wrap-up

This device is ready to be a lovely addition to your Samsung Galaxy S 4 family of smart devices. If you’ve got a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, there’s little reason to upgrade – and you might just want to skip this generation if you really enjoy your front-facing speakers which do not appear here in 2013 – unless you’ve got the Galaxy Note 10.1, of course. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 instead is the topmost hero tablet for the Samsung universe at the moment, running a quad-core Samsung Exynos processor and rolling with an S-Pen to boot.

While the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 also brings some heat to the party, it’s with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 that this smaller form-factor does battle with. It’s also missing the front-facing speakers, while we’re on the subject. Where did they go, and why did they disappear?

Above: Samsung Galaxy S 4, Galaxy Note 8.0, Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, and Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 (from top to bottom).

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 brings on the full aesthetic and software abilities of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 to the market. If you’ve already got a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 or Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, make with the skipping of this generation. If you want to connect to your Samsung Galaxy S 4-era family of devices with a variety of entertaining and powerful apps and features and have no recent-generation 10.1-inch tablet to speak of, feel free to select the $399 USD Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 – it’s slick.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 Review is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Being touted as a “mini ultrabook” the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S is the latest and greatest to grace the IdeaPad lineup with full-fledged Windows 8 on board. Everything about the Yoga 11 from last year is still present, only we’ve received a huge upgrade to an Intel Core 15 processor (no ARM Tegra 3 here) and dropped Win RT for the full experience. The device is still as portable and impressive as ever, so read on for the rest of our thoughts.

If you’re a fan of the IdeaPad Yoga 11 or Yoga 13, there’s absolutely nothing not to like about the new and improved 11S. It’s faster and better in every way, while keeping true to the original complete with the 360 degrees hinge setup offering multiple viewing modes and usage experiences. Lets take a look.

Hardware

Now before we start on hardware (or anything else for that matter) you’ll want to check out our original Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 Review, as it’s the same experience in terms of the general hardware. We’re working with an 11.6-inch 1366×768 resolution HD IPS display, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 8GB of fast DDR3 RAM, 256GB SSD hard drive, and Bluetooth 4.0 on board. Flip it into tablet mode and you’ve got an excellent touch experience, not to mention full out Windows 8.

Just like the original we have Silver Grey, or an epic looking Clementine Orange for color options. Then Lenovo also has two pricing models too. Starting at $749 you get a Core i3 at 1.4 GHz, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. From there the price bumps to $999 and you get the high-end (although not Haswell) specs mentioned above. Now lets talk about the outside.

Again, nothing’s changed here. We have the same soft to the touch durable materials on the outside and magnesium aluminum frame, followed by a sleek build and chicklet keyboard under the hood. The entire wrist rest area is almost a soft to the touch fabric as well, which has us worried about longevity. On the outside is the power button on front, USB 2.0 on the right and 3.0 on the left (in blue), followed by HDMI out and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Back to the right edge we have a screen orientation lock, SD for expanding on the 256 GB of storage, and the proprietary charging port. Don’t forget your cable or you’ll be sorry out of luck.

Just like our original review, what’s not to love. It’s thin and portable being only 11.73″ x 8.03″ x 0.67″ in size and barely over 3 lbs. We get a solid 6 hours of battery life, and even a 720p front webcam for Skyping with friends and family. It really is the best form factor for a laptop/tablet on Windows 8. The ThinkPad Helix was neat, but a mess to use in real life. The IdeaPad Yoga 11S is more manageable, and more comfortable.

In closing, we absolutely love the hardware. It’s as portable as ever (save for maybe the MacBook Air) lightweight, durable, comfortable, and extremely adaptable to your needs. Being a Lenovo you know the build quality is awesome, as will be the support should you have issues. Our only hardware complaint would be that both USB ports aren’t 3.0, and the keyboard isn’t backlit. That should be standard these days, even at this price point. Oh and one other thing, the display is a bit glossy. We’d love a matte anti-glare option in the future. That aside, we love the Yoga 11S.

Display

As mentioned above, we’re working with an 11.6inch HD display that’s also an IPS panel. That means wide 178 degree viewing angles and excellent color reproduction. Viewing angles were great, colors were vibrant, and blacks were inky black. The overall bezel could be smaller, but then again this form factor is nearly perfect if you ask me.

The touchscreen was smooth, stable, and responsive. Flipping through Windows 8 was easy and extremely accurate, although of course Win 8 could still use a little work in the touch department. Brightness was never a problem outdoors, and our only complaint again would be the glare from this glossy (but beautiful) display.

