The market for compact computers, it would seem, is simply overflowing. Previously, only laptops were presented on it, but now the head is spinning from a variety of devices. These are old netbooks, and modern ultrabooks, and Chromebooks. There are tablets that turn into laptops, there are laptops that turn into tablets - in general, gadgets for every taste and color. But Acer went even further and made a device that turns from a tablet to a laptop, and from a laptop to a desktop computer. Don't believe me? Then climb under the cat.

Design

Perhaps the first thing that you pay attention to when you take this device in your hands is its non-standard appearance. The Switch 12 looks like a standard tablet with a keyboard, but only until you open it. Usually, hybrid tablets in the assembled state do not differ in any way from a regular laptop, right there the screen appears as if from the outside. The design of this device is different, in the unfolded state it looks like a laptop, in which the base of the display was moved closer to the middle of the lower part. The photographs clearly show this and, as they say, it is better to see it once.

But back to the Switch 12 configuration. The box with the device contains a charger that looks more like a charger for a laptop than a tablet. In addition, there was a leather case. It is not recommended to wear the Acer Aspire Switch 12 without a case, because you cannot close the screen in any way so that it is protected. This is, of course, a small minus. Plus, there is no charger pocket in the case, so you still have to use a backpack or bag for transport. The kit does not include a stylus, although the tablet supports this accessory, but the price will remain minimal, and those who need it can always buy a digital pen separately.

The tablet itself (laptop? Console? PC?) Is made of matte black ribbed plastic. Of course, it may seem boring, but such material looks as strict and stylish as possible, while being quite practical. Fingerprints are not visible on the surface. The only weak spot is the glossy screen finish.

The gadget is quite weighty, without a keyboard, its weight is 1.1 kg, and the entire set (case, keyboard, charger) is 2.1 kg. Agree, this is not so little, so, judging by the weight, this is more likely a laptop than a tablet. The case is solid, and the construction is rigid, so the tablet practically does not react to twisting and bending. And the Switch 12 is well assembled: the hinges are reliable, all the elements fit perfectly, it is clear that the product is premium.

By the way, I was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtfulness of such trifles as overturning the device. For laptops, it is sometimes tested to see if the screen opens easily with one hand. Only MacBooks pass this test perfectly. So, in the case of the Aspire Switch 12, of course, there is no need to test this, but we still checked the structure for stability. Even with a very wide open screen and a disabled keyboard (it changes the center of gravity), the tablet does not fall, which is important. And in the assembled state, it is convenient to hold the gadget on your lap, although at first it is unusual that the screen is so close.

By the way, I completely forgot to tell you about the use cases for Switch 12. He has 5 of them. The first and most understandable one is, of course, a tablet. Only the screen and nothing more. The second option is a laptop. We connect the keyboard in front, raise the screen and here we have a well-known form factor, except that the screen is slightly shifted closer to the keyboard. The third case is the so-called console. Turn off the keyboard, turn the tablet over, open the stand and place it on the table with a corner. The result is an inclined display that is convenient for drawing, reading or watching movies. The fourth option is just a display, but everything is quite simple here. We turn off the keyboard, open the screen and behold, we have a monitor on which you can also watch photos or films. Well, if you put a keyboard in front of him, then this will be the fifth option - a PC, unless you still have to connect a mouse for complete happiness.

The screen diagonal is 12.5 inches, which is already a lot for tablets, not enough for laptops, but just right for such a device. When working, you don't get the feeling that you need a larger or smaller display, really, the size is perfect. The screen is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The display resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels, which is a good indicator for such a diagonal. The quality of the screen is high, the picture is clear, bright and contrasting, so even in the bright sun there are no problems, except for a little glare of the glossy glass.

Interfaces and keyboard

Despite the fact that this is a tablet, there is a stand and a keyboard, which means there must be some kind of connectors. Well, we must take a closer look. So, at the bottom is the only full-size USB 2.0 port, which is useful for connecting a USB flash drive, external hard drive or mouse. The tablet also has microUSB 3.0, but it is unlikely that you will be able to connect anything there without an adapter to a full-size USB. Although, if you have a microUSB flash drive, you can easily connect it.

