Surface 3 vs. Acer Aspire Switch

[MBY]

Hi,

I'm considering a couple nice Black Friday deals from the MS store: The Surface 3 with Type Cover, 64 GB temporarily priced at $479, and the Acer Aspire Switch 10 E, temporarily priced at $249. Of course you get more with the S3, but I'm trying to figure out how much more for that extra $200.

The processors seem pretty similar, Intel Atom quad-core processors, with the S3's slightly faster. Both have 2 GB RAM and 64 GB eMMC. The display seems to be a big difference with the S3's 1920 x 1080, compared to 1280 x 800 for the Switch. The Switch seems to have Miracast support, can't tell if the S3 does.

As far as versatility and portability, which I'm greatly interested in, the S3 seems to have a slight edge as it only weighs ~1.37 lbs with the Type Cover, while the Switch is ~2.63 lbs. Looking at reviews, the Switch's magnetic attachment point does seem to be pretty easy to flip around, so going from tablet to keyboard mode seems like it shouldn't be a huge production.

For inking capacity, the S3 can use the great Pen; on the other hand, I'd go with something like an active stylus for the Switch and hope for the best.

Anything else major that I'm missing?

 

[MBY]

Let me ask a follow up question that hopefully someone can answer: I'm hoping for a good inking experience with the device I buy. Has anyone tried handwriting on the Surface with the pen who could compare it to other touchscreens? There seem to be some pretty nice active styli out there.

 

[LibbyLA]

The feel of inking on the Surface 3 with the new pen that was released with the Surface Pro 4 is like writing on paper. I do have a non-glare screen protector. I liked it so much that I bought new pens for both my S3 and my SP3, plus a new keyboard for the SP3.

 

[WillysJeepMan]

As an owner of the Acer Aspire Switch 11, if you are thinking about the Switch 10 vs the Surface 3, I would recommend the Surface 3.

My Switch 11 was basically equivalent to the SP3 but at less than 1/2 the price. It was a bit heavier than the SP3, but felt very much like a notebook. It was a bit top-heavy which wasn't too bad. The Synaptic pen support was terrific (I used the 4th gen Dell Venue pen with it). Overall, it was a better value at the time.

I use the past tense because during the last update of Windows 10, the Switch 11 no longer boots but stays on the "Acer" screen. I've done a ton of troubleshooting and attempts to reinstall Windows on it, but all attempts failed.

In the end, Acer was not helpful, and so it sits as a decorative doorstop.

I bought the Switch 11 before the Surface 3 was released. If I had the choice at the time, I would've bought the Surface 3. But as it is, I'm making good use of my Surface 2 and will look to upgrade at some future date.

 

[Steve Adams]

I went back and forth and bought 2 surface 3s. I made the right choice. I do love acer products but having a premium product is awesome.

 

[3earnhardt3]

If you only have the money for the Acer, get the Acer. Don't splurge for something you can't afford. If you can afford the Surface 3, don't even think about the Acer, they are not even close in Build Quality or Support. I currently own several Acer Desktops, Laptops and 3 Acer Tablets. The Desktops are 10 years old and still kicking, the laptops each work for the most part but NONE of the three Tablets currently work. One complete mSATA drive failure, One Digitizer Failure (replaced several times) and one with catastrophic failure of multiple components.

 

[Steve Adams]

If you only have the money for the Acer, get the Acer. Don't splurge for something you can't afford. If you can afford the Surface 3, don't even think about the Acer, they are not even close in Build Quality or Support. I currently own several Acer Desktops, Laptops and 3 Acer Tablets. The Desktops are 10 years old and still kicking, the laptops each work for the most part but NONE of the three Tablets currently work. One complete mSATA drive failure, One Digitizer Failure (replaced several times) and one with catastrophic failure of multiple components.

I should have made that point as well. If money is not an issue, go with the surface. If you want a well performing setup, without tossing a crap load of money, get the acer. But the surface, is built better, faster, has a better accessories line etc.

 

[MBY]

Thanks for all the input. I did go with the surface 3, lowest end cuz, yeah they're expensive. So far I've been pretty happy. Haven't done a ton of inking on it yet but have been impressed with it when I have. And that new pen is awesome!

 

[Steve Adams]

Yes, the tablet is awesome. I think you will be much happier in the long run!

 

[Telstar1948]

You may have noticed, or not, but both MS and Best Buy offer the S3 2/64 for $399 and the S3 4/128 for $499. If you buy either, you can buy the type cover for $79. I got the 4/128 with type cover and new pen. BTW, you can customize the new pen button (eraser), but you have to manually install the new pen drivers (there are 3) to your S3. You can search for the exact steps to do this. I did it yesterday, and I customized my top button through the Surface app afterward. The Surface app won't show the customization settings unless you manually install the new pen drivers.

 

[MBY]

Really? I'd love to do that, but I haven't found those driver steps anywhere. Do you have a link?

 

[Because Racecar]

The feel of inking on the Surface 3 with the new pen that was released with the Surface Pro 4 is like writing on paper. I do have a non-glare screen protector. I liked it so much that I bought new pens for both my S3 and my SP3, plus a new keyboard for the SP3.

Any idea if I were to buy a pen now, would it be the SP4 pen, then?

 

[MBY]

You can choose either; both are available. Here they are on the MS US store:
Old S3/SP3 version
New SP4 version

The old version is $10 cheaper, but the new version also gets the extra 4 tips.

Interesting to note: the new pen's magnet does not allow it to stick to the S3. I don't know if only the SP4 was designed with a magnetized exterior, or if it's just that the S3 is actually too thin.

 

[Because Racecar]

You can choose either; both are available. Here they are on the MS US store:
Old S3/SP3 version
New SP4 version

The old version is $10 cheaper, but the new version also gets the extra 4 tips.

Interesting to note: the new pen's magnet does not allow it to stick to the S3. I don't know if only the SP4 was designed with a magnetized exterior, or if it's just that the S3 is actually too thin.

I see, thanks. I have much concern over losing the pen...

 

[Telstar1948]

I simply ordered a couple of pen loops from MS (like the ones that came with the SP3), and I applied one to the back left-side just above the kickstand. The pen does not become detached, and there's nothing on that side of the S3 to get in the way with the pen stored there.

 

[Because Racecar]

Thanks, Telstar, that helps alleviate some fears.

 

[MBY]

Some people have reported that the recent firmware update has given them pen button customization that was previously present only for the SP4 in the surface app. Unfortunately that hasn't happened for me.