Software

We really had one complaint when we reviewed the original Yoga 11, and that was obviously the fact that we were stuck with Windows 8 RT and an ARM chip under the hood. No steam games, no latest Win 8 apps, nothing. The watered down experience was a bummer, but Lenovo fixed all that here. While we still are stuck with a slightly outdated Core i5 processor (instead of Haswell) we get full on Windows 8. Perfect!

Unlike the Yoga 11, the 11S is a full Win 8 machine so we were able to run some Steam games, although obviously the integrated Intel 4000 HD graphics can only take you so far. A little Starcraft 2, some old school Counter-strike, and I even played Angry Birds in the Chrome browser while using the 11S in tablet mode.

Lastly, we ran a few GeekBench tests just to check the performance, for those curious. Again, there’s no i7 under the hood, nor do we have an Intel Haswell processor. So the 1.5 GHz Intel Core i5-3339Y Processor did just about as expected. Check em out below for those interested.

Overall the i5 handles the full Windows 8 experience just fine. Lenovo’s Yoga 11S is the perfect blend between the bigger Yoga 13, and the underpowered original 11. If you’ve been on the fence, this should help you out.

Battery Life

Now battery life is always a mixed bag here, especially considering the user, his usage, and other variables. As usual we tried to get the estimated 6 hours of battery that Lenovo quotes, but never quite made it. A few times once fully charged the battery lasted under 5 hours, but we did manage a solid 5 hours and 12 minutes with intermittent games, browsing, downloading apps, and watching some Dark Knight Rises.

With the screen turned down to about 40% we managed a solid 5+ hours no matter the usage (except for gaming of course) and felt it was quite decent. Then again, this is where Haswell would really come in handy.

Competition

The options available are pretty open at this point in Windows 8′s life. There’s tons of options available, not to mention the original Yoga 11 for those on a budget. However, we feel the full Win 8 experience is essential to truly enjoy this machine. Others that come to mind would obviously be the MacBook Air, which by the way, recently got upgraded to Haswell, and even the Google Chromebook Pixel.

Now that we have a full Windows 8 build here and a Core i5, we’d put this up against any other Windows 8 machine in the price range in terms of overall usage and functionality. The 360 degrees hinge really comes in handy more than you’d think. The Yoga 13 is another excellent option, but for those on the go the 11S is the clear choice.

Wrap-Up

In closing, we’ve enjoyed using this machine for the past few weeks. The Lenovo Ideapad Yoga 11S has a unique design, and could be one of my favorite hybrid/portables on the market. It’s made for the traveler, and can do it all whether you’re out and about, or sitting on the couch. With Lenovo you know it is top quality, and it shows during daily usage.

The Yoga 11S is one of the most portable and flexible machines on the market, and now that we have full Windows 8 nothing will be slowing you down. Give us a similar design with Haswell and a bigger battery, and we’ll be plenty happy. In the meantime you can’t go wrong with the IdeaPad Yoga 11S. Get one today!

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S Review is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

BlackBerry needs a new smartphone for the mass market, and the BlackBerry Q5 is its attempt to deliver. Cheaper than the Q10, though offering another sturdy QWERTY keyboard for text-addicts, the Q5 pares back the specifications (and, it has to be said, the design) to boost the BlackBerry 10 line-up by 50-percent. Is it third time lucky for the plucky Canadian company, or three strikes and you’re out? Read on for the SlashGear review.

Hardware

We criticized the Z10 and Q10 before it as restrained and relatively uninspired in their design; the BlackBerry Q5 elevates those qualities to new levels of blandness. Where the Q10 had, at least, its curvaceous corners and sturdy, bracing struts delineating the QWERTY rows, the Q5 gets none of that. Blunt edged, the matte plastic errs on the bland side of sturdy, and there’s a little more creak to the casing than we’d like to see, given the back panel is non-removable. The color variants – which BlackBerry didn’t have for us to review – look better than the black.

The physical keyboard is clicky and easy to type on, the tiny keys themselves more separated than those on the Q10, but no less flex-free. Above is another 3.1-inch, 720 x 720 touchscreen, though here using an LCD TFT panel rather than the Q10′s Super AMOLED. It’s a solid panel, though, with the pixel density high enough to make it pleasingly detailed to the eye. Unlike on the Q10, meanwhile, the BlackBerry logo has been shifted in-between ‘board and display, meaning there’s more room for your finger to swipe up, starting off the bottom edge of the touchscreen, and dismiss apps. That was tricky to do on the Q10 at times, given the comparatively narrow gap on that phone.