The device is charged via a separate port, so both USBs are always available. Alas, there are only two ports, and even then, one of them requires an adapter - this is too little for a laptop, and even more so for full computer... Of course we all remember new apple MacBook, which has only one USB Type-C port for everything, but the Switch 12 USB hub will also obviously have to be bought if you want to connect something other than a flash drive and a mouse, and even more so if you plan to use it at work.

On the top, next to the power button, there is a card reader, but it is only for microSD cards. Alas, if you want to view photos from the camera, you have to carry an external memory card reader with you, because it is unlikely that your camera has microSD. Next to the microUSB port is the micro-HDMI video output, so you can connect the tablet to a TV or an external display at any time, if, of course, there is an adapter. Unfortunately, in order to fully use all the capabilities of the Acer Aspire Switch 12, you will have to purchase various adapters that are not included in the kit, if you need all this, of course. The set of ports here is not bad, but it would be much better if there were two full USB, standard HDMI and an SD card slot (although you can definitely do without it), because the size of the case allows.

The keyboard in the Acer Aspire Switch 12 is both an integral part and an accessory. When the keyboard is connected to the device, it forms a single unit with it. But it only works on wireless connection... You can charge the keyboard only if you connect it to the back of the stand, there are no contacts on the front. And of course, no third-party devices for charging the keyboard are provided separately. The keys are slightly rough here, so that the fingers do not slip, and the arrangement is island (when there is a gap between the keys). The move is not very long, it is convenient to type.

Of course, the keyboard is very compact and many buttons are either absent altogether, or combined with others and are offered in combination with the Fn button. Interestingly, for the sake of compactness, Acer removed the touchpad from the keyboard. And instead, they made a joystick - exactly the same as we saw in IBM (and now Lenovo) ThinkPad laptops. But the buttons remain, they are very invisible and are located under the gap. It is convenient to operate with the help of these elements, but I would still prefer a mouse (on the road, a touch screen is enough).

Filling

There are, of course, wireless modules in the tablet. Since Switch 12 is based on a Broadwell processor (but more on that later), it is equipped with an Intel Wireless-AC 7265 module, which, as the name suggests, can work in Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n networks. / ac in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, as well as with Bluetooth 4.0. In addition, WiDi (Wireless Display) technology is supported here for transferring images to external displays without wires, and this works with rival Miracast. It is enough that you have the necessary receiver, then you can do without cables and adapters.

The speakers are very conveniently placed in the tablet. It so happens that in any arrangement of the device, they are always directed at a person. The two stereo speakers are on the front of the stand and are hard to miss. The quality is quite tolerable, they are enough for watching movies and even listening to music. As a last resort, you can always output sound through the 3.5 mm jack (it is also present, of course).

Acer Aspire Switch 12 is based on the modern economical Intel Core M-5Y10c processor from the Broadwell family. This chip has a wide frequency range, adjusts to the current load and does not get too hot - thanks to this, by the way, there are no coolers in the laptop, all cooling is passive. The processor, of course, is not very powerful, but it is enough for working with documents, surfing the Internet, but for games it is better to look for other devices.

The device has 4 GB of RAM and 60 GB of SSD for data storage. The solid state drive, by the way, is fast enough, which is especially noticeable when turning on the device and waking up from sleep mode, as it takes a matter of seconds.

As far as the video card is concerned, here, of course, integrated graphics, HD 5300 are used. For some low-power toys, it will even be enough, but if only at the minimum settings. Another question is that the processor will heat up more in games than in office tasks, which means there will be a decrease in frequency and, as a result, brakes will appear. So it's not worth playing on devices with Core M, they are not made for that.

Battery and charging

The gadget is charged using proprietary charging - it produces 45 watts, although the tablet needs only 17 watts even under high load. The battery in the Switch 12 is not very large - it uses a 3-cell lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 3220 mAh. However, all the advantages of the Core M processor are revealed here. even with such a capacity, the gadget can work up to 6 hours, while showing a video. If you want to read a book, then the battery will last for 12-14 hours.

The gadget does not charge for long, but in principle, if you constantly work on it, then you can not remove it from charging at all. The only thing that is a little frustrating is that you have to reconnect the keyboard to charge it.

