Acer switch 10 tablets.

Device Acer Aspire Switch 10 comes in a slim cardboard box, the design of which immediately makes it clear that this is not an ordinary laptop, but a transforming device. The photos on the top of the package show that the display unit and the chassis base are two separate parts. Well, on the side of the box all four are schematically listed possible modes transformations - laptop, tablet, multimedia stand and “tent”.

The package includes accompanying documentation, an 18 W power supply (12 V, 1.5 A) and a micro-USB/USB OTG adapter, which is designed to compensate for the lack of a full-size USB connector on the Acer Aspire Switch 10 tablet part. The power supply makes it easy to replace the plug with the one you need at the moment, which frequent users will certainly appreciate.

Tablet

As we mentioned above, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 consists of two separate parts: the “display unit”, which contains not only the touch screen, but also all the hardware and most of the connectors, as well as a docking station with a hardware keyboard and touchpad. Let's start getting acquainted with the device from the tablet part.

From a constructive point of view, the tablet body turned out to be quite complex, since the assembly involves four parts at once, and not two or three, as is the case in most cases. At the same time, the color and texture of the materials are selected in such a way that even the most demanding transformer owner will not feel any aesthetic dissonance. Note that the weight of the tablet is 585 grams, and the thickness is only 8.9 mm, while the weight of the complete tablet + dock set is only 1.17 kg.

Most of the frontal Acer panels The Aspire Switch 10 occupies a protective glass over a 10-inch IPS matrix with a resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels. Screen brightness is adjustable from 20 to 350 cd/m2, and automatic adjustment is also available based on light sensor readings. The capacitive touch layer supports up to 5 simultaneous touches; in addition, there is no air gap between it and the matrix (Zero Air Gap technology), which avoids glare.

It is significant that the developers did not use an unnamed material, but the most scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 3. The glass panel covers not only the matrix, but also the area around it, approximately 1.5 cm wide. On the top of this edging you can find a webcam, and On the bottom there is a Windows touch button.

The next part of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 case, made of silver plastic in the color of metal, performs several tasks at once. Firstly, it acts as an additional edging of the front panel, which visually reduces the dimensions of the device, diluting the black color of the protective glass and, in addition, contains a pair of front-facing speakers. Secondly, the same part, with the help of a small chamfer, goes onto the sides of the case, improving the overall rigidity of the structure.

The top edge of the tablet is completely free; the bottom has a 9-pin proprietary connector for connecting to the docking station, as well as a pair of holes and magnets for fixing it. Despite the small area of ​​this thin edge, all the necessary service information fits here. This solution deserves unequivocal praise, as it allows you to get rid of the annoying paper service stickers on the back of the tablet.

The left side of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 has an audio port, a power button with a built-in indicator, and a volume rocker. A small bulge on the top of the rocker helps you quickly understand that this part of the key is responsible for increasing the volume. A dot LED signals changes in the charging process - it starts glowing orange as soon as you connect the power supply and switches to bright blue when it reaches 100% charge.

On the right side there is a digital microphone, a slot for MicroSD memory cards (by the way, with support for the MicroSDXC standard, which ensures compatibility with cards with a capacity of up to 2 terabytes), a micro-USB port with OTG support, Micro-HDMI video output and charger socket.

In its turn back panel The tablet is also assembled from two light gray parts - a plastic edging with an extension in the area of ​​the Wi-Fi module antenna and a textured aluminum plate that occupies the lion's part of the back of the device. The use of plastic made it possible to avoid signal shielding and at the same time simplify the shape of the metal part of the rear panel.

Well, metal adds a premium touch to the image of the Acer Aspire Switch 10, practically without affecting the cost of the device. Note that the developers used nanoprinted lithography (NIL) technology, which made it possible to obtain a stylish textured coating in the form of diagonally intersecting lines. At the same time, even the metal panel could not provide high rigidity of the structure; the tablet is quite easy to bend with your hands.

