Chromebooks just got a little more interesting with the newly unveiled Acer Chromebook Spin 514. The new Chromebook comes equipped with the latest AMD Ryzen 3000 C-Series Mobile Processors. The processor is complemented with AMD Radeon graphics. This new Spin 514 marries capable performance with stylish design. This paired with the responsiveness and battery life that Chrome OS gives makes the Acer Chromebook Spin a viable option for those looking for a workhorse on the go.
The built-in AMD Radeon™ graphics takes things to the next level by providing better performance whether it be gameplay or media streaming but also opens new doors when it comes to content creation on Chromebooks. That said, these features also empower business users by bolstering the capabilities of Chrome OS when it comes to business applications. The AMD architecture allows larger more complex operations to be done in programs such as Google Sheets.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 514’s convertible design also allows users to interact more naturally with Chrome OS and allows users to write, draw and sketch on the Chromebook. It also has military grade durability on its sleek body. The aluminium laptop comes equipped with either the Ryzen 5 (3500C) or the Ryzen 7 (3700C) complemented with AMD’s RADEON Vega Mobile graphics platform.
Acer Chromebook Spin 514 weighs only 1.55kg and is only 17.35mm thin. However, the cover of the laptop is exceptionally strong and can withstand up to 60kg (132lbs) of downward force or a drop from a height of up to 122cm (48-inches). The Chromebook Spin 514 comes with 14-inch Full HD touch IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection to prevent scratches. Just like any other Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 has support for Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0. It also comes with 16GB of RAM and up to 256GB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage.
The Acer Chromebook Enterprise Spin 514 optimizes the Spin 514 for corporate and business use with features that allow businesses to manage devices at scale. In fact, Chrome OS itself is optimized for businesses looking to migrate to the cloud. The cloud-based OS will allow users to a lot more flexibility when it comes to working on the go. With one-touch enrollment, users are able to quickly enrol devices into the workforce. IT Departments can also easily control updates, configure apps, update policies and more remotely via Chrome OS’s web-based management system.
Pricing & Availability
The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 will be available in three colors: Pure Silver, Steel Gray, and Mist Green. The CP514-1H variant will be available starting February 2021 in North America and March 2021 in EMEA with prices starting at USD$479.99 (MYR1,940.66) and EUR529 (MYR2,622.45) respectively.
The Enterprise version (CP514-1WH) will launch in March 2021 in North America and EMEA for USD$749.99 (MYR3032.31) and EUR 799 (MYR3962.29) respectively.
CES 2021 is well under way and every other manufacturer is kicking off the year 2021 with a bang. After a bad year in 2020, we kind of need this. CES 2021 then, is the time that we see tech giants waking up from a bad slumber in 2020. Of course, as the world’s largest PC maker, Lenovo has to be a part of the biggest electronic show in the first half of the year.
Lenovo introduces their follow up to one of their most popular notebook PC line-ups in their stables. They have updated their IdeaPad line-up. First off, they changed the naming scheme to be more in theme with the rest of their devices since the Lenovo Legion 7 and such. They now call it the IdeaPad 5 series.
IdeaPad 5G
Source: Lenovo
They kick off the year with 5G connectivity though, with a Qualcomm powered IdeaPad 5G. The new IdeaPad 5G made for 2021 packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx System on A chip (SoC) with 5G compute capabilities. Within the all-in-one chip is also a powerful Qualcomm Adreno 680 GPU for all kinds of graphical needs. You can also opt for a 4G/LTE variant powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8c, if you feel that you are not ready for 5G just yet.
The Qualcomm processor package powers a 14-inch IPS display that pushes 1080p Full HD with 100% sRGB colour gamut. You get up to 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage to go with the device too for good measure. It also comes with an IR sensor with its webcam to fully utilise Windows Hello’s facial recognition feature.
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With Dolby Audio speakers, entertainment should be ideal on the IdeaPad 5G. Imagine taking Netflix with you even when there is no WiFi. Imagine also watching Netflix hours on end with 51WHr of battery. Running out of power? Maybe quickly charge it via Rapid Charge Express via the USB Type-C port.
IdeaPad 5 Pro & IdeaPad 5i Pro
But it is not all Qualcomm and 5G that Lenovo is bringing to the table. Of course, there is the regular notebook PCs that we are used to. Lenovo is also launching their AMD variant at the same time as the Intel variant. They are the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro and the Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Pro.
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro
Source: Lenovo
We start with their AMD variant, because we honestly feel that AMD powered notebooks are getting less attention than they deserve. Still, at least this one is launched at the same time with its Intel counterpart. It is also packing quite a lot of punch.
You get to choose from AMD’s next-gen Mobile Processors. We are guessing the Ryzen 4000 series processors, but Lenovo is not telling. That kind of hints the arrival of AMD’s Ryzen 5000 series for notebooks and mobile PCs, but there has not been reports of the Ryzen 5000 series hitting notebooks just yet at this time. We could be wrong.
