Laptop Gift Guide for Holiday 2015

The Christmas season is once again fast approaching and as what we usually do, we’ve compiled some of the outstanding gadgets in their respective categories and group them for easy browsing. Here are some laptop selections if you’re looking for a portable PC you can get for yourself or give someone as a gift.

 

2015GiftGuide-LAPTOP

Note: The laptops listed here are all available in the Philippines with accompanying local prices for your browsing pleasure. If you have something to add, simply throw them at the comments section to further expand the list and help more readers in shopping for a new portable PC this holiday. 

Let’s get started!

Budget Laptops

Kicking things off in the list is the convertible device from Cherry Mobile –the Alpha Morph that recently got a dual-boot version. It sports a 10-inch WXGA IPS touch display, is powered by a 1.33GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3735F and Intel HD Gen 7 Graphics, and pairs up with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory with microSD expansion of up to 64GB. The Windows-only variant is priced in the Philippines at Php5,999 with the dual-boot model is available for Php7,999. Both come with free Office 365, storage space from OneDrive, and are USB-OTG ready.

hp-stream-11

For those that have a bit more more cash to spare, you can try the HP Stream 11. It packs some decent specs for its price including an Intel Celeron N2840 dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB eMMC, and an 11.6-inch LED display. Additionally, it has a claimed battery life of more than 8 hours on a single charge and is priced at Php13,980. There’s also a 13.3-inch variant called the HP Stream 13 which retails for a higher Php15,984.

asus_x200ma

Next up we have the ASUS X200MA. It’s the one packaged by SmartBro in one of its Plans which sports an 11.6-inch HD LCD display, an Intel Celeron dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 500GB of HDD storage. This Windows 8.1-powered laptop is available locally for Php12,995. However, if you prefer similar specs with a bigger 14-inch screen, you can also check out the Dell Inspiron 3442 with a more affordable Php11,999 price tag.

lenovo-laptop-ideapad-s20

Looking for a feature-packed laptop? The Lenovo S20 boasts AccuType keyboard with finger-friendly curved keys and ergonomic spacing so typing is easier. It also has Dolby Advanced Audio, USB 3.0, and an HD webcam for your video calling needs. The S20 is priced at Php14,988 and includes an 11.6-inch display, 2GB RAM, 500GB storage, and runs on Windows 8.1 OS.

Mid-range Laptops

Moving up the price category, we have the Samsung ATIV Book 2 that has a 64-bit Windows 8 installed, 2GB RAM, 500GB storage space, and a lineup of bundled software ready to be used. It has a modest price of Php21,900 which shouldn’t break the bank for a decent device. By adding about Php2K more and you could get a Sony VAIO E Series that has an 11.6- or 14-inch WXGA TFT display, 4GB RAM, 500GB internal storage, and a 1.7GHz AMD accelerated processor.

hp-pavilion-x360

There’s also the HP Pavilion x360 that was launched with other notebooks in SEA countries last May. This totally flexible device flaunts an 11.6-inch HD LED-backlit display, comes with an array of CPU configurations, and could support up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM. It has an SRP of Php23,990 for the base model.

Meanwhile, ASUS has its K401 laptop that possesses a 14-inch Full HD display with 4GB of RAM that can stretch up to 12GB. Storage space is at 500GB with an optional 128GB/256GB solid-state drive. It is priced at Php34,995 with its bigger sibling, the K501, is at Php47,995 and comes with 15-inch display and 1TB of internal storage.

asus-zenbook-ux305

In addition, if you want something that’s guaranteed to turn heads due to its sleek and stylish design, you may check out the ASUS ZenBook UX305FA with a 13.3-inch Full HD display, 128GB M.2SSD, and Bang & Olufsen ICEpower speakers. It is similarly-priced at Php34,995 and you may check out our review by clicking the link.

lenovo-laptop-thinkpad-e450

Saved enough for something better? The Lenovo ThinkPad E450 might be the one for you. It’s equipped with useful functionalities like the three-button trackpad, Dolby speakers, and the company’s cloud storage so you could store and save more files. Specs-wise, you’ll get an Intel Core i5 CPU, 4GB of DDR3L RAM, and a battery that Lenovo claims to have a 9-hour life. It’s locally priced at Php49,992.

