Acer Aspire Switch 10 SW5-011-155X Pro Reviews

The Acer Aspire Switch 10 is a novel take on the 2-in-1 notebook/tablet hybrid, but both the tablet and the keyboard halves of the equation are mediocre, and the tablet's battery life is too short.

Although the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is very affordable, it's another hybrid which is neither great at being a laptop nor a tablet. It's both bulky and fiddly. We like the IPS screen and the multi-mode ability thanks to the magnetic hinge (minus the top heaviness). However, the keyboard and trackpad are lacklustre and there really nothing to get excited about in terms of specs and performance. We're yet to be convinced by a hybrid.

If battery life is the Asus' big advantage, the bonus of versatile stand and tent modes is the Acer's. Add a slimmer, more stylish feel and, at least to our taste, a narrowly preferable screen and keyboard, and you've got one likeable detachable—a compact laptop/tablet solution that's an easy Editors' Choice.So why aren't we declaring it the winner and new champion over the pioneering Transformer Book T100? Because while the Aspire Switch 10 (the 64GB version) has made its debut at $429, the Asus—after a few months of reseller price-gouging—seems to have come down from its initial price of $399. At this writing in late June 2014, Newegg.com is offering it for $369. Amazon.com's price is bouncing around in the same neighborhood. The Microsoft Store has it for $349. So while we like the Switch 10 better than the T100, we find ourselves hoping to see it on sale—not necessarily a huge sale, just $30 or $40 off. Small dollar amounts mean big percentages in this price range, and would help people discover Acer's small wonder.

In a recent criticism of hybrid PCs, we pointed out several factors that are holding them back, including a lack of ideal display size, so-so performance, and Windows itself. Acer’s Aspire Switch 10 does not address any of these problems and, as a result, it’s a bit flawed from the start. Yet, Acer has done whatever possible to make the best of the situation, and the result is a surprisingly likeable product. No, its tablet is not as enjoyable as an iPad, and many people will have difficulty using it as their only PC, but the Switch 10′s low price, adequate performance, light weight, and long battery life hits a sweet spot. The Switch’s $379 price is important in this entry-level market, because it’s one of the only options with a true entry-level MSRP. Dell’s Venue 11 Pro starts at $429 with a slim 32GB hard drive, the Lenovo Yoga 2 11-inch sells for no less than $499, and Core-powered alternatives are usually $800 and up. Acer’s only competitor is the Asus Transformer Book T100, a system that starts at $369 with 64GB of storage. Asus has yet to grace us with a T100 review unit, so we can’t definitively say if the Switch 10 is better or worse. What we can say, though, is that the Switch 10 is the best Atom-powered PC we’ve reviewed this year, and provides great value. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into, as small systems like the Switch 10 can frustrate users expecting a full notebook experience from a pint-sized PC like this.