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Review: Acer Switch 10E

Screenshot 2015-06-20 at 14.30.39

Earlier this year, we took a look at Acer’s Switch 11, which we absolutely loved. Here we look at its slightly smaller and younger brother, the Acer Switch 10E. This is the next version of the Switch 10, and brings improvements from the older model.

We took a quick look at the Acer Switch 10E yesterday while we did an unboxing video and had a quick look at the specs.

Here they are for your reference again:

  • Next version of the Aspire Switch 10
  • Windows 8.1, upgradable to Windows 10
  • Comes with a one year subscription of Office 365 Personal
  • Offers all the usual Acer treats, such as Acer Cloud, etc
  • Detachable keyboard with magnetic studs allowing easy snap in and out
  • Can be configured in four modes: notebook, tablet, display and tent
  • Intel Atom Processor
  • 10.1″ WXGA IPS multi-touch screen, 1280 x 800
  • 2GB Memory
  • 32 GB disk space, expandable by microSD
  • Up to 12 hours battery life
  • micro HDMI, micro USB, USB x 1
  • Rear and front camera

Look and feel

Screenshot 2015-06-20 at 14.29.48

While you can watch a live video about the look and feel of the device in the link above, we will talk about it again for the sake of completeness.

The device itself consists of two parts. The tablet, and the attachable keyboard. The attachable keyboard also contains a USB port, so there is an advantage to keeping it on.

Screenshot 2015-06-20 at 14.30.15

One of the changes from the last version to this version is the texture of the outershell. Instead of going for a metallic finish like the last time, there is a textured finish this time, giving you a lot better grip all around. It is on both parts of the device.

The tablet is definitely the heavier part of the device, and this is evident when you tilt the screen back. It has a very slight tendency to fall backwards on its own weight.

The feet at the bottom provide good stability though, so should be good when commuting in tight spaces.

The overall design is with portability in mind, which is why Acer have gone with the 10 inch size screen, as made famous by most tablets on the market. It is just that slight bit of difference which distinguishes this from the big boys.

Looking closely at the devices, a full British Keyboard is found on the keyboard side, with a mouse pad. It includes your standard function keys as well as normal keys. No numerical keypad though. It also houses the only USB port on the device.

Screenshot 2015-06-20 at 14.30.29

The tablet has a micro USB port, which is also used for charging the device, which makes a good change against the standard devices out there, i.e. you can use your standard charger to charge this up as you go.

You also have a micro SD expandable port, an HDMI port and a headset socket.

The other side gives you a Windows button, a power button and the volume rocker key.

Front and back cameras also grace you, though you probably would only use them for video calls and not much more.

Screen

The screen itself is a touch screen, 10.1″ in size. At 1280 x 800, it doesn’t offer the highest resolution on the market, specially when a lot of devices out there a lot more resolution. However, with a price such as the one this offers, it really isn’t a big problem.

Screenshot 2015-06-20 at 14.30.52

Acer have thrown in a special feature to the screen, the Acer BlueShield. A recent study has shown that blue light is bad for our eyes, and stops us from relaxing and going to sleep. So a BlueShield is what Acer have put on top to help fight that. It is a bit difficult to tell how well it works without extended periods of use, but if it does what it says on the tin, it should be of good use, specially to the late night NetFlixers among us.

Portability

This device is all about portability. The screen is small, to match your average good tablet, and while it isn’t the lightest tablet on the planet, it offers a good enough weight and feel. A solid feel means that you won’t be worried about breaking this in the back pack either.

The four display modes also work well for the portability. Whether on a train or giving a presentation, there is a mode for all situations. The micro-HDMI port also means that you are good to go in those ever so important board meetings.

Keyboard

This is probably the only thing that I would give this device a bad mark for, and it has nothing to do with Acer. Acer have fitted in a full keyboard in a 10″ sized device, and that means that they had to compress the keys to fit it all. This means that if you are used to a regular sized keyboard, as most of us are, you will need some getting used to that keyboard.

Since I have had the device for just about 24 hours, I can’t really tell you more. However, based on past experience, a few days with this keyboard should get you on track.

The performance

The device offers pretty solid performance for a portable device. You won’t be running any major software on this, specially with the 32GB of HDD space available on this. However, for your browsing, your movie watching, your working on the move, the presentations and the emails, this hits the spot, and hits the spot well.

Software

The device runs on Windows 8.1, with the promise of Windows 10 upgrade soon. Probably around the July time, with rest of the lot.

However, Acer pack in a lot of their own software on top as well. This is a mixed bag. You have options such as Acer Cloud backup as well as just the usual apps that most people either ignore or never use. I have never been a fan of such apps, and it would be great to have an option to clear them up, specially since we are a bit tight on space.

You get about 22GB out of the box to play with, and all of that is precious!

You also have the likes of McAfee and other security feature, which seem to come with all devices these days, for no good reason, as Windows 8.1 actually offers pretty good built in protection, which should once again be adequate for the average user.

More information 

More information on the Switch 10E can be found on Acer’s website:

http://www.acer.co.uk/ac/en/GB/content/series/aspireswitch10e

It retails for around £229, and is available from various retailers.

Verdict

At a starting price of £230, you will never be blown away. However, Acer have put together the best possible combination of hardware and performance in the smallest and lightest package possible. Well done!

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2 thoughts on “Review: Acer Switch 10E

  1. I have some queries regarding this product please solve for me.

    1) Whether this product have USB 3.0 Port?
    2) Do this product supports 2 TB External Hard Disk Drive?
    3) Does this product have Gorilla glass protection?
    4) Do this product supports stylus?

    1. 1, No.
      2. I don’t see why not. You will have to keep the tablet plugged into the keyboard to access the USB port.
      3. Not that I am aware of.
      4. Should be fine with a stylus.

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