And if you’re on that price range, the 5th-gen MacBook Air would also make nice alternatives with the 11- and 13-inch models at Php44,990 and Php49,990, respectively.

High-End Laptops

Now, we go to the big players since investing on a really capable laptop is never a bad thing whether you use for work or even playing.

microsoft-surface-pro-3-2

Headlining this category is the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (while still waiting for the local availability of the Pro 4) that you can definitely rely on for on-the-go productivity. It has a Surface Pen, a multi-position kickstand, and a Type Cover to fully take advantage of all its capabilities — all for Php60,000.

dell-xps-13-2015

Dell’s XPS 13 features some really thin bezels in what the company calls the Virtually Borderless Infinity Display. Aside from that, it carries an UltraSharp Full HD display spanning 13.3 inches across, edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass protection, Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD to name some of its key selling points. For what it offers, the Php74,990 price tag is actually not so bad.

lenovo_yoga3pro

Add a little more and you can include the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro on your list for Php76,995. It comes with similar specs as the XPS 13, but with a bigger 512GB of SSD. You may read our review of the ultrabook by clicking the link.

 

For the gamers out there, feast your eyes on the ASUS ROG G752 Series that comes equipped with a sizeable 17-inch Full HD display backed up by the 6th-gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M GPU. Along with those beefy specs come a Php79,995 SRP. Apart from the VL model with 8GB RAM and 1TB storage, you can also opt for the more expensive VT variant that has double the RAM (16GB) and an additional 128GB of SSD in addition to the 1TB space — all for Php99,995.

macbook-pro

All those laptops still below your price range? The 2015 MacBook Pro tops our list with its 15-inch Retina display, 2.5GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core CPU, 16GB of embedded RAM, 512GB PCIe-based flash storage, and 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon R9 M370X that further enhance the graphics department. There is a configuration worth Php99,990, but the one with the aforementioned specs carry a price tag of Php124,990. Whew.

 

 

 

 

The post Laptop Gift Guide for Holiday 2015 appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

Laptop Gift Guide for Holiday 2015

The Christmas season is once again fast approaching and as what we usually do, we’ve compiled some of the outstanding gadgets in their respective categories and group them for easy browsing. Here are some laptop selections if you’re looking for a portable PC you can get for yourself or give someone as a gift.

 

2015GiftGuide-LAPTOP

Note: The laptops listed here are all available in the Philippines with accompanying local prices for your browsing pleasure. If you have something to add, simply throw them at the comments section to further expand the list and help more readers in shopping for a new portable PC this holiday. 

Let’s get started!

Budget Laptops

Kicking things off in the list is the convertible device from Cherry Mobile –the Alpha Morph that recently got a dual-boot version. It sports a 10-inch WXGA IPS touch display, is powered by a 1.33GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3735F and Intel HD Gen 7 Graphics, and pairs up with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory with microSD expansion of up to 64GB. The Windows-only variant is priced in the Philippines at Php5,999 with the dual-boot model is available for Php7,999. Both come with free Office 365, storage space from OneDrive, and are USB-OTG ready.

hp-stream-11

For those that have a bit more more cash to spare, you can try the HP Stream 11. It packs some decent specs for its price including an Intel Celeron N2840 dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB eMMC, and an 11.6-inch LED display. Additionally, it has a claimed battery life of more than 8 hours on a single charge and is priced at Php13,980. There’s also a 13.3-inch variant called the HP Stream 13 which retails for a higher Php15,984.

asus_x200ma

Next up we have the ASUS X200MA. It’s the one packaged by SmartBro in one of its Plans which sports an 11.6-inch HD LCD display, an Intel Celeron dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 500GB of HDD storage. This Windows 8.1-powered laptop is available locally for Php12,995. However, if you prefer similar specs with a bigger 14-inch screen, you can also check out the Dell Inspiron 3442 with a more affordable Php11,999 price tag.

lenovo-laptop-ideapad-s20

Looking for a feature-packed laptop? The Lenovo S20 boasts AccuType keyboard with finger-friendly curved keys and ergonomic spacing so typing is easier. It also has Dolby Advanced Audio, USB 3.0, and an HD webcam for your video calling needs. The S20 is priced at Php14,988 and includes an 11.6-inch display, 2GB RAM, 500GB storage, and runs on Windows 8.1 OS.

