Acer switch 10 tablet reviews. Appearance and controls

At an event held in May this year, the Taiwanese company Acer showed many new products. Windows devices are having a hard time right now. Many users who previously surfed the Internet at home using laptops or desktop computers began to use more mobile tablets for the same purpose. And here preference is given to gadgets running iOS or Android, which have a convenient touch interface; in addition, they work for a long time without burdening the user with excess weight. Their Windows counterparts are losing ground, however, due to the emergence of inexpensive models, public attention to them is growing. Acer has a lot to offer customers.

Previously, the company offered the affordable Iconia Tab W510, which at one time became the first compact 10-inch tablet in Russia, capable of replacing a netbook or a simple laptop. Such a gadget wins over the above platforms due to the fact that it offers full-fledged work opportunities. There will be no restrictions on installing programs; here you can get everything the same as on larger devices, with greater mobility and less weight. True, the performance of such a device will not be the highest. However, in any case, the result is a practical symbiosis of compact size, decent capabilities and autonomy. Acer Aspire Switch 10 can be called a redesigned and improved W510. The continuity between them is easy to notice, similar design, capabilities, although the additions are quite enough to give the device a new name.

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating system: Windows 8.1
Processor: Intel Atom Z3745, 1.33 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Data Storage: eMMC 64GB
Connectors: microHDMI, microUSB
Screen: 10.1 inches, 16:9, 1366 x 768, LED-backlit, IPS
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Battery: 18 Wh
Dimensions: 8.9 mm (tablet), 20.2 mm (tablet with keyboard), weight 590 g, including keyboard 1.17 kg

DESIGN

The tablet has retained the same proportions; the dimensions still allow you to carry the gadget with you on trips and travels. The Switch 10 itself is average in thickness; there are thinner devices of this kind, but due to its budget nature, you will have to limit yourself to what you have. The base of the case is made of matte silver plastic, and the entire back surface is made of aluminum. It's nice that there was no gloss here. In the photographs, the tablet may seem too modest, but the lack of shimmer on the body will please you during long-term use: no scratches, abrasions, and the surface itself will not be too slippery.

The tablet is two-color. The frame is made of light gray plastic, and the back panel is made of aluminum in a darker shade. Moreover, usually in this price segment there are models made exclusively of plastic. Therefore, it is nice to note an exception to the rule; the device is perceived as more expensive than it actually is. This combination looks good and makes a universal option. The camera, which was previously located at the back, was abandoned here, so now the back of the device is smooth and even. There is nothing on it except the company logo.

The fact that Acer did not come up with any special style for the laptop, which can rightfully be classified as a gaming model. There are no flashy inserts of bright colors, any protruding parts or non-standard shapes. Perhaps this should be considered an advantage of the device, since not everyone wants to get something in the style of an intergalactic starship.

At the front, attention is drawn to the wide border of the black screen, which runs parallel to part of the silver body of the tablet. At the top, if you look at the tablet in landscape orientation, there will be a front camera lens, at the bottom there is a touch button that is not backlit. Also at the bottom there are stereo speakers located in the corners. The power and volume keys are located on the left side; they are convex and easy to press.

DOCK STATION

The model received a redesigned stand. The loop for securing the tablet has decreased in size, which will appeal to those who are used to frequently carrying a gadget with them, but they have worked on the excess weight. The mount itself is magnetic, the device is fixed very tightly and will not fall out on its own if you shake it or do any other active actions with it. The keyboard block is made to match the tablet, with the same design: gray top and dark gray bottom. It seems like a small thing, but the complete device looks holistic and organic.

The hinge, as before, allows you to tilt the screen, choosing a position that is convenient for you. The manufacturer offers several scenarios for working with the device, there can be four in total. These are the tablet itself, tent mode, computer mode, and also presentation mode. I think that everyone can easily choose a comfortable position for themselves.

Actually, the first company to propose such an unusual idea of “shifters” was Lenovo, but Acer is also not lagging behind, launching a not very expensive transformer to the masses. The tilt angle is large, but at the maximum angle the tablet falls back, the part with the screen turns out to be heavier and more massive than the dock with the keyboard.

The keyboard has been slightly changed. This is immediately noticeable in the navigation key block. Previously, they were larger, but now they have been greatly reduced, in addition, combined with functional buttons. The same thing can be found in Acer laptops, the option is not the best, you will have to get used to it.

The keys are made of matte black plastic with a rough texture. They have an average stroke, the buttons are pressed softly, they lack elasticity when typing, a clearer response would be nice. This will be well felt by those who are used to working a lot with texts or documents. There is not much space between the buttons, and erroneous operations are possible.

The touchpad is compact, small area with average sensitivity, a separate mouse for navigation will be more convenient to use. Also, there are too hard clicks, which will be necessary to confirm actions. Essentially, everything is the same as in its predecessor.

