The configuration I tested packs way-above-average specs for its $750 (AU$1,730) price; the equivalent Surpace Pro 4 setup costs almost $500 more (though it also has a much better display). Our particular test configuration doesn't seem to be offered in the UK: the closest is a £750 version that differs by a smaller 128GB drive or a £599.99 model with 4GB RAM, and i3-6100U processor and a 128GB SSD. Oddly, the Acer Active Stylus is a $50 (£20) option in the US and Australia (I can't find the stylus for Australia), but comes bundled in the UK. Other US configurations range from a $700 model with a 128GB SSD to a $1,000 model with a Core i7-6500U processor. In Australia there are options as low as AU$1,390 4GB memory and Core i3-6100U to AU$2,159 for an i7-6500U with a 512GB SSD.
Of all the models attempting to emulate or improve on the Microsoft Surface's design, I think this one succeeds best, The system feels high quality and durable: it even passed an impromptu pushed-off-the-table-at-Starbucks test, (It fell face down on the display, so I don't know if iphone case unbreakable it would have cracked if it had fallen on an edge.) One of the big attractions is its novel fanless, liquid-cooled architecture (Acer's LiquidLoop Cooling System), It's not only silent, like a tablet, but it can stream Netflix all night and not get warm, It gets a little more heated against my legs, but remains tolerable..
Like many 2-in-1s, the Switch Alpha 12 is comprised of a 12-inch touchscreen tablet section running Windows 10 with a bundled, magnetically attachable keyboard; the keyboard cover has a loop to hold the stylus. The magnet is surprisingly strong -- it latched onto my badge holder at one point when I held the tablet up to take a picture -- but it serves as a place to attach the stylus when using it as a slate. The kickstand design works very well. You can tilt it to any angle between almost perfectly flat to almost vertical, and it has a rubberized section on the bottom to keep it from sliding and to keep it stable on, say, a bed. It's not quite as comfortable to use as a notebook on your lap, but it's not a bad compromise.
I really like the keyboard as well, It has full size, backlit keys that have great tactile feedback; I'm a keyboard pounder and picky about feel, The touchpad is in a good spot and appropriately responsive, You will probably need to configure it to make it behave the way you expect, though, The keyboard cover got pretty scuffed in normal use after a couple weeks, But it didn't attract cat hair, The Switch Alpha 12's a good size (roughly letter/A4), but weighs a bit more than competitors: about 2.9 pounds/1.3 kg with keyboard and stylus or 2 pounds/906g for the slate portion, Though Acer fails to say so anywhere, you can charge it via USB-C -- though you'll have to spring for a 45W charger, the type used to charge Chromebooks and MacBooks, Otherwise, you may have iphone case unbreakable to schlep the AC adapter if you need more than 5.5 hours of battery life, That'll add another 11 ounces to your burden..
There isn't much new about Apple’s newest entry-level iPad. But it’s a better value than.. Updates for the new version of Microsoft's tablet are as subtle as they come, but the.. The Google Pixel C is a performance monster with a sleek design and impressively solid.. The Galaxy Tab S3 is an impeccably designed tablet with an impressive stylus and stunning.. The Good For its price class, the Acer Aspire Switch Alpha 12 delivers excellent performance in a well-thought-out design, and it includes a great keyboard.
