TECH SPECS
Price: $2,298
Processor: Intel Core i7-5500U (2.4GHz)
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 13.3 inches, 1,920 x 1,080 pixels
Connectivity: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, HDMI, SD card reader, audio jack
Battery: 48 watt-hour
RATING
Features 4/5
Design 3/5
Performance 4/5
Value for money 3/5
Battery life 5/5
Overall 4/5
This hybrid computer is not very common even by the convertible standards of laptop, a category with its equitable part of the exotic designs.
Most convertible canvass four usage modes - laptop, stand, tablet and tries - a design popularized by Lenovo Yoga. But while the sticker on the rest of the palm Aspire' S makes clearly, this device has six modes of use. However, it would be finished very generous which two modes seem to cover.
This computer's 13.3-inch touchscreen can rotate 360 degrees inside
a thin frame like the Dell XPS 12's. But the Aspire R13's unique Ezel
mode is inspired by the older Acer Aspire R7. To enable this "easel"
mode, pull the touchscreen towards you so that it blocks the keyboard.
Then you use the bundled stylus pen (a nice metal version) and the
touchpad to input your content.
The rotating hinge for the screen feels sturdy. It did not wobble
when subjected to my aggressive tapping. The lid is covered in Corning
Gorilla Glass, with a glowing white Acer logo.
Despite the extra layer of glass, the Aspire R13 is handy enough at
1.5kg. It feels like a premium device, but I have my doubts about the
utility of all its different usage modes. Especially when it has a few
design choices that did not quite work for me.
For instance, the keyboard has five rows of keys instead of the
usual six. The row of Function keys has been combined with the Numbers
row. The Caps Lock key is half the usual size and the keyboard feels
mushy and shallow. The touchpad feels short, though it is wide enough.
The full high-definition screen has excellent viewing angles as it
uses an in-plane switching panel. Colours look vibrant, too. However,
the screen looks a bit dim even at the maximum brightness. Running
Intel's latest fifth-generation Core processor, it scored a solid 5,000
points in the system benchmark PCMark 7.
The main contributor to the impression of speed: Two solid-state
drives configured in Raid. But it has bloatware, such as an Amazon app
on the Taskbar and short cuts to Ebay and Agoda webpages. Acer's own
video app and cloud backup solution arguably fall into this category,
too.
Battery life was excellent with the device lasting just more than eight hours when playing a video.
The extra usage modes seem gimmicky. But its performance is good and it looks, feels and is priced like a high-end device.