Dock station

In terms of functionality, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 docking station is very simple - it is a keyboard and touchpad with a locking mechanism, complemented by a full-size USB 2.0 connector. The docking station body is made entirely of plastic, while working panel The material used is silver, and the bottom is light gray.

The island-type keyboard layout is quite good for a 10-inch format; only a number of function keys and an arrow block have been minimized. The latter, traditionally for Acer laptops, consists of six buttons, since dedicated PgUp and PgDn have been added to the four standard ones. All six “arrow” buttons are twice as thin as the other buttons, but noticeably wider. The edges of the buttons, beveled towards the center, help to distinguish the boundary between them. By the way, the width of the symbol key is 15 mm, the height is 13 mm, and the distance between adjacent keys is slightly less than 3 mm.

The under-palm area is noticeably raised above the level of the keyboard substrate, and the touchpad, on the contrary, is slightly recessed into its surface. The dimensions of the touch panel are 9 by 5 cm, which is quite enough for normal work with the Windows interface. There are no dedicated touchpad keys; their role is played by the sagging lower corners of the touchpad.

The plastic bottom panel of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 dock does not contain anything particularly interesting; here you can only find mounting screws and anti-slip feet. It is with these legs that one ergonomic problem is associated - they can provide reliable slip resistance only if the display is tilted no more than 90 degrees.

After crossing this boundary, the far part of the docking station rests not on a wide silicone strip, but on two small plastic fangs, which do not save the transformer from unpleasant fidgeting on smooth surfaces. It is also significant that at tilt angles close to the maximum, the entire structure tips over, but this may well be a feature of the test sample that is absent in commercial samples.

The only USB 2.0 connector is located on the far side of the right side; this layout option is good for those who are used to using wired mouse. However, fans of wireless (including Bluetooth) pointing devices would probably prefer to see this port on the opposite side, where connected peripherals cannot interfere with the use of the mouse.

Transformation

The transformation of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 follows a standard scenario for models of the “2-in-1” format - the “display module” is completely removed from the dock, after which it can be used as a regular all-in-one tablet.

This option is definitely better than classic one-piece transformers, in which even in tablet mode you have to hold the “extra” part with the keyboard and everything else in your hands.

The tablet is secured in the docking station using the proprietary Acer Snap Hinge system, built on two powerful magnets and a pair of plastic pins with small latches that snap into the holes of the tablet.

To remove the tablet from the dock, you just need to pull it while holding the bottom of the transformer. This method is convenient because the user no longer has to look for and press the lock button, but due to this convenience, the reliability of the connection suffers - with a strong jerk, you risk dropping one of the parts of the transformer.

From the above description it is clear how exactly the Acer Aspire Switch 10 switches to tablet and laptop mode. The two remaining modes (media stand and “tent”) are possible thanks to the symmetrical fixation scheme, which allows you to insert the tablet into the dock either with the screen facing the keyboard or in the opposite direction. In this mode, it is convenient to use the touch interface and view movies and photos without being distracted by the keyboard, which is irrelevant in such cases.

The “tent” mode is the same media stand, but turned upside down so that the transformer rests on the table surface not with its bottom, but with the leading edges of the tablet and docking station. By the way, these edges definitely lack some padding, because active use of the tent mode will quickly lead to abrasions. This mode is used for the same purposes as the media stand, but in limited space - for example, in a cafe or on a folding table on an airplane.

Functionality

The Acer Aspire Switch 10 transformer is based on the new energy-efficient Intel Bay Trail-T platform, in particular, depending on the configuration, processors can be used Intel Atom Z3735F or Intel Atom Z3745. These chips contain four computing cores with a maximum operating frequency of about 1.8 GHz and integrated Intel HD Graphics with support for DirectX 11.

CPU, GPU, Memory

Intel Bay Trail-T processors are manufactured using a 22 nm process technology and emit less than 4 W of heat in maximum load mode (Max. TDP) and only about 2 W in standard operating mode (SDP). Such low heat generation makes it possible to do without active system cooling and has a very beneficial effect on battery life.