Summary

pros

Compactness
Silent operation
Functionality
Versatility, many modes
High quality screen

Minuses

Should always be carried in a case
No familiar touchpad
Somewhat heavy
Adapters required for full work

Acer has made an unusual but interesting hybrid tablet. Of course, it differs from everything on the market, and it is not yet clear whether this is good or bad. But using the device is convenient (despite the unusual form factor), and this is the main thing. This device will surely appeal to everyone who works everywhere: at home, at work, on the road, since everywhere it can be used in different ways and benefit from it. This gadget will have very few competitors, it is too unusual and it is difficult to find analogues. To date, of the alternatives, only Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi, and Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2, but these are boring models with a standard appearance, when a keyboard is attached to the tablet and it becomes a laptop. However, all these devices are made on Intel Core M, which means that if you choose something on this platform, then from the above options.

Ultrabooks are compact laptops with high autonomy and low weight. The concept of such devices was formed back in 2008, when Steve Jobs presented Apple's thin laptop MacBook Air... Since then, thickness and weight have become key metrics in laptop manufacturing.

Every year, ultrabooks are getting smaller, thinner, and lighter. First of all, due to the appearance of processors that do not need active cooling and consume little energy. The absence of coolers, radiators and cooling pipes allows you to save space inside the car in favor of the battery and accessories.

Ultrabooks should not be used as the main "work" computer. They are well suited for travel, presentations and business trips. These laptops fit easily into a purse. However, their performance, even given their high price, does not always match their bulky counterparts. The reason is simple: a discrete video card is rarely installed in an ultrabook, and the built-in video adapter uses the resources of the central processor for operation.

But although it is problematic to play modern games on an ultrabook, such machines are often well suited for running programs that require video memory to process photos and videos. The Ultrabook should not be viewed solely as a collection of functional elements within a compact body. This is an individual device for comfortable work. Therefore, the presence of backlit keys, a fingerprint sensor and a touch screen are important characteristics in choosing a laptop.

In our ranking, we have collected, in our opinion, the best ultrabooks. We have arranged the models based on their functionality, dimensions and capabilities. So that you have the opportunity to make a choice based on the key indicators for you.

The best 12.5-inch ultrabooks

Ultrabooks with a screen of 12.5 inches are optimal devices for working on the Internet. Due to the small display, their dimensions correspond to the size of an average book. And the low weight allows you to fit even inside a handbag. At first glance, these are just tablets with keyboards. But under the modest packaging, there is often an impressive potential. We have selected the most functional and productive models that are useful for both work and leisure.

3 HP EliteBook Folio G1

The lightest and thinnest ultrabook
Country: USA
Average price: 107 975 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

EliteBook series laptops are premium machines. These are compact devices that have not only the latest technical equipment, but also an attractive appearance. The Folio G1 model perfectly proves this point. We have before us both the lightest member of the rating category and the device using the latest processors of the Core M family.

Qualitative features:

• The ultrabook is built on the Core M5 / 7 chip. The clock frequency is 1200 MHz, but it can be accelerated to 3 GHz. The processor is built on the latest 14 nm process technology (previously, the processors were produced in accordance with the 28 nm process technology). The central processor consumes little energy, does not heat up, and provides high autonomy;
• Keys with lED backlight
• HDD SSD format
• Thinnest 12-inch laptop. Ultrabook thickness 12 mm
• The lightest ultrabook. Weight 1 kg

2 Lenovo ThinkPad X280

Best in battery life
Country: China
Average price: 78 778 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The Lenovo company has created a whole line of ultrabooks, which are distinguished by their light weight, small thickness (17.8 mm) and powerful filling. The ThinkPad X280 boasts 8GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor, and a 256GB SSD. The manufacturer assures that this hardworking "beast" works up to 16 hours offline. Users in the reviews indicate 8 hours of work without recharging with Wi-Fi on, a browser, 70% screen brightness and running office programs.

The main disadvantages are the non-monolithic body, which feels like a budget, and the screen is not bright enough for this price category (Full HD resolution). But the model weighs only 1.13 kg. Optionally, you can purchase a model with a multi-touch touch screen. There is a slot for a Kensington lock and a fingerprint scanner to restrict third-party access to information stored on the device.