Mid-range Laptops

Moving up the price category, we have the Samsung ATIV Book 2 that has a 64-bit Windows 8 installed, 2GB RAM, 500GB storage space, and a lineup of bundled software ready to be used. It has a modest price of Php21,900 which shouldn’t break the bank for a decent device. By adding about Php2K more and you could get a Sony VAIO E Series that has an 11.6- or 14-inch WXGA TFT display, 4GB RAM, 500GB internal storage, and a 1.7GHz AMD accelerated processor.

hp-pavilion-x360

There’s also the HP Pavilion x360 that was launched with other notebooks in SEA countries last May. This totally flexible device flaunts an 11.6-inch HD LED-backlit display, comes with an array of CPU configurations, and could support up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM. It has an SRP of Php23,990 for the base model.

Meanwhile, ASUS has its K401 laptop that possesses a 14-inch Full HD display with 4GB of RAM that can stretch up to 12GB. Storage space is at 500GB with an optional 128GB/256GB solid-state drive. It is priced at Php34,995 with its bigger sibling, the K501, is at Php47,995 and comes with 15-inch display and 1TB of internal storage.

asus-zenbook-ux305

In addition, if you want something that’s guaranteed to turn heads due to its sleek and stylish design, you may check out the ASUS ZenBook UX305FA with a 13.3-inch Full HD display, 128GB M.2SSD, and Bang & Olufsen ICEpower speakers. It is similarly-priced at Php34,995 and you may check out our review by clicking the link.

lenovo-laptop-thinkpad-e450

Saved enough for something better? The Lenovo ThinkPad E450 might be the one for you. It’s equipped with useful functionalities like the three-button trackpad, Dolby speakers, and the company’s cloud storage so you could store and save more files. Specs-wise, you’ll get an Intel Core i5 CPU, 4GB of DDR3L RAM, and a battery that Lenovo claims to have a 9-hour life. It’s locally priced at Php49,992.

And if you’re on that price range, the 5th-gen MacBook Air would also make nice alternatives with the 11- and 13-inch models at Php44,990 and Php49,990, respectively.

High-End Laptops

Now, we go to the big players since investing on a really capable laptop is never a bad thing whether you use for work or even playing.

microsoft-surface-pro-3-2

Headlining this category is the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (while still waiting for the local availability of the Pro 4) that you can definitely rely on for on-the-go productivity. It has a Surface Pen, a multi-position kickstand, and a Type Cover to fully take advantage of all its capabilities — all for Php60,000.

dell-xps-13-2015

Dell’s XPS 13 features some really thin bezels in what the company calls the Virtually Borderless Infinity Display. Aside from that, it carries an UltraSharp Full HD display spanning 13.3 inches across, edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass protection, Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD to name some of its key selling points. For what it offers, the Php74,990 price tag is actually not so bad.

lenovo_yoga3pro

Add a little more and you can include the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro on your list for Php76,995. It comes with similar specs as the XPS 13, but with a bigger 512GB of SSD. You may read our review of the ultrabook by clicking the link.

 

For the gamers out there, feast your eyes on the ASUS ROG G752 Series that comes equipped with a sizeable 17-inch Full HD display backed up by the 6th-gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M GPU. Along with those beefy specs come a Php79,995 SRP. Apart from the VL model with 8GB RAM and 1TB storage, you can also opt for the more expensive VT variant that has double the RAM (16GB) and an additional 128GB of SSD in addition to the 1TB space — all for Php99,995.

macbook-pro

All those laptops still below your price range? The 2015 MacBook Pro tops our list with its 15-inch Retina display, 2.5GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core CPU, 16GB of embedded RAM, 512GB PCIe-based flash storage, and 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon R9 M370X that further enhance the graphics department. There is a configuration worth Php99,990, but the one with the aforementioned specs carry a price tag of Php124,990. Whew.