The new Ryzen processors will power either a 14-inch or 16-inch display with up to 1.8K (14-inch) resolution. Both displays at IPS panels that stretches 16:10 display ratio offering up to 120Hz (16-inch) in refresh rate. You get up to 400 nits (14-inch) in brightness too, from these panels.
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With the 14-inch You get up to an NVIDIA GeForce MX450 GPU that should be available from NVIDIA soon. It is not a gaming notebook and you should not expect it to be one. Still, the MX450 is NVIDIA’s most powerful discreet GPU for mobile platforms to date.
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On the 16-inch variant, you can technically kit it out as a gaming PC. Lenovo says that the new IdeaPad 5 Pro with AMD power will pack NVIDIA’s next-gen RTX 30 series GPUs to boot. That also means gaming class performance in a body that works even in the meeting rooms.
You also get up to 32GB in DDR4 RAM (16-inch) and up to 1TB of PCIe M.2 SSD storage for good measure. The notebook PC comes packing either a 56.5WHr (14-inch) or 75WHr (16-inch) in battery capacity with Rapid Charge Boost technology for a quick plug-and-dash.
Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Pro
Source: Lenovo
Then we come to the Intel variant, which we all expect. You get up to an Intel Core i7 from their 11th generation stable of capable processors. That is also paired to up to an NVIDIA GeForce MX450 GPU that should allow the PC to process 4K videos properly and even play some games.
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You also get to choose between a 14-inch display that boasts 2.8K in resolution out of a 16:10 screen ratio. That 14-inch of IPS goodness refreshes at 90Hz and can punch your face at 400 nits in brightness. Or you can go bigger at 16-inch. The 16-inch display is also a 16:10 type display but only produces 2.5K in resolution. You get 120Hz in refresh rate though at a still impressive 350 nits in brightness.
You get up to 16GB in DDR4 RAM and up to 1TB in PCIe M.2 SSD storage too for both size variants. Like the AMD variant, the 14-inch only gets 56.5WHr in battery size with Rapid Charge Boost while the 16-inch variant gets a 75WHr battery with Rapid Charge Express via a Thunderbolt 4 port.
Lenovo Tab P11
Source: Lenovo
The Android tablet market is quite stale these days with the usual offering from the likes of Samsung. There are some other offerings from Acer as well, but they are made for a completely different purpose and sense. Until now, there is no competing tablet to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 series.
We said until now because Lenovo has announced their Lenovo Tab P11. The Lenovo Tab P11 is an 11-inch tablet that is supposed to also come with a keyboard case and stylus pen of its own. Its 11-inch IPS panel also boasts 2K (2,000 x 1,200) in resolution. All that goodness can be pushed to 400 nits. But the 400 nits should not hurt your eyes too much with TÜV Rheinland certified Eye Care technology.
The 11-incher packs a Qualcomm’s power efficient Snapdragon 662 platform with LTE connectivity. While it does not pack as much power as Samsung’s high-end Exynos powering the Galaxy Tab S7 series, the Snapdragon 662 is still a capable enough SoC on its own. The SoC is partnered with 6GB of RAM for plenty of multitasking and smooth browsing when needed.
The Lenovo Tab P11 is made to be a family friendly tablet you can enjoy at home though. It has something called Kids Space made by Google for curated lists of apps, books, and even videos to motivate learning in kids under 9 years of age.
Source: Lenovo
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The 8MP selfie camera is also perfect for video calls. For meetings you need to take at home, you can even turn on Smart Privacy mode to blur out your background. That, or when you want to hide the mess that is behind you or mask your whereabouts. It is an entertainment powerhouse with Dolby Atmos certified quad speakers for the best possible aural experience when you want movies or videos in whichever orientation you prefer.
Price and Availability
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5g is expected to hit selected markets only. There are no mentions on its release date or even which markets will get it first. Lenovo only mentions that the Lenovo is not bringing it to the North American market currently. We are not even sure it if it is going to make it into Malaysia at all, there are no plans currently.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro (16-inch) with AMD’s latest H-Series processors and next-gen NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs will be available in North American markets starting May 2021. The retail price is expected to start from US$ 1,149.99 (MRY 4,650*). The 14-inch variant will not be available in the North American region but is supposed to launch in EMEA region in March 2021 with a retail price starting EU€ 799 (MYR 3,933**). Again, there are no word on its availability in Malaysia specifically.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Pro (16-inch) with Intel’s 11th generation Core processors will not be available in North America yet. It will be launched in the EMEA markets starting March 2021 with prices starting from EU€ 899 (MYR 4,425**). The 14-inch in variant is also supposedly launched in EMEA at around the same time with prices starting from EU€699 (MYR 3,440**). Its availability in Malaysia is also not yet confirmed by Lenovo Malaysia.