1 DELL LATITUDE 7275

4K at 12.5 inches
Country: USA
Average price: 92710 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Ultrabook with Tablet PC mode. The model runs on Windows 10 or Windows 8 PRO. The processor varies depending on the modification: it can be Core M3 – M7. RAM ranges from 4-8GB. The screen resolution is shocking: the manufacturer has placed 4K at 12.5 inches. There is a version with the usual Full HD. An SSD with a capacity of 128 to 512 GB is used as a hard disk. An unpleasant feature models - short battery life (due to the touch screen, which with great appetite "eats" the cherished percentage of the charge). The body is metal. The whole assembly weighs 1.4 kg, the thickness of the gadget is 17.1 mm.

Another drawback of the model is the cost. The model is great for a variety of tasks thanks to the “two in one” system, but it will not be able to completely replace both a laptop and a tablet due to some of the nuances of Windows when switching from one mode to another. However, the corporation regularly releases updates and fixes lags.

The best 13.3-inch ultrabooks

Laptops in this category are larger than ultrabooks in the previous rating category. The larger size allows the manufacturer to use more powerful hardware. These are no longer just "travel" notebooks. It is convenient to work with such models in the office, they are great for working with graphics and text, and if you connect an external display to them via HDMI, you get a full-fledged workstation in a compact body. Let's take a look at the best 13.3-inch Ultrabooks:

3 HP Specter 13-4100 x360

Best Compact Ultrabook Convertible
Country: USA
Average price: 107 652 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

A transformer is a cross between a laptop and a tablet. Unfortunately, in most cases, the signature in the description of the device "laptop-transformer" means that the gadget is too expensive for a tablet, and too low-powered for a laptop. The HP Specter is built to break this stereotype. This ultrabook is built on a Core i5 / 7 chip with a clock speed of 2.5 GHz. And the presence of a built-in ntel HD Graphics 520 video adapter allows you to use it even for modern games.

Ultrabook Features:

• Lithium polymer battery provides up to 12.5 hours of operation;
• Only 16mm thick;
• Weight is only 1.45 kg;
• Metal body;
• SSD hard drive.

2 Acer SWIFT 7

Full metal body
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 82 995 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

A handsome native of China under the Acer brand who managed to fall in love with a large audience with the help of stylish design and compact size. The manufacturer has combined all this with a low weight of 1130 grams and an attractive "filling". There is not only a voluminous 256GB SSD, an i5 processor on two cores, but also 8GB of RAM and a battery that can withstand 9 hours of operation. The screen is glossy with Full HD resolution.

Users in the reviews sing odes to the chic metal body, which both looks amazing and provides solidity to the device. According to experts, this is the best option for those who need a productive laptop for working outside the home: it is light, thin and boasts a long run on a single charge. The model is worthy of leading our top, but it falls short of the first place in one parameter: price.

1 ASUS ZENBOOK UX303UB

Best in Graphics
Country: China
Average price: 76 142 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The ZENBOOK series has managed to be remembered by the consumer for its light, compact, but efficient devices. main feature UX303UB models - the presence of a discrete video card. A dedicated graphics chip NVIDIA GeForce 940M allows the Ultrabook to be used for modern games and graphics processing. A discrete graphics card significantly accelerates computing power, because does not overload cPU.

Ultrabook Features:

• Discrete graphics card with 2 GB of memory;
• Availability of HDD and SSD drives;
• Powerful central processor of the Core i5 / 7 family;
• Touch type display with multitouch support;
• The disadvantage is the large thickness (19 mm).

Best 14.0-inch Ultrabooks

These ultrabooks can be used both at home / office and on the road. The large diagonal of the display makes it possible to use such laptops both for watching movies and for working with presentations and documents. In this category, we'll take a look at the best 14.0-inch ultrabooks on sale today.

3 Acer SWIFT 3 (SF314-52-37YG)

Best price
Country: China
Average price: 38,998 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

This is the best budget ultrabook with great value for money. The model is slightly heavier than its dear counterparts - carry the Swift 3 1.8 kg. Inside is an i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. The screen is widescreen with a TFT IPS matrix and a resolution of 1920 × 1080. In the reviews, the owners of the model point to excellent contrast with a margin of brightness. The battery with four cells lasts 8 hours without charging - decent. There is a fingerprint scanner.

