Acer is expanding its Aspire Switch line of 2-in-1 tablets with the largest, most powerful model yet. The Acer Aspire Switch 12 is a tablet with a 12.5 inch, full HD display and an Intel Core M Broadwell processor.

Like other members of the Switch family, it gets its name from the optional keyboard dock which lets you use the tablet like a notebook. But this time Acer’s doing things a little differently.

sw12_04

While the Switch 10 and Switch 11 are basic slate-style tablets with detachable keyboard docks, the Switch 12 is a tablet with a built-in stand that you can use to prop up the computer like an all-in-one notebook whether you’re using a keyboard or not.

There is a keyboard, and you can either attach it to transform the tablet into a notebook or you can place the keyboard in front of the tablet and use it as a wireless device.

Acer says this design makes the Aspire Switch 12 a 5-mode computer rather than a simple 2-in-1 device. Those modes include notebook, pad, display, tent, and desktop).

The system features as 1920 x 1080 pixel IPS touchscreen display, stereo front-facing speakers, Intel’s low-power Core M processor, and a fanless design. It has a micro USB 3.0 port, a micro HDMI port, and 2×2 WiFi. Acer says you should be able to get up to 8 hours of battery life.

The Acer Aspire Switch 12 will be available with 60GB and 120GB solid state drives when it hits the US and Canada in early 2015.

We first heard about the Switch 12 last month when several European stores started showing listings for the multi-mode tablet. If those retail listings are correct, the Switch 12 will also have 4GB of RAM, Bluetooth 4.0, and a 2MP camera.

Support Liliputing

Liliputing's primary sources of revenue are advertising and affiliate links (if you click the "Shop" button at the top of the page and buy something on Amazon, for example, we'll get a small commission).

But there are several ways you can support the site directly even if you're using an ad blocker* and hate online shopping.

Contribute to our Patreon campaign

or...

Contribute via PayPal

* If you are using an ad blocker like uBlock Origin and seeing a pop-up message at the bottom of the screen, we have a guide that may help you disable it.

Subscribe to Liliputing via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 9,547 other subscribers

7 replies on “Acer unveils Aspire Switch 12 2-in-1 with Intel Core M”

  1. Found the Switch 10 as a replacement for buying a Surface Pro 3 (1k range). Then looked at the Switch 11. Who does not want better. Now Switch 12. When it does come out after Christmas will it be better machine & better priced then the Surface 3.. should I wait? I think I can stall her a few more weeks.

  2. Can’t help but feel the connected lump kind of ruins it as a tablet. I hope ‘display’ mode means there is an HDMI *in*, but I doubt it.

  3. If someone is using windows core M with 1080p instead of 1800p will the battery life get a boost?

    1. higher resolution displays require a stronger backlight, so use more power. So yes, everything else the same, the lower resolution would improve battery life.

  4. nice concept, i like it
    might make it possible to push the screen back at wide angle without making the keyboard super-heavy

    having somethin trackpoint-like with two dedicated buttons (why not 3? 🙁 ) isn’t negative either.

    my only problem is that the keyboard obv. uses bluetooth or something similar and im not that into wireless stuff for important things. It will work 99% of the time, but important stuff should work all the time.

      1. not really

        i tend to compare things to asus t100 and all this magnetic-attaced-keyboard-stuff out there and this concept is a imho a nice idea although not perfect for everyone.
        If that keyboard would work by wires if attached (no need for own battery, less security-problems), this would be a right out great idea.
        But i’d guess this won’t be built that way.

Comments are closed.