The Lenovo Tab P11 is now available in the North American region at US$ 229.99 (MYR 930*). Like the other things that has been announced, there are no confirmation on the device’s availability in Malaysia just yet. Of course, we are keeping our ears to the ground and keep you posted on any changes in any of this, keep watch of this space.
*Approximately based on Conversion Rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.04 as of 11th January 2021 (xe.com)
**Approximately based on Conversion Rate of EU€ 1 = MYR 4.92 as of 11th January 2021 (xe.com)
Your work desk set-up is almost never complete without a PC. But these days, you can sort of do without. Your smartphones today are powerful enough to work with in remote situations and even in the office. For example, ever since Samsung introduced their DeX mode into their flagships, you can see people shifting their workflow to the new mobile optimised workspace like DeX. You can still work on the simplest of Word documents, create impressive looking slides with either Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint, you can even create and edit huge Excel sheets with your smartphones.
The only thing you need on your work desk set-up then is a capable display. If you need the most capable desk monitor set-up, you have to have a Dell. You have to have their 2021 line-up of monitors.
Dell has been known as one of the industry leaders in monitor set-up for work and professionals. Of course, they are going to want to retain the lead in that industry amongst others. For this CES 2021, they introduced 11 new monitors for the working class and professionals.
Video Conferencing Made Even Better
Source: Dell
Dell introduced a new monitor class that is made specifically for video conferencing. The world today puts more emphasis on video conferencing more than ever. This is partly thanks to the current global pandemic situation which has driven our work requirements all the way home and in isolation. The only way to meet then is online via video conferencing.
In this class Dell introduces three different sizes to fit different requirements and demands. There is the smaller 24-inch monitor with Full HD resolution (C2422HE), a 27-inch with QHD resolution (C2722DE), and a 34-inch ultra-wide display with WQHD resolution (C3422WE). As far as we can tell, these are the only differences between the displays.
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All the monitors come standard with a 5-Megapixel camera with IR blaster and dual 5W integrated speakers. They also come with noise-cancelling mics for a clear audio transmission from you to the team. A 5-Megapixel camera also means that you can transmit up to 1080 Full HD videos to your video conferencing software of choice. The IR sensor also means that you get to work with the benefit of Windows Hello integrated security with facial recognition.
All of the monitor also comes with an RJ45 port for direct and stable connectivity for better video conferencing experience. They also come with their own USB-C ports for you to either charge your devices or plug your USB Type-C hubs into. These monitors could easily be your USB hub, if you think about it. For more flexibility, the 34-inch ultra-wide variant support dual HDMI inputs and Picture-in-picture mode for added flexibility.
UltraSharp – Details Matter
Source: Dell
Dell’s UltraSharp is currently the industry standard in monitors that are designed for work. There is a good reason for that. Dell UltraSharp displays always boast highly accurate colours that is heavily relied upon in the creative industry. They also boast some of the latest industry innovations when it comes to colour accuracy and more effective workflow.
Plenty of the monitors in the market have already sort of caught up to Dell’s UltraSharp line-up though. So how does Dell maintain their #1 position in the market? By introducing even better products of course.
Meet Dell’s latest 24-inch (U2422H, U2422HE), 27-inch (U2722D, U2722DE), curved 38-inch (U3821DW), and curved 40-inch (U4021QW) monitor options. These are monitors that is designed to make short work of, well, work. These will be industry defining monitors for Dell.
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The 24-inch and 27-inch variants come with the option of USB Type-C hub abilities (U2422HE, U2722DE). But the 24-inch only comes with a Full HD resolution while the 27inch variants boast QHD resolutions. Stepping up a notch to the 38-inch gives you a larger workspace area with an ultra-wide curved screen factor. THe 37.5-inch panel boasts WQHD resolution too, so you will not be missing out on resolutions either. USB Type-C and RJ45 hub capabilities comes standard on the 38-incher and the 40-incher. The 40-inch monitor boasts a curved ultra-wide display form factor too, but with more pixels packed in at WUHD resolution.
All monitors come calibrated with 100% sRGB and at least 95% DCI-P3. The 40-incher (U4021QW) boasts a colour accuracy of 98% DCI-P3 though, making it perfect for the creative professionals that needs a highly accurate monitor to work with. Whichever display you go with though; you know you are getting great displays for colour correction and extra editing. All the monitors also come with TÜV Rheinland certified ComfortView eye protection.
Bigger is Better – 4K Interactive Touch Monitors
Source: Dell
We have always advocated large displays. We like large displays because they justify more pixels. 4K on 55-inch panels are perfect. We are also quite used to TVs with 4K resolution. Dell is taking that concept one further.
The introduced their new 55-inch display with 4K resolution. Get this though, this is a touch display. No, it is not made for gaming, that is another topic for another day.