PCMark8 (conventional)

PCMark8 (accelerated)

The model comes with 2 GB random access memory and a data storage of 64 GB of which about 52 GB is available to the user. In nature, there are also configurations with a 32 GB system SSD and a 500 GB hard drive, but at the moment it is unknown whether such versions will be supplied to the Ukrainian market. Responsible for wireless communications Wi-Fi modules 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0+HS.

Battery Eater (classic mode / reader’s test)

From a built-in battery with a capacity of only 25 Wh, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 transformer was able to last more than three hours in maximum load mode and seven hours in reading emulation mode. Such autonomy is quite enough to work throughout the working day, if you do not forget about saving energy - turning off the screen backlight and switching to sleep mode during idle time.

Video review of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 2-in-1 convertible laptop

Results

As a result, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is a very interesting 10-inch 2-in-1 transformer running the Windows 8 operating system. A fairly powerful and at the same time energy-efficient quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 processor from the Bay Trail-T family provides an almost perfect balance between performance and autonomy.

A resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels may not seem high enough, but for a 10-inch screen and the classic Windows interface this is the best option. We cannot fail to note the aluminum finish of the case, high quality front speakers, a full set of necessary connectors and a complete docking station, which, taking into account all the above features, allows us to recommend the Acer Aspire Switch 10 as a good solution for work, study and entertainment.

Product provided by Acer, www.acer.ua

	Acer Aspire Switch 10 (N9.L47WW.005) Notify when on sale
Class	Laptop
Design	2-in-1 with removable screen
Screen diagonal, inches	10,1
Matrix type	IPS
Screen covering type	glossy
Screen resolution	1366×768
Touch screen	+(Multi-Touch)
Processor type	Intel Atom Z3745
Frequency, GHz	1,33
Pre-installed OS	Windows 8
Weight, kg	1,17
Dimensions, mm	261.6×177.1×8.9
Chipset	no data
RAM capacity, GB	2
Maximum amount of RAM, GB	no data
Hard disk, GB	—
SSD, GB	64
Optical drive	—
Graphics adapter, memory capacity	Intel HD Graphics
External ports	microUSB (for charging/syncing), 3.5 mm headphone jack, microHDMI, USB 2.0 (docking station)
Expansion slot	—
Card reader	microSDXC
WEB camera	2 MP
Keyboard backlight	—
Housing material	aluminum/plastic
Case color	silver/silver
Network adapter	—
Modem 56K	—
WiFi	802.11 b/g/n
WiMAX	—
Bluetooth	4.0
3G	—
Battery capacity, mAh	5 910
Battery voltage, V	no data

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. And 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, it turns out 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 here bright colors, some 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, the front camera lens will be located, at the bottom touch button devoid of backlight. 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 offer such unusual idea Lenovo has become a “changeover”, 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 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 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 processor Atom family Bay Trail, RAM capacity is 2 GB, built-in 64 GB 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. Due to hard drive you can significantly expand the data space. 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 problems. discomfort, 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 gaming device, you can run something if you want, but if everything is going well with the old games, then with the new ones it’s 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 comes with a package Microsoft software Office Home&Student 2013, 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. offline mode. 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 will be able to 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 restrictions on software; the entire database of applications accumulated for Windows libraries for many years. 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]

This Acer tablet was announced quite recently, I even wrote about their presentation, those who want to read can follow the link below:

In my opinion, the Switch 10 E is aimed primarily at young people; this is supported by interesting case materials, various color options, and a relatively (taking into account the new course) low price.

