For Acer, the 2-in-1 category is a rapid growth segment, with the Taiwanese tech giant occupying #2 spot in the world for units shipped. At the 2016 next@acer Global Press Conference event in New York, it revealed the new Switch Alpha 12 2-in-1 notebook. The convertible device is designed to compete in the premium 2-in-1 notebook range.
What makes the Switch Alpha 12 special is its fanless design, the industry’s first, for a 2-in-1 notebook with 6th Generation Intel Core processors. Not only that, it features Acer LiquidLoop cooling, that keeps the Switch Alpha 12 cool, quietly.
Thanks to the Intel Core i7, i5 or i3 processors, performance is top notch, including all-day 8-hour battery life.
In terms of design, the Switch Alpha 12 uses an anodized aluminum chassis with a brushed hairline texture. It features a versatile anti-slip U-shaped kickstand that gives you multi-angle flexibility. It can be adjusted easily to any angle of up to 165 degrees.
The versatile notebook weights just 1250g and measures just 9.5mm
There are two attachable keyboard options – standard and backlit. The keyboard is incredibly thin and light with well-spaced keys. It measures just 5.85mm thin, with a 1.4mm key travel. It comes with a magnetic hinge that makes the keyboard easily to attach and detach from the main unit.
The Switch Alpha 12 also comes with an optional Acer Active Pen that enables you to write and draw. It supports 256 levels of pressure sensitivity and palm rejection.
The notebook sports a 12-inch Full HD (2160x1440p) IPS display that’s driven by Intel Graphics 520 graphics.
For audio there’s the Acer TrueHarmony high performance sound system with dual front-facing speakers.
Acer offers optional docks that connect with the Switch Alpha 12 via a single USB Type-C cable. The dock packs DisplayPort, HDMI, Two USB 3.1 Type-C ports and three USB Type-A ports. Also an audio input for mic and audio output for speakers.
The optional Acer ProDock Wireless supports multiple Wi-Fi bands including high speed 802.11ad (60GHz), as well as 802.11ac and 802.11ad.
The device comes with either 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of storage. It also comes with 4GB or 8GB of RAM.
Connectivity-wise, there’s Wi-Fi 802.11ac/a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.
Pricing and availability
The Acer Switch Alpha 12 will be available in North America starting June, from US$599; in EMEA in May starting 699euros; and China in May starting RMB5,999. When’s it hitting Malaysia? Stay tuned.
For more info on the Switch Alpha 12, visit www.acer.com.
