Acer Aspire Switch Alpha 12 SA5-271-31YN

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Reviews for the Acer Aspire Switch Alpha 12 SA5-271-31YN

Not the affordable Surface Pro 4 alternative you’re looking for
Source: Mobile Syrup
Where things become more complicated is in the difference between input devices. We spend so much of our time on these devices interacting with the included keyboard and trackpad. So much so that I don’t think it’s unreasonable, depending on a person’s budget, to purchase a lower specced machine if it means coming away with a computer that has a better keyboard and trackpad. While it would be hard for me to get a new computer with less than 8GB of RAM, depending on your computing needs, a Surface Pro model with 4GB of RAM and a Core M3 processor may be enough, especially if all do with your computer is surf the web, send emails and watch YouTube.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/09/2016

80% Affordability is its ace
Source: Pocket Lint
As a full laptop-replacement the Acer Switch Alpha 12 ticks many of the right boxes. The integrated stand is solid, the silent operation from the LiquidLoop cooling system is an obvious benefit, there's as much power on hand as a Microsoft Surface Pro 4, ample screen brightness and resolution, while the keyboard dock and stylus are both included in the box (in the UK).
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/29/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Acer Switch Alpha 12 - a keenly-priced Surface Pro 4 rival
Source: Expert Reviews
Overall, I feel Acer has done a noteworthy job here, with the Switch Alpha 12 really proving its worth. With a superbly crafted design and a surprising amount of oomph under the hood, you get a whole lot for your money, even if the display and keyboard aren't quite up to the best we've seen.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/25/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%

Foreign Reviews

Acer Switch Alpha 12
Source: Connect - Heft 7/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 06/01/2016

Acer Switch Alpha 12, lo hemos probado
Source: Tuexperto ES→EN
Positive: Good display; comfortable keyboard; small size; support smart pen; new LiquidLoop Cooling technology; long battery life.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/07/2016

83% Acer Swift Alpha 12 – Recensione
Source: Geek 4 You IT→EN
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/15/2016
Rating: Total score: 83%

Acer Aspire Switch Alpha 12 – Взгляни На Привычное По-Новому
Source: Notebook-Center.ru RU→EN
Positive: Good design; energy savings; long battery life. Negative: Inconvenient display; weak speakers; poor webcam and rear camera; uncomfortable keyboard and touchpad; ineffective cooling system.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/12/2016

Acer Switch Alpha 12 notebook/tablet hibrid teszt
Source: Geeks.hu HU→EN
Positive: Very good price; excellent performance; silent operation. Negative: Mediocre battery life.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/19/2016

Acer Aspire Switch Alpha 12: výhodnější než Surface Pro (recenze)
Source: CNews.cz CZ→EN
Positive: Good price due to high performance; fast SSD; good ergonomy and display. Negative: Short battery life.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/08/2016

Test: Acer Switch Alpha 12 - elegantní konvertibilní řešení s 3:2 displejem a vodním chlazením
Source: Notebook.cz CZ→EN
Positive: Full keyboard and large touchpad; decent performance; ability to maintain high performance fanless; IPS display. Negative: Hot under load.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/14/2016

76% Đánh giá Acer Switch Alpha 12 – Thiết kế lai, thời lượng pin tốt, giá mềm
Source: Tinh Te VN→EN
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/22/2016
Rating: Total score: 76% price: 80% performance: 70% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 70% emissions: 70%

Ревю на Acer Aspire Switch Alpha 12 – таблет, който успешно може да замени вашия ноутбук
Source: Laptop.bg BU→EN
Positive: Excellent build quality and ergonomics; comfortable keyboard; great IPS display; decent battery life. Negative: Limited connectivity; poor tocuhpad; heavy.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/08/2016

Comment

Model: The Switch Alpha 12 is the predecessor of Acer’s fan-less CPU innovation. Powered by the LiquidLoop cooling, the CPU performance stays optimal without generating fan noise, thereby making this machine quiet and powerful. As suggested by its name, the Switch Alpha 12 is easily convertible from a tablet to a full-fledged laptop mode. Ergonomically, it is fitted with a kickstand which provides support for the screen when it is fitted with the keyboard. This machine is largely metal-built with aluminium as its main component.

Its 12-inch touchscreen features a resolution of 2160 x 1440 pixels and uses IPS technology. The Windows 10 system is powered by an Intel Core i3-6100U processor with 4 GB RAM. Graphics are rendered by an Intel HD Graphics 400. In addition, it comes with a 128 GB SATA SSD. Standard connectivity is available on this machine with one USB 3.0 and one USB 3.1 Type-C port as well as a microSD card slot. Networking is supported by both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Users may also opt for the Acer Active Pen, which is sensitive and capable of precise input. The battery life is decent with up to 8 hours.

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.

6100U: 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":

This screen diagoal is quite large for tablets but small for subnotebooks. Some convertibles are also represented with that size.

Large display-sizes allow higher resolutions. So, details like letters are bigger. On the other hand, the power consumption is lower with small screen diagonals and the devices are smaller, more lightweight and cheaper.

1.2 kg:

This weight is typical for big tablets, small subnotebooks, ultrabooks and convertibles with a 10-11 inch display-diagonal.

Acer: The company was founded under the name of Multitech in Taiwan in 1976 and renamed to Acer or Acer Group in 1987. The product range includes, for example, laptops, tablets, smartphones, desktops, monitors and televisions. Gateway Inc. and Packard Bell also belong to the Group and sell their own laptops.

While Acer still had the third largest global market share in the notebook segment in 2008, it ranked 6th in 2016 with a market share of 6% after they had continuously lost market shares.

There are dozens of Acer laptop reviews per month, the ratings are average (as of 2016). Gateway, which has an own laptop line-up, has also belonged to the Acer Group since 2007.

79.75%: This rating is not convincing. The laptop is evaluated below average, this is not really a recommendation for purchase.

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

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