Characteristics

• Class: intermediate
• Form factor: convertible tablet
• Case materials: plastic, stylized as fabric
• Operating system: Windows 8.1 with upgrade to Windows 10
• Platform: Intel Atom Z3735F
• Processor: quad-core, 1.3 GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• Storage memory: 32/64 GB, microSD memory card slot (64 GB cards supported)
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0 (A2DP, EDR), microUSB connector (USB 2.0) for charging/syncing, 3.5 mm for headset, USB 2.0 on keyboard
• Screen: 10.1’’, capacitive, IPS matrix, 1280x800 pixels (HD), automatic backlight level adjustment, oleophobic coating present
• Camera: 2 MP
• Front camera: 2 MP
• Navigation: no
• Sensors: accelerometer, position sensor, gyroscope, light sensor
• Battery: non-removable, 8060 mAh capacity
• Dimensions: 262 x 180 x 23 mm
• Weight: 1152 grams
• Price: 19,000-20,000 rubles

Equipment

• Tablet
• Charger
• USB-microUSB cable
• Documentation

Appearance, materials, control elements, assembly

When it comes to design, the Switch 10 E looks almost the same as any other ten inch tablet. However, unlike other manufacturers, Acer decided to “play” with different color schemes.

So, this model will be available in six colors at once: turquoise, coral, pink, purple, as well as standard gray and white. See for yourself how cool the laptop looks in different colors.

The back cover of this tablet is made of unusual plastic, stylized as fabric. It feels like something between a stiff cloth and paper. From the point of view of tactile sensations, holding the tablet in your hands is very pleasant. By the way, similar material was also used in latest smartphones companies ( Acer Liquid Z220, M220, Z520).

Most of the front side is occupied by a 10.1-inch screen, above it is the front camera eye, and below it are two stereo speakers. They have a good location and excellent volume reserve. True, at maximum they begin to wheeze a little, but in most cases 40-70% volume is enough for you.

On the left side there is a power button, volume rocker and function key"Windows". The keys have a short, hard stroke; you have to press them with little force. The power button has a built-in diode that lights up blue, and the rocker has a protruding risk to make it easier to feel blindly.

On the right are all the connectors and ports: microphone hole, memory card slot, 3.5 mm headphone jack, microHDMI and microUSB.

At the bottom end you can see contacts and two holes for the docking station; we’ll talk more about it a little later.

The tablet is well built, but if you hold it with both hands and squeeze it tightly, you will hear a subtle creaking sound. In normal use cases, this effect is difficult to achieve.

Dimensions

When assessing the dimensions of the Switch 10 E, it is important to understand that a lot depends on which competitors we take into account. If we are talking about tablets on Android and iOS, then they win by a noticeable margin, but if we talk about their “colleagues” on Windows, then some models have a slight advantage in weight, but otherwise they all have plus or minus the same dimensions.

And although the weight of 630 grams cannot be called small, when using the tablet I did not experience any particular discomfort, holding it with both hands, the same applies to the thickness of almost 11 mm.

Screen

In terms of characteristics, the 10 E display is not particularly impressive, but do not rush to jump to conclusions. Let's start with the good: the tablet has an oleophobic coating, which is very cool; your finger easily glides over the surface of the display, and it is much easier to wipe it off from fingerprints.

The screen is also equipped with a good anti-glare filter. Of course, in direct sunlight the display becomes almost completely blind, but if you work outside in the shade, the image is perfectly visible. Among other things, I note that there are no problems with HD resolution on Windows; all elements are quite large.

Now let's move on to the disadvantages: I would still include the low resolution compared to some competitors, again a low level of maximum brightness and average viewing angles.

Dock station

The Acer Aspire Switch 10 E is a convertible tablet, so it comes with a detachable keyboard. Let's see what its pros and cons are.

Let's start by installing the tablet into the dock - it uses technology with two magnets, as a result, when you bring the tablet to the dock, it is automatically attracted. In theory, this should make installation easier, but in reality it is more of a hindrance: you try to insert the device into the dock, but due to the attraction of the magnets, you periodically miss. The design itself is very reliable, and the tablet can be unfastened very easily, you only need to apply a little force.

When a dock is connected, the dimensions of the tablet almost double; below is a table with numbers for comparison.

Traditionally for transformers, the Switch 10 E has four different modes of use - tablet, laptop, tent and stand. If you use any mode other than “laptop”, the keyboard is disabled in this case, so you don’t have to worry about accidental presses.

In laptop mode, the Switch 10 E's keyboard is slightly raised, which is great and makes typing much more comfortable.