Source: Dell
The new 4K Interactive Touch Monitors, as they call it, is meant to be used in a work team environment allowing multiple users to interact with the display. There is also two 20W speakers built-in on the display so that it can also be used in group video conferencing environments. For even more flexibility and even easier use case, Dell put their Dell Screen Drop feature to improve reachability.
Of course, it also comes with a USB Typ-C port with 90W power delivery to conveniently charge connected devices. It even has an RJ45 port in addition of the usual HDMI port for even more connectivity options. The RJ45 port can also be used for quick IT support action, if ever the department needs to be contacted.
Accessorize to be More Productive
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Alongside the monitors, Dell also has unveiled new accessories for better productivity and work agility. They introduced a new USB Type-C Mobile Adapter designed to expand your modern notebook’s connectivity options. They also introduced a wireless keyboard and mouse combo (KM7321W) with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Finally, they unveiled also a new rechargeable wireless mouse MS7421W with options of Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity or 2.4GHz pairing.
Pricing and Availability
The Dell Video Conferencing monitors will be available globally February 16th, 2021 onward with prices starting at US$ 519.99 (MYR 2,087*) for the 24-inch variant, US$ 719.99 (MYR 2,890*) for the 27-inch variant, and US$ 1,149.99 (MYR 4,616*) for the 34-inch variant. No word on local (Malaysia) availability and pricing just yet.
The Dell UltraSharp U2422H, U2422HE, U2722D, and 2722DE 24-inch and 27-inch monitors will be available globally March 30th, 2021 onward with prices starting at US$ 359.99 (MYR 1,445*) for the 24-inch variant (US$ 459.99 [MYR 1,846*] for U2422HE), and US$ 579.99 (MYR 2,328*) for the 27-inch variant (US$ 679.99 [MYR 2,729*] for U2722DE). The UltraSharp 38-inch curved USB Type-C Hub monitor and 40-inch curved USB Type-C Hub monitor will be available globally 28th January 2021 onward with prices at US$ 1,499.99 (MYR 6,020*) and US$ 2099.99 (MYR 8,428*) respectively. No official word on local availability and pricing just yet.
The Dell 4K Interactive Touch Monitor is available in 55-inch and 65-inch variants. The 4K monitors will be available globally starting March 30th, 2021. There are no mentions of price just yet. According to Dell, prices will be revealed on a later date. There are also no mentions of local pricing and availability just yet.
The Dell USB Type-C Mobile Adapter will be available globally from the January 28th, 2021 onward at US$ 99.99 (MYR 401*). The Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse KM7421W combo and Wireless Rechargeable mouse MS7421W will be available in the United States (U.S.) region January 19th, 2021 onward and other reagions on March 18th, 2021 onward with prices starting from US$ 99.99 (MYR 401*) each as well.
*Approximately based on Conversion Rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.01 as of 7th January 2021 (xe.com)
At the end of last year, we saw a major shift in the world of personal and portable computing. We saw Apple launching their new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air with a confusing architecture style. They brought out the new notebooks that comes packing a processor that seems to be made for a smartphone. They call it their M1 chip. Whatever it is, it runs a full class Operating System made for modern day PCs.
A little later after that, Qualcomm also announced that they are going to delve into the mobile computing platform. They are going to get their Qualcomm 800 series System on a Chip (SoC) platforms into a notebook PC in 2021. Today, that dream is made a reality with JOI.
Source: JOI
Welcome to the Qualcomm PC experience with the JOI Book SK3000. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 SoC. We admit, it is not the most updated SoC in Qualcomm’s books. We also admit, it is not a 5G supporting chipset. But it is still a reasonably powerful chipset.
You still get 4G connectivity out of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850. In this day and age, where 5G is still not available, you are going to get the best connectivity experience with 4G still. It supports any of Malaysia’s network too, so you can get away with just about any data plan. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 is also more powerful than the entry level Processors from both AMD and Intel. In that case, it makes plenty of sense in a notebook.
Unlike the older generation Qualcomm based PCs, the JOI Book SK3000 is not running on some toned-down version of Windows though. It runs on Windows 10 Pro with Bitlocker tools. It is the real deal.
Source: JOI
The small caveat here is that the JOI Book SK3000 only packs 4GB of RAM. We know that Windows can be a little memory hungry at times too, especially if you rely on Google Chrome as your browser. The new Microsoft Edge is a good Chromium based browser though, that does not require a large amount of RAM to work with. Still, we would have loved to see an 8GB RAM size.
It also comes with a 128GB internal SSD which can be expanded via MicroSD card that is hidden with the SIM card tray. We are not entirely sure if you can upgrade the SSD or the RAM at all at this point. We do know that the JOI Book SK3000 is a full aluminium notebook PC though. In that regards, you can expect some nice heft and a high build quality to it.