The volume and mute keys run along the right edge, while the lock/power button – a lone lozenge of chrome – is on the top, by the 3.5mm headphones jack. The microUSB port is on the left edge, above a hatching hiding both SIM and microSD slots, the latter good for adding up to 64GB to the Q5′s 8GB of onboard storage, half what you’d get on a Q10 (and only half of which is actually free, once the OS has had its way). The processor is slower, too, a 1.2GHz dual-core, though still paired with 2GB of RAM. We had no issues with the speed the Q5 moves at in most tasks.

On the back, there’s a 5-megapixel autofocus camera with an f/2.4 lens and 1080p HD video recording. A 2-megapixel fixed-focus camera is above the display, good for up to 720p HD video, and by the traditional red notification LED. Inside, there’s quadband LTE and HSPA+ (up to 42Mbps), along with quadband GSM/EDGE, WiFi b/g/n (2.4GHz only), and Bluetooth 4.0. GPS and NFC are included, together with an accelerometer, digital compass, proximity sensor, gyroscope, and an ambient light sensor. No HDMI port, however, though there’s DLNA streaming if your TV is network-connected.

Software

BlackBerry 10.1 makes its second appearance on the Q5, the slightly modified version of BlackBerry’s QNX-based platform. For the most part, it’s unchanged from the platform we reviewed comprehensively back in our original Z10 review, which we’d recommend reading first. For the QWERTY devices, however, 10.1 throws in support for universal search and some other keyboard-centric tweaks.

For instance, start typing “Text XYZ” and you’ll have the option to send a text message to a contact of that name, as well as seeing any search results for the phrase. “Tweet XYZ” throws out a new Twitter message, and you can do the same with Facebook.

BlackBerry 10′s main conceit is the unified inbox and the way it pipes its notifications to you. Swipe all the way to the left and you’ll find an homogenized mailbox containing email, Twitter, and other messages, though it’s also possible to view them on a per-account basis. When the red light starts blinking, you can swipe up and across the display to “peek” at the notification bar, which shows how many new calls, messages, and other alerts you have; finish the swipe and you’ll rocket to the inbox itself to read them.

It works, though its charm is very much dependent on what device you were using before. BlackBerry 7 device owners will probably enjoy the greater detail as to what’s new, having been used to just the red LED before. Those coming from Android or iOS, however, will likely find the pull-down notification bars of each platform offer more in the way of information than BlackBerry 10′s system. In short, it works, but it doesn’t really work any better than anything else.

It’s a similar story in the camera app, which has the Time Shift photo system – allowing you to piece faces from multiple frames into a single shot, getting everybody’s expression right in the process – BlackBerry is so keen to talk about, but which we’ve seen on Nokia and HTC devices too. Story Maker is a neat way to package up several images with Instagram-style filters and a background track but, aside from the novelty of being able to pick your own music, HTC’s automatic Highlight reel on the One is arguably more gratifying.

BlackBerry Messenger has long been the company’s wildcard, the popular IM service which demanded a BlackBerry handset in order to participate in. BBM hasn’t been slow to see updates, however, too, including Screen Share to show your IM friends exactly what’s going on (though they can’t take control of the phone to, say, walk you through a presentation or game) and video chatting. In the coming months, though, BBM will be released for iOS and Android, and while the apps won’t have all the BlackBerry 10 features to begin with, that seems only a matter of time.

If it sounds like we’re being hard on BlackBerry 10, there’s a caveat. The OS isn’t bad, certainly – the multitasker interface, which shrinks apps down to thumbnails that can still show some key, live-updating information, is neat – but neither does it offer most users a compelling advantage over more established platforms from Google and Apple. Meanwhile, the BlackBerry World app store is still lacking the breadth of titles its rivals boast, and while the situation is improving, too many of them are juddering Android ports rather than native code. It’s a bind Microsoft finds itself in, to a similar extent, with Windows Phone, but we’d argue Windows Phone is more approachable for new smartphone users than BlackBerry 10 is.

Camera

BlackBerry had to cut some specifications somewhere on the Q5, and the camera is perhaps the most obvious place that has happened. 5-megapixels (versus the 8-megapixels of the Q10) puts it pretty much on a par with the mid-range smartphone norm, with an LED flash and 1080p video recording.

