Acer Switch 5
Specifications
Secondary Camera: 2 MPix
Price comparison
Average of 5 scores (from 10 reviews)
Reviews for the Acer Switch 5
Source: Kitguru
Archive.org versionAcer has not created the perfect convertible Windows tablet but, despite its somewhat mediocre IPS screen and some other niggles, the Switch 5 presents a very capable and good-value machine. It offers a complete overall package with highlights like passive cooling and a very competent bundled keyboard and stylus.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/30/2018
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Trusted Reviews
Archive.org versionIf you’re on the market for a semi-affordable Windows 10 convertible that won’t break the bank, the Acer Switch 5 is a decent choice. It isn’t the sexiest or most original device on the market, but it ticks most of the right boxes when it comes to functionality and performance. The liquid-cooling system is also a nice addition that makes it run near-silently.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/20/2017
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Toptenreviews
Archive.org versionWe can’t quite give it full marks, but if color isn’t vitally important for you, the Switch 5 is close to being a Surface Pro at a huge saving.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/09/2017
Source: It Pro
Archive.org versionWith a spec to rival the Surface Pro, and some accessories thrown in, the Switch 5 offers a decent 2-in-1 experience at a great price point. Unfortunately, woeful display performance and an average battery life hold it back from being a true challenger to the Surface range. Still, the Switch 5 is a great companion device if you're in the market for something cheaper.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/04/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Pocket Lint
Archive.org versionThe Acer Switch 5 is a largely successful progression of the series, with decent battery life, silent operation, ample power, plus other great features such as the one-handed stand adjustment and the fingerprint scanner being built into the power button.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/27/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Stuff TV
Archive.org versionThe clever hinge and bundled stylus make the Switch 5 a great Surface alternative for anyone looking to draw, doodle or write instead of type. The infinitely adjustable positioning is far more flexible than Microsoft's rigid kickstand. The keyboard cover is a great inclusion as well, meaning it works just as well as a laptop as it does as a tablet.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/28/2017
Source: Tech Advisor
Archive.org versionWe certainly like the Switch 5 which is essentially an improved version of the Alpha 12. However, it’s the price that’s really the sticking point here so look for the Switch 3 if it’s out of your price range.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/28/2017
Source: Trusted Reviews
Archive.org versionThis is probably Acer’s best 2-in-1 to date, but with a starting price of nearly €1099 (around £1100), it’s right up against the Surface Pro 4, so there will be some fairly strong comparisons to make when Trusted does its full review. The Switch 5 launches in June.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/27/2017
Foreign Reviews
Source: Netzwelt
DE→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/28/2017
Source: Mobil.se
SV→EN Archive.org versionSingle Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/20/2017
Rating: Total score: 72%
Comment
Model:
The Acer Switch 5 is Acer’s latest hybrid tablet-laptop, and its first 2-in-1 device to be powered by Intel's latest 7th-gen Core i7 chip. The device builds on the innovations of its predecessor, the Switch Alpha 12, and was launched alongside the Switch 3, which is its less-powerful sibling, as well as what seemed to be hundreds of other devices. The Acer Switch 5 is made of anodised aluminum, giving it a good, solid appearance. Like the Switch Alpha 12, the Acer Switch 5 has a Surface Pro-inspired design thanks to an auto-retracting kickstand so that it's viewing angle can be easily adjusted. It also comes with an attachable backlit keyboard that snaps on with ultra-secure magnets, which can be adjusted depending on user preference. The keyboard is similarly good: It feels very strong, with no flex under normal typing use. The keys are even backlit, which isn’t always a given on 2-in-1 keyboards. The touchpad is a real highlight, with perfectly weighted swipes, clicks and gestures. On the outside, the Switch 5 is a fairly standard hybrid, but under its hood, Acer has done something pretty smart: fanless cooling. Using its proprietary LiquidLoop fanless cooling system, Acer claims it can keep the Switch 5 running efficiently without fan noise. The system works by dissipating heat as liquid floats through the machine. It takes up much less space than bulky fans this way while keeping a stable temperature and running efficiently without fan noise; it also provides improved reliability.
Acer's new hybrid is also thin and light, despite some pretty heavy specs. It measures 12mm thick and weighs 1.27kg when the tablet and keyboard are connected. When undocked from the keyboard as a standard tablet, the Switch 5 tablet measures just 9.6mm thick and weighs 0.92kg. While it feels thin enough to be portable, the Switch 5 is chunkier than the Surface Pro 4. Nevertheless, it still felt like it had a relatively slim design during our hands-on, especially considering it's running such a powerful chip. The Switch 5 features a 12-inch FHD+ IPS touch display that boasts a resolution of 2160x1440. The screen appeared crisp and bright during our time with it, even in the brightly-lit environment of the outdoor demo area. However, the lack of a matte finish means it picks up a lot of reflections. As for specs, the Switch 5 boasts Intel's latest 7th-Gen chip, the Core i7, as well as up to 8GB of LPDDR3 SDRAM, meaning it features great performance when completing simple tasks. For connectivity, users will also benefit from the USB-C port, Bluetooth 4.0 and 2x2 11ac Wi-Fi. An optional USB-C dock will give you DisplayPort, HDMI, two USB-C 3.1 ports and three USB Type-A ports, along with audio input for a microphone and audio output for speakers.
Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam
Intel HD Graphics 620: Integrated GPU (GT2) found on some Kaby-Lake 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.
i5-7200U: Kaby-Lake based SoC with two CPU cores clocked at 2.5 to 3.1 GHz, HyperThreading and manufactured with an improved 14nm process.» 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.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.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.
76.4%: 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.
