Acer Aspire P3-171-6820 Pro Reviews

The Acer Aspire P3-171-6820 is an affordable tablet hybrid powered by an Intel Core i5 CPU. It offers a responsive, albeit low resolution, 11.6-inch touch-screen, a detached Bluetooth keyboard, and relatively good battery life, but there are better performing hybrids out there.

I don't know why someone would want the Acer Aspire P3. Bang for the buck, maybe, or an included keyboard case. But the price isn't much less than that of a Surface Pro, and doesn't offer anything that feels particularly great. Add in that new processors are going to improve this class of Windows tablet sooner than later. In the meantime, consider an ultrabook (or the new MacBook Air) unless you're truly tablet-desperate. The Aspire P3 will offer ultrabook-level performance in a tablet, but in mid-2013 it feels like too little, too late.

Given the Iconia Tab’s similar design, slightly better components, better and brighter screen, and much longer battery life, it’s hard to argue for the lesser P3, given the two tablets’ prices are so similar, at least as of this writing. At $900, the Aspire P3 is also in the same price territory as Microsoft’s Surface Pro, which also has better components and a 1080p screen, though you’ll have to pay extra for the keyboard cover. Really, though, the Iconia Tab W700, the Surface Pro, and the P3 all share the same problems that come with their similar convertible designs. As tablets, they’re powerful but heavy. And, the W700 aside, battery life is usually relatively short. Those looking for a laptop-like experience with their convertible tablets are better off opting instead for a clamshell convertible like the Envy x2 or Samsung’s ATIV Smart PC 700T. Those devices offer much better typing experiences, adjustable screen angles, and more stability if you need to, say, type in your lap.