The Q5′s camera app loads quickly – unless you’re triggering it from the shortcut on the lockscreen, which demands you hold the icon down and then wait just long enough to usually miss your photo opportunity – and the touch-autofocus works swiftly too, as long as you remember to tap and hold (since just tapping takes the photo). The volume-down key also works as shutter-release, complete with a loud sound-effect that can’t be turned off.

In fact, the BlackBerry 10 camera app remains sparse in its settings: there’s the option of normal, digitally stabilized, burst, or HDR modes, whether the flash comes on or not, specific scenes for action, whiteboards, night, or “beach or snow” photography, and to flip between the front and rear cameras. However, beyond changing between 1:1, 4:3, and 16:9 aspect ratios, there’s no way to change the photo resolution.

The end result is unsurprisingly less detailed than the Q10, though solid as long as you give the Q5 sufficient light. Indoors, and in overcast conditions, the colors begin to get insipid and washed out; HDR mode can salvage things, but also has a tendency to over-brighten areas of the frame. There’s no mistaking the fuzziness and lacking detail, however, aspects we didn’t observe on the Q10.

As for video, there’s the option to use the LED flash as a camera light (though not toggle it on and off mid-filming), and the choice between 720p and 1080p recording. The same tap-and-hold focus system is present, though we found the Q5 sometimes struggled to keep a lock on faster-moving subjects.

BlackBerry Q5 1080p video sample:

Phone and Battery

Business users rejoice: it’s another loud BlackBerry that clings tenaciously to a signal. The Q5′s speaker isn’t the most poised we’ve heard – it’s more raucous than refined with music playback, for instance – but it cranks up loud enough for impromptu speakerphone duty and, since it’s on the bottom edge rather than the rear of the phone, is audible whether the handset is placed face up or down.

As for the 2,180 mAh battery, BlackBerry quotes up to 12.5hrs of 3G talk time or up to two weeks of 3G standby from a full charge. In practice, on a 3G network, we got through a full work day on a single charge, based on average mixed use – emails, messaging, some camera and GPS use, and some media playback. Video and media streaming took their toll, however, and despite the relatively small screen to power, the Q5 was demanding a recharge by early evening when we asked it to entertain us for longer periods.

Wrap-Up

There’s an over-aching sense, about the Q5, that it’s not for us; the common smartphone user at large. Instead, it’s more like BlackBerry’s play for the mainstream enterprise: the market that has sustained the Canadian company for so long. BlackBerry 10 is making slow inroads there – the company claims a large chunk of the Fortune 500 is at least trialling the OS, with a few firms signing up to a few thousand Z10 and Q10 sales – but what’s needed is a relatively affordable model, something big businesses can roll out to the legions of middle-management.

On that level, the Q5 does make some sense. BlackBerry’s attitude to pricing is likely to be mighty flexible – worn down by a challenger’s position in the segment – if you’re looking to outfit a couple of thousand people with the touch-and-type handset. For everyone else, though it’s a less compelling proposition.

What gives us most pause about the Q5 is its price. It may have half the name of the Q10, but it doesn’t have half the RRP: in fact, SIM-free in the UK where sales have already begun, the Q5 is £320 ($477) including tax, versus £480 ($715) for the Q10. Sign up to a contract, and you’ll spend just £8 ($12) per month more for the Q10 than the Q5. We’d argue not only that the Q10 is still too expensive for what you get – though we’d prefer it over the Q10 – but that the Q5 isn’t as cheap as it really needs to be. If you’re determined to get a BlackBerry and must have a keyboard, then the Q10 should be your choice; everybody else will likely find more rewarding devices running Android or iOS.

BlackBerry Q5 Review is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

With the Acer Iconia W3 you’ve got Acer’s first 8.1-inch Windows 8 effort on the market – and the first Windows 8 tablet on the market with an 8.1-inch display in any case. Acer’s previous efforts with Android tablets have been decent – we’ve seen the group go all the way back to 2011 with the Acer Iconia Tab A500 and A501 for some of the first Honeycomb efforts on the market – and the Iconia W3 is no move to scoff at. Will this humble-looking handheld be the slate you’ll want to rock for the dawn of Windows next-wave touch software?

Hardware

Acer is no stranger to firsts, that’s for certain. Even the Acer Iconia Tab A100 took a unique chip at the Android tablet block, making way with the first 7-incher to tote Android 3.2 Honeycomb (back when that iteration of Android was first made for smaller-sized tablets).