The model from the box is equipped with the Linux operating system. The thickness of the device is 18 mm, the bezels around the display are quite large. The metal case is not only beautiful, but also durable - nothing squeezes through, does not play or clatter inside. Acer SWIFT 3 is great for business trips - relatively light and compact, moderately productive, able to last a working day without a charger.

2 ASUS ZenBook BX410UA

Works 10 hours without recharging
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 55,100 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Nice thin-frame ultrabook on the i-fifth processor, with 8 GB of "RAM" and a capacious battery that can withstand up to 10 hours of operation at moderate load. The hard drive also deserves attention - the manufacturer has equipped its Zenbook with a 1000 GB hard drive and a 128 GB SSD. The model comes with Windows 10 Home on board. Users in the reviews note the quality of the IPS screen with correct color reproduction and a good margin of brightness. Conveniently located ventilation holes: under the screen with the direction of flows upward, which makes it possible to put the laptop on soft surfaces without a twinge of conscience.

There is an unpleasant nuance - the power button is located next to the Del key, so at first there is a great chance, instead of deleting the symbol, to send the beech to sleep. In terms of price and quality ratio, it is an ideal option for both home gatherings and work in the office, as well as for business trips and traveling work.

1 Lenovo THINKPAD X1 Carbon Ultrabook (5th Gen)

Better screen. Excellent autonomy
Country: China
Average price: 110385 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

This Synpad is an improved version of the previous generation. The changes affected not only the exterior - the laptop became sleeker and acquired thin frames, but also the interior decoration. Now the manufacturer from China offers processors Core i5 or i7, from 8 to 16 GB of RAM and a gorgeous matte (!) 14-inch display with a resolution of 2560x1440 in the older version or Full HD in the younger. An SSD with 256 ... 1024 GB is offered as a hard disk. The apogee of this model is the 57Wh battery, which laboriously lasts up to 15.5 hours without an outlet.

The fifth generation THINKPAD X1 Carbon Ultrabook weighs 1390 grams and is only 16 mm thick. In the reviews, users assure that the device has a harmonious price-quality ratio. According to experts, this "Lenovo" competes with the Macbook Pro and beats the "apple" colleague in many nuances. Of the pleasant bonuses: a fingerprint scanner, trackpoint (a small joystick to control the cursor).

Best 15.6-inch Ultrabooks

A universal option for business trips and work outside the home and office, as well as for routine tasks at home. The screen size allows you to watch movies, work with video, work in a multi-window mode, play with relative comfort.

3 HP ZBook 15u G3 (T7W15EA)

Fast 512GB SSD
Country: USA
Average price: 102,900 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5

The model that comes with the operating system Windows 7 Professional 64. Distinctive features of the model: a capacious SSD for half a terabyte, a CORE i7 processor and 16 GB of "RAM". The RAM can be expanded up to 32 GB. Here is a nice matte screen with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 and a diagonal of 15.6 inches.

The dimensions are pleasant: 20 mm thick, weight 1.9 kg. The bezels of the display cannot boast of grace, alas. Nice - a metal case, a pointstick (miniature joystick), a fingerprint scanner. In the reviews, the owners of "Zedbooks" write about high performance, a decent screen and a comfortable keyboard in combination with a pointstick. American engineers have managed to cram top-level hardware into this thin ultrabook. The model is not budgetary, but it justifies its price with quality and capabilities. The option is objectively good and is suitable for resource-intensive purposes.

2 DELL XPS 15

4K resolution
Country: USA
Average price: 135137 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

A model with many modifications and equally excellent dimensions (due to the thin bezels, the ultrabook is comparable to 14-inch models), performance and a reliable metal body. The battery lasts 5-7 hours in a fairly intensive mode of operation.

The glossy screen with a variety of resolutions from HD to 4K pleases with gorgeous color rendition, contrast and brightness with a considerable margin. This ultrabook is the best compact option for photo editing. Processor: i5 or i7, RAM - from 4 to 16 GB. 1TB hard drive and SSD resources range from 32GB to 128GB. The weight here is decent: as much as 2700 grams. The XPS 15 got into the rating of the best ultrabooks thanks to a balanced filling and a high-quality screen. The latter, by the way, is protected by Gorilla Glass. The model successfully competes with the Macbook PRO not only due to its lower price, but also due to its characteristics and stability.

