Acer Switch Alpha 12 SA5-271-57QF

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Reviews for the Acer Switch Alpha 12 SA5-271-57QF

80% Acer Switch
Source: Gadgetspeak Archive.org version
Having told you about the Swift and the Spin we come to last new model that was launched last November in Glasgow this is the Switch. While I would describe the Spin as a Notebook/Tablet this unit the Switch is a Tablet/Notebook.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 05/24/2017
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 80% performance: 80% workmanship: 80%

80% Acer Switch Alpha 12 SA5-271-57QF Notebook Review
Source: Tech For Pennies Archive.org version
It’s easy to like Acer Switch Alpha 12 SA5-271-57QF if you’re after a lightweight, compact and fast detachable 2-in-1 laptop. I say fast because the i5 processor and 256GB SSD will make using this notebook feel snappy, and you can surely throw in more exotic programs than a Chrome browser or MS Office suite. The battery life is not magnificent, you can uninstall bloatware to combat with that. All in all, go for the Acer and get a small powerhouse!
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/24/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%

Comment

Model:

The Acer Switch Alpha 12 SA5-271-57QF is Acer’s attempt to rival the Microsoft Surface. It aims to offer the same tablet-first convertible experience but at a significantly more competitive price tag. The Switch Alpha 12 generally delivers solid performance and will meet most Windows fans' tablet and laptop needs. There are no vents or fans on the Switch Alpha 12, because it's the first water-cooled 2-in-1 on the market. Competitors who use Intel's low-power Core M CPUs, including the HP Spectre x2, also avoid fans, but do not need water cooling, because their less powerful processors don't generate as much heat. The 2.3-GHz Intel Core i5-6200U CPU, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD of the Switch Alpha 12 make it a fine productivity machine. The Switch's integrated HD 520 graphics card cannot handle demanding games like Overwatch or The Witcher, but casual games and watching videos will be just fine. The front of the device boasts a 12-inch, 2160 x 1440 display surrounded by a thick bezel. The touch screen on the Switch Alpha 12 is bright and produces vivid, beautiful colours, but it's slightly on the warm side. The panel reproduces an excellent 101 percent of the sRGB colour gamut, which is higher than the category average of ultraportable notebooks (90 percent).

The bottom of the tablet features magnets that connect to the keyboard cover, which can be laid flat or propped up at an angle. When paired with the keyboard cover, the Alpha 12 measures 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches and weighs 2.8 pounds. Without it, the dimensions shrink to 2 pounds and 0.4 inches in thickness. For the Switch Alpha 12, Acer opted for a Surface-inspired 2-in-1 design that combines a tablet, a kickstand and a keyboard. The kickstand pulls away from the aluminum rear of the device, which features a brushed look and Acer's logo, as well as a 5-megapixel camera. The Switch Alpha 12 has a fair share of some useful Acer utilities, which are mostly focused on the cloud. Acer Portal lets users organize files that are created in abFiles and abPhoto. Recovery Management assists in making backups and restoring data, while Quick Access lets user access features such as Bluelight shield and adaptive brightness. The Switch Alpha 12 has the most useful combination of ports of any 12-inch convertible. Its right side is home to a headphone/microphone combo jack, a USB-3.0 port, a USB Type-C port, a power jack and a microSD card slot. The addition of a USB 3.1 port that can be used to power devices, transfer files or attach the device to an external monitor is another nice bonus. The accompanying full-size USB-3.0 port makes the Switch Alpha 12 significantly better connected than many competing convertibles.

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

Series: The Acer Aspire Switch Series is a series of portable and hybrid laptops. The design of the laptop models is stylish thanks to their attractive looking aluminium lids. The hinge of the Windows systems allows users to flip, rotate and even detach the screen from the keyboard in a snap. Each model in the Switch Series has different processors ranging from 1.33 GHz Intel Atom Z3745 up to Intel Core i5-6200U processors. There are also different options for the graphic card ranging from Intel HD Graphics up to Intel HD Graphics 5300.

In terms of storage, Acer offers two different options; 32 GB and 64 GB. There are 10.1-inch and 12-inch models. The displays are Full HD, IPS and they provide good contrast and colors from all viewing angles. In addition, they are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for additional damage and scratch resistance. The tablet part of the laptop has a USB 2.0 port, a micro HDMI port and a headset jack, while the keyboard dock has an additional USB 2.0 port. The weight of the laptop starts from 1.05 kg up to 1.6 kg depending on the model the user selects.

Intel HD Graphics 520: Integrated GPU (GT2) with 24 EUs found on some Skylake CPU models (15 W ULV series).

Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

6200U: Skylake-based ULV dual-core processor for thin notebooks and ultrabooks. Offers an integrated HD Graphics 520 GPU and is manufactured in 14 nm.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

12.00":

This is a standard display format for tablet computers or small convertibles. You see more on the screen than on a smartphone but you can't use big resolutions well. On the other hand, mobility is not a problem.

Acer: In 1976, the company was founded in Taiwan under the name Multitech and was renamed Acer or Acer Group in 1987. The product range includes, for example, laptops, tablets, smartphones, desktops, monitors, TVs and computer peripherals. Since 2007, the group has merged with Gateway Inc. and Packard Bell, which also market their own laptop product lines.

Acer computers are designed for a variety of purposes, including ultrabooks for mobile use, gaming laptops for gamers, affordable options for everyday tasks, and 2-in-1 convertible laptops for versatility. Acer's product portfolio also includes tablets that offer portable computing and multimedia capabilities.

80%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

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