Acer's latest hybrid is the Switch 10, a 10.1-inch Windows 8 tablet featuring an Intel Atom processor and detachable keyboard. That might sound pretty generic, but the Switch 10 has a bit of a twist (or flip) to it. The keyboard dock has a built-in hinge that lets you use the tablet in various modes, similar to the Lenovo Yoga line. The resulting product is divisive, but still good enough to satisfy the low-end Windows tablet market.
The main selling point of the Switch 10 is its multi-mode design, with magnetic clips placed inside the frame to connect the tablet and keyboard. But Expert Reviews says the "process of connecting the two can be fiddly," and Slashgear finds the clips "flimsy" and "can cause you to mis-align the two." The weight of the screen also creates a bit of an issue when the two are connected, as Liliputing says it will "tip over" when you push the screen too far back. But Wired still praises the Switch 10's magnetic design, calling it "one of the most seamless and speedy" connection methods for a hybrid tablet they've ever used.
On the performance side of things, the 10.1-inch display has a pretty average resolution of 1366x768 -- standard for tablets of this size. The editors at Computer Shopper are "not great fans" of this resolution, but still find it to be one of the "best" displays they've seen at this size. The Intel Atom processor powering the Switch 10 doesn't hit high marks either, but PC Advisor says "you'll be able to do regular day-to-day tasks" though you can't "expect the device to cope with anything remotely strenuous." The Atom chip should allow the Switch 10 to squeeze a little extra life from the battery, but most critics were disappointed by its five hours of battery life -- average for the category.
While the Switch 10 may seem like it's competing with the Lenovo's Yoga line due to its multi-mode setup, its real rival is the price-comparable Transformer T100. The two are close in regards to display and performance, but the T100 does a much better job in the battery life department. This doesn't make the Switch 10 a bad device, just an underachiever. The T100 is one of the top 12 recommended tablets in the Engadget Buyer's guide, but the Switch 10 is a good alternative if you need more folding options.
The main selling point of the Switch 10 is its multi-mode design, with magnetic clips placed inside the frame to connect the tablet and keyboard. But Expert Reviews says the "process of connecting the two can be fiddly," and Slashgear finds the clips "flimsy" and "can cause you to mis-align the two." The weight of the screen also creates a bit of an issue when the two are connected, as Liliputing says it will "tip over" when you push the screen too far back. But Wired still praises the Switch 10's magnetic design, calling it "one of the most seamless and speedy" connection methods for a hybrid tablet they've ever used.
On the performance side of things, the 10.1-inch display has a pretty average resolution of 1366x768 -- standard for tablets of this size. The editors at Computer Shopper are "not great fans" of this resolution, but still find it to be one of the "best" displays they've seen at this size. The Intel Atom processor powering the Switch 10 doesn't hit high marks either, but PC Advisor says "you'll be able to do regular day-to-day tasks" though you can't "expect the device to cope with anything remotely strenuous." The Atom chip should allow the Switch 10 to squeeze a little extra life from the battery, but most critics were disappointed by its five hours of battery life -- average for the category.
While the Switch 10 may seem like it's competing with the Lenovo's Yoga line due to its multi-mode setup, its real rival is the price-comparable Transformer T100. The two are close in regards to display and performance, but the T100 does a much better job in the battery life department. This doesn't make the Switch 10 a bad device, just an underachiever. The T100 is one of the top 12 recommended tablets in the Engadget Buyer's guide, but the Switch 10 is a good alternative if you need more folding options.