1 ASUS ZenBook Flip UX561UN

Transformer with touch screen
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 84574 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Ultrabook with full size, which can turn into a tablet PC. There is a Full HD multi-touch screen that rotates 180 degrees. Inside the ultrabook, everything is just as beautiful: an i7 processor with 4 cores, 8 GB of RAM (the slot supports up to 16 GB slots), 1000 GB on a hard drive and 128 GB on an SSD. The battery is powerful - 52 Wh for three cells, but due to the gluttony of the touch screen, do not rely on the laptop to work for days without electricity. In the "40% brightness mode, browsing, music, office programs, video, programming "the battery lasts for 7-8 hours of operation.

The model weighs 1.9 kg. The thickness does not exceed 2 cm. In the reviews, users indicate the main disadvantages of Zenbuka. This is a low-speed SSD (it can be replaced with a high-speed one with an NVMe interface) and a plastic back cover, although all stores in the specifications indicate that the case is made of metal.

Get ready for brutal price tags and cool features - we are talking about compact powerful laptops, which were created from the principle of "best possible", not "as cheap as possible." Strictly speaking, models of this class have never been distinguished by humane pricing: a year and a half ago, they asked 70-85 thousand rubles for thin, beautiful and powerful laptops. Well, today, when sellers can blame any overshoot in price on the crisis - God himself ordered.

Well, okay, let's not talk about the sad, especially since with the shift in prices, the models that will be discussed below still remain the most perfect and desirable laptops of our time.

You should start here with apple devices - in the image and likeness of the MacBook, other manufacturers develop their laptops as carefully as they do with the iPhone and its Korean ... ahem, counterparts. The popular love of buyers for laptops from Cupertino is well deserved - in terms of power, design and usability. apple products disappearing few competitors. But today the MacBook lineup has spread quite widely, and therefore, even in the slender ranks of Apple fans, there are conflicting models that are not suitable for everyone.

We started this article with a reminder of how the Apple MacBook Air in 2008 became the de facto first workable and successful compact laptop of our time. Despite the barrage of criticism from all sides, it knocked out a place for itself in the sun, and 7 years after its release, it remained a reference device ahead of its time.

And so, today the company has in its arsenal a model that is not inferior in design boldness to its legendary predecessor - Apple MacBook, simply Maria MacBook 2015 model year. With a very cool design, amazingly bright and clear 12-inch display and only one connector for charging-flash drives-mice-printers and everything else. How are our objective analysts doing there? All the same - they bury an innovative model, as it was with the Air of the 2008 model.

In the wake of interest in the new Windows 8 operating system with the "tiled" Modern UI, the main players of the mobile market rushed to present their touch solutions. At the same time, not everyone limited themselves to the release of trendy tablets or the banal integration of a pressure-sensitive screen into ordinary laptops; some manufacturers seriously believed in the possibility of reincarnating the niche form factor of convertible laptops (“clamshell”). In particular, Dell has creatively redesigned the 2010 Inspiron Duo with its first ultrabook-convertible, the XPS 12, which we'll review today.

Design

At first sight Dell XPS 12 practically indistinguishable from a usual laptop - a rather thin case narrowed to the front edge, a standard "shelf" hinge and a classic working panel. The metal frame looks like a stylish contrasting edging of the lid, and the gap between it and the movable screen is too small to suspect the ability to transform in this model.

However, as soon as you push the screen away from you, its inner part leaves its usual place. It is in the borderline state Dell XPS 12 looks the most unusual and attractive, but it has two main modes - a laptop and a tablet, for which the display needs to be rotated 180 degrees all the way and laid back on the work panel.

As a result of the transformation, you get a 12.5-inch tablet with a touchscreen IPS-screen with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Naturally, it is most convenient to use its capabilities in the Modern UI interface, sharpened for finger control, but if necessary, you can occasionally use the classic working mode. windows desktop 8.

Display unit frame Dell XPS 12 from aluminum with a matte surface, it turned out to be very strong and tough despite its shape and small thickness. The display rotates around an axis passing through its center, fixation in the boundary positions is carried out using four spring-loaded latches. Several magnets located in the upper and lower parts of the frame act as additional protection against twisting and at the same time as an automatic closer.