 

 

 

 

The post Laptop Gift Guide for Holiday 2015 appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

ASUS unveils 13-inch Vivobook S301

After seeing the current notebook PCs under the Vivobook family, we thought that it’s only going to be a matter of time before ASUS releases a 13-inch variant. True enough, the Taiwanese firm reveals the Vivobook S301; a Haswell-powered 13-incher with an optional AMD Radeon GPU.

Judging from the pictures we’ve seen online, the Vivobook S301’s bears the same MBP-inspired design and feel of the Vivobooks that came before it, particularly the Vivobook S400C which we reviewed just recently.

asus vivobook s301

It also has the same set of connectivity features of its 14-inch sibling such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, as well as the ports for USB (2.0 and 3.0), Micro-SD slot and HDMI. Besides the size, the S301’s display is also pretty much identical to the one found on the S400C

The base price of the Asus Vivobook S301 is pegged at USD700, which we assume has an Intel Core i3 (Haswell) processor, 500GB HDD and 4GB RAM. For an additional price, however, you can customize this notebook to have a better processor (i5 or i7), higher RAM (up to 8GB), bigger storage (up to 1.5TB perhaps) and equip it with a discrete GPU.

For a more in-depth look at the new ASUS Vivobook S301, you can head over to the source link below.

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The post ASUS unveils 13-inch Vivobook S301 appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Lenovo ThinkPad Twist, first impression

Some two weeks ago, we mentioned talked about the Lenovo ThinkPad Twist. Yesterday, the company invited us and a few other media folks for the official announcement of the said Ultrabook. Check out our first impression after the break.


ThinkPadTwist

One of the features that are common to most, if not all ThinkPad PCs is its durable body. And just like its ThinkPad siblings, the Twist is also outfitted with the same military-tested Magnesium Aluminum chassis which gives a solid and premium feel.

In addition to its lightweight but sturdy body, another trademark of ThinkPad computers is outstanding keyboard. Lenovo has equipped the Twist with their signature island-style keyboard with evenly-spaced and slightly convex keys which provide a very good tactile feedback when pressed. It also has a spacious palm rest that adds to the comfortable typing experience.

Keyboard

The clickpad and trackpoint (the red thingy found in between of G, H and B keys) are a familiar sight to those who’ve used a ThinkPad before. Both peripherals offer an admirable pointing experience which is typical to most ThinkPads.

LenovoTwist

Though Lenovo is still aiming at the SMB consumers with this Ultrabook, the Twist gives its potential users other ways to use their PC besides work thanks to its swiveling display. There are four ways consumers can use this Ultrabook; Typical Notebook mode, Tent Mode, Presentation, and Tablet.

The panel is connected to the main board by a single metal hinge which seems pretty rigid. Not convinced with what I saw (and felt), I asked Lenovo’s SMB Product Manager about the durability of the hinge (how many swiveling, closing and opening can it withstand). He said he was not sure with the exact number, but Lenovo had the ThinkPad Twist’s hinge undergo (and pass) a thorough stress test before the company mass manufactured the ultrabook. A ballpark figure would’ve been better, but his words is good enough for me.

LenovoS230U

The ThinkPad Twist’s display panel has a 1366 x 768 resolution. Lenovo could’ve equipped it with a better display, but it really isn’t as bad as some of you may think considering that the Twist only has 12.5-inch screen.

Above the display (when used in Notebook mode) is a 720 HD camera and the Twist’s accelerometer. Speaking of the accelerometer, I wasn’t too impressed with its ability to identify the Ultrabook’s orientation. It was spotty for the most part and has a tendency to shift the display in the wrong direction.

Twist

Lenovo equipped the ThinkPad Twist with a 4-cell Lithium-Polymer battery which is said to last 7-8 hours. The battery is non-replaceable and is not covered by the standard one year warranty that is bundled with the ultrabook. Having said this, we strongly suggest potential buyers to get the three years extended warranty for an extra fee which covers parts and service as well as the battery.

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge S230u specs:
12.5? HD IPS multi-touch display with Gorilla Glass
Intel Core i5 3317U, up to 2.6GHz
Intel HD Graphics 4000
4GB DDR3 RAM
500GB HDD + 24GB mSATA
2x USB 3.0, RJ-45
Mini-HDMI and mini-Display ports
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Gigabit LAN
4-in-1 SD card reader
Bluetooth 4.0
4-cell Li-Ion battery
Windows 8 Standard

The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge S230U aka Twist is now available in select Lenovo outlet and partner retailers for Php57,000.





