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Acer switches up to a larger, better budget 2-in-1

The Acer Aspire Switch 11 becomes the big brother to the Switch 10, with a Core-powered option for more serious applications in this budget convertible notebook.

Seamus Byrne Editor, Australia & Asia
Seamus Byrne is CNET's Editor for Australia and Asia. At other times he'll be found messing with apps, watching TV, building LEGO, and rolling dice. Preferably all at the same time.
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Seamus Byrne
2 min read

BERLIN -- Acer has added an 11.6-inch model to its 2-in-1 notebook lineup, a larger option for those who feel a 10.1-inch screen just isn't enough.

Acer Aspire Switch 11
Acer Aspire Switch 11 Marc Ganley/CNET

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The screen is well specified, featuring Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and an antifingerprint coating for great durability in day-to-day use, while Acer uses an IPS display with a Zero Air Gap touchscreen for good image quality and viewing angle. There are two models, one aimed at power users and one for mainstream users; the higher-spec model will feature a full-HD 1080p screen, while the lower model will wear a 1,366x768-pixel display.

The detachable screen uses the Acer Snap Hinge to allow the screen to be clipped in facing either toward or away from the keyboard, permitting either straight-up laptop work or a presentation mode. All of the Switch series can be used in four modes: notebook, tablet, presentation, and tent mode. The hinge is comfortable to use in practice, not too stiff and with a satisfying snap as it locks back into place.

The high-spec option will also feature a fourth-generation Intel Core i5 processor with 4GB of RAM and up to a 128GB hard drive, making it a genuine full-powered convertible 2-in-1 laptop. This model also includes full-size USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports.

The lower-spec model will use an Intel Atom Z3745 quad-core processor, 2GB of memory, and up to 64GB eMMC storage. This model will have two USB 2.0 ports, one full-size and one micro.

Both models also include a Micro-HDMI port, microSD, a 2-megapixel front camera, Bluetooth 4.0, and 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi. Both also run Windows 8.1.

The overall finish of the Switch 11 is still a relatively cheap plastic, but the keyboard is comfortable enough given the size and ultimately, the price point Acer is delivering this toward.

The Acer Aspire Switch 11 series will be available in October across Pan America and Europe, starting from $399 (roughly £242/AU$427) with wider pricing yet to be confirmed.

Alongside the announcement of the Switch 11, Acer also announced that the existing Switch 10 model will be receiving a full-HD 1080p screen upgrade.