Design

Ultrabook-transformer Dell XPS 12 made in the style familiar from the 13-inch model Dell XPS 13. The same materials are used, and the only external difference (except for the form factor) is the design of the outside of the display module - the older brother has a metal one.

Display module center Dell XPS 12 trimmed with soft-touch carbon fiber with a distinctive weave and metal logo. The base of the body is also made of carbon fiber with a pronounced pattern, all service information and a small hatch for an upgrade are hidden under an aluminum panel. Anti-slip feet are made in the form of two long rubber rollers, while a series of air intake holes pass under the top one. The heatsink of the cooling system is located in the niche of the display hinge, so that the flow of hot air does not fall on the user's hands in either “laptop” or tablet mode (provided that you hold it horizontally).

Front and back face Dell XPS 12 are free, all connectors are placed on the sidewalls of the transformer. On the left there is a speaker, a volume rocker, an illuminated slider for turning on the device, a combined audio port and a position sensor lock button that blocks automatic reorientation of the interface. The second speaker, battery charge indicator, pair uSB connectors 3.0, Mini DisplayPort video output and charger jack.

The main panel of the display module is covered with a protective Gorilla Glass, at the bottom of the screen bezel there is a hardware home buttonwhich will definitely come in handy in tablet mode. The working area is made of magnesium alloy and trimmed with a pleasant-to-touch black soft-touch plastic, which quickly becomes covered with hard-to-scrub fingerprints. The spill-resistant island-style keyboard is equipped with LED backlighting, and the glass touchpad has a solid size.

Functionality

In terms of hardware platform Dell XPS 12 is a typical Ultrabook, that is, it is based on an economical platform from Intel with integrated graphics and comes with an SSD-drive. The manufacturer offers several configurations ranging from $ 1199 to $ 1699 (prices for the US market) based on Intel Core i5-3317U (2.6 GHz) and Intel Core i7-3517U (3.0 GHz) processors, the amount of RAM varies from 4 to 8 GB , SSD capacity - from 128 to 256 GB.

The test sample is equipped with an Intel Core i5-3427U processor, 4 gigabytes of RAM and a 128 GB SSD. In this configuration, it scored 4800 points in PCMark 7, more than 1000 points in 3Dmark11 and 5.4 points in the Windows performance index. The battery life from a 47 Wh battery was 1 hour 45 minutes in maximum load mode and 6 hours in read emulation mode.

Ultrabook-transformer Dell XPS 12 equipped with a high-quality IPS-matrix with a solid margin of brightness (380 cd / m2 at maximum) and excellent viewing angles. The 12.5-inch screen has a resolution of 1920 x 1080, so in some cases you may need fine tuning scaling the image. The capacitive touch panel supports all gestures familiar to tablets.

Exploitation

During operation in laptop mode special claims to Dell XPS 12 did not arise, I was pleased with the high-quality materials, a well-thought-out keyboard and an IPS-screen that is excellent by the standards of laptops. There is no problem with the original transformation design, it looks reliable enough for daily use. But the cooling system sometimes behaves noisy, and mainly in laptop mode. Someone will clearly miss only two USB, as well as the missing HDMI-out and a slot for memory cards, but these limitations are related to the design of the transformer, so future owners will have to endure.

In tablet state Dell XPS 12 can be used in both horizontal and vertical orientations, but the former is more convenient for a number of reasons. With a horizontal grip, the palms rest on the cold parts of the bottom, and the lock, position sensor and volume buttons fit comfortably under the fingers of the left hand. Thanks to the good layout, the connectors on the right sidewall do not overlap either, however, both speakers are placed exactly in the palm grip, which noticeably mutes their sound. However, the most noticeable complaint about the device is its weight, after all, 1.5 kilograms is too much for long-term comfortable work with the tablet on weight.

Transformers vs tablets

This is such an important question that it is worth dwelling on in more detail. The first convertible laptop came to our edition exactly 10 years ago, it was a 12-inch Toshiba Portege 3500 running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. The 1.33 GHz Intel Pentium III device weighed 2 kg and had a relatively touch screen that could only be operated with a stylus. Then it was a truly exceptional solution, for which they asked for an insane amount of $ 4000 by today's standards. As time went on, transformers were updated, but the same classic center-vertical hinge and non-removable keyboard-base remained the standard solution for devices of this form factor. An alternative design of a monoblock Tablet PC (“slate”) with an optional detachable keyboard was much less popular, since at that stage of technology development it was simply not possible to fit a touch screen and hardware into a sufficiently thin case.

