Acer - Aspire 2-in-1 15.6" Touch-Screen Laptop - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - Silver

My name is Pedro Ferreira, I work as a 2D animator and Illustrator(I have uploaded a couple of sketches I have done with this device). My background knowledge comes from having a small old model Bamboo fun, followed by an medium Intuos4, then a Cintiq 13HD, and finally a Yiynova 22U. I'm doing this review from an artist viewpoint, with answers to questions I had before buying the computer. First of all, keep in mind I bought this laptop to work as a sketchbook, before that I plugged in a medium intuos4 on a Pavilion laptop when i wanted to sketch something digitally, and it wasnt the most pleasant way to draw something. This computer has 2 main problems. First one being that you have to buy the pen from Acer's website, you cant just buy the laptop and pen from Bestbuy. Second problem is, this device uses N-trig technology, the pen has 248 pressure levels, and it doesnt support pressure on Photoshop, Painter and paint tool SAI. That being said, now the pros: I downloaded Sketchbook pro and Manga Studio pro, the pressure works, and it's wonderful, really. The 248 pressure levels are more than enough to sketch with it in your lap, or even in the ''Azel'' mode, which is firm enough to hold its own when you are resting your palm in it. With some time I might try to do some serious work with this device, you wouldn't really think the pen has only 248 pressure levels. -The hole that looks like a mini display port does work with Mini display port cables, despite not having this name. -Despite being sold kind of like an ultrabook, this is a thin, but very heavy computer. -You have to put the computer to use the most power, or it will be very slow to use.

This is the FIRST laptop or tablet that I've used that hits the mark ergonomically. The Ezel hinge allows placement of the screen at an angle and close position that FINALLY makes a touchscreen laptop practical. (see picture below from Acer website). Acer calls it "touch and type" in their promo video. When left in any position, the screen is stable and can be touched as needed without worry that it will move. With standard hinge configurations, you have to reach across the wrist support area, touch pad and keyboard to touch the screen. It's not comfortable, efficient or practical. Such hinges force me to either use the keyboard or convert to tablet mode with a touchscreen keyboard. Speaking of the keyboard, it is nicely recessed into the frame which prevents "key rash" on the touch screen, a common problem with all clam shell laptops. The key travel is a bit tight for my preference, but still responsive enough for fast typists...just have to adapt over time. I am not a touch pad fan and rarely use them, preferring to use a wireless mouse, so the placement of the touch pad is actually a plus for my use. Note that Acer provides a separate fold-able wrist pad in a leather like pouch if you need the additional support while typing. The 4th generation i5 with latest Intel HD graphics is a plus: supports 3D rendering and modeling. I tried a popular architectural program and it was responsive, considering that an i5 is the minimum recommended configuration. Boot up times are quick once you get the system configured and running, especially quick considering this is a 5400 rpm HD (but it does have 8MB on board cache, which helps) The USB 3.0 and media reader slots are a plus. I can move photographs from my camera to USB key and back quickly, as well as large files. The sound is the best I've heard from any laptop or tablet to date (and I've sampled/reviewed several over the past 2 years) Quality for video conferencing or calling is decent. Wireless connectivity is up to the latest "n" spec, which means you can connect to 5Ghz channels at faster speeds if your router supports it. Colors and clarity on the screen are good to excellent, depending on source, e.g., streaming, jpeg file, document file conference call, etc. Acer provides several add on services which I have not utilized to date. I am not a fan of sending things to the cloud all the time: prefer local networked backup drives, but that is a personal thing. I like the slight angle of the screen in tablet mode and that the keyboard is protected unlike other convertible laptops. Weight is not an issue for me.....come on folks, what's an extra 8-16 ounces in the greater scheme of things???? System works well with standard Microsoft Office Pro products: Word, Excel, Publish, Project and Access. I did have one glitch after I configured and updated the system: when I shut it down, it locked up as if it had gone into hibernation instead. The "secret" was to hold the power button for approximately 30 seconds and the system rebooted. No problems since then. Acer has provided a proprietary port which is supposed to support additional connectivity in the future. Final note: the Ezel hinge is magnetic, which I assume helps with smooth and stable adjustments. So....don't put your credit cards or wallet....or favorite magnetic media on top of the hinge...you may get a surprise.