Now let’s move on to one of the main advantages of the model. We're talking, of course, about the keyboard. You know, I've tested a large number of netbooks and convertible tablets, and in each of them the keyboard is the weak point. For example, in Lenovo MiiX 2 the keyboard was a living hell: not only did they get rid of the “effects”, they also moved digital series one button to the right, it was incredibly inconvenient.

Keyboard Lenovo MiiX 2

And so, when the Switch 10 E was brought to me, I was mentally prepared for the fact that Acer would pull some trick with the built-in keyboard. Imagine my surprise when I saw her for the first time. All the letters on the keyboard were the same size, including “schzkh” and “byu”, which people love to narrow and make smaller. Enter, which is quite wide here, was not affected either. Even navigation keys comfortable to use, although they are usually one of the weakest points in compact keyboards. The only thing I can complain about is the slightly narrowed letter “Ё”, but compared to the other advantages of the keyboard, this is sheer nonsense.

The buttons have a short and soft stroke, making them very convenient to use. I enjoyed typing a couple of articles on the Switch 10 E, although I'm usually very picky about the keyboard. In general, the device has a simply gorgeous keyboard; Acer was pleasantly surprised and pleased in this aspect.

The touchpad on the tablet is large and slightly elongated in width. It has a smooth surface and your finger glides over it perfectly. However, the recognition of double “swipes” seemed “rough” to me; the tablet scrolled through the pages too quickly even with the slightest movement of the fingers. In the end, I personally settled on swiping using the touch screen.

If we talk about shortcomings, the lack of additional battery in the docking station, as well as only one full-fledged USB port. Even my old netbook had three of them.

operating system

The tablet works under Windows control 8.1 followed by a free upgrade to Windows 10, which I have already done. Windows update was not enough internal memory, so I had to connect an external hard drive so that the system could complete the update, so if you have the opportunity to purchase a tablet with “top ten” already installed, I recommend doing so.

One of the nice features is a free annual subscription to Microsoft Office for one computer.

And one more thing: after the update, the drivers from Intel were not automatically installed for me, as a result the tablet was very slow, all the problems were solved after manually installing the drivers, just keep this in mind.

As for the “ten” itself, the system has become much more convenient both in general and in terms of using its touch interface. That is, you will be comfortable using even the desktop mode, all elements are now quite large.

Performance

Tablets with the latest Intel Atom chipsets are great for simple everyday tasks: surfing the web, watching videos, reading, typing, using social networks, and the Acer Aspire Switch 10 E is no exception. There are no slowdowns in all these operations.

For serious work like video editing or heavy toys, this tablet is definitely not worth considering.

As I wrote above, the slowdowns in my sample were observed only due to missing drivers from Intel; after installing them, all the “lags” disappeared.

Autonomous operation

The device has a non-removable battery with a capacity of 8060 mAh. This time I did not conduct a large number of tests of “autonomy” in various modes, but decided to tell you about my everyday use. I used the tablet for typing, web surfing, reading, checking email and other undemanding tasks, with the brightness set to maximum and the device connected to a Wi-Fi network. He lasted in this mode for five hours. In fact, five hours is the minimum you can expect when using the Switch 10 E, reducing the brightness and quieter use will give you longer time work.

But I didn’t like the behavior in sleep mode at all. You can leave the tablet just lying on the table, and in a couple of days all the charge will simply disappear. Other disadvantages include the long charging time - about three seconds. extra hours. But thanks to the universal microUSB, you can charge the Switch 10 E using an external battery.

Wireless interfaces

Partially wireless modules Here standard set budget netbook: there is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but GPS and support mobile networks are missing.

Conclusion

At retail, the tablet sells for 20,000 rubles. For this money, you get a device with excellent body materials, interesting and bright body colors, a very comfortable keyboard, but an average display and battery life, and only one USB port.