However, today you will not surprise anyone with a rather thin and light Windows tablet based on an energy-efficient Intel Core iX or Atom processor, and in this situation you can drag keyboard unit on an ongoing basis is far from the best idea. You can convince yourself as much as you like that you are getting a two-in-one multifunctional device, but in the current situation a classic convertible laptop is the same forced compromise that really does not suit either side. The arithmetic here is very simple, 12.5-inch Dell XPS 12 weighs more than 1.5 kg with a thickness of 2 cm, while you can buy a 13-inch ultrabook weighing 1.35 kg and 1.5 cm thick, or even opt for an 11.6-inch Windows tablet weighing 700 grams and a thickness less than 1 cm.

Yes, in the first case, you will not be able to unfold the screen by placing it on the keyboard, but by choosing a touchscreen ultrabook, you can easily control the interface with your fingers. It would seem that in the second case, the comparison is not entirely correct, since the screen of such a tablet is smaller, and when the docking station is connected, the thickness of the kit is the same 2 cm and weighs 1.34 kg (as an example, we take ASUS VivoTab TF810C). However, do not forget that along with the docking station, you get not only a keyboard and additional ports, but also a second battery, which practically doubles the total autonomy. And again, no one forces you to keep the keyboard fastened all the time if you just need to browse or view a few photos, let alone the difference between 1.5 kilograms Dell XPS 12 and 700-800 grams of a modern Windows tablet you will feel very quickly.

Dell XPS 12 Ultrabook Transformer Video Review

Outcome

As a result, from the point of view of attractiveness for the average user, the ultrabook-transformer Dell XPS 12 save only the originality of the design. A thin metal frame and a rotating screen look so futuristic that this transformer was even handed to the villain Bane in the final film of the Batman trilogy (episode with the storming of the stock exchange). However, all this exoticism is visible only in rare moments of transformation, while in laptop mode, others will see just a laptop, and in tablet mode, they will also be unpleasantly surprised by its thickness and weight.

So if in Dell XPS 12 If you are attracted by the stylish silver and black design and premium aluminum-carbon body, then you better pay attention to its older brother Dell XPS 13. Well, if you need a Windows device with a touch screen and hardware keyboard, then choose any available tablet with an optional dock -station, since their number in the coming months will simply grow like an avalanche: ASUS VivoTab TF810C, Acer Iconia Tab W510, Samsung ATIV Smart PC 500T1C, Microsoft Surface Pro, etc.

Liked
+ original transformation mechanism
+ high-quality IPS-matrix with high resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels and Gorilla Glass
+ use of premium materials (carbon, aluminum, glass, magnesium alloy)
+ spill-resistant backlit keyboard
+ convenient battery indicator

Did not like
- the weight is too heavy for use in tablet mode
- only two USB, no HDMI and no card reader
- high price
- soiled working panel
- noisy cooling system

Product provided for testing by Dell, www.dell.ua

	Dell XPS 12 Ultrabook (XPS12i504128UN8-Alu) Notify when on sale
A type	Tablet PC
Screen diagonal, inches	12,5
Matrix type	IPS
Screen cover type	glossy
Screen resolution	1920 × 1080
Touch screen	+
Processor type	Intel Core i5-3427U
Frequency, GHz	1,8
Pre-installed OS	Windows 8
Weight, kg	1,52
Dimensions, mm	317x215x15-20
Chipset	Intel QS77
RAM (standard / maximum)	4096
Hard disk, GB	128 (SSD)
Optical drive	—
Graphics adapter, memory size	Intel HD Graphics 4000
External ports	2xUSB 3.0 (1xeSATA), mini DisplayPort, mic-in, headphone
Expansion slot	—
Card reader	—
WEB-camera	1.3MP
Network adapter	—
Modem 56K	—
Wi-Fi	802.11 a / g / n
WiMAX	—
Bluetooth	3.0
3G	—
Battery capacity, mAh	n.d.
Battery voltage, V	n.d.

Wi-Fi