Still, it is not all that hefty at 1.05kg though. Within that 1.05kg is a 12.5-inch Full HD IPS display. Within the 1.05kg package is also a 4,500mAh battery that with a quoted 10 hours of battery life. Not quite all-day battery life at this point, but 10 hours is still plenty. Obviously because it is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850, it stays on standby when you do not use it to continue receiving emails and other notifications when it is sleeping. In that mode, the battery should last you much longer.
Source: JOI
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The JOI Book SK3000 is now available on JOI and GLOO Official stores on Shopee and Lazada. You can also get your pre-order done on GLOO Official website. Of course, you can get your hands on one via SNS Network stores and authorised resellers across Malaysia. The JOI Book will be priced at MYR 2,199 and comes with a 30-day free trial of Microsoft Office.
Remote working is a bigger focus now more than ever. We have been saying that for that past year, to be fair. It still rings true today though. But it is not just about avoiding the rest of the world to be cooped up in your own room. It is also about being flexible at work.
Source: Dell
It is about being able to work in places where you never thought you could work at. It is also about getting your projects worked on-site and visualised in near real-time. That, and it is also about getting your projects worked on in a timely manner. Time is money, after all.
So, you need a work PC that is both powerful, portable, and incredibly powerful. You need one of these, a Dell Precision 3560. Oh, if you are an environmentalist, this might be a delight for you too. As part of their Dell Moonshot Goal by 2030 programme, the Dell Precision 3560’s shell is made with the inclusion of some recycled materials or recyclable materials such as bioplastics and ‘tall oil’ a by-product of the paper making process that usually goes to waste.
Source: Dell
Now, back to the device at hand, back to the Dell Precision 3560. This ultra-portable work beast can be customised to however you need it to work. You can go from HD options, all the way to UHD options. Of course, all of them are in 15.6-inch size factor. Near bezel-less too, to make it tinier for your gear bag.
You can get it to come packing a huge punch with Intel’s 11th Generation Core processors. You can spec it with up to an Intel Core i7-1185G7 quad-core processor that clocks at 1.9GHz and up to 4.8GHz on Turbo. That is gaming class power right there.
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Graphics options range from the humble Intel UHD Graphics integrated GPU or up to an NVIDIA Quadro T500 for maximum work attack mode. Combined with Intel’s Core i7-1185G7, the Dell Precision 3560 makes short work of 3D CAD design apps and allows you to work as seamlessly as a seamless stainless-steel tube; precise and functional.
Of course, powerful GPU and CPU has to be paired with ample temporary memory to prevent bottlenecking. You really do not want your work to bottleneck at the last minute. You can get up to 64GB of DDR4 (32GB x 2) RAM modules in the belly of the beast for god measure. Storage options are practically endless as well to store as many projects as you can to keep yourself mobile. Dell gives you the option to go with up to 2TB in premium Gen4 PCIe NVMe SSD storage.
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According to Dell, the Dell Precision 3560 will be available globally as soon as 12th January 2021 (this month). There are no mentions of its local (Malaysia) availability just yet. It will be priced at US$ 1,189 (MYR 4,819*) onward. No mentions of local pricing just yet too and available specs in Malaysia. We are keeping our ears close to the ground though, so watch this space.
UPDATE: The Dell Precision 3560 will be coming to Malaysia later this month. Prices to be announced later.
*Approximately based on Conversion Rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.05 as of 11th January 2021 (xe.com)
Dell first announced the Optiplex in 1993. However, back in 2019, the company changed things up by introducing a brand new form factor. The new form factor brought a new modular design that is no larger than the stand of a Dell monitor; it’s literally the size of a slim brick; no thicker than a laptop. In fact, it allowed users to update and upgrade the Optiplex as they needed to.
This year, Dell is bringing two more models to the Dell Optiplex Ultra line up: the Dell Optiplex 3090 Ultra and Dell Optiplex 7090 Ultra. Both come with up to 64GB of RAM with support for up to 2TB of space with options for self-encrypting drives. They run on the latest Intel Core processors with the 3090 supporting the 11th generation Core i3 and i5 processors as well as the Intel Celeron processor; while the 7090 supports the 11th Generation Intel Core i7, in addition to the Core i3 and i5.
Of course, being built for work, the new Dell Optiplex All-in-Ones come with support for the Dell Technologies Unified Workspace. This allows companies to deploy pre-configured systems customised with their apps and settings directly from Dell to their users. It also allows IT to move from a high touch environment to a more remote one with Dell ProSupport Suite. This also allows IT to deploy fixes proactively before hardware breaks down or to patch critical software vulnerabilities.
