Acer Aspire R13 R7-371T Notebook Review
For the original German review, see here.
We tested Acer's 13.3-inch convertible only a few weeks ago. The device managed "Good" (84%) off the cuff. However, its price of approximately 1500 Euros (~$1588) does not exactly make it one of the most affordable laptops. Now another member of the lineup is in our tests. This model is available for just below 1000 Euros (~$1059). Some compromises have to be made in hardware for that. However, the present device sports a Broadwell processor. Our report reveals whether the Aspire benefits from the CPU.
Convertibles like the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro, HP Envy x2-j001ng or Dell Inspiron 13 7347 can be counted to the convertible's rivals.
Since the Aspire's build is identical with its Haswell sister model, we will not go in-depth about the casing, connectivity, input devices or speakers. The corresponding information can be found in the review of the Aspire R13 R7-371T-779K.
Case & Connectivity
The Aspire does not have a maintenance cover. The base unit's underside has to be removed for accessing the innards. The underside can be lifted with a putty knife after removing all the screws. This should be done with care because the underside has a relatively tight fit.
Display
While the Haswell sister model of the Aspire is equipped with a WQHD screen (2560x1440 pixels), our current review sample "only" has a Full HD screen (1920x1080 pixels). The lower purchase price is noticed here. The screen does not give reason for complaint. Its brightness of 322 cd/m² and contrast of 1003:1 are good.
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Brightness Distribution: 83 %
Center on Battery: 321 cd/m²
Contrast: 1003:1 (Black: 0.32 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.79 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 2.67 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
Gamma: 2.52
The color reproduction already appealed to us in state of delivery. The screen only just misses the target range (DeltaE less than 3) with its average DeltaE 2000 shift. The screen has a bluish cast. We cannot say anything about the color-space coverage because the Aspire refused to collaborate with our measuring instrument.
Acer equips the Aspire with an IPS screen, making it possible to read the screen from every position. The screen's contrast and brightness also allow outdoor use. However, it should not be too bright, either.
Performance
Acer's 13.3-inch convertible wants to be a tablet and laptop in one. It has more than enough computing performance for applications from the office fields. Our review sample is available for approximately 1000 Euros (~$1059). It is currently the lowest-price model in the series. Acer also has other configurations in its lineup.
Processor
Intel's Core i5-5200U dual-core processor (Broadwell) is inside the Aspire. The CPU clocks with a base speed of 2.2 GHz that can be boosted to 2.5 GHz (both cores) and 2.7 GHz (one core) via Turbo. The Turbo is utilized in both AC and battery modes. The Cinebench CPU benchmark tests were always performed with the full speed. Surprisingly, our review sample scored slightly better than the recently tested Haswell version of the Aspire in the benchmarks. The latter features a nominally stronger processor (Core i7-4510U). However, it can barely utilize its Turbo - particularly in multi-thread applications - and thus some scores are slightly worse than those of the Core i5-5200U processor.
Cinebench R10 | |
Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire R7-371T-52EL | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 | |
Dell Inspiron 13 7347 | |
Rendering Single 32Bit (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire R7-371T-52EL | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 | |
Dell Inspiron 13 7347 |
Geekbench 3 | |
32 Bit Single-Core Score (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire R7-371T-52EL | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 | |
32 Bit Multi-Core Score (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire R7-371T-52EL | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 |
Sunspider - 1.0 Total Score (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire R7-371T-52EL | |
Acer Aspire R13 R7-371T-779K | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 | |
Dell Inspiron 13 7347 |
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire R7-371T-52EL | |
Acer Aspire R13 R7-371T-779K | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 | |
Dell Inspiron 13 7347 |
Octane V2 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire R7-371T-52EL | |
Acer Aspire R13 R7-371T-779K | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 | |
Dell Inspiron 13 7347 |
Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire R7-371T-52EL | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro | |
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
A swift solid state drive and strong processor ensure a fast-working system. The very good PCMark benchmarks scores match that. The Aspire achieved a clear lead over the Haswell sister model in the PCMark benchmarks. That is primarily due to the higher desktop resolution of the Haswell-based Aspire. The scores of both Aspire models would be closer if we reran the PCMark 8 test with a resolution reduced to Full HD.