CONNECTORS

Almost all holes are located on the right side. There is a microphone, a slot for a microSD memory card, a microUSB port, microHDMI and a connector for connecting a charger. There is a 3.5 mm audio port on the left side. At the bottom end there are mounts for the tablet, as well as the necessary port for connecting a unit with a keyboard.

Unfortunately, the tablet itself does not have a full-fledged USB connector, and there is no full-size HDMI, despite the decent thickness of the case. To work with multimedia you will need a special adapter, which is not included. The same applies to connecting flash drives. A wide variety of peripherals can be connected via microUSB and a special adapter, but it’s up to the user to figure out where to get it. Wireless profiles include support for Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11n. There is no 3G/4G modem here, but if necessary, you can distribute the Internet from your smartphone or buy a router.

SCREEN

The new Acer tablet has a 10.1-inch screen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It has large viewing angles and uses an IPS matrix. The screen is touch-sensitive and supports up to 5 simultaneous touches. The display is made using Zero Air Gap technology, which according to Acer should make colors brighter and more saturated. There is no air gap in the tablet, due to this the image looks better, glare is significantly reduced compared to analogues.

In inexpensive models you shouldn’t count on Full HD resolution, this model is no exception. However, if you do not chase the density of points, then there will be no complaints about the device. While HD quality in smartphones and tablets is often criticized as not being high enough, the situation is different with Windows devices. The high-resolution interface becomes inconvenient, the data looks too small, and the device becomes inconvenient to use. Therefore, in this case, a completely practical and compromise option is proposed.

Otherwise, everything is typical for such devices. The capacitive touchscreen is easy to operate and sensitivity is good. Of course, it will be more comfortable to work with small interface elements using a mouse, but the tablet will not let you down even in field conditions.

TESTS AND PERFORMANCE

The transformer has received a modern filling. It has a quad-core Intel Atom processor of the Bay Trail family, 2 GB of RAM, and built-in 64 GB of eMMC memory. This is not much, but you can use the microSD slot using capacious drives.

Small cards with 128 GB capacity are available for sale. There is also a version of the tablet with an additional 500 GB storage. Using a hard drive, you can significantly expand the space for data. However, such a modification will not be supplied to Russia in the near future; accordingly, space is limited.

As before, you can see a significant performance difference between the Atom and the latest Haswell chips. The new tablet belongs to the BayTrail family of devices, which is significantly more powerful than the previous Clover Trail. The Intel Atom Z3740 can easily be called an energy-efficient chip; it is very good for a family of mobile solutions.

Futuremark 3DMark 11, points

HP Specter 13 x2 319 Acer Aspire Switch 10 233 ASUS Transformer Book T100 218 ASUS VivoTab Note 8 209 Acer Iconia W4 205 Lenovo ThinkPad 8 200

Futuremark PCMark 07, points

Lenovo ThinkPad 8 2540 Acer Aspire Switch 10 2506 Acer Iconia W4 2484 ASUS Transformer Book T100 2432 ASUS VivoTab Note 8 2410 HP ENVY x2 1437

Many people dislike Windows tablets because the active cooling system may make noise. Simply put, for having to put up with the fact that a fan lives in the tablet. But in this case there is no reason to worry, devices with Atom inside will not be disturbed by the whistling of coolers, they simply do not exist. The gadget itself heats up slightly even under load; in normal operation it does not cause any unpleasant sensations, the temperature is kept at a comfortable level. The tablet easily solves a variety of tasks; working with documents, watching videos or websites, it is, of course, capable of doing so. It's nice to get a full-fledged version of MS Office; you don't have to pay to purchase licensed software for work or school. It is clear that this is not a gaming device, you can run something if you wish, but if everything is fine with old games, then with new ones it is much worse. If we assume that the comfortable level starts at 30 fps, then you shouldn’t count on it. This is a separate note for those who dream of getting everything at once for minimal money, miracles do not happen.
But if you are realistic and don’t want the impossible from a gadget, then you should like the tablet. It is equipped with the Microsoft Office Home&Student 2013 software package, so you don’t have to spend money on a license. On the road, you can work on documents or watch a movie - Switch 10 can easily handle this. Naturally, this can also be done on iOS or Android tablets, but the ability to fully use the entire x86 software base is undoubtedly a big advantage of the transformer.

WORKING HOURS

For its tablet, Acer claims up to 8 hours of battery life. In practice, it turns out that in a mixed use cycle the device lasts about 6.5 hours. If you lower the brightness level from 50%, which was set during testing, to a minimum, you can get those same 8 hours. I think that for a tablet with full-fledged computer capabilities inside, this is a very worthy result. Moreover, it is worth noting that the battery itself is not that big, but, nevertheless, the operating time indicators are not inferior to the same ASUS, despite the fact that it uses a more capacious power source. In an hour of watching a video at maximum screen brightness in airplane mode, the tablet shrinks by 13%, so you can count on 7 hours of work in this mode, an excellent result.

