Acer Switch 12 Alpha – test tablet 2in1 – PCLab.pl

Acer Switch Alpha 12

Acer Switch Alpha 12 is a tablet 2in1, which, thanks to the cover bundled with the keyboard can be easily turn the laptop. What is true of similar construction is already on the market a lot of (those who are considering the purchase of equipment with detachable screen, we test 15 laptop hybrid, and those who are interested in a laptop with a swivel display – test 15 laptops convertible), but Acer Switch Alpha 12 is one with interesting hybrid devices. And at the same time one of the few that can make an equal fight with the brilliant Microsoft Surface Pro 4. Later in this article we will try to support this thesis hard facts.

Switch Alpha 12 like the Surface Pro 4 in many respects. Take the 12-inch screen, sofa stand of the display, the keyboard in the form of a cover, stylus (optional) or the processor straight from a laptop. All these elements will also find the Surface Pro 4, which, however, on the Vistula special popularity not won, but it is certainly recognizable and – thanks among other things, excellent build quality – often held up as an example for other devices 2in1.

the biggest problem is the design of Microsoft’s high price. There are several configuration Surface’a, but a direct rival Alpha test Switch 12 will, of course, the Surface Pro 4 with Core i5-6300U processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128-gigabyte SSD. In this version, this model costs 4999 zł (check current prices), and this must be added the cover with keyboard for 649 zł (check current prices). Simple math shows that the Surface Pro 4 need to pay 5648 zł, while Switch Alpha 12 is available for “only” 3699 zł, nearly 2,000 zł cheaper.

the difference in price is huge, so do not expect that the Switch 12 Alpha will surpass the Surface Pro 4 in every respect. This, however, most prospective buyers should not be a big problem, just because of the much lower price. Let’s compare: Surface is equipped with a camera with a resolution of 8 MP and 5 MP, image output mini-DisplayPort and a screen size of 12.3 inches and a resolution of 2736 × 1824 while the Switch cameras have a resolution of, respectively, 4 MP, and 1 MP, output image is a USB type C, and the screen has a diagonal of 12 inches and a resolution of 2160 x 1440. the display Acer has also a little worse (but still pretty good) coverage range of sRGB.

Technical data (test sample)
processor	Intel Core i5-6200U 2 cores, 2.3GHz + HT (Turbo up to 2.8 GHz)
Storage	4 GB, 800 MHz Dual Channel
Display	12 “(2160 × 1440), IPS, glossy
Layout	Intel HD Graphics 520
data carrier	SSD 128 GB (available 97 GB)
optical drive	No
Dimensions and weight	292 mm × 201 mm × 15.5 mm 917 g tablet + keyboard + 372 g 326 g adapter
Connectivity Wireless.	Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n / ac, Bluetooth 4.0
outputs	USB 3.0, USB type C, micro-SD, audio
Warranty	2 years
OS	Windows 10 Home
Price	3699 zł (check current prices)

Interestingly, despite a much lower price Switch it is better than Surface’a a very important field: it is fully cooled passively, so even under load running completely silently, while Microsoft’s product is able to disrupt the use of considerable noise. But this is not the end: passive cooling systems in other devices often necessitate the use of aggressive systems slow down the processor clock speed (which, of course, is to prevent overheating), and Switch Alpha 12 keeps them even with maximum CPU load! Timing slows down only when you will be charged at the same time graphics core and CPU, but it is difficult to be furious about it. We write about this in more detail on the penultimate page of the article.

Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/

Acer boasts that the laptop has applied “innovative liquid cooling” (you can see in the picture above). We recognize that while she innovativeness of this solution is a big question mark syndrome (copper heat pipes, otherwise heatpipe’ów, usually filled with liquid to facilitate heat dissipation, is used in almost every laptop), the Acer LiquidLoop really doing well.

the surface heat dissipation (read: the surface of the housing) is so large, and the way its transport (ie Acer LiquidLoop) so efficient that the CPU does not slow down under load and fully manage without fans. And remember that Core i5-6200U is not “tablet toy” as the Atom. Bravo!

execution, connectors

Alpha Acer Switch 12 can boast of very good quality. All the elements are properly folded and in places where they connect, there are no looseness or cracks. An attempt to dial does not result in unpleasant crackling or shuttling, and the screen covered with a layer of high-quality slick safety glass, which brings to mind the new generation of Corning Gorilla Glass, even though the manufacturer does not mention the name of the dedicated Switchowi materials.

Sliding support (which can be spread out to an angle of almost 170 degrees, which is almost a lying position tablet) provides very good support. There is no fear that he will make even with fairly strong pecking at the screen. This is due to the bottom of the support cover with rubber, so that the element remains in place regardless of the conditions. Of course, as is usually the case in devices of this type of solution, without a flat, stable surface or move, so use the tablet resting on his knees (eg. On the train) is very difficult.

A set of connectors in the model Acer Switch Alpha 12 is very modest. They are available: full-size USB 3.0, USB type C, which also serves as an output image, audio jack, charging slot and card reader Micro-SD. On the opposite edge there were three mechanical buttons: switch, volume control and “Windows”.