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 2805 points | |
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3317 points | |
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 3641 points | |
Help |
Storage Devices
The recently tested Haswell-based Aspire is almost 500 Euros (~$529) more expensive than our present review sample. A reason for this price difference is found in the system drive. While the Haswell-based Aspire sports two SSDs that operate in a RAID array, the Broadwell Aspire model "only" features one solid state drive. It has a capacity of 256 GB. The SSD's transfer rates are good in total. Users who require more storage capacity can replace the installed model. It is an SSD in an M.2 format.
Graphics Card
The integrated Intel HD Graphics 5500 core supports DirectX 11.2 and clocks with speeds of up to 900 MHz. It can utilize the working memory that operates in dual-channel mode. Thus, the 3DMark benchmark scores are better than those of other laptops with this GPU and whose memory only operates in single-channel mode. Since the Aspire has a stronger graphics core, it naturally also scores better than the Haswell Aspire in the 3DMark benchmarks.
3DMark 11 Performance | 1130 points | |
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 46421 points | |
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 5059 points | |
3DMark Fire Strike Score | 724 points | |
Help |
Gaming Performance
The Aspire can smoothly render some games in a low resolution and low to medium quality settings. Here, it is again noticed favorably that the working memory operates in dual-channel mode. It leads to a higher frame rate of approximately 20% on average. However, this increase does not make it possible to play performance-devouring hits like Assassin's Creed Unity.
low | med. | high | ultra | |
Tomb Raider (2013) | 48.7 | 27.5 | 18 | 9.2 |
Emissions
System Noise
Not much is heard from the Aspire in idle mode. The fan spins with a low speed and is sometimes even inactive. It naturally has to spin faster during load. The produced noise level is moderate then, though. We measured a noise level of 36.7 dB in the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run for at least one hour). The reason for this relatively low rate is quickly found: The CPU and GPU are throttled. The Broadwell Aspire and Haswell-based Aspire do not really differ in terms of noise development.
Noise Level
Idle |
| 29.6 / 31 / 31.8 dB(A) |
Load |
| 36.5 / 36.7 dB(A) |
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30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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min: , med: , max: Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance) |
Temperature
The Aspire performed the stress test in AC and battery modes in the same manner (Prime95 and Furmark run for at least one hour). The processor clocked with 2.5 GHz the first few minutes and the graphics core ran with its full speed (900 MHz). Then the CPU throttled to 1.4 to 1.5 GHz and the GPU to 750 MHz. The laptop did not heat up excessively during the stress test. 40 °C was only surpassed in the fan's area.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 43.7 °C / 111 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 55.7 °C for the class Convertible.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 47.5 °C / 118 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 22.2 °C / 72 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 25 °C / 77 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(+) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.1 °C / 82.6 F (+3.1 °C / 5.6 F).
Energy Management
Power Consumption
The Aspire is satisfied with a maximum power consumption of 5.8 watts in idle mode - a very good rate. The power requirement does not skyrocket in undreamed of heights under load, either. We measured 26.2 watts during medium load (via 3DMark06) and 29.1 watts in full load (stress test via Prime95 and Furmark). The rates are very close because the CPU and GPU were throttled during the stress test. The Haswell-based Aspire and Broadwell Aspire do not exhibit great differences in power consumption, either.
Off / Standby | 0.1 / 0.1 Watt |
Idle | 3.5 / 5.6 / 5.8 Watt |
Load |
26.2 / 29.1 Watt |
Battery Runtime
Websites are opened automatically every 40 seconds in the practical Wi-Fi test. The energy-saving profile is enabled, and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m². The Aspire achieved a runtime of 7:29 hours here - a very good rate. It lasts almost an hour longer than the Haswell-based model.
Verdict
Acer's 13.3-inch Aspire R13 R7-371T-52EL convertible has more than enough computing power for routine. The laptop barely heats up and usually runs quietly. A swift solid state drive ensures a fast-working system. The screen is also appealing. Acer installs a bright, high-contrast IPS screen that can boast with good color reproduction. That, alongside the decent input devices, in conjunction with the long battery life, turns the Aspire into a portable office machine. Only an integrated LTE / 3G modem would round things off.
Buyers who are interested in the Aspire R13 can unhesitatingly take the Broadwell model. The almost 500-Euro (~$529) more expensive Haswell model does not offer any real advantages in our opinion. The CPU performance of both laptops is on par because the processor in the Haswell-based Aspire can barely utilize its Turbo. The Broadwell-based Aspire also features a stronger graphics core and has the better battery life.