Acer Iconia Pro Reviews

I’m sure I’d be more forgiving of the hardware if its software was more refined and enjoyable, and likewise I wouldn’t mind the software’s shortcomings so much if it were a more compact package. But both? As it stands, what we have is a machine that’s as bulky as a primary workstation, with specs that don’t match its $1,200 price tag and a novelty that ends up being a burden more than it is a benefit. It’s an experiment, and one miles ahead of the aforementioned Libretto W105 (if only for the faster processor), but it’s not one I can recommend anyone shelling out for.

Acer would have been much better off equipping the Iconia with a standard physical keyboard and replacing only the touchpad with a fairly high-resolution 4-inch touchscreen. It's good to see Acer trying some aggressive designs, especially ones as aesthetically pleasing as the Iconia's, but as a practical matter it just doesn't make sense to replace the lower deck of a Windows laptop with a touchscreen.

The quality of construction is excellent. The easily-removable bottom panel exposes the memory and hard drive, both of which are simple and quick to replace. However, the main battery is buried deep within the machine and will probably require professional service to replace. The functionality of this computer is a mixed bag. The lack of a physical keyboard makes some things, like playing FPS games, impossible, while other things like typing long reports are merely difficult. But it's easy to construct scenarios where the dual-screen feature is a real win, enabling a type of workflow impossible on a standard laptop. The trouble is that many of these scenarious are just that: scenarios, rather than actual real-world use cases. Still, some of Acer's included software shows hints of where this type of laptop might be going.

Unlike a lot of other unique proof-of-concept laptops, the Acer Iconia is fun to use and largely works as advertised. But it has a hard time answering the most frequent question we hear about it: why would anyone need a dual-touch-screen laptop?

The Acer Iconia 6120 A laptop with dual-screen laptop is as is a unique and innovative take on multitasking, but the virtual keyboard and Acer's touch software pack aren't ready for prime time.

This device's dual 14-inch LCDs make for an unusual hybrid of notebook and tablet, but its design and battery life simply demand too many compromises.

Unlike a lot of other unique proof-of-concept laptops, the Acer Iconia is fun to use and largely works as advertised. But it has a hard time answering the most frequent question we hear about it: why would anyone need a dual-touch-screen laptop?

Sporting dual 14-inch touchscreens and innovative software, the Acer Iconia 6120 makes Windows more touch-friendly, but its bulk and short battery life are turn-offs.

The technical execution on a 14 inch laptop chassis is worth discussing since it's not portable enough (weight, bulkiness) and has been given a viewing angle weak display. Nevertheless, the concept works if the Iconia is primarily used on the desk. On the one hand, we can work on it like on a laptop when the extended desktop and the virtual keyboard (incl. keyboard) that can be faded in are used. On the other, we can benefit from the clearly arranged, divided work environment when the keyboard is hidden. The Iconia is definitely not inexpensive at a price of 1500 euros, but it can be more than just a media player, surf machine or social media jogger.

Quite what we expected, we're not sure, but there's something particularly peculiar about the fact that the Iconia looks and feels just like any other 14in laptop. It's finished in a nice brushed metal with black plastic accents giving it a suitably understated look. It isn't. however. a particularly striking object, lacking any kind of wow factor.