With the Iconia W3 you’re rolling out with an Intel Atom 1.5GHz Z2760 processor and 2GB of memory, enough to keep Windows 8 rolling relatively hard at this size a display. You’ve also got a collection of wireless connectivity options including WiFi a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0+EDR and you’ll be able to push video mirroring out with this tablet’s built-in micro HDMI port.

The 8.1-inch panel up front works with 1200 x 800 pixel resolution that’s well-to-do at first, but isn’t exactly perfect when it comes to wide viewing angles. That said, you’re probably not going to be aiming this machine at the faces of multiple partners anyway, so you get what you pay for – a single-user viewing experience.

You’ve got a microUSB port as well as a power port on this machine, this being one of the bigger (or smaller, however you want to look at it) differentiators between the Android and Windows tablet universes. While it’s nice to be able to charge the machine up at what seems to be a slightly swifter time than any microUSB connection allows, it’d be nice to only have to rely on a single cord.

Battery life does indeed, believe it or not, live up to the hype – we’ve kicked out 7+ hours of regular use (without turning the machine off) with ease, while standby time hasn’t yet reached its end after several days without being switched off. It would appear that Intel’s processor here makes good on efforts to keep low-powered tasks in the low-powered class.

Up front and on back of this machine you’ve got 2 megapixel cameras able to take relatively decent one-time shots worthy of basic shares. There’s a microSD memory card slight able to carry up to 32GB cards, and you’ve got 32GB of storage inside as well. And believe it or not, you get a WHOPPING 31GB of that space to use on your own – he largest app size in the whole machine is Microsoft’s own “Travel” app at 375MB.

Market Competition

This machine’s biggest competitor may be Samsung’s recently revealed ATIV Tab 3, bringing on a “Galaxy” sort of theme in its hardware made ready for Windows 8.

It too brings on a near-8-inch display size (8.2-inches in that case), with an Intel Atom Z2760 processor and 2GB of RAM to kick out the jams. We’ll see soon how it measures up in real life to the Acer machine here – for now we’re feeling like the two are rather similar (save their obvious brand-specific aesthetic choices). Oh, and the S-Pen included with the Samsung machine – there’s that, too. We’ll see how big a difference that makes in swaying our decision soon.

Iterations and Accessories

There are two different versions of the Acer Iconia W3 coming to the market, that being the standard 32GB version at $379.99 USD, then the $429.99 version with 64GB of storage space. Either way you’ve got a value proposition that can’t be matched on a Windows machine as such – specifically because of the size, at first (there is no other machine like this, so to speak), but then because Acer’s created a solid, reliable machine where no real competition has stepped up to the plate in this sort of package thus far. As Acer paves the way at this compact size (with Windows 8), we’ll soon see this battle rage.

We’ve had the opportunity to have a look at this device’s standard Acer-made Bluetooth Keyboard as well as its standard Protective Case, both of them ready to work with this machine specifically – and no other. The Protective Case is just about as standard as they come, connecting to the tablet with a plastic snap and keeping the unit safe with faux-leather in white.

The Bluetooth Keyboard, on the other hand, is unique. Here you’ve got a tablet, on one hand, that’s sold on its own and can stand on its own as a separate product. But then there’s the keyboard which, on its bottom, has a set of three clips that hold the tablet in place.

You might not notice it at first, but the tablet has a set of intends on its left and right (landscape-wise) that work with the keyboard to keep it in place when you’re not using the tablet or the keyboard. Combined, these machines can be stored with the display protected and the keyboard revealed.

In use you’ll be connecting with Bluetooth only, wirelessly only, with the machine held up with the keyboard’s rubberized grip that’ll allow both landscape and portrait views. Connectivity is simple, and the keyboard is powered by several AA batteries under the hood.

Wrap-up

It’s difficult to judge this tablet as a competitor with any other similar solution since it basically stands alone in the field right this minute. While Acer has brought forth a relatively decent effort in the 10.1-inch space for tablets with the transforming Acer Iconia W510, it’s here that the company goes all-in with a stand-alone mini-tablet effort for Windows 8 at last.

While we’ve yet to see any company bring the full-powered mini-tablet with high-definition display to Windows 8 that we desire – or at least desire to see – Acer currently leads the pack with this machine.