Powermark, battery life (balanced), minutes

Dell Venue 8 Pro 308 Acer Iconia W4 304 Lenovo ThinkPad 8 289 Acer Aspire Switch 10 199

Powermark, battery life (entertainment), minutes

Acer Aspire Switch 10 271 HP Specter 13 x2 243 ASUS VivoTab Note 8 180

Powermark, battery life (productivity), minutes

Dell Venue 8 Pro 451 ASUS VivoTab Note 8 395 Acer Aspire Switch 10 387

The power supply is small, comparable to those that you can get with a regular tablet. The current strength is only 1.5 amperes, it is more common to see a higher value. For example, the competitor ASUS Transformer Book T100 comes with a 2A charger.

OPINION HI-TECH.MAIL.RU

The main competitor of the new product can be considered the ASUS Transformer T100, which has been selling well for many months. Which is better, Acer or ASUS, given that their capabilities are comparable? A matter of personal preference, I think so, although the new Acer looks more attractive in appearance, I like it better. The Acer Switch 10 has similar characteristics to its competitor, but the model wins in terms of design and materials, there is no glossy plastic, the option is much more practical. The starting price is 17,990 rubles, the same amount is asked for ASUS.

The family of netbooks, light and compact, left the market. Tablets like the Acer Iconia Switch A10 can be considered their continuation. Reasonable price, great capabilities, full services and no software restrictions. Constantly working on a 10-inch screen is quite tiring, so it is difficult to recommend such a device as a main one. However, as an additional assistant gadget for a work computer or home laptop, it will be very good; you can go about your business without having to take time off from pressing tasks.

I would like more storage space, but you have to be limited by the built-in memory, and it may not hurt to supplement the memory with an external microSD. Of course, it would be nicer to get a hard drive built into the keyboard, but we’ll have to put up with its absence until such a version is supplied to us. In addition, I would like to get more USB connectors in the case or full-fledged adapters included.

Now let's move on to the pros. First of all, there are no software restrictions; the entire application base accumulated for the Windows library over many years is at hand. Having a compact, full-fledged computer at hand is convenient. For example, if any Android or iOS tablet paired with a smartphone will only duplicate its functions to one degree or another, then such a device will help copy data to the phone and reflash it. At the same time, all the advantages of a mobile device are preserved. Light weight, the gadget is a little heavier than 1 kg, and we are talking about a tablet paired with a keyboard.

Overall, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 deserves our award. It is worth considering its high-quality build, nice materials, good level of performance, as well as a reasonable price.

Alexander Pobyvanets [email protected]

2 years ago 0

price, size, reliable fastening of the tablet to the docking station, office as a gift (a small thing, but nice),

2 years ago 0

everything

2 years ago 0

It’s not a bad device, the glass is nice, it’s fast, it doesn’t lag, Wi-Fi works, everything is not bad, considering the budget and the amount of built-in memory. The docking station is simply wonderful.

2 years ago 0

Excellent transformable tablet! Good performance, the OS just flies! Good display, excellent touch, Two high-quality stereo speakers. The battery lasts a long time. Front camera 2.0 megapixels. Attaching to the docking station with two latches + magnets. High-quality sound - both through the built-in small speakers and through the 3.5mm jack. I use Sennheiser HD215 headphones - the sound is simply amazing!

2 years ago 0

It is very difficult to list all the advantages of this model, so I will only say the most important. Fast and quite powerful processor for a tablet at this price. High quality screen, nice touch. The price is simply pleasing.

2 years ago 0

The screen is very good. Color rendering is much better than regular TN. By modern standards the resolution is so-so. You even need to look for a phone with permission there. But it is very convenient to use. Neither large nor small, exactly what you need. You quickly get used to the touch screen. At home, on a large laptop, my hand periodically reaches out to press something on the screen. It works pretty fast. At first I was afraid that the memory was only 2GB and could not be expanded. But the laptop works successfully even with this volume. Charging lasts for 4-5 hours. I carry it around the city with me all day. Periodically I take it out and do something. I don’t even take the charger with me. Naturally, this is not enough to work full time in the office.

2 years ago 0

– A unique and very convenient mechanism for transforming a tablet into a laptop using magnets; – Four modes of use, each of which has its own advantages; – Excellent screen, despite the HD resolution, thanks to very high contrast and brightness levels; – Windows OS (full version, version 8.1); – Quite a good keyboard for a device of this size; – A fairly large touchpad that you can actually use (an alternative is to connect a mouse via a full USB port in the keyboard compartment, USB version 2.0) – Oleophobic coating, fingerprints do not appear so quickly, are not very noticeable, and are easily erased; – Fast enough processor for everyday tasks; – Pre-installed MS Office with activation key; – Lack of main (rear) camera – for

2 years ago 0

Convenient design with a magnet The system works fine, I thought it would lag terribly The charge does not hold badly

2 years ago 0

compactness and ease of use

2 years ago 0

The USB in the docking station is very tight, it can be broken if you press madly

2 years ago 0

Narrator

2 years ago 0

I’ve been using it for the second week, and I’m thinking of giving it up, despite all the advantages, once a week it just doesn’t turn on. I would have thought that I was just unlucky, but somewhere on the sites I saw a review, someone wrote about such a problem.
And I still haven’t been able to connect it via HDMI to the TV, I can’t see it, but this is a small thing compared to the fact that he stupidly sleeps for days. It’s a shame.

