What is the Acer Predator 8?
There’s
no shortage of choice when it comes to Android tablets – which is a
good thing. In terms of reviews, however, these tablets pose somewhat of
a conundrum. What can I tell you about Acer’s Predator 8 tablet aside
from the fact that it’s basically another screen with Android on it?
Acer
has tried to differentiate its latest offering, the Predator 8, by
marketing it as the "ultimate gaming tablet". This basically means that
this particular 8-inch screen with Android on it includes vibration
feedback and larger than average speakers. So large, in fact, that Acer
claims that the Predator 8 is the loudest tablet on the planet.
So
are the extra features and novel design enough to justify this tablet’s
existence in an increasingly cramped market? Has Acer managed to outdo
rival gaming tablets such as the Nvidia Shield K1?
And can the Predator, with its £200 price tag and premium feel,
convince consumers to part with their cash – especially since the
forthcoming Google Pixel C – touted by this website as the best Android tablet yet – is on the horizon?
Acer Predator 8 – Design
There
is a possibility that this tablet will either fail or succeed at the
very first hurdle – which is design. Depending on your taste, you'll
either love it or loathe it. It's certainly distinctive and there's
little chance you'll mistake Acer’s device for your old Samsung Tab.
The
four front-facing speakers that provide the "audiodacious" sound –
Acer's word, not mine – jut out from each corner of the tablet in
suitably threatening style.
On the rear you’ll find two grips that
provide the vibration feedback; Acer calls this TacSense. The Predator
comes with two motors, the kind that cause vibration in your phone, and
it’s these that provide the feedback buzz when you’re gaming.
Console
gamers used to vibrating controllers won’t be bowled over by the
feature, but it’s a nice addition for any tablet owner looking to
venture outside Candy Crush into games that merit a little physical
feedback.
The overall case design isn’t as offensive as most would
have you believe. It looks menacing and verges on tacky, but it feels
somewhat refined. In truth, the grey, deep red, and black make for a
fairly muted colour scheme, and the Predator is sturdy and well built.
It's also a fairly light and thin tablet, measuring 8.6mm thick and
weighing around 350g.
If you’re looking for something a little
different then Acer has certainly delivered. But if you're looking for
your next unadorned black slate, you'd be wise to look elsewhere.
Acer Predator 8 – Display
The tablet has an 8-inch Full HD, 1,920 x 1,080-resolution screen, which Acer claims covers 100% of the NTSC colour gamut.
There’s
no doubt this is a genuinely impressive feature for a tablet. But, when
I discovered that the Predator didn't come with a QHD screen – unlike
the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4
– I was initially disappointed. After all, this is a self-proclaimed
gaming tablet – surely one of the main considerations for gamers is how
good the game will look?
Having
used Acer’s device, however, I can say that you won’t really notice the
lack of QHD. And much of this is down to the Predator’s vibrant
display.
Colours really do "pop". When turning on the device I was
struck by how vibrant the screen was, and was also pleased to discover
that I could tweak the display levels quickly with Acer’s built-in
MediaMaster app. This is a good thing, since the ColorBlast technology
that Acer is so keen to promote definitely encroaches upon oversaturated
territory.
For an 8-inch screen the FHD resolution does the job,
and although the lack of QHD isn’t great, Acer’s tablet does have the
same resolution as the Nvidia Shield. Nothing appeared blurry or
undefined, and the maximum brightness on the Predator is more than any
human eye will ever require.
The vibrancy may put some off, but
it’s easily tweaked – and with its striking colours it’s the one feature
of the Predator that actually gets close to enhancing the gaming
experience.
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