The modular Optiplex Ultra has a unique design that is tailored for minimalist setups. It is designed for minimal cables and has support for connectivity over USB, Thunderbolt 4.0 and DisplayPort 1.4. A point to note is that not all Optiplex All-in-Ones come with a monitor. You may need to purchase the monitor separately and they are compatible with most monitors out there. However, they are designed for Dell Optiplex stands which allow you to hide the modular brick in the stand. These stands are available and will work with VESA compatible displays.
Pricing & Availability
The Dell Optiplex 7090 Ultra will be available starting from January 28, 2021 with prices starting at USD$769 (MYR3,088.62*) with a fixed stand. No display is included with the Optiplex 7090 Ultra. It will be available in Malaysia starting sometime in January, 2021; no official pricing for Malaysia has been announced.
The Dell Optiplex 3090 Ultra will be available at the same time with prices starting at USD$659 (MYR2,646.65*) with a fixed stand. Again, no display is included. Malaysia will be getting the Optiplex 3090 Ultra in January 2021. No official pricing is available yet.
*Conversion done with xe.com at 11.45PM (GMT+8); rate (USD$1 = MYR4.019)
Dell’s Latitude series is a go-to for many corporate and even home users. The line up is famed with being some of the most reliable and durable laptops since it first hit the market. In its many iterations, the Latitude series has only become better with Dell Technologies imbuing it with software and hardware that enhance the user experience as well as the ability for companies to deploy and support the hardware remotely.
Intelligently Optimising While You Work
This year is no different, the Dell Latitude series comes with features that make working on-the-go and even moving around the office easier. The Latitudes adapt and learn with built-in artificial intelligence which adapts and learns from user behaviour. Dell’s built-in AI will automatically optimise application performance, battery run time and more while you work on the Latitude minimizing distractions.
Latitude laptops come with ExpressConnect technology which automatically connects to the strongest known access point in range. It will determine the best network by taking into consideration the signal strength, channel congestion, router type and a few other factors. ExpressConnect will not only connect to known networks; it will also direct bandwidth to conferencing applications to make sure you experience a seamless call.
The laptops in the Latitude series also come with ExpressCharge technology which works in tandem with Dell Optimizer software to improve battery performance. ExpressCharge can deliver up to 35% charge with 20 minutes of charger or up to 80% in 40 minutes with ExpressCharge 2.0. Along with ExpressResponse which is powered by Intel’s Adaptix Technolgy, will prioritize your most important apps to launch faster and perform better.
Dell Latitude 9420
Spearheading the Latitude series this year is the Dell Latitude 9420 which comes with a body made of machined aluminium with a hairline brushed finish accented by diamond-cut edges. It comes with the latest Intel vPro processors which boast 66% better performance thanks to the improved thermal architecture. It also has a 16:10 InfinityEdge display which boasts 5% more visual real estate and ComfortView Plus technology for reduced blue light.
The Latitude 9420 comes in both convertible (2in1) and conventional laptop configurations. It’s also smaller and slimmer than ever. However, Dell still manages to fit a 14-inch display in the 9420. It also supports M.2 SSDs with up to 1TB of space. However, if you need encryption, it also comes with up to 256GB of space on a self-encrypting SSD. The Latitude 9420 also comes with an optional Windows Hello compliant fingerprint reader integrated into its power button.
On the battery end, the Latitude 9420 comes with options for a 2-cell, 40Wh or 3-cell, 60Wh Polymer battery. Both support ExpressCharge Boost technology. In addition, you won’t be lugging around a massive power-brick; the Latitude 9240 comes with a small form factor Type-C adapter available in 60W and 65W.
Dell Latitude 7000 series
The 7000 series continues to be the smallest and thinnest of their premium Latitude line up. Coming in 13-inch and 14-inch sizes in both convertible and conventional laptop flavours. It comes in either Carbon Fibre or aluminium builds. Powered for performance with the latest generation of Intel vPro processors.
The Dell Latitude 7520 also comes in a larger 15.6-inch version if you require larger visual real estate. The displays on the 7000 series come with resolutions as high as 4K UHD with touch-enabled options. It supports up to 32GB RAM (soldered) with up to 1TB of M.2 SSD with options for self-encryption topping out at 512GB.
Dell Latitude 5000 series
The Dell Latitude 5000 series joins the rest of the Latitude line up with a new convertible form factor. The largest of the Latitude line up comes with displays supporting up to 4K UHD resolutions. Like the other Latitudes, it comes with the latest Intel vPro processors. However, unlike the others, it isn’t Intel EVO certified. For those worried about your carbon footprint, 21% of the plastics on the Latitude 5000’s cover is bioplastic derived from trees.
The 5000 series Latitudes come equipped with up to 64GB of RAM on the larger models and up to 32GB on the smaller 13.3-inch model. The 13.3-inch model is also the only model in the 5000 series to come in a convertible form factor; all other models come in conventional laptop forms. That said, the 5000 series laptops come with up to 2TB of M.2 SSD memory.