2 years ago 0

Just one USB port. But this can be treated with USB hubs. There is no additional battery or additional memory in the docking station. There are no cases - I wear it in a case from Sennheiser HD215 headphones)

2 years ago 0

One of the shortcomings is the volume rocker, when pressed, strange applications popped up, but this bug was easily fixed in the operating system settings. No further shortcomings have been identified yet.

2 years ago 0

In laptop mode, the lid overhangs when opened more than 100 degrees, because heavier than the keyboard.
Just one full-size USB port. I bought a Bluetooth mouse, but I have no luck with them. This is not the first laptop with which she did not work. I tried both Logitech and A4.
It starts, but constantly freezes and slows down.
As a result, I use a radio mouse, the receiver of which occupies the only port. If you need a GSM modem, flash drive or something else, you will need a USB connector, or one at a time. The second port is sorely missed. There is another small one, but I haven’t found a use for it. I don’t have such flash drives, or a radio module for a mouse, or anything else.
The body is loose. If you take your hand by the area under the keyboard, to the left or right of the touchpad and carry it somewhere in this position, then due to the skew to

2 years ago 0

– Lack of additional batteries in the keyboard compartment;
– Only HD resolution is a rather controversial drawback, because in Windows, for all its advantages, scaling does not work well in desktop mode. And without it, everything will be quite difficult to see on a 10-inch screen with FullHD resolution. However, in the Modern UI interface there are no problems with scaling, so FullHD resolution would look noticeably nicer;
– The keyboard compartment is too light compared to the tablet part; in laptop mode, at an opening angle of approximately more than 135 degrees, the structure falls back. It’s not critical, because a larger opening angle is almost never required, however, the overall feeling is not the most pleasant. In pursuit of minimal weight, the engineers, in my opinion, clearly overdid it,

2 years ago 0

It was charging somehow, then it started to shut down, then it stopped turning on, they replaced it, a week later it died again, they replaced it with a new one, the replaced motherboards were many times worse than the original, they were terribly laggy

2 years ago 0

plastic body! DECEPTION ABOUT METAL!

I want to make it clear right away, the fact is that I cannot be called an active user of tablets, much less tablets of the still rare “genre” of transformers, so the entire text that you read next may be filled with some obvious things, admirations and other things that are incomprehensible to an experienced user of such things. For the same reason, I did not prepare a full review of the device; you can easily find materials of this kind on the Internet, and also for this reason I still want to tell you about my experience with the Acer Aspire Switch - because I really liked this device, despite to some disadvantages.

Most often I use a desktop computer for work, games and everything else, large, heavy, silent and powerful. In my case, this is an experience that comes almost from childhood, and I do not plan to switch to laptops/all-in-one computers. However, you still have to use a laptop: when traveling to exhibitions, on vacation, or when you just need to show something at a meeting, and doing it from the screen of a smartphone or compact tablet is inconvenient, a laptop comes to the rescue here. For two years now I have been successfully using the Lenovo ThinkPad X230 for these purposes and have no problems (almost), and therefore, by the way, I was wary of the experiment of temporarily switching to the Acer Aspire Switch 10. After all, the transformer has several disadvantages compared to classic 12''-14'' laptop:

Low performance; Compared to my Intel Core i7-based ThinkPad X230, any Intel Atom tablet will seem slow
Fewer options for connecting devices; in tablets, even on Windows, you rarely see more than one USB port, and even more so such things as Ethernet, for example
Short battery life; it all depends on the specific models, but I'm comparing potential tablets with my ThinkPad X230 with a larger capacity battery (6 cell versus standard 3 cell)
Smaller keyboard and touchpad area, which is logical, we are talking about 10"" tablets, while a laptop has a 12.5"" diagonal

However, even with a quick study of the devices, you can immediately find the advantages of a transformable tablet over a compact but powerful laptop (we’re talking about the Acer Aspire Switch 10 and Lenovo ThinkPad X230):

The tablet is more compact and lighter; a laptop based on Intel Core i7 with an extended battery will not be light, even with a 12.5" screen diagonal, and the tablet weighs only 600 grams without a keyboard
The tablet can be used with the keyboard connected, and when it is not needed, simply remove it or hide it; the keyboard unit can be secured with the back side so that the keys “look” at the back of the tablet when closed
The tablet is much cheaper

Now I want to talk separately about different points.

