Acer Switch Alpha 12 preview: Giving Microsoft Surface a run for its money?

The Microsoft Surface is synonymous with the idea of a premium 2-in-1 device, but its ongoing success has seen other makers want a slice of that pie. Enter the Acer Switch Alpha 12, a powerful yet affordable 2-in-1, which we’ve got to sample at the Acer global press conference following its announcement.

Key to the Switch Alpha 12 is what’s happening on its inside: its a 6th-gen Intel Core i-based machine, but there is no fan for cooling purposes. That’s the first time we’ve seen such an idea, meaning silent operation and plenty of power on tap.

So how does it keep cool without a fan? It’s what Acer is calling LiquidLoop, a closed-loop liquid cooling system. Without processor throttling there’s inevitably going to be heat produced, but in the Switch Alpha 12 the heat generated by the system triggers the liquid in the cooling system. Very clever.

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However, despite brain power on the inside, we just don’t think the Alpha 12 just is as visually appealing as the Microsoft Surface. The Acer is a nice enough design, but is “nice” enough? To the rear there’s a pull-out hinge, which is stowed flat against the body for a neat finish. However, the hinge, with its black rubber centre, is a little off-colour compared to the main brushed exterior. A small point, but such things matter.

Included in the Alpha 12’s box is a backlit keyboard, which magnetically clips into place with ample force. Now that’s something you won’t get as a freebie with the Microsoft Surface, so good job there Acer. It’s comfortable to use, material in finish, and can lay either totally flat or “pop-up” into an angled position; the screen can be angled through from steep to upright angles thanks to that hinge on the rear.

READ: Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review

However, despite showing off a stylus, the Switch Alpha 12 doesn’t include that in the box – which is opposite to Microsoft’s approach with the Surface. The Acer stylus feels ok, certainly very pen-like, but we found its double-click-to-launch pop-up menu fiddly to activate due to the positioning of the buttons. There’s no price for this accessory just yet.

The 12-inch panel used has plenty to shout about too. Its IPS, so viewing angles are solid, while the 2160 x 1440 resolution is plenty crisp for this size. Naturally, it’s a touchscreen, so when in tablet-like use with the hinge folded away you can swipe, tap and type to your heart’s content.

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Elsewhere the Switch Alpha 12 has full-size ports, including one full-size USB 3.0 to the side. Again, very Surface-like, but the Acer is actually the slightly thicker device at 9.5mm (compared to 8.45mm).

Speaking of price, that’s one area the Acer ought to appeal. It starts from €699 too (with the Intel Core i3U chip), increasing to as-yet-unknown price tags with the latest Intel Core i7 chip, 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD inside. Still, with the Surface Pro 4 starting at £749 without the keyboard we can see the appeal – especially is the Acer offering is totally silent.