On the background of the high demand for laptops and desktops leading computer manufacturers actively offer netbook-tablet hybrids. In an effort to find them own the original decision. Although Acer has not been a pioneer in the field of Transformers, lately it has successfully experimented with devices of this type. It is worth recalling at least about such device, for example, Aspire R7, Aspire P3 or Iconia W510. In Aspire Switch 10 traditional concept tablet with a keyboard dock has been extended by borrowing some elements from – Lenovo Yoga. Due to this, the new offer is quickly replaced by four scenarios of its use: “Notebook” (Notebook), “tablet” (Pad), “Display” (Display) and “On the road” (Tent).
Thus, in the latter case, the device develops the “house” that, according to the manufacturer, is very convenient in tight spaces (the cabin, a train compartment, etc.), as well as for video viewing. But in the “Display” plays the role of a conventional keyboard stand.
Specifications
• Model: SW5-011
• OS: Windows 8.1 (32-bit)
• Processor: 4-core Intel Atom Z3745 (Silvermont), 1,33 GHz
• Graphic subsystem: Intel HD Graphics (311/778 MHz)
• RAM: 2 GB (1066)
• Data Memory: 64 GB memory card slot microSDXC
• Interfaces: Wi-Fi a / b / g / n (2,4 GHz and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB (for charging / synchronization), 3.5-mm headphone jack, microHDMI, USB 2.0 (dock )
• Screen: capacitive, TFT IPS, a diagonal of 10.1 inches, a resolution of 1366×768 pixels (WXGA, 16:9), the density of 155 pixels per inch, up to 5 simultaneous keystrokes
• Sensors: light, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope
• Camera: Front – 2 MP, Full HD
• Battery: 2-cell Li-Polymer, 5910 mAh
• Dimensions: 261,6 x177, 1×8, 9 mm
• Weight: tablet – 585 g, the docking station – 515 g
Design and Ergonomics
Once in a family of computers Aspire, Switch 10 can be regarded as the successor of “pills” Iconia W510, debuted at Computex 2012. Preserved here all the same platform Wintel (Windows plus Intel), the same 10-inch screen and keyboard tacked on. Of course, there were also innovations, but a similar style and design have not gone away.
As the previous device, the novelty consists of two parts – the tablet computer and keyboard (the same dock). From conventional mechanical connection between them refused, replacing it with magnetic coupling Snap Hinge, which is in the user guide called “smart” hinge. That’s it, happily chattering when engaged, allow you to quickly and reliably use scenarios transforming device. An accidental disconnection part is practically impossible because the magnetic lock is designed for weight up to 2.8 kg (tablet weight – 585 g, dock – 515 g).
Tablet with keyboard “friends”, in particular, against the ASUS Transformer Book T100, named one of the western media as the “King” Windows-budget Transformers. New from Acer and even shrank in thickness (8.9 mm to 10.5 mm), but surpassed it by weight (585 g versus 550 g). Note that, for example, the weight of the modern 10-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet 4 10.1 SM-T531 is 497 g
Unlike the ASUS Transformer Book T100, in the “mantle” which abound gloss plastic, Aspire Switch 10 boasts more aristocratic exterior. Along with frosted plastic used in it and clean metal “armor” -
Aluminum back panel is decorated with a pattern of intersecting lines performed using nanolithography. Looks very stylish. By the way, this panel Aspire Switch 10, which, as usual, decorated with the logo of the manufacturer, there is now no additional elements.
Frame around the touch screen on the front panel is quite wide, so you can easily use gestures for Windows. Here are the two stereo speakers, camera lens and touch button “Start”. Note that in the ASUS Transformer Book T100 features the latest assigned to a dedicated mechanical key on the left edge of the unit.
Openings for the microphone and a system reset button, a slot for memory cards microSD, microUSB connectors and microHDMI, as well as the input connector for the charger, and collected on the right edge Aspire Switch 10.