Design, dimensions, ease of transportation

Switch 10 looks very simple and discreet, however, like many other products from Acer. There are no bright design elements, memorable details or anything similar, but there is simplicity and practicality. Abrasions and some scratches on the light gray, sometimes silver-colored body will be noticeable only when you look closely.

Most of the back of the tablet is a metal sheet with an engraved design, the frame is made of painted plastic. The keyboard block is made entirely of matte plastic, painted silver.

When assembled, the tablet together with the keyboard unit is a little plump, but still compact, dimensions – 262 x 177 x 24 mm (including all protruding parts), tablet weight – 585 grams, keyboard unit weight – 515 grams, total weight – slightly more kilogram. Carrying the Switch 10 on trips is convenient, it takes up less space than 12-13" laptops, and, depending on the situation, the keyboard can be placed separately from the tablet.

Keyboard

By the way, about the keyboard. The strong point of the keyboard unit for the Acer Aspire Switch 10, in my opinion, is the touchpad with keys. Despite the fact that the touchpad and two keys below it are made of a single panel, this element is convenient to use, mainly due to its large relative to the overall dimensions of the keyboard block. To the right and left of the touchpad are free areas where the palms of the hands rest comfortably when typing.

The keyboard itself is less comfortable, again, due to the size of the keyboard unit as a whole. It is small, because we are talking about a ten-inch tablet. The buttons here are separate, with a short stroke when pressed, the touch of the key is barely felt, and this is also not very convenient, you have to get used to it at first.

Personally, I use the Acer Aspire Switch 10 both with a standard keyboard and, when I need to type a lot (at an exhibition, for example), with a third-party one connected via Bluetooth. In my case, this is the Logitech Wireless Combo MK520 kit with a keyboard, mouse and a small USB receiver, which you don’t even need to remove from the connector if you use the kit often. The receiver is tiny and barely protrudes above the surface of the tablet.

Fastening the tablet and keyboard unit, controls

The method of attaching the two parts of the transformer, in my opinion, is very convenient and thoughtful. Magnetic grooves are used here, and the process of installing the tablet into the docking station (keyboard unit), as well as separating the two parts, is as quick and simple as possible. At the same time, the mount is reliable; I did not have any problems in this regard during the month of using the Switch 10.

There are two ways to connect a tablet and a keyboard unit: in the first, we get a laptop form factor, in the second, we get a kind of tent with a keyboard “looking” at the back of the tablet. In this version, it is convenient to install the Switch 10 on a table as a “tent” to watch a movie, for example. The same option involves using the device as a tablet, but with a keyboard connected, if there is nowhere to put it aside and you don’t need to use it at the moment.

Now a little about the controls. Two speakers are located on the front of the tablet, under the screen. This arrangement is convenient; the speakers are not hidden when you place the tablet on the table and watch a video on it or decide to play, for example.

On the left are the power and volume keys, and there is also a 3.5 mm mini-jack. On the right is a microphone hole, a slot for a microSD card, microUSB, microHDMI connectors and a charger connector. The charging unit for the tablet is compact; in size it is quite a bit larger than the “charger” for any modern smartphone.

A full-fledged USB port is located on the keyboard unit, so in order to use a keyboard and mouse for typing and working with the tablet as a whole, for example, in any case you need to connect it to the docking station.

Operation speed

I use the Acer Aspire Switch 10 mainly for work: writing materials, browser, Twitter, mail, that is, all the usual tasks for a work PC or laptop. The tablet copes with this “set” without any problems, but with one caveat. Switch 10 is built on the Intel Atom Z3745 platform, has 2 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory in eMMC format for system operation and user data storage. It can be expanded with a microSD memory card. So, the tablet cannot be called fast. This is especially noticeable after working on a PC or powerful laptop. Performing the same tasks on Switch takes longer - Word takes a little longer to open, photos load in ACDSee more slowly, in the browser it’s better to try to limit yourself to 5-10 tabs instead of 20+ (my bad habit). At the same time, I want to note that the tablet does not slow down, no, it’s just not that fast and productive at work, especially when all your actions are debugged and you do them very quickly, expecting the same speed from the working tool.

In another situation, I would call this a drawback of the device, but it’s enough to remember the cost of Switch 10 (16,000 rubles for the 64 GB version) to forgive it for this feature. Expecting wild performance from an inexpensive transformer is simply strange.

Usage scenarios, Windows 8

The saddest thing about any tablet with Windows 8, and the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is no exception, it’s Windows 8. Not the entire system, of course, but individual parts of it. For example, in Win 8 we have two desktops - a classic one with a windowed interface and a cursor, and a new, clear, stylish “tiled” one. And so that life with two desktops does not seem easy to the system user, some applications have separate modes for the tiled desktop. But this is not enough, there are applications that have separate versions, one for Windows 8 “classic mode” and another for the tiled “interface”. A prominent representative of such applications is the proprietary Skype program, which, by the way, is part of the Windows system. There are two versions of Skype, they are completely independent of each other, they are just different programs. I can be logged into Windows 8 in “tiles” under one account and under a completely different one in the “classic interface”. There is no way to describe this feature in simple words, so let’s just dwell on the fact that it exists.

