Microsoft Surface Go vs Acer Switch 3

tingting

Hi all,

I'm considering buying either Surface Go or Switch 3. In terms of performance both seems to be about the same, although Surface Go has a better GPU and 8gb of RAM. Acer Switch 3 is quite a bit cheaper and it includes the keyboard. However, I'm mostly concern about maintainability and long term use. From what I've read on this forum, Acer Switch tablets seem to have quite a lot of problems (battery, touchscreen, keyboard, BSOD). I've looked at the Acer Switch sample at local retail store and they were manufactured in August 2018, not sure if the newer batch might have the problems mentioned in the forum fixed.

So any input would be most grateful! Thank you in advance.

JackE

Just the switch alpha. No problems yet. Unlike a lot of Switch models, SurfaceGo is too new to see many useful posts on the Surface community boards yet. If you look at posts for the older Surface models you'll see plenty of issues. Jack E/NJ

JackE

Buy both comparably-equipped models. Test drive them for a week or two. Then tell us which one you returned to the vendor for a refund.  Jack E/NJ

tingting

JackE said:

Buy both comparably-equipped models. Test drive them for a week or two. Then tell us which one you returned to the vendor for a refund.  Jack E/NJ

Unfortunately I don't live in the states and refund policy is virtually nonexistence.

Do you own a Switch series tablet? If you would you recommend others buying it? I'm very scared of it going bad after using it couple months or even a year. Unlike cheap Chinese clones, I expect them to last at least 2-3 years.

JackE

Just the switch alpha. No problems yet. Unlike a lot of Switch models, SurfaceGo is too new to see many useful posts on the Surface community boards yet. If you look at posts for the older Surface models you'll see plenty of issues. Jack E/NJ

veethree

I bought a Switch 5 for the same price as a Surface Go with a keyboard and pen; it has much better performance and is more suited to being one's only computer. The only issue I've had over the last 8 months is that the pen can be inconsistent in terms of connecting to the computer. Don't think that buying a Surface will necessarily be more reliable, though. I had a Surface Pro 3 before that and, while it was a lovely machine, the keyboard connection died after a year and then a few months later the screen stopped working too, effectively killing off the computer within 18 months.

tingting

veethree said:

I bought a Switch 5 for the same price as a Surface Go with a keyboard and pen; it has much better performance and is more suited to being one's only computer. The only issue I've had over the last 8 months is that the pen can be inconsistent in terms of connecting to the computer. Don't think that buying a Surface will necessarily be more reliable, though. I had a Surface Pro 3 before that and, while it was a lovely machine, the keyboard connection died after a year and then a few months later the screen stopped working too, effectively killing off the computer within 18 months.

Thanks for the comment veethree. You're right, Surface Go with all the accessories are about the same as Switch 5, and the Switch 5 is a Core i5 with 256gb RAM. Plus Surface Go's lack of power can't power external hard drive or even a usb hub.

Right now I debating the Switch 3 or Switch 5, always down to the money I guess.