Acer Iconia W3 Review is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Chevrolet has big ambitions for its tiniest electric car, the Spark EV. The earth-friendly city car follows the Volt, dropping the gas engine in the process and embracing emissions-free motoring at a competitive price. As we’ve seen, though, small EVs can easily fall into the trap of being so eco earnest as to be deathly dull, or alternatively entirely impractical for everyday use. Can the Spark EV keep the best of its gas-powered predecessor and blend it with the benefits of electric motoring? We caught up with Chevrolet for an extended test-drive to see how the Spark EV fared.

Design

The styling of the Spark EV isn’t new, a chunky, angular wedge that looks, with its steeply rising shoulder-line and hidden rear handles, more like a three-door at first glance. In fact, there are doors front and back, pushing the wheels to the very corners, and giving it a squat, punchy stance. Like many subcompacts it’s more cute than it is aggressive, but it wears the new closed upper-grille neatly, and the standard 15-inch alloys are clean.

More importantly, perhaps, Chevrolet says it’s more slippery than its gas-powered cousin. A new underbody design helps there, along with wheel deflectors and a subtle integrated rear spoiler; there’s also an automatic shutter system behind what’s left open in the grille, to adjust airflow.

At 146.5 inches long and 64-inches wide, the Spark EV is shorter and narrower than Nissan’s Leaf, though you lose out on cargo space because of that. Rear seats up, the Chevrolet’s tiny trunk accommodates just 9.6 cubic feet, versus the Leaf’s more ample 24 cubic feet; drop the seats, and you’ll get a healthier 23.4 cubic feet into the Spark EV (or 30 cubic feet into the Nissan).

Still, it’s comfortably enough for a grocery shop, and the smaller Spark EV bests its Nissan rival on overall weight, too. The Chevrolet is 2,989 pounds, while the Leaf comes in at 3,391 pounds; if that still sounds heavy, then you have to blame the electrics. The EV version of the Spark is 621 pounds lighter than its gas-powered auto cousin.

Engines and Performance

We’ll admit it, we’re cautious about conversions, like the Spark’s journey from gas-powered to EV: after all, more than just the engine goes into making a good car. The weight difference too was, on paper at least, another warning sign. Finally, factor in that the original Spark was never going to be mistaken for a sport-compact, and you can understand our reticence.

We needn’t have worried. Both of Chevrolet’s Spark EV variants – the cheaper 1LT and more expensive 2LT – use the same powertrain, a front-wheel drive electric motor mustering 130 HP. That’s already 1.5x more than the gas Spark, but it’s when you look at torque that things get really interesting.

Out of the box there’s 400 lb-ft of torque, which is simply phenomenal for a city car. In contrast, wind the gas Spark up sufficiently, and you’ll squeeze 83 lb-ft out of it at most. The end result is that, like other electric cars, the Spark EV simply throws itself at the road with an eagerness and alacrity that belies its more humble origins.

The good news doesn’t stop there. Since the Spark EV is heavier than its forebear, Chevrolet’s engineers had to do some work to the suspension and weight distribution. That’s worked out to far better ride quality when you’re taking things easily and trying to coax out maximum range, as well as more enthusiastic and eager handling when you’re making the most of all that torque.

Chevrolet quotes a sub-8s 0-60 mph time, along with a top speed of 90 mph, but the Spark EV excels with point & squirt city driving, dashing into gaps in traffic, thrumming forward from lights, and generally feeling considerably more lively than you might expect. It’s still very quiet inside, mind, with just the occasional whine from the electric drive.

Two transmission modes are on offer. In regular “Drive” mode, the Spark EV mimics a normal automatic gearchange, albeit without any noticeable shift-jerk; flip into “Low” mode, however, and the regenerative braking system – which claws back power by momentarily turning the electric drive motors into generators – kicks in more aggressively, rapidly slowing the car when you lift your foot off the accelerator. It takes a little getting used to, but it can add to your overall range.

Range is the big question around EVs, especially pure-electric cars like the Spark EV. Chevrolet quotes up to 82 miles on a full charge of the 21.3 kWh Li-Ion battery, with the option to “fill up” either from a standard 120V AC supply, from a specially-installed 240V supply, or finally from an SAE Standard Fast Charging outlet.

The difference between the three is time. On an SAE connection, which should become more prevalent as this year progresses, the Spark EV will recharge to 80-percent in around 20 minutes time. A 240V charge takes more like seven hours, Chevrolet says; best to treat the 120V cord as a travel emergency option, since a full recharge on that can take up to 20 hours.

