R13 (R7 371T) review - Excellent Machine but...and cf SP3

inertiaholic

Acer R13 Review

 

My apologies if this is the wrong place for reviews. However, I am thrilled by this laptop and dismayed by the lack of reviews online that I decided to do this machine justice and pen a review.

 

Disclaimer: You must update the bios to 1.09. Prior to this update, the keyboard typing experience was pathetic.

 

Plus

Design

The design is one where either you like it or you dislike it. I can imagine that some will be put off by the presence of the aero hinge and that when the computer is closed, the shape is not ‘complete’ as the aero hinges on each side juts out.

 

The machine is surprisingly slim, which I didn’t really consider or notice when I bought the machine. Perhaps it is because of the screen size and the general ‘wideness’ of the machine. However, as I used it from day to day, carry it around or drawing it from my table or bag, it slowly dawned on me that the slimness is quite a feat.

 

The aero hinge, coupled with the magnets on each side, is really quite a work of genius. If you are one of those finicky users who is particular about finding just about the right angle for your screen, you will love this machine! Not only can you can tilt it at any angle, but you can even adjust the nearness of the screen to you! Even as a tablet, my favourite position which can only be done with this R13 and no other machine is the triangle formation over the keyboard with just a bit of the mouse pad showing. This allows me to write on the screen without bending my neck too low but at the same time allowing me to move the cursor accurately using the mouse pad.

 

The screen also gives a very satisfying click to the ‘aligned’ position with the aero hinge thanks to the magnets. Very classy. (The magnets also allow the active pen to be adhered to when it is not in use.)

 

Another nice touch is when the screen is lit, the Acer logo is lit but the motion you close the lid, the logo dims out.

 

When you lift the cover, you will find that it is very easy as the mousepad is indented which allows the lid to be easily caught with a thumb.

 

 

Build and materials

It is hard to tell whether the machine uses primarily plastic or metal, but what I cannot deny is that it is incredibly sturdy in all parts of the machine, from the base to the screen to the lid cover, you name it.

 

The aero hinge, coupled with the magnets on each side, is really quite a work of genius. If you are one of those finicky users who is particular about finding just about the right angle for your screen, you will love this machine! Not only can you can tilt it at any angle, but you can even adjust the nearness of the screen to you!

 

 

Weight and Size

I may sound completely biased here but somehow the machine doesn’t feel heavier as compared to the Surface Pro 3, although it am very sure the reality is that R13 is much heavier. It is probably the distribution of weight given its more substantial surface area.

 

As much as I would love an even lighter laptop, I have come to recognize that it is difficult to work with smaller screens. I was even struggling with Thinkpad Yoga’s 12.5 inch. In the end, I decided for my need to multitask on a computer, 13 inch is probably the minimum.

 

Connectivity

Thankfully, this machine comes with 3 usb ports (two of which are usb 3.0), a HDMI port, combo audio port, Sd card slot. Of course, I wish there could be a VGA port but I can imagine it would be greater than the width of the base of the R13.

 

Speakers

While the speakers are not the best I have ever heard, definitely they are clear and loud. The fact that they are found near the bottom of the machine, allows the sound to be amplified against the table. In all, I am happy with them.

 

Mousepad

Again, not the best I have ever tried (that would be the Samsung’s Series 9), but the size is substantial and the sensitivity and responsiveness is satisfactory. In terms of configurability, there is not much but then again, I am not complaining. So long as the mouse works well, double tapping, two finger touch to activate right click, work well, I am more than happy.

 

Battery Life

Not complaints in this department either. I don’t really monitor but I think it definitely can last the 8 hours advertised. There have been times when I saw the machine at energy consumption level of 2-3 W when it is idle.

 

Heat and Fan

Barely any heat; barely any fan noise.

 

Backlit keyboard

Lovely backlit keyboard which is adjustable and switches on by itself.

 

Sensible function keys

While the keyboard is not the best (described later), I am thankful Acer placed ‘normal’ (secondary) function keys here e.g. volume up/down/silent; keyboard backlit levels, wifi on/off, screen brightness up/down etc. I am so appreciative of this after experiencing Surface Pro bizarre function keys of charm bar etc in place of screen brightness up/down.

