Microsoft Targets iPad Mini in New Acer Iconia Ad

[MacRumors]

Following yesterday's anti-iPad Surface RT ad, Microsoft today released another new advertisement, this time targeting Apple's iPad mini. In the spot, Microsoft compares the mini to the 8-inch Acer Iconia W3 tablet, which runs the full version of Windows 8.

The ad returns to using a Siri voiceover to poke fun at the mini while demonstrating the similarities between the two tablets. Microsoft also highlights the Acer's productivity software and its gaming capabilities. "Wow, you are a real PC," says Siri.

The Acer Iconia W3, which is advertised as the smallest Windows 8 tablet on the market, has garnered lukewarm reviews for its poor 1280 x 800 display, though it does come equipped with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 2GB RAM.

Since its launch in June, the Iconia W3 has seen significant price drops. Originally priced at $380, the 32GB version of the tablet can now be purchased for $300 on Amazon, a price point that is emphasized at the end of the ad. In comparison, the 32GB iPad mini retails for $129 more, priced at $429.

Article Link: Microsoft Targets iPad Mini in New Acer Iconia Ad

 

[0029937]

That price/storage comparison is very deceiving at the end. That's just sad.

 

[sbrhwkp3]

If all you care about is mobile Halo, then it's a great device.

Seriously though, I would really like to have Halo on my iPad.

 

[32KFJ]

"thats really a cool ad, i'll throw my ipad mini away and buy a win 8 tablet"

- said no one ever

 

[bb426]

....And yet the iPad mini still works 100x better while looking 100x classier, while NOT running Windows 8.

And you can't even compare App Store ecosystems.

 

[gusapple]

Knowing Acer, I'm surprised that the tablet didn't burst into flames when they turned it on. Plus, I think that the Acer tablet will probably appeal to people in the same way that regular Acer products do. The price point is right, but the features and quality are way off.

 

[gpat]

Now, they're taking it too far. That tablet sucks. The screen isn't even IPS.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I would be interested to see how well Win8 runs on that 8" Acer...

 

[RolyPolyBird]

Is losing credibility their core mission?

 

[jbyun04]

How many times did they have to shoot the finger tapping that button? "Full Outlook" looks totally unusable with a finger.

Never liked Halo. Would way rather play XCOM.

 

[Rogifan]

Is this the same Acer tablet that got really crappy reviews?

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

The Acer Iconia W3, which is advertised as the smallest Windows 8 tablet on the market, has garnered lukewarm reviews for its poor 1280 x 800 display

It may be a poor device, but I don't know how you can blame its faults on a 1280x800 display when the iPad mini has tremendous reviews and is a 1024×768 display at nearly the same size.....

 

[lars666]

Jesus, not again... Will this ever stop?!

 

[Yamid]

It may be a poor device, but I don't know how you can blame its faults on a 1280x800 display when the iPad mini has tremendous reviews and is a 1024×768 display at nearly the same size.....

The resolution isn't the issue. Most of the reviewers are saying it's the worst looking display they've used.

 

[Jalu]

It may be a poor device, but I don't know how you can blame its faults on a 1280x800 display when the iPad mini has tremendous reviews and is a 1024×768 display at nearly the same size.....

The quality of a display is defined by more than just it's resolution. The original Nexus 7 for instance had a higher resolution display than the iPad mini and yet the overall display quality was really worse.

 

[jm1.jonas]

Even in their own ad the ipad opened the pdf way faster.

Also, who the **** wants the FULL office on an 8" screen? are we coming back to the Win XP tablets? Tablets are ment to be used with tablet apps not computer apps...

 

[mrgraff]

Some really bad ad company is laughing all the way to the bank with Microsoft's money.

 

[ratigator]

Is this the same Acer tablet that got really crappy reviews?

Currently 3/5 stars on Amazon and PC Mag, which in my opinion is pretty crappy. That includes the people that give 5 stars because it is "not too bad for the price".

Another note: I read that the 32gb storage space in reality is 11-14gb even AFTER removing all of the bloatware. No wonder they put a microSD card slot in it.

 

[DanTheAppleMan]

Why are the ribbon tabs in Word shouting at me ?

 

[bocomo]

Why are the ribbon tabs in Word shouting at me ?

so you can hear them as you walk briskly away, searching for the iPads

 

[keysofanxiety]

Why do Microsoft keep obsessing about things like Office and such? Yes, it can run that stuff -- because it's running bloody Windows 8.

Congratulations, Ballmer. You've got an interface optimised for mouse and keyboard running on a touch-screen tablet. There's no difference to when they brought out the tablet PC around 2001. Apple's iPad was successful because it's a tablet with an OS optimised for touch, and touch only.

To paraphrase what Steve Jobs once said, he mentioned that the most difficult part of a product is deciding what not to put in. And Microsoft have tried making a product that does everything; which means it excels (no pun intended) in nothing.

The term "Jack of all trades, master of **** all" comes to mind.

Competition is good, and benefits the consumer, but Microsoft just don't get it! It's so damn frustrating how a company that big, with that much revenue and R&D can be so incompetent. They've learned absolutely nothing since their last failed endeavour in this field.

Goddammit Microsoft, get it together.

 

[Mjmar]

Is it bad that this ad makes me want an iPad Mini because of how beautiful the design is compared to the other tablet?

 

[flottenheimer]

Siri: "Wow. Is that Windows hiding underneath?", "Aren't your fingers a little too big for all those itsy bitsy icons?", "Driver update? Antivirus? What is this?", "...Well, you get what you pay for I guess."

 

[Northgrove]

It may be a poor device, but I don't know how you can blame its faults on a 1280x800 display when the iPad mini has tremendous reviews and is a 1024×768 display at nearly the same size.....

Because it's a TN display. The viewing angles are non-existent and its colors are inaccurate.

The disadvantages for being a TN display far outweigh the resolution difference in my opinion. I've chosen more expensive LCD displays in the past just because they were IPS and never regretted it.

 

[Dresling]

MS Innovation = a PC

I'm baffeled why Microsoft still insists that the perfect tablet is a scaled down PC.

I would love for them to show me how to operate the Windows Desktop on a 8 inch screen practically. Cause the Metro/Modern UI crap is just a gimmick to me, just like when Apple sold their Mac's showing off Front Row. Looks good, but is really crap...