On the left edge of the body, in the same, the landscape, the tablet orientation, located power button / lock with LED indicator, volume control and 3.5mm connector for audiogarnitury.
The upper end of the housing is free and provided on the lower 9-pin connector for a docking station, as well as two magnetic socket for articulation.
Since the screen section transformer harder keyboard, then when the angle between them is close to 180 degrees devaysa position becomes unstable and may tip.
Keyboard
Performing the role of the docking station has an island style keyboard that protects it from getting into the body of dust and debris. Made with a tablet in a single color – silver-gray color on the outer surfaces and darker (almost “steel”) on the internal – it is very similar to the keyboard in the Iconia W510, but now uses a magnetic, rather than purely mechanical articulation. It contains the following types of keys: cursor, lock, “Start”, and special features, as well as the embedded numeric keypad. Keys are pretty bland progress pleasant texture, they are absolutely non-slip, but as the space between them is not very much work for such a long uncomfortable keyboard.
In a fairly large size of the touchpad and touchpad buttons form a single surface. It is worth noting that, in Windows 8.1 and the many programs on the touch panel, gestures supported by one or two fingers. For example, they can be used to scale the image, go to the previous application, call the “miracle”-buttons, etc.
Besides the USB 2.0 connector on the right edge, the keyboard on this model transformer does not carry any additional options, such as disk or battery. Note that, for example, the keyboard ASUS Transformer Book T100 provides a more efficient interface USB 3.0, and dock Iconia W510 – an extra battery.
Screen, camera, sound
As clear from the figures in the title, Aspire Switch 10 (model SW5-011) received a 10-inch screen. Its resolution is 1366×768 pixels (WXGA, Wide eXtended Graphics Array) with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The density of pixels per inch – 155 dpi. Note that the transformer model SW5-012 is exactly the same diagonal (10.1-inch) display, but the resolution is 1280×800 pixels (WXGA, 16:10) and pixel density – 149 dpi. Fortunately, with such a low by today’s standards, the resolution, there is no problem with the classic Windows-interface (“Desktop”) when writing programs and icons are garbled and unintelligible. Besides, thanks to the small number of pixels displayed on the screen, easy to increase the speed and reduce power consumption. By the way, ASUS Transformer Book T100 is exactly the same display resolution (1366×768 pixels).
Screen based on IPS-matrix is made of technology Zero Air Gap, eliminating the air gap between the sensor layer that reduces glare and makes the image more vivid and clear. Capacitive touch screen supports up to five simultaneous touches, which is sufficient for “battering” in the management of gestures. And here is another solution Acer – LumiFlex (included in the settings) optimizing display brightness depending on the ambient light in the street on a sunny afternoon. One can not fail to note the juicy color image and wide viewing angle screen (version Acer, up to 178 degrees).
Unlike tablet Iconia W510, which is supplied with two cameras, including an 8-megapixel main photomodule, Aspire Switch 10 must be content with only a modest front camera. It uses a 2-megapixel sensor, which, nevertheless, provides a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 pixels for photo shooting and Full HD at 30fps frame rate for the video. Results of the last stored in container files MP4 (AVC – video, AAC – audio). But first of all, this camera is designed, of course, not so much for collecting “selfie” how to video, such as Skype.
The sound quality of the two stereo speakers located in the corners just below the screen, in general, good. Better for watching movies and is not necessary. That volume would add a little more.
Filling performance
Under the hood lurks Aspire Switch 10 is pretty modern filling. Recall that if Iconia W510 limited 2-core processor Intel Atom Z2760,
Now it was replaced by chip Intel Atom Z3745 family of Bay Trail-T architecture Silvermont, each of the four cores which is clocked at 1.33 GHz.
For processing graphics chip Intel HD Graphics meets with four execution units. At the same time, compared with HD Graphics in Atom Z3740, their clock frequency increased slightly (from 667 MHz to 778 MHz). Performance of the accelerator sometimes compared with Adreno 330 of crystals Snapdragon ARM-600.