Pricing & Availability
The pricing and availability of the Dell Latitude series is as follows:
Model
Pricing
Availability
Latitude 9420
USD$1,949 (MYR7,833.27)*
Spring 2021 (U.S.) March, 2021 (Malaysia)
Latitude 9520
TBA
Spring 2021 (U.S.) March, 2021 (Malaysia)
Latitude 5000 series
TBA
January 12, 2021 (U.S.) January 2021 (Malaysia) (Latitude 5420)**
Latitude 7000 series
Starting from USD$999 (MYR4,015.10)*
March 30, 2021 (U.S.) January 2021 (Malaysia) (Latitude 7520)**
*Conversion done with xe.com at 11.45PM (GMT+8); rate (USD$1 = MYR4.019) **Dell Technologies will initially be bringing in models mentioned. Other models may be sold at a later date.
The Legion Slim 7i is now in Malaysia. The new laptop has a slimmer and lighter design. Who doesn’t want a portable gaming laptop that doesn’t skimp on performance? The Legion Slim 7i comes with a large, 15.6 inches display compacted in a slim body in Slate Grey. It is made from aircraft-grade aluminum for better durability without having the added heft.
The new lightweight gaming laptop comes with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i7 mobile processor which is touted to be able to support Triple-A Games with 5.3GHz clock speeds and provide impressive refresh rates on Window 10. This is paired with the in NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics processor with Max-Q Design to facilitate its slim form factor. Equipped with raytracing technology and DLSS, the RTX2060 enables more realistic and immersive graphics. Paired with the integrated Intel UHD Graphics, the laptop can dynamically optimise for better performance or power based on the task at hand.
The Legion Slim 7i is 17.9mm slim and weighs only 1.86kg. It comes equipped with a 71Whr battery which Lenovo claims will last for up to 7.75 hours. It is also capable of Rapid Charge Pro function which allows it to get up to 50% of charge in just 30 minutes. At the same time, Lenovo’s redesigned Legion Coldfront 2.0 air intake system is 31% larger which ensures up to 115% more airflow going to the CPU and GPU. Also, the new machine-drilled holes applied above the keyboard combined with an increased number of exhaust fan blades provide better heat management during heavy gameplay.
Together with cooling and its sleek form factor, the Legion Slim 7i comes with a Full HD display with rich color contrast and saturation. This is paired with built-in dual speakers boosted by smart amplifiers and the Dolby® Atmos Speaker System for more immersive gameplay.
Pricing & Availability
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7i is now available for preorder at Lenovo Malaysia’s Official Website with prices starting at MYR7599 (1896.78USD$). You can even customize your Lenovo Legion Slim 7i starting January 2021.
When it comes to laptops, ASUS is definitely one of the go to brands for a lot of us. However, with so many line ups and models coming out fast and hard, it can be a little bit daunting when it comes to choices. Well, with ASUS’s new, Intel powered Zenbooks, we’re looking at a refinement of a model released earlier – in fact, we already have a review up of the older model.
So, why look at the Intel variant? The reasoning is pretty simple, the ZenBook is a unique offering with a lot to bring to the table. However, when it comes to performance, the processor can easily be the difference between a good laptop and a subpar laptop. So, where does this Zenbook fall?
Design
Let’s be really frank, there’s nothing very revolutionary when it comes to the ZenBook’s design. In fact, the new Intel powered ZenBook 14 pulls its design from the previously released ZenBook 14. This includes all the design queues and even colours. However, there’s a lot that can change in a matter of months when it comes to the design.
The ZenBook 14 comes with the now signature brushed metal finish. A real indication of the premium line up from ASUS. It has a slim silhouette with a hefty body. However, the top of the laptop clamshell where your display is nested is one of the thinnest we’ve seen on the market. It’s also one of the more sturdy options given it’s metal build. That said, the metal build is also where the laptop’s build gives a little. The hinge that holds the screen seems to be a little looser than you would like it; because of this, the top portion tends to fling back with the slightest jerk. Aside from that, the ZenBook 14 has a pretty solid body.
On the sides of the ZenBook 14 are an array of ports which include a microSD card slot. However, you will notice that the laptop is lacking a 3.5mm port. Other than that, it comes with Thunderbolt 4 capable USB-C ports, an HDMI port and a USB-A port. The USB-A and HDMI ports are actually the reason for the thickness of the laptop. Front and center of the Zenbook 14 is also a large touchpad which doubles as the numpad – a pretty welcomed feature if you work with numbers a lot.
Hardware
The ZenBook 14 isn’t skimping on hardware when it comes down to it. In fact, it has one of the better specc’d setups in the price range with the added benefit of being kitted out with all the I/O ports you need and a durable body.
