The Acer Iconia W3 is a relatively new device but Acer has already slashed the price tag and is now offering the slate for just $299.99.

The tablet went up for pre-order in early June at various retailers, sporting a $380 price tag for the 32GB version. Just two months after it became official, the same model of the Acer Iconia W3 is now available for $80 less, either from the Microsoft Store or from a third-party retailer.

The Acer Iconia W3 packs an 8.1-inch LED backlit display with a 1280 x 800 resolution, a dual-core Intel Atom Z2760 processor clocked at 1.8GHz, two 2-megapixel cameras on the front and back, and a micro SD card slot for additional memory.

The tablet rocks the full version of Windows 8, complete with support for legacy applications and everything. It also comes pre-loaded with the Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 software pack for editing and creating documents. Acer further offers an optional Bluetooth dock with a full-sized QWERTY keyboard specifically designed for the W3.

The Acer Iconia W3 actually launched as the very first Windows 8 Pro tablet to sport a smaller package. Its 8-inch display makes it more compact compared to its 10-inch siblings, while its processor should deliver a good performance for its price point.

The slate, however, sparked some mixed reactions, with some users complaining about poor display quality. The $80 price cut naturally prompts some speculation, with various theories making rounds. Acer could be either trying to clear stock faster in order to make room for a new-generation Iconia W3, or the tablet failed to attract sufficient buyers with its original price tag. Considering that there's no news of an Iconia W3 successor, the second theory seems more plausible.

Consequently, Acer may be trying to boost sales of the Iconia W3 by offering the tablet at a lower price. Even at $299, however, the slate is not all that cheap, especially with Android tablets such as the new Nexus 7 now making waves.

Interested buyers can now purchase the Acer Iconia W3 for $299 from the Microsoft Store, Amazon and Staples.