Windows 8 and Iconia W501
After downloading the preview release of Windows 8 and installing it on the Iconia W501, I was suitably impressed with the new functionality gained from what looked to be Microsoft's crown jewel in the tablet market. However, this satisfaction quickly turned to disgust when Windows 8 was released to the NZ market on 26 October 2012. This is due to the large number of issues that arose with the final release. Let me start by outlining the preview and then move to what went wrong.
The preview release provided full functionality for the Iconia's touch screen device with full gesture support. The ability to slide the new start menu out and switch between active tasks made it a breeze for navigation and workflow. Turning the tablet allowed for the normal switching of displays and shutdown was seamless and quick.
With the final release however, these functions where gone. At install the tablet used the touch screen device all the way to the configuration screen where it suddenly stopped. Windows 8 from this point on refused to accept that the iconia w501 was a pen and touch device. Despite install of the windows 7 driver, windows 8 refused to accept it. Acer was dumbfounded. They had used the pro version to upgrade the iconia and that had worked without issue - I have not tested this myself but they assure me it worked. What I confirmed is that installation of any version from a clean install seems to break the pen and touch functionality, despite it working during install.
After two days of investigation I found the appropriate drivers to get the touch screen working, but windows 8 still reports no pen and touch functionality. (Drivers are here for those who decide to install windows 8 - http://home.eeti.com.tw/web20/eg/Touch_Drives.html). The lack of pen and touch reporting results in the software keyboard not appearing when needed and gestures being ignored. This leaves users with a need to maintain connection to the keyboard dock if they wish to install, type or access any items from the app screen. I developed a workaround by holding the taskbar and turning on the soft keyboard toolbar which places the software keyboard onto the taskbar for use. While not perfect it allows for functionality from the desktop applications not connected to the Microsoft shop.
The gyro switching, however, still does not work. While the windows 7 drivers worked in preview the drivers are simply ignored in the final release. Bluetooth has also caused issues. In experimentation the final release seems to block access to the bluetooth switch, found under pc settings -> wireless. I have not yet discovered why despite confirmation that the drivers are installed correctly. On a positive note, the 3G drivers work like a charm. After install the device is easily activated by clicking on the network icon and connecting. Why Microsoft did not maintain the design in the preview I do not know as this was ready for the Iconia. Many users have experienced the same issues on other devices, so it is not just Acer that Microsoft have upset.
In a press release, Microsoft have confirmed that they have stripped legacy code and removed many drivers due to licensing issues. This confirms to me that this product was not ready for shipping. Therefore, my advice for now, is to avoid installing, upgrading or using windows 8 on the W501. While Microsoft seemed to have it together in the preview release, the final release causes more frustration than positive experience. Therefore, save your money until they get the problems resolved.
My suggestion for now - DO NOT RAW INSTALL OEM or FULL versions of windows 8 on the Iconia tablet. The upgrade version seems to have little issues and I suggest this to be a better option.