Personally, during the month of living with the Acer Aspire Switch 10, I used the tiled interface only a couple of times, accidentally clicking on the Windows “flag” under the tablet screen, and immediately returned from it to the classic windows. It's a shame that tiles in Switch 10 can't be nailed down right away. The familiar Windows interface on a tablet is no different from that on any other PC or laptop with Windows, except that there is an additional control panel for adjusting the volume level, brightness, selecting a Wi-Fi network and some other parameters. It is called from the right area of the screen by simply swiping from right to left from its edge.

You won’t be able to play some hardware-intensive games on your tablet, but in principle you can play them. For example, from time to time I play my favorite fifth game, Civilization, on Switch 10. Finding games on Steam that will play on a tablet is quite possible.

Conclusion

The cost of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 transformer at retail is on average 16,000 rubles, as usual, you can find it a little cheaper or a little more expensive. For this money you get a compact 10"" laptop with a full-fledged keyboard, although not the most comfortable, but nonetheless functional and with a large touchpad for the overall size of the device. You also get a 10" tablet, not the most productive, but not slow either, balanced in speed for its size and price. The operating time of Switch 10 in typing and browser mode is on average 6-7 hours. Of course, these are not record figures, but acceptable.

The Acer Aspire Switch 10 does not have any “wow” features, moments for which this tablet can be called the best of the best or endlessly admired. On the other hand, despite some disadvantages, overall the Switch 10 gives the impression of a very balanced and complete device. This is a transformable tablet that allows you to work with moderate comfort, replacing much larger and more expensive things. And “moderate” comfort here is more of a plus than a minus, as well as a small price to pay for the very affordable cost of the device. If you are choosing an inexpensive laptop for travel or business trips, take a closer look at the Acer Aspire Switch 10, it may well be the right choice, as it turned out to be in my case.

The ASUS Transformer Book T100TA has speakers located at the back, while the Switch 10 has speakers at the front. The body of the T100TA is made entirely of plastic, while the new product from Acer is partly made of metal. However, ASUS Transformer Book is also sold in a modification with a hard drive hidden under the keyboard. Considering that 64GB for Windows and applications is the same as 10m2 for ten people, the extra 500GB of space could be a deciding factor for a lot of people. The T100TA also has a larger battery, which allows it to play movies three hours longer, that is, nine hours instead of six. As for the rest, these are almost identical tablets at the same price.

conclusions

We can talk for a long time about who needs a tablet with Windows 8 on Intel Atom - schoolchildren, students, or generally all advanced people on the planet, but let's leave this work to the marketers of Microsoft and manufacturers of similar devices and focus on the pros and cons of the Acer Aspire Switch 10.

Firstly, Acer managed to create a fairly stylish device, although you think so mainly by looking at the only metal element of the case - the back cover. But the plastic with a touch of “glitter” is a little disappointing.

The display makes an excellent impression. Of course, its resolution is similar to that of budget laptops, but the colors are rich, and the contrast and brightness are high. In other words, it will be difficult for an inexperienced user to distinguish its screen from the screen of an expensive ultrabook. Another nice feature of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is the speakers, which are not located somewhere far, far away, but right here, on the front panel, in front of the user.

The method of attaching the keyboard is one of the most successful. No awkwardly placed latches, just one intuitive movement. Pull it towards yourself - and you're done. At the same time, we were not able to “accidentally” drop the keyboard, so its fastening is also reliable.

There are a lot of good words about the performance of the combination of the Intel Atom family processor and eMMC memory, of course, one cannot say voluntarily. However, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is a quite responsive device, not as “thoughtful” as the first containers of “atoms” - netbooks.

Finally, it is worth noting another pleasant side of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 - it can work up to 6 hours while watching movies, and during games it will not burn your hands or bother you with the annoying noise of the cooling system.

Acer Aspire Switch 10 tablet review

Experts say that in 2014, the global expansion of tablets was slightly suspended - the growth rate slowed down, manufacturers' profits decreased, and demand fell. However, the gains of this type of device already look impressive - tablets have destroyed the netbook segment, bit off a piece of the smartphone audience, and are even encroaching on classic laptops.

The last task is assigned to hybrid tablets that come with a docking station. We have already talked about one of these, ASUS Vivo Tab. However, this model cannot fully compete in the market due to the stripped-down Windows RT operating system. Manufacturers realized the mistake, and today more and more hybrid devices are appearing that are controlled by classic Windows - like the most ordinary laptops.

Acer Aspire Switch 10 is one of them. Its platform allows you to run on the device any applications designed for x86 architecture, and there are noticeably more of them, even than programs for Android, not to mention other mobile systems. But is everything so smooth when it comes to using the Acer Aspire Switch 10 as a laptop? This is what we will try to find out.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Atom Z3745 1.33 GHz, 4 cores.

