Technology & IT | Sunday 1 May, 2016 4:23 am |

 Acer today announced the new Switch Alpha 12 2-in-1 notebook with Windows 10, which delivers a heightened level of mobility with Acer LiquidLoop™ cooling, excellent performance, and an ultra-slim, flexible notebook-to-tablet design that is both elegant and sturdy – helping people do more.

The new Switch Alpha 12 is the industry’s first fanless 2-in-1 notebook to use a 6th Generation Intel® Core™ i7, Core i5 or Core i3 processor. It is powered by Windows 10, which is off to the fastest start in Windows history, with more than 270 million active devices.

“The Switch Alpha 12 is part of Acer’s new generation of mobile 2-in-1 products that focuses on providing exceptional performance, while also remaining cool and quiet,” said Jerry Hou, General Manager, Commercial & Detachable Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “This new Switch Alpha line takes the best aspects of our award-winning Switch 2-in-1 product line and adds new features such as a fanless design, an ultra-thin attachable keyboard and the latest in mobile computing performance.”

LiquidLoop™ Cooling Provides Silent Operation; Boosts Performance and Stability

The Acer Switch Alpha 12 is ideal for places where quiet operation is appreciated – such as meetings, shared offices, classes and libraries. The silent LiquidLoop Cooling System keeps the Switch Alpha 12 at a stable temperature and running efficiently without fan noise. The device is the industry’s first 2-in-1 with a 6th Generation Intel Core processor to use a fanless design; this combination contributes to the system’s excellent performance and all-day 8-hour battery life.  

The LiquidLoop cooling system also provides improved reliability, since no fan is present, the Switch Alpha 12 doesn’t require venting that can be compromised by airflow issues and dust accumulation.

Versatile 2-in-1 Design

Equipped with an Acer Active Pen, versatile kickstand and an attachable keyboard, the Switch Alpha 12 utilizes Continuum to be enjoyed as a Windows 10 notebook and as a tablet with full PC functionality, virtually anywhere. Two keyboard options are available: standard and backlit model for improved efficiency in low-light areas. The stable U-shaped kickstand has an anti-slip design to hold the display upright when customers touch or write on the display. It can be adjusted fluidly to any angle up to 165 degrees, making the Switch Alpha 12 comfortable to use on a desk, airplane, or lap. Also, the kickstand has sturdy hinges that can handle frequent angle adjustments.

“The Acer Switch Alpha 12 2-in-1 with Windows 10 allows people to have choice to experience entertainment and productivity as a notebook or tablet, with full PC functionality and with pen,” said Nick Parker, Corporate Vice President, OEM Division, Microsoft Corp. “Windows 10 can deliver more personal computing experiences, helping to reinvent productivity and make the use of a pen on a 2-in-1 feel natural and familiar.”

The Switch Alpha 12 has an anodized aluminum chassis that is elegant and modern. The brushed hairline texture complements the design while enhancing the comfort of the device during transport.

The Switch Alpha 12’s full-size keyboard is incredibly thin and light with amply-spaced keys. Measuring just 5.85mm thin, the keyboard delivers 1.4mm of travel to ensure comfort and productivity while typing. The large trackpad supports convenient and intuitive navigation with Precision Touchpad supporting Windows 10 gestures to provide a smooth and responsive experience. The keyboard connects via a magnetic hinge that is secure, easy to connect, and can be adjusted to an ergonomic angle for customer preference. When closed on top of the tablet, the keyboard protects the screen and ensures easy transport.

Customers can also enjoy 10-point touch controls on the display and use the optional Acer Active Pen for a more intuitive writing and drawing experience. The Acer Active Pen features a high report rate which minimizes delay for a fluid and precise experience, palm rejection, and 256 levels of pressure sensitivity.

Brilliant Display

The Switch Alpha 12 has a vibrant 12-inch touch display, which is the ideal size for anyone who creates, edits and enjoys content on the go. With IPS technology(5), an impressive 2160 x 1440 resolution and support from Intel HD Graphics 520, customers will enjoy vivid color and crisp detail on the display. Great for videoconferencing and capturing memories, the Switch Alpha 12’s webcam provides 1080p Full HD audio and video recording. Plus, the Acer TrueHarmony high performance sound system features dual front-facing speakers that deliver a rich and immersive audio experience to complement the exceptional display.

Ideal for Professionals; Optional Dock

In addition to being a great 2-in-1 PC for home and school use, the Switch Alpha 12 will be available to Acer’s commercial customers. Its combination of performance, versatile design and features lets businesses and institutional customers handle all aspects of their work. It can be used as a traditional notebook for dedicated input, as a display for presentations, and as a tablet with the optional pen for capturing ideas and making sketches. Plus, commercial models come with integrated Trusted Platform Modules (TPM) to ensure safer computing in all environments and ship standard with Windows 10 Pro.

Acer offers optional docks to extend the capabilities of the Switch Alpha 12. Customers can connect their Switch Alpha 12 with a single cable to the Acer USB Type-C Dock, easily transforming it into a powerful workstation. This convenient and compact dock enables high-speed video, audio and data transfer and keeps the work area clutter-free with immediate connectivity to multiple displays and other devices simultaneously. It also has all the connections business users need, including DisplayPort, HDMI, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports and three USB Type-A ports, as well as audio input for microphone and audio output for speakers. 

The optional Acer ProDock Wireless can support multiple customers with high speed 802.11ad wireless 4.6Gbps data transfer over the 60GHz band. It also supports both 802.11ac and 802.11ad access and includes multiple port support including DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA and USB.

Slim, Lightweight Design Packs in All the Latest Technology

The Acer Switch Alpha 12 is thin and light, measuring just 292.1 (W) x 201.4 (D) x 15.85 (H) mm (11.5 x 7.93 x 0.62 inches) and weights 1250grams (2.76 pounds) when the tablet and keyboard are connected. The tablet alone measures just 9.5mm (0.37 inches) in height, and weighs 900grams (1.98 pounds).

The Switch Alpha 12 provides ample storage with a 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD and can access additional files on the MicroSDXC slot. The device will be offered with 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR3 SDRAM.(3) It features a thin and reversible USB 3.1 Type-C port for fast data transfers of up to 5Gbps from connected peripherals, to share video and also to power other devices. The Switch Alpha 12 also connects to peripherals via Bluetooth 4.0.

Fast dual-band 2x2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac/a/b/g/n Wi-Fi on the Switch Alpha 12 keeps customers connected and in touch with up to three times faster wireless connectivity compared to 802.11n.(4)

Pricing and Availability
The Acer Switch Alpha 12 will be available in the Middle East region at the end of the second quarter of 2016.

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or authorized reseller.