You know, for a long time I believed that the most important thing in tablets is the display, speed and operating time, but for transformers you should definitely add the convenience of the keyboard, and for me this parameter is much more important than the quality of the screen, because usually similar devices They are taken specifically for typing. Thus, if we compare the Switch 10 E with the same Lenovo MiiX 2, then I would rather recommend choosing the model from Acer.

And I’ll write one last thing: when I talked about this tablet on Twitter, a number of readers rightly noted that for this money you can buy a “Chinese” one with a cooler display, the best chipset and at a lower price. It’s just important to remember that you will not have a guarantee, a Russian keyboard layout and, most likely, an oleophobic coating. And you will have to wait about a month for delivery, so it’s definitely not worth comparing similar devices.

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 others mobile systems. But is everything so smooth in the question? Acer usage 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 pre-installed Office package Home & Student 2013.

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 black coloring 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 in its class it is budget model, but 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, and physical button“Start”, which duplicates the touch analogue on the front panel. A physical control is good, but in this case it is completely inferior to the touch option: constantly feel the desired 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 equipment is generally striking in its minimalism: tablet, docking station, adapter with charger, documentation - that's all. 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 competitive advantage hybrid tablet obviously.

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 get several additional options transformation. 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.

Partially collaboration 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 it on two devices. identical applications, 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 problems, office programs productivity behind the scenes.

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. Install second hard disk, of course, is not possible. By the way, the tablet uses memory with an eMMC interface, which is not very different high speed recording, but 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, 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 big 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 quite weak and cannot boast high quality, but 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 problems are solved with a bang, software a lot of possibilities for integration with desktop computers great ( full-fledged network with a tablet - Android can’t 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.

The main feature of the Acer Switch 10 is a 2-in-1 device with a detachable docking station (aka keyboard), which is held on by magnets. The mechanism for detaching and attaching the display is simple and elegant. This is what makes it captivating when compared with the rotating frames of the Dell XPS 12, the rotating frames of the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro and the HP Envy x360, the wiping keyboard of the Toshiba Satellite U920t and the Asus Transformer Book T100TAM with latches. I just took it and, when necessary, disconnected the docking station. In this case, the display is connected to the docking station in two ways: the display towards you and the display away from you. As a result, the user has four modes available:

• “laptop” - a classic small netbook with a screen and keyboard
• "tablet" - screen without keyboard
• “display” - available if you insert the display into the docking station with the screen facing away from you and rotate the device
• “tent” - place an almost folded laptop in a “tent” with the display facing out

It is difficult to assess the applicability of the last two modes, but they are unlikely to be popular.

Together with the keyboard, the device looks like a small, cute laptop. Without a keyboard, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is a typical tablet. Its back panel is made using aluminum. Thanks to its texture of intersecting stripes, it attracts attention, and from a distance it looks like leather. The main part of the connectors is located on the side ends of the display. The speakers are located under the screen. Separately, we note that the Acer Aspire Switch 10 has only one camera - the front one.

Build quality is good by laptop standards. The display is covered with Gorilla Glass 3, and the keyboard backing is durable. I was surprised that the back panel is easily pressed in the center - we have not seen this on tablets before.

Dimensions and weight - 4.9

The Acer Aspire Switch 10 convertible is lightweight by laptop standards. If we compare it with tablets, then its weight is average. Weight without the docking station is 562 grams (the manufacturer claims 585 grams), with it – 1220 grams. The dimensions of the case with the keyboard coincide with the official documentation - 26.2 × 17.7 × 2.4 cm, without the keyboard - the thickness is already about 0.95 cm. It is slightly larger and heavier than the Asus Transformer Book T100TAM. However, both devices are quite thick. For example, the Acer Aspire V3-371 ultrabook with a thickness of up to 2 cm is much thinner than these transformers.

Keyboard

The island-type keyboard of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 with an unusual layout is inconvenient to use, mainly due to small sizes. There was no room for a digital keypad, and there was no backlighting of the keys either. As on the Acer Aspire V3-371, all the arrow block keys are reduced in size. At the same time, Pg Up and Pg Dn were also placed closely above the “left” and “right”. You need to get used to it so as not to hit both buttons at the same time. The key travel is average, but, according to experts on the site, presses on the Acer Aspire Switch 10 keyboard could be recorded more clearly - the finger gets slightly stuck when typing.