RAM: 2 GB.

Memory: 64 GB, microSDXC slot (up to 128 GB).

Operating system: Windows 8.1, Office Home & Student 2013 pre-installed.

Display: 10.1 inches, Super IPS+, 1366x768 pixels, 16:9, capacitive, multi-touch.

Cameras: front - 2 megapixels, video recording in 1080p.

Connection: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0.

Interfaces: USB 2.0 (in the docking station), micro-HDMI, Micro-USB.

Battery: 6500 mAh.

Working hours: until 8 o'clock.

Dimensions: 260x176x9.2 mm.

Weight: 590 grams (tablet), 520 grams (docking station).

Appearance and controls

If by the standards of Android tablets the Acer Aspire Switch 10, with a price of 17 thousand rubles, is a rather expensive gadget, then in the Windows tablet segment it is one of the initial steps, so the model can in some way be called budget. This manifests itself in many parameters, starting with appearance. We don't mean to say that the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is not beautiful. It has harmonious proportions, a reasonable combination of materials and colors, but it does not evoke any strong emotions. The device is gray - both literally and figuratively. However, we are talking about the option that we had. There is also a version with a black back cover. Perhaps she looks a little more respectable.

The tablet is made of plastic, only the lid panel is aluminum. We must pay tribute to the build quality - the brand did not disappoint. Although this is a budget model in its class, it is assembled perfectly - the body does not creak, the buttons move smoothly and clearly, the gaps are not noticeable. The thought that such a tablet will not last long does not occur to me.

The bezel around the screen is quite large, so the tablet is a little big for a 10.1 diagonal, but the weight is quite moderate, even though the Windows operating system usually requires more components.

The side edges of the tablet are not beveled (the device has the shape of a regular block), which made it possible to place buttons and interfaces on them without any problems. The top edge is free - everything is concentrated on the sides of the device. On the left edge there is a 3.5 mm jack, an on/off button, a volume control, as well as a physical “Start” button, which duplicates the touch-sensitive analogue on the front panel. A physical control is good, but in this case it is completely inferior to the touch option: constantly feeling for the right button can be quite problematic.

On the right side there is a place for the power connector (which, by the way, can easily be confused with an audio output), micro-HDMI and Micro-USB connectors and a microSDHC memory card, as well as a forced reset button. There seem to be quite a few interfaces, but the absence of a normal USB port is noteworthy. Of course, it is in the docking station, but a hybrid is created so that you can work fully with one tablet. And with Windows 8.1, for full-fledged work, I really want to be able to connect a flash drive. The issue can be solved in principle, let's say, this can be done via Micro-USB and a special adapter, but this is not included in the kit - you need to buy it yourself.

The package contents are generally striking in their minimalism: tablet, docking station, adapter with charger, documentation - and that’s it. It’s clear that the tablet is somewhat budget-friendly, but it’s still not that cheap, and you don’t expect such a completely “naked” set from it.

Dock station

The included docking station stylistically complements the tablet - it is the same gray, completely plastic and well assembled. When they are attached to each other, the fact that this is a hybrid is not at all obvious, especially if you don’t know where to look. The overall design in the attached position can hardly be called fantastic, but the gadget looks self-sufficient and does not stand out from the crowd.

The docking station is another 520 grams of weight and 11 millimeters of thickness. As a result, the total weight of the gadget exceeds a kilogram. In order to constantly carry it with you, this is already a bit much, although noticeably less than in the case of even a small laptop. In terms of weight, the competitive advantage of the tablet hybrid is obvious.

There are certain functionality complaints about the docking station itself. It would be more fair to call it an external keyboard, because it has nothing but one USB 2.0 port. No second battery, no hard drive - the tablet consumes its resources both when one is working and when the keyboard is connected.

However, she did have one undeniable advantage. We have already noted that manufacturers today are looking for ways to articulate the head unit and keyboard and have already criticized the ASUS ViVo Tab. Acer engineers managed to find, if not the optimal solution, then close to it. No latches, buttons or locks - only magnets. I inserted the tablet into two guides on the docking station, and that’s it - they “stuck”, I wanted to disconnect it - I just applied a little force and tore the two devices away from each other. Magnetic locks are a delicate matter - I almost miscalculated the force and ended up with either a loose device that constantly comes off, or a muscle-building exercise machine. However, Acer engineers managed to maintain a delicate balance - the tablet sits very securely on the docking station, but if you want to remove it, there is no need to put in excessive effort.

This method of articulation is not only convenient, but also practical, because it allows you to obtain several additional transformation options. Let's say, putting a tablet on a docking station with the screen away from the keyboard and getting a travel version for presentations with a stand or folding the device in this position like a book is truly a transformer.

In terms of working together, we found only one drawback. When the tablet is connected with the screen to the keyboard, it tends to tip over. As soon as you tilt the screen to a large angle, the docking station immediately comes off the table. And you can’t do anything about it - it’s just the way the weight distribution is.

