Asked
— Edited
Many of us are using the ACER w3 810 Windows 8.1 tablet for controlling our EZ-B robots. I just noticed that Woot has the 32 gb model on sale for $119 (factory reconditioned) which is a pretty good price. You can get lucky on eBay and get it for less, but this is a good deal for a guaranteed and warranted device.
Acer W3 on Woot
If you receive your item and it doesn't work, contact the manufacturer first. They made the junk. Let them deal with it. If they turn out to be total tools, contact support@woot.com and we'll grudgingly provide some further assistance.
If you receive your item and decide you don't like it, hold a garage sale or pawn it off on one of your so-called friends. We don't want it, either.
woot is now actually a subsidiary of Amazon and is used to move leftover and closeout merchandise, but they tried to keep the humor and feel of the original site.
Alan
To be honest my W3 has been sat on my table for months unused, or barely used. I don't think I need another. Although there is quite a profit to be made there if someone did ship them over and sell them on over here.
I just purchased one!
I have been looking and wanting 1 for some time.
When I ordered, it took my Amazon account.
It is worth giving it a try, that's how I found EZ Robot, with great results.
Thanks for posting.
Steve S
The issue has affected an extremely low percentage of users. The greater majority have no problems with the battery in the W3.
My W3 came with an additional warning sticker or leaflet which explained that the battery must be fully charged before first use and must never be used after the W3 has automatically turned itself off.
This has been mentioned and explained on these forums previously however I can only assume no notice was taken.
Also note that lithium based batteries are sensitive to low temperatures. As temperature drops so does the voltage, if this drops below a specific voltage (I believe it's around 2.6v) the cell will refuse to accept charge. It's good practice not to let the cells drop below 3.2v. The software on the W3 (i.e. Windows) should always turn the W3 off before it gets near to 2.6v however it can still be turned on and therefore the battery can be forced through user error to under voltage or in some cases can go under voltage due to not being used for a period of time and low temperatures.
Even if you are unlucky enough to suffer from a dead battery when unpacking the W3, they are covered under warranty and Acer will exchange the tablet without a problem.
Any additional tips would be welcome.
I remember Anthony mentioning he utilized a mini to standard USB cable.
Maybe I will not need it, I think it said built in Bluetooth for EZB3?
I read that touch screen can be challenging, maybe the keyboard option would be a plus?
I have read that it runs ARC ok. Sounds like some users have experience with this little unit.
Steve S
The touch screen is a little less than desirable compared to some other touch screens, I use a stylus which helps improve accuracy, especially for small buttons and the virtual keyboard however it is not required, it is usable without.
A bluetooth mouse and keyboard would always be a good option to have.
It comes with a USB adapter so you can use standard USB devices on it's mini USB port without issue, I have used my VAGCOM cable for my car through the adapter and if that works I would bet anything will.
It runs ARC very well, I've had no issues at all. It runs smooth and fast even when running 20+ scripts at the same time. Voice recognition and speech synthesis both work great too.
The only minor problem is ARC doesn't like the front camera on the tablet.
Alan
A lot of people are unaware of the problems and the care required for lithium based batteries and while it usually does mention it in the manuals for the products it's such a small note it's often missed.
Bottom line is, if it says Lithium (or Li) make sure it always has a decent charge, if possible a full charge. Lithium batteries have no memory effect so it doesn't hurt to always have them on charge when not in use.
Anyway, back to the W3, I personally recommend them. Acer (out of warranty) customer support is poor but hopefully it'll not be needed.
cpc.farnell.com/toshiba/pdw09e-00400een/tablet-8-encore-wt8-a-102-win-8/dp/SB0551501?Ntt=sb0551501
Argos are selling them for £179 also.
Tony
When I get some more funds I'll take a look in to picking one (or more) up.
I had the same battery problem with my brand new W3. The fix is very easy:
Do a firmware update. That fixes it.
Hope that this helps.
Mel
The issue arises from the batteries in the W3s not being fully charged during manufacturer therefore the voltage can, on occasion, drop below the "under voltage" level which ruins the battery.
Once below this voltage level no amount of software upgrades or even hardware will repair the battery. Once a Lithium based cell is under voltage it is dead and cannot be repaired.
Acer acknowledge that the batteries may become dead and therefore accept that they need to replace them under warranty. This is not to say it is a known issue. The percentage of dead batteries on new units is extremely low.
The same issue affects a number of tablets including the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Dell Venue 8 Pro, HP Touchpad, Asus Memo Pad, Apple iPad, Apple iPod amongst countless others. In fact, there are many (many) topics and web pages documenting the issues which arise from Lithium based batteries and even more topics and posts on other hardware forums which are "My tablet wont charge".
Again, this is not a "battery issue with the W3" specifically and the W3 should not be dismissed on these grounds. It is a "battery issue with a Lithium based battery".
Tablet Deals
Alan
It looks good but out of 28 gb memory there is just shy over 10gb available for software. So I will be inserting a 64gb card soon I believe ( like today) otherwise the tablet looks good.
Alan
If you're not a fan of the start screen you can always "turn it off", google for instructions. Basically turns Windows 8 in to an up to date Windows 7.
Also, Windows 8 showed the best battery life in my tests, Windows 7 wasn't far behind though.
Charged it and operates well for the size. The only accessory was the charger.
Still learning how navigate on small touchscreen.
Over all I am happy so far. Plays Utube video well. Still surprising it runs windows 8.
Loaded ARC and VR operates fairly well without any training yet.
The documentation said it had built in Bluetooth, but I cannot find the icon or the right area in the control panel to enable it.
I am going to buy Mini USB conversion cable and if I have to, add a USB Bluetooth dongle.
I may also buy a USB camera.
Thanks,
Steve S
For the USB cable, you will want an "OTG" cable, not just an adapter. I bought this one and it works great:
Alan
OTG Cable for W3
Bluetooth works great. The little Acer now successfully operates a new project I am working on.
Thank you for the help and the cable link.
Josh,
Do you have a link on the mini sd card? Sounds like a good idea.
Thanks,
Steve S
64gb microSD cards at Amazon
Has any one utilized a Bluetooth mouse on this unit?
Rich mentioned A bluetooth mouse and keyboard would always be a good option to have.
Thanks,
Steve S
While I haven't used one on this I do use a bluetooth mouse on my desktop PC without any issues. It should, at least in theory, work in exactly the same way.
Alan
Wish I had thought of doing this earlier.
Alan
This is a handy little keyboard and mouse pad all in one. 2.4 bluetooth and even has a rechargeable battery that is charged using the included USB cable.
Thanks for giving the great tip on the ACER W3.
I really like it.
It runs EZ Robot great, both Mini six and the large file Captain Ann Droid.
Just received my BT Mini keyboard (see pics) .from Amazon.
It has a touchpad and is compatible with windows 8.
It gives great navigation with mouse features and keyboard.
I appreciate all the great help from this forum!
Steve S
edit,
here is link.
Amazon Mini BT keyboard w t pad
Ordered Sunday, received today (Wed, 7/30/14)
Alan
Acer Iconica on Woot
Alan
@Alan - lucky you!
and way cheap too. good buy man, got it for tmy wife about 6 months ago...shes super happy.
I got a dell 8 inch windows 8 tablet for 200.00
love it.