During the course of Mobile World Congress 2015 (MWC), IT News Africa decided to put the Acer Iconia Tab 8 to the test. The Acer Iconia Tab 8 comes standard with a 4 Core 1.8GHz Intel processor, 1GB RAM, and up to 16GB of internal storage space. The storage can be upgraded up to 32GB however, with an additional microSD card. When looking closer at the device’s operating system, it runs Android 4.4.4 – which is a step up from the norm- as most tablet devices tend to launch with Android 4.4.2.
In terms of the device’s build quality, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 is a fairly compact device. It has a slim build and stylish aluminum styled back cover. Due to its size the Acer Iconia Tab 8 is a device that is easy to travel with; however, it does not come across as extremely durable. Granted, this is a cost-conscious device; however, it may be subject to damage if the device is dropped during use.
While doing coverage for MWC 2015, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 was an absolute pleasure to handle. Yes, the outer body of the device is essentially prone to damage, but its overall weight, size, and comfort factors made it easy to handle – especially in crowded environments. The tablet weighs in at 360 grams, which makes it fairly light. To add to this, the device can be held for long periods of time without causing too much discomfort. The devices also packs in an 8-inch display, and has an overall size of 8.5-inches.
When looking at the top of the device you will find a headphone jack, micro-USB port, as well as a Micro-HDMI port. In all honesty it is very rare to see a tablet device that features a Micro-HDMI port; however this is a welcomed edition. The Micro-HDMI port can be used to connect the tablet directly to a TV in order to view photos and videos on a much larger screen.
When it comes to camera quality, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 comes with a 5 megapixel rear facing camera, and a 2 megapixel rear facing camera. Both cameras do not perform well in low-light conditions; however, they do perform optimally in areas that are well lit. While both cameras can be used for sharing images via social media, they do not possess the power to produce top quality, sharp images. This is expected however, as the device is not essentially a high-end tablet. This means that if you are not looking to break the bank, but need a decent tablet device, then the Acer Iconia Tab 8 may meet your needs.
The device comes packed with Acer and Google orientated software. While it offers no mobile network support, such as a mobile SIM card, it does however allow users to connect to Wi-Fi. During the course of MWC 2015, we essentially used the device’s Google Maps service as well as Google Translate. Granted these services are available on most mobile devices, but as the Acer Iconia Tab 8 was being used as a primary device, we decided to use it solely to travel throughout Barcelona as well as assist us with Spanish to English translations. While the device performed well, it was unfortunate that it lacked a SIM card slot in order to stay connected constantly. Thankfully, most areas in Barcelona feature Wi-Fi hotspots, which means that apps like Google Maps were always up to date.
Conclusion:
For a device that comes in at R 2 899.00, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 is a great device for those looking for a low-end, cost-conscious tablet device. To add to this, the device can be used by students who are looking to use the device for research or within a connected campus. In terms of battery life, we got around 10 hours out the device per day, which is not entirely too bad – especially when you are travelling and sourcing information.
When it comes to weight, the device is easy to travel with and essentially runs majority of the apps in the Android Play Store. While the camera suffers during low-light conditions it does however perform well in brightly lit locations. Overall, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 performed well for a low-end device. To add to this, its sleek design and lightweight body made it an essential tablet to travel with.
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 was reviewed by Darryl Linington