Specifications

Acer Aspire Switch 10 is built on the fairly popular Intel Atom Z3745 processor, which has four cores, a clock speed of 1.33 GHz and 2 MB of cache. Most Windows tablets have either this processor or its modifications and predecessors. It lacks stars in terms of performance, but it is considered cool and does not heat up even during intensive work. This processor is perfect for those who are tired of the constant howling of the cooler on laptops - this model simply does not have one, the cooling is passive.

The tablet also has 2 GB of RAM, integrated video and sound. It is worth understanding that any laptop in this price category, not to mention a full-fledged desktop PC, will be much more powerful. This becomes especially noticeable if you run the same applications on two devices, fortunately the Windows OS on the tablet allows such comparisons. However, Windows itself, despite the characteristics close to the minimum required, works without brakes - at least on a new device, but when opening resource-intensive programs like Photoshop, the tablet openly turns sour. There is nothing to please gamers either: even at the most minimal settings, it is possible to achieve a comfortable 25-30 fps for gaming only in very antique toys. Even in Word of Tanks it was not possible to get more than 12 fps.

However, if you remember that you have a tablet in front of you, not a computer, and set tasks for it that are typical for this type of device, then not everything is so bad. Streaming Full-HD video is played without problems, Internet pages open quickly in the browser, various audio players and reading programs work without brakes, productivity in office programs is beyond your eyes.

Acer Aspire Switch 10 offers 64 GB of internal memory. This value is typical for Windows tablets. This is not enough to use the model for work purposes, but memory cards can come to the rescue. SDXC today is available up to 128 GB, so the memory can be significantly increased. Of course, you cannot install a second hard drive. By the way, the tablet uses memory with an eMMC interface, which does not have a very high write speed, but is very fast when reading (up to 150 MB/s). The disk responds well when working with the tablet.

The ten-inch screen of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 has a resolution of 1366x768 pixels, is made using IPS technology and has a touchpad that supports up to five touches. There is a version of this tablet with Full HD, but this modification is more expensive and quite rare. In addition, many experts note that for Windows, a high resolution is not always good, because the elements become too small and inconvenient to work with, and 1366x768 pixels is the golden mean.

We rather liked the screen of the Acer Aspire Switch 10. Yes, pixelation can be seen when carefully examining icons and small interface details, but it does not hurt the eyes. The picture turns out to be quite even and smooth - you can comfortably watch not only movies, but also high-quality photographs. The screen is bright, doesn't have much glare, and has an oleophobic coating that resists fingerprints. There are also no complaints about viewing angles, at least within the framework of typical tasks. Let's say, watching a movie with two or three is not a problem. The only thing I can complain about is the color gamut. Even with the eye you can see that the screen doesn’t really like too bright and saturated shades; the overall saturation is slightly muted, although it would be hard to call the image faded.

Apparently, as part of the struggle to save money, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 has lost its rear camera; the gadget only has a modest 2 megapixel front camera. It’s better not to even try to take photographs with it - the quality is very low, and you won’t be able to take anything other than a selfie anyway. The purpose of such a camera is only video communication on Skype.

Watching movies on your tablet is no problem

The tablet is most often equipped with a 6800 mAh battery (although there are other delivery options). This is not so much for devices running on Windows, especially since there is no second battery in the docking station. However, the autonomy parameters turned out to be quite decent. According to the manufacturer, the tablet can work for 8 hours, and in economy mode this figure can be achieved. Even if you don’t deny yourself the brightness of the screen, you can count on 6.5-7 hours. When watching a video, the battery runs out in 5-5.5 hours. These are not top-end, but very good indicators.

Two small stereo speakers on the front side of the tablet are responsible for the sound. They are rather weak and cannot boast of high quality, but they have an undeniable advantage - they are directed towards the user. So at least there are no problems with volume.

conclusions

If we remember the beginning of this material, in which we talked about how transformable tablets are replacing laptops, then this is probably not about the Acer Aspire Switch 10. Despite the full-fledged Windows 8.1, as the only gadget this tablet has many disadvantages - low performance , a modest amount of memory, just one USB connector - any laptop of a similar price will be noticeably better in all these respects.

But if we consider the model not as a replacement for a PC, but exclusively as a tablet, then the situation is different. Typical tasks are solved with a bang, there is a lot of software, the possibilities for integration with desktop computers are great (a full-fledged network with a tablet - Android cannot do this), a good reserve of autonomy, moderate size and weight are also a plus.

The tablet costs about 17 thousand rubles, which, as we have already noted, is very acceptable in the class of devices with full Windows and a docking station, but may seem overpriced when compared with Android models. Actually, the choice of OS can determine interest in this device. For Internet surfing and watching videos, it is not at all necessary to buy such a model, but for those who want to work on a tablet, a full-fledged Windows and a docking station are the best choice, and the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is still relatively inexpensive.