****** A word from the fine folks of Sun Cellular ******

Sun Cellular launches BlackBerry Prepaid!

Get the Sun BlackBerry All Day 50 for all-day unlimited mobile internet, unlimited social networking, unlimited instant messaging, unlimited BlackBerry browsing and unlimited BBM for only Php50.

Follow @suncelltweets for more info.

The post Lenovo ThinkPad Twist, first impression appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Lenovo ThinkPad Twist, first impression

Some two weeks ago, we mentioned talked about the Lenovo ThinkPad Twist. Yesterday, the company invited us and a few other media folks for the official announcement of the said Ultrabook. Check out our first impression after the break.


ThinkPadTwist

One of the features that are common to most, if not all ThinkPad PCs is its durable body. And just like its ThinkPad siblings, the Twist is also outfitted with the same military-tested Magnesium Aluminum chassis which gives a solid and premium feel.

In addition to its lightweight but sturdy body, another trademark of ThinkPad computers is outstanding keyboard. Lenovo has equipped the Twist with their signature island-style keyboard with evenly-spaced and slightly convex keys which provide a very good tactile feedback when pressed. It also has a spacious palm rest that adds to the comfortable typing experience.

Keyboard

The clickpad and trackpoint (the red thingy found in between of G, H and B keys) are a familiar sight to those who’ve used a ThinkPad before. Both peripherals offer an admirable pointing experience which is typical to most ThinkPads.

LenovoTwist

Though Lenovo is still aiming at the SMB consumers with this Ultrabook, the Twist gives its potential users other ways to use their PC besides work thanks to its swiveling display. There are four ways consumers can use this Ultrabook; Typical Notebook mode, Tent Mode, Presentation, and Tablet.

The panel is connected to the main board by a single metal hinge which seems pretty rigid. Not convinced with what I saw (and felt), I asked Lenovo’s SMB Product Manager about the durability of the hinge (how many swiveling, closing and opening can it withstand). He said he was not sure with the exact number, but Lenovo had the ThinkPad Twist’s hinge undergo (and pass) a thorough stress test before the company mass manufactured the ultrabook. A ballpark figure would’ve been better, but his words is good enough for me.

LenovoS230U

The ThinkPad Twist’s display panel has a 1366 x 768 resolution. Lenovo could’ve equipped it with a better display, but it really isn’t as bad as some of you may think considering that the Twist only has 12.5-inch screen.

Above the display (when used in Notebook mode) is a 720 HD camera and the Twist’s accelerometer. Speaking of the accelerometer, I wasn’t too impressed with its ability to identify the Ultrabook’s orientation. It was spotty for the most part and has a tendency to shift the display in the wrong direction.

Twist

Lenovo equipped the ThinkPad Twist with a 4-cell Lithium-Polymer battery which is said to last 7-8 hours. The battery is non-replaceable and is not covered by the standard one year warranty that is bundled with the ultrabook. Having said this, we strongly suggest potential buyers to get the three years extended warranty for an extra fee which covers parts and service as well as the battery.

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge S230u specs:
12.5? HD IPS multi-touch display with Gorilla Glass
Intel Core i5 3317U, up to 2.6GHz
Intel HD Graphics 4000
4GB DDR3 RAM
500GB HDD + 24GB mSATA
2x USB 3.0, RJ-45
Mini-HDMI and mini-Display ports
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Gigabit LAN
4-in-1 SD card reader
Bluetooth 4.0
4-cell Li-Ion battery
Windows 8 Standard

The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge S230U aka Twist is now available in select Lenovo outlet and partner retailers for Php57,000.





****** A word from the fine folks of Sun Cellular ******

Sun Cellular launches BlackBerry Prepaid!

Get the Sun BlackBerry All Day 50 for all-day unlimited mobile internet, unlimited social networking, unlimited instant messaging, unlimited BlackBerry browsing and unlimited BBM for only Php50.

Follow @suncelltweets for more info.

The post Lenovo ThinkPad Twist, first impression appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.