PERFORMANCE. We evaluate how fast a tablet can perform calculations and see how long it takes to complete different tasks. The Acer Iconia One 8 (B1-870) is slower than most other tested tablets and has fair speeds when running everyday tasks, such as web browsing or email. The time to turn on and load the OS was faster than most, although this will be affected by what apps are installed on your tablet. Copying a set of files was very fast.
DISPLAY. We also score the attributes of a tablet's display. This device has a display resolution of 1280 x 800, and produces typical detail at 190 pixels per inch. The very bright screen and its reduced glare will be easy to view when used outdoors or in bright rooms. Testers found the display quality is oversaturated for color, with a slight pixelation in text. Viewing angles are middling, so you may need to adjust the screen to get an optimal display for a single viewer, but moreso for multiple viewers.
CONVENIENCE. To gauge a tablet's ease of use, we look at the intuitiveness of its controls, as well as how quickly it takes to perform common tasks, such as connecting to a WiFi router or transferring files. The on-screen keyboard had a less comfortable size than on other tablets, and buttons were intuitively placed or easy to use. The touchscreen accurately interpreted touch gestures and it showed little, if any, lag in response. This tablet's initial setup process was quick and simple to personalize. It was fast in connecting to a wireless network. There may be additional steps when transferring files to and from different computers or storage solutions, such as installing special software. You can display two apps at once on this tablet, making it easier to multi-task and view more information on the screen.
SPECIFIC TASKS. Looking at how easy it is to perform a set of everyday tasks can show how functional a tablet will be. This tablet scored very good, with some tasks easy to perform. Almost all common file types are supported by default without needing to install additional apps to view them. The tablet includes a video conference app by default for making video calls. The camera video records in HD, good for creating movies for playback on TV. The webcam video records in HD, good for making video calls. Video playback was smooth and had little lag, and sound quality from the built-in speakers is very thin. Photos produced from the camera had unnatural colors, and videos lacked detail and had inaccurate colors. Text was somewhat hard to read under various lighting conditions. There was some sluggishness when using the web browser.
VERSATILITY. The features that are available on a tablet and other physical characteristics can affect its usability. It has no USB port. It has no HDMI port. Without a keyboard, it weighs 0.7 lbs. The tablet has a mostly solid feel, with some flex in its construction.
BATTERY LIFE. A longer battery life is important for mobility, whether using it while outside traveling, or even just at home as you carry the tablet between rooms. While browsing the web, the tablet can last 9.8 hours, and while playing back movies, it can last 8.5 hours. After partially charging a drained battery for 30 minutes, the tablet can last 2.7 hours. The tablet has a battery-saving mode, but it took testers some time to find and activate it.