I am still getting used to the laptop. To qualify, I use computers all day, every day, Mac and Pc, and have owned at least a dozen laptops in the last 20 years. The bottom line is that I should have waited. BestBuy was offering $100 for a 12 year old XP machine, and I thought that was a pretty good idea. At the y least, I was going to get a bottom of the line laptop to replace that old clunker. It hadn't been used in over a year and was sitting in a community ground utility closet as a backup. I have been most recently spoiled with a MacBook Air from with its amazing SSD. But it's 128gb ssd was full...at least until I learned that Photostream had consumed all of the space. Anyway, the point is that this MBA I am on RIGHT now is really a nice computer. The problem with the ACER is two fold...mainly the OS...Windows...8 SUCKS. I use WIndows 7 at work, and Vista at home. I really wanted a touch screen 2 in 1. I REALLY look very, very closely at the Lenovo Yoga, but it was even more. Really, I wanted a MBA with a 512gb SSD, 15" touch screen. But it just doesn't exist. And I decided to go ahead and get the Acer. The main problem is that it just will not select items with the screen...at least not the touch screen. Acer placed the track pad and the way I frequently use the screen pulled forward, the pad is obscured. The spacebar is about 1/2 to close to the edge so that when the computer is on my stomach, a shirt and my skin will press the spacebar down. If I invert the computer to an A frame so that it sits on my back like a tent, it would be PERFECT< except that the keyboard will be active...and it is totally necessary to use the track-pad. Although more of a software issue, the on screen keyboard will not come up when you need it. So, I am constantly having to activate the keyboard manually. Despite various size options, it takes up considerable screen. Windows 8 is just not intuitive. It is heavy as a cinder block. Specs may not make it seam like a beast, but I have my MBA on my stomach right now and the Acer would be uncomfortable at the least. The 1TB drive is spacious no doubt, but it is signifcantly slower than my 2 year old MBA. Battery life is good. Keyboard is backlit...something I could not determine IN the store as the display is dead. The speakers sound good, but not in a good place unless in a traditional laptop setting.

Researched many 2-in-1 laptops and found this to have the most features and most versatile. Though the keyboard is not detachable like others 2-in-1, this is actually an advantage. Most tablet users/owners end up buying keyboard/stand and this is because the tablet alone is not efficient nor comfortable for typing. Aspire's hinged laptop offers so many viewing positions: the 'podium' position angle makes it ideal for business presentations, the ezel position makes it ideal for watching in bed, and bringing screen past the touchpad and slightly above is the best viewing position for everyday (alleviates neck and eye strain). It has power and capacity (8GB, 1TB) for a lot less than any other. Did not have any wi-fi issues even with our single band router. The positioning of the touchpad is unique and makes the most sense. Since this is a touchsreen it is not really necessary. The positioning allows you to bring he screen closer. Besides, a mouse is still the most comfortable way and most efficient way to navigate. The only 'shortcoming' is the touchscreen sensitivity. Have to tap a couple of times on a few occasions but no big deal at all. However this usually happens when browsing on the net and hyperlinks are small or when clicking on commands that are small. So sometimes I just need to zoom in to pinpoint. I think this is true for any touchscreen so I did not downgrade my rating. Sound is amazing. No need for external speakers when watching movie or listening to music. I love Windows 8 and this laptop is perfect for it. Couldn't be happier with this laptop! I highly recommend it.

I wanted a portable-easy to use laptop with crisp graphics and lots of storage. That's just what I got with Acer R7. I love the touch screen. When touch is not convenient I use the touch pad or plug in my cordless mouse. The pivoting screen is great, especially on an airplane and when sharing the screen with others. The conversion to a tablet is a bonus that I enjoy as well. Only downside is there's no numeric keypad (but you can add a portable one) for times when number crunching is needed. Highly recommended Acer R7

I was looking for a convertible laptop to replace my tablet that was just not functional enough. The R7 really works out great for me. I can use it as a tablet while teaching but as a notebook at the desk. It is a full desktop replacement "under the hood" wrapped up in a convenient design. It is a full size 15" style notebook so it is not as portable as a tablet but so much more functional. It is both a workstation and means to consume information and media. I love the screen, it is very clear and super responsive to touch. The backlight keyboard is very cool and the whole thing looks very refined and totally premium. I do miss not having a number pad but since I also have a desktop I don't miss it too much. The sound is incredible, full and loud. I did have to return the first unit I received due to a problem with the speakers always making a hissing sound. If you need to return make sure to go through Best Buy and not Acer. Best Buy handled things fairly quickly, all said I did have to wait an extra week to use my cool new machine but worth the wait.

After reviewing several laptops from different manufacturers, I decided to buy this one mainly because it has all the features that other laptops have plus it is kind of 4-in-1, I sometimes use it as a tablet. The touch screen is awesome and I bought a stylus for it that makes it even better. The sound and display, compared to other laptops with same price, are actually better (I feel so). with the same price range it is either not possible to find touch screen or to use it as tablet, but it has both features. The only problem I faced after my purchase is the windows 8.1 operating system, I never used it before, but I can tell you once you start using it you will start loving it and ultimately will get used to it.... I totally recommend this product !!

I love this machine. I was in search of a laptop that would convert to a tablet and I really liked the idea of one that covered the keyboard. I love the huge screen and I love the mouse pad being behind the keyboard. The only thing I don't like is the placement of the on/off switch. If you have the laptop in your actual "lap" and you want to readjust either your position or the position of the laptop the on/off switch is in the exact spot you naturally grab to move it. I am switching this thing off constantly. Its also right next to the charger port. Almost every time I go to unplug it to move it I accidentally turn it off. Its so frustrating! As long as its open I leave a giant binder clip over the switch so I can't accidentally bump it, but I have to remove it to flip it closed to carry. I hope on the next model they either move the switch to another location - or at least recess it so it's not so easy to hit it.