We didn’t have long enough with the Spark EV to test the various charging methods, though we did grow to appreciate Chevrolet’s Driver Information Center, which delivers dynamic battery information to a 7-inch screen on the dashboard (more on which in the following section). Rather than simply offer a single figure for remaining range, the Spark EV adds a “confidence” number to the estimate, based on whether you’re driving enthusiastically or sticking to more economical patterns. The Spark EV even tries to gamily the process with an “Efficiency Gauge”, encouraging the responsible driver to keep an animated green ball centered by driving sensibly.

Interior

Given the sticker price, it’s not surprising that Chevrolet has heaped on the standard-fit equipment versus the gas-powered model. So, the Spark EV 1LT still gets that 7-inch touchscreen dash, 6-speaker audio with SiriusXM radio, Bluetooth for streaming and hands-free use, a USB connection, air conditioning, remote keyless entry and power locking, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, an alarm, and fog lamps out of the gate.

The 2LT version throws in “dark pewter” leatherette front seats with blue accent stitching, that are also heated, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. It also gets the DV Fast Charger as an option. Both variants have 10 airbags, hill-start assist, tire pressure monitoring, and OnStar.

Chevrolet’s MyLink entertainment system makes an appearance, too, taking advantage of the Bluetooth connectivity to get the Spark EV online via your smartphone. One connected, the car can stream from internet radio stations as well as services like Pandora, in addition to Siri voice control. There’s also support for BringGo, a turn-by-turn navigation system priced at $49.99, including 3D mapping and overlaid indicators to show how the range remaining of the Spark EV meshes up with your programmed destination.

However, it’s worth noting that – unlike some other MyLink-equipped cars in Chevrolet’s line-up – the Spark EV doesn’t support the enhanced voice recognition system, Gracenote database access for identifying track, or indeed have a CD player. Still, as systems go, it’s impressive – certainly for a city car – and intuitive enough to use on the move.

The rest of the cabin is solid, though you won’t mistake it for a Tesla Model S. The plastics are sturdy though not especially premium to the touch, with the glossy surround for the touchscreen keen to pick up fingerprints. Everything works, and the standard equipment list is bulging, but it’s perhaps where GM’s budgetary constraints show to the greatest extent; the leatherette seats, for instance, aren’t ever going to be mistaken for real leather.

Pricing

On Chevrolet’s books, the Spark EV starts at $26,685 for the 1LT and $27,010 for the 2LT. Throw in the most generous federal tax credit – which varies by state, though initially the car will only be sold in California and Oregon – and you can cut that by up to $7,500, bringing the total cost of entry down to $19,185 excluding the usual destination, registration, and other fees.

Alternatively, Chevrolet will offer you the Spark EV on a $199 per month lease: $999 down to begin with, plus fees and taxes, and then less than $200 a month for three years. It’s hard to ignore the fact that, for under $200 a month, the Spark EV lease could easily be cheaper than many spend in gas over the same period.

As for the optional 240V charger, Chevrolet will offer up to $500 to Spark EV drivers – whether they buy the car outright, or lease it – toward its cost, though they’ll be expected to foot the bill for Bosch installation themselves.

Wrap-Up

Electric cars are still not for everyone. The Spark EV’s 82 mile range is likely fine for city dwellers, but those with more ambitious driving needs could easily find themselves reaching the limits of the Chevrolet’s endurance. If your workplace has a 240V charger than that may not be insurmountable, but relying on the 120V portable charger – and its lethargic rejuicing times – means you’re likely to see the Spark EV spend more time plugged in than one the road.

That would be a real shame, too, since the Spark EV is one of the best driving electric vehicles – and, indeed, city cars – we’ve tried in a long time. The immediacy of the acceleration, the great lashings of torque – more, Chevrolet tongue-in-cheek points out, than a Porsche Carrera S or a Ferrari 458 Italia – and the responsive steering and suspension add up to an eco car that isn’t akin to wearing a hair-shirt in terms of worthy-but-dull driving.

Tesla’s Model S may be the poster child of environmentally friendly transportation, but with its competitive lease pricing and solid balance of performance and features, the Chevrolet Spark EV is perhaps the peoples’ choice. It’s a conversion that easily outclasses its predecessors, and is worth considering by city dwellers looking for peppy frugality without the guilt of gas.

2014 Chevrolet Spark EV Test Drive is written by Vincent Nguyen & originally posted on SlashGear.
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