Touchpad

The touchpad is small (about 45 cm2), but sensitive, and it is enough to work with small screen. For example, we could easily swipe from one corner of the screen to another without lifting our finger. The keys are hidden under the lower corners of the touch surface and click noticeably when pressed. Like the Acer Aspire V3-371, it clicks across the entire area, but the right button only works in the lower right corner.

Ports and interfaces - 3.3

Acer Aspire Switch 10 expectedly received a reduced set of ports and connectors:

• USB 2.0 (on docking station)
• Mini-jack
• Volume key
• Power key
• Windows key
• Power socket
• Micro-HDMI
• Micro-USB 2.0
• microSD card slot

All ports, except one USB, are located on the sides of the display.

The Acer Aspire Switch 10 also has Wi-Fi (b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.0 support. No module cellular communications and GPS makes it feel more like a laptop than a classic tablet. At the same time, Acer Switch 10 also has modifications with a built-in modem.

Productivity - 1.5

The performance of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is poor by laptop standards and average when compared to tablets. On the one hand, this is logical; after all, this is a 2-in-1 device. But it’s a little frustrating and even angry when everything starts to slow down during normal browsing while trying to run something else at the same time.

Acer Aspire Switch 10 features a quad-core Intel processor Atom Z3735F, operating at frequencies of 1.33-1.83 GHz. The amount of RAM is 2 GB. Graphics are provided by Intel HD Bay Trail. Multitasking and demanding programs are clearly not for the Switch 10.

The benchmark results are predictably low; the Asus Transformer Book T100TAM on the Atom Z3775 scored higher.

• 3D Mark 06 CPU - 1007
• 3D Mark 06 Total - 1611
• GeekBench 2.4 - 2297
• GeekBench 3 - 2191

The built-in video card supports Direct X 11, which means you can run “classic” computer games on the device. But only primitive or ancient toys, preferably from the last millennium, will work normally. An attempt to play Dota 2 and LOTRO was unsuccessful. Fps even at low settings ranges from 15 to 30. When entering a raid in Lord of The Rings Online, the game completely turned into a slideshow at a speed of 2 frames per second.

For data storage on the Acer Aspire Switch 10, from 32 to 532 GB of memory are available:

• in the display - 32/64 GB of flash memory
• 500 GB HDD can be hidden in the docking station

There are also versions of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 with 64 GB of flash memory on sale.

Display - 4.9

The display of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is clear and of high quality. Full HD resolution, Gorilla Glass 3 protection, high brightness and contrast, wide viewing angles - all this is pleasing to the eye. High resolution (1920×1200 pixels) along with a 10.1-inch diagonal provides high density pixels - 224 per inch (at the level of the MacBook Pro 15 Retina or the Sony Xperia Tablet Z2 tablet). In addition to the protective glass, the display boasts an effective oleophobic coating. The maximum brightness that we measured with a colorimeter is 397 cd/m2, contrast is 860:1, brightness distribution is 88%. The indicators are high by the standards of laptops and average for tablets. The display has excellent color rendition, the picture is rich and looks natural, but the color gamut is not ideal. Before the sRGB standard, the screen lacks deep blue and red colors. Please note that there are also modifications on the market with less clear screens (1280x800 and 1366x768 pixels).

Battery - 3.5

The battery of the Acer Aspire Switch 10 showed weak results (tests were conducted with the dock connected). The much more powerful Acer Aspire V13-371 even worked longer, and there is no point in comparing it with tablets. Under maximum load, the Switch 10 lasted only 2 hours 21 minutes; the same Asus T100TAM lasted longer. The clearer display and high brightness of the Switch 10 screen are partly to blame for this. In Full HD video viewing mode, the transformer was discharged in just 3.5 hours, at rest - in 7 hours 5 minutes. Even the 13-inch HP Stream 13 lasted longer in our tests.