The amount of RAM in the device reaches 2 GB. In turn, the capacity of the built-in storage, built on flash-based memory eMMC-architecture, is 64 GB. Note that for Windows and its applications – a drop in the sea.
Such a configuration of the system is sufficient for routine tasks, including working with office suites and browser, but for demanding applications, including some games, so accustomed to the desktop, it may not be enough.
This is evidenced by low result PerformanceTest 8.0,
And conservative estimates, earned in PCMark 8.
Benchmarks ATTO Disk Benchmark showed good sequential read speed – 156 MB / s and write – more than 46 MB / s.
CrystalDiskMark test of that previous results were quite correct. By the way, expand the size of available storage memory cards can also microSDXC capacity of 64 GB or 128, but the speed of their work will be much less. In addition, through the USB-connector, thanks to support USB-OTG, easy to connect hard drives, even terabyte capacity. But it is not always convenient, especially on the road.
Wireless communication is two-band module Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n (2,4 GHz and 5 GHz) and interface Bluetooth 4.0. With the help of available port microHDMI conveniently display an image on a big screen, such as a monitor or TV.
Autonomy
According to the total runtime being tested Transformers difficult to compete with the Iconia W510, where in the dock, there is also an extra battery. In the flatbed portion Aspire Switch 10 has a removable 2-cell lithium-polymer battery on 5910 mA * h It is even less than the ASUS Transformer Book T100 (31 Wh vs. 25 Wh). The manufacturer promises 8 hours battery life (although it is unclear which mode). For example, a video clip in HD-quality (720p) at full brightness spun on Transformers approximately 6.5 hours. Far from the record, but perfectly acceptable.
Test Program Battery Eater Pro, simultaneously loading processor, graphics accelerator and the internal memory, spent on the discharge of the battery up to 15% of rated capacity a little over three hours.
Software
Transformer comes with 32-bit versions of the Windows 8.1 OS and free office suite Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013.
One of the additions is a useful software control panel Acer Quick Access, which contains switches that control the state of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LumiFlex, adaptive brightness, general access to the Internet, etc.
You can also zoom in on the screen, the default setting on the recommended Acer.
Program Acer Portal, for communication with which you must first get Acer ID, integrates several proprietary applications company. In particular, abMedia abPhoto and operate multimedia files stored in your personal “cloud” storage (typically a PC c Windows), and synchronize them via Acer Cloud. Together with this service work as applications and abDocs abFiles. Among the programs of other manufacturers pre-installed on Transformers – AccuWeather, Booking.com, Evernote Touch, Kindle, TuneIn Radio, Litres etc.
Buy conclusions
In Acer rightly believe that balance is important in all, and buyers primarily pay attention to the price of the product, although the functionality and design for them are also important. In terms of technical characteristics of Acer Aspire Switch 10 is not particularly stands out as the stuffing it is pretty average. One of its main competitors can be considered ASUS Transformer Book T100, which, however, went on sale a little earlier.
Due to the lack luster appearance at Acer Aspire Switch 10 more winning, and a mechanism for combining dock comfortably, but at ASUS Transformer Book T100 battery capacity above. In other respects, these devices do not differ greatly, and the choice between them will be reduced, perhaps to personal preference.
Of course, Acer Aspire Switch 10, received unissued stuffing and 10-inch screen, is not intended to be the main computer, but as a mobile companion with a full Windows 8.1 and the ability to transform, it can be useful in many different situations.
Outcome of the review Acer Aspire Switch 10
Pros:
• Practical and nice design with the possibility of transformation
• Easy and reliable way of fixing the dock
• Preset office suite Office Home & Student 2013
Cons:
• Keyboard dimensions sufficient for comfortable operation
• Lack of USB 3.0 ports
• Limited amount of internal memory
Overview transformer Acer Aspire Switch 10
No comments:
Post a Comment