 

Minus

Pen (battery; accuracy; palm rejection)

Easily the weakest link in the whole machine. Not only is there no silo for storing the pen, and that the pen requires a AAAA battery, it seems the battery lasts much shorter than the advertised duration of 18 months. I have already the battery once.

 

In terms of sensitivity, the maximum distance between the pen and screen before detection is around less than one inch which is too little. As a result, sometimes my palm is detected and not rejected.

 

There also seems to be a need to wake the pen before it works. In essence, you need to touch the screen with the pen once before it is activated. If you don’t, your hand may end up being registered instead.

 

Pen Software

Supposedly, the buttons on the pen can launch programs such as OneNote, but so far, they’ve not worked once.

 

Flat keyboard

There is no denying that this is a slim laptop and as such the key travel would not be the best. Indeed, the key travel is actually not too bad considering how slim it is. This notwithstanding, it is still tiring to type for an extended period of time on this keyboard, though I cannot fault Acer for it. After all, I find it possible to type this entire review using this keyboard. However, the size of the keys is perfect, the spacing between keys too. The keyboard is relatively silent too. There is also sufficient space for a relatively comfortable palm rest. (Disclaimer: coming from Thinkpad Yoga, all keyboards pale in comparison I suppose.)

 

Supposed matte display

Acer says that the screen is matte or anti-reflective but at best I would call this a bit less reflective compared to others e.g. the Switch 12, but no way would any normal-thinking person call this matte.

 

Lack of Support

It was quite disturbing to find some few drivers on the Acer website. It is also surprising that it took Acer a few months to acknowledge the keyboard issues and release a bios update for it. Really, Acer needs better presence and communication…in its Acer forums.

 

Naming convention

I cannot fathom how Acer names their machines. So the ‘13’ in ‘R13’ stands for 13 inch? So why also name the same machine R7-371T?

Confusing users really isn’t a good way to promote your brand.

 

Lack of silo/slot for stylus

Given the size of the machine, I strongly feel that there could have space for a silo. And if there really wasn’t, couldn’t Acer include some sort of ‘appendage’ to hold the pen with the machine ala Surface Pro 3 style?

 

SD card not flushed

Again, given that there is an inch of space from the end of the keyboard to the edge of the machine, I think Acer could have worked hard to ensure that the SD card can sit flushed with the side when inserted.

 

The palm rest edge is a tad sharp

This might be an issue for some people. The edge of the palm rest is just a wee bit sharp but nothing extreme like the Macbook Pro. But because the material is plastic, the feeling really isn’t painful but perhaps uncomfortable.

 

Neutral

Relocation of Del key

Not having used an Acer keyboard for quite a while, it took me a long time to find the Del key. I do see why Acer might have decided to move this key to the bottom-most row – it is a frequently used key and if you ever need to press ctrl-alt-del, you would appreciate that you don’t have to do finger acrobatics.

 

Small caps lock

It is just irritating to have a tiny Cap Lock key plus it does not indicate when activated like many machines. This is kinda strange given that the keyboard is backlit.

 

Comparison with Surface Pro 3

Screen size

I much, much, much prefer the screen size of R13. In terms of sharpness, both are great!

 

Keyboard: travel, function keys

I find it a lot more comfortable typing on the SP3 but I appreciate the (secondary) function keys of the R13 much more. However, Acer can learn a thing or two from Samsung on how to make a very slim machine while implementing a keyboard with good travel (Samsung Series 9)

 

Mouse

Definitely the one on R13 is better by virtue of size. I especially appreciate it when I need to scroll through documents.

 

Flexibility of Screen

The Aero hinge of R13 beats the Friction hinge of SP3 for me. However, if you tend to lean your hand heavily on the screen while writing or drawing, you might find the lowest position of the SP3 more stable.

 

Battery Life

Pretty much the same to me.

 

Speakers

R13 trumps SP3

 

Connectivity

R13 trumps SP3

 

Pen

SP3 has a much better pen but the nib of the SP3 pen wears out really fast.