Specifications
ASUS ZENBOOK 14 | UX2425EA
As tested
Processor (clock)
Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 processor 2.80 GHz quad-core with Turbo Boost (up to 4.70GHz) 12MB cache
GPU
Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Display
14” Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 aspect ratio anti-glare screen 1W 400nits brightness Four-sided frameless NanoEdge design 90% screen-to-body ratio 2.5mm-thin side bezel and 10.9mm bottom bezel IPS-level wide-view technology
Memory
8GB LPDDR4X 512GB PCIe® NVMe™ 3.0 x2 M.2 SSD
Networking and Connections
Intel WiFi 6 with Gig+ performance (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.0 2 Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C® (up to 40Gbps) 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (up to 5Gbps) 1 Standard HDMI 1 MicroSD card reader
Battery
67Wh 4-cell lithium-polymer battery Up to 15 hours battery life
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Miscellaneous
3D IR HD camera with Windows Hello support Backlit Keyboard Stereo Speakers Microphone DisplayPort over USB-C Thunderbolt 4
Features
While it may seem like the ZenBook 14 is your run-of-the-mill laptop, it comes with enhanced features which ASUS has developed in-house. This includes both software and hardware. There is definitely a lot of features in the ZenBook; with some standing out more than others.
Connectivity Galore
The ZenBook 14 is one of the only laptops on the market to actually have a near complete array of I/O ports. The only one missing from the array is a 3.5mm jack. The ports are a welcomed feature on a thin and light like the ZenBook. This feature alone sets it apart from many of the thin and light laptops in its class. These ports allow for better workflow and make the ZenBook 14 even more versatile. With the USB-C Thunderbolt ports, the Zenbook can hook up to any screen capable of USB-C connectivity for a desk work environment. The same is true when it comes to the HDMI port. The addition of a microSD card slot help workflow if you need to transfer data from the memory cards.
The highlight when it comes to connectivity on the ZenBook 14 is definitely the WiFi 6 support. With the new standard of WiFi connectivity the laptop is able to support higher data transfers when it comes to large files. It’s also future-proofed for high speed WiFi for the near future. That said, the WiFi 6 compatibility thanks to Intel’s modem is also able to draw faster speeds when it comes to regular WiFi too. During our time reviewing the laptop, we noticed about 10-15% faster connectivity on WiFi 802.11 ac connections compared to older laptops. While we thought it was anomalous at first, subsequent tests yielded the same results.
NumPad & Keyboard
The next feature that caught our eye is the Zenbook’s keyboard. The keyboard spans edge to edge on the body of the laptop making it blend seamlessly into the chassis – until the back light kicks in. The typing experience on the keyboard is one of the better ones that is available on a laptop. The 1.4mm of key travel makes the keystrokes less tiring and gives enough depth that it feels pretty natural and comfortable typing for long stretches of time. The keys are also sufficiently big that you won’t end up pressing more than one button. In fact, we would say that the keyboard on the ZenBook has one of the largest key sizes in its class.
The mouse pad is sufficiently large that you won’t run out of space to glide your fingers when working. It’s pretty smooth and comfortable to use. Even the clicking isn’t a strain. It’s simple but thanks to the thought that ASUS put into it, the experience was a little bit better. The real showstopper when it comes to the Touch Pad is ASUS’s inclusion of a NumPad. The virtual NumPad can be turned on by simply tapping the corner. Once the NumPad is activated, it behaves like a regular NumPad on any keyboard. This feature was a real boon especially when you’re dealing with numbers on spreadsheets. It was refreshing and felt more natural to have instead of needing to resort to the numbers on the first row of the keyboard. A swipe on the top also launches the calculator app.
AI Powered Clear Voice & Quick Sign In with Windows Hello
Hardware aside, ASUS has also bolstered some of the hardware with AI. One of the most relevant features to the current realities is their AI powered ClearVoice mic. The microphone intelligently detects and enhances the speakers voice and minimises or removes background noises such as passing vehicles or even your crying baby. With video conferences going mainstream, this feature is very welcomed. During our time with the laptop, this feature did come pretty handy. It was good enough that people didn’t realise that we took a call from a café as the background noise was so minimal.
This paired with the Windows Hello capable IR camera made life very convenient with the ZenBook 14. The IR camera made so we didn’t need to type our password in when in public spaces. It worked really week too. Even in darker environments it was able to detect and recognise faces within 2 to 3 seconds.
Performance
The ZenBook 14 is powerful for a thin and light. ASUS has configured it with enough power to do your everyday tasks and then some. The 11th gen Intel i7 processor brings a real punch in performance powers. It was able to handle chrome with multiple tabs (by multiple we mean more than 20) open without a hitch. While we don’t refer to benchmarks for performance, there was a noticeable increase in performance compared to the 10th Generation laptops we tested. Things were smoother and most importantly, they seemed more stable.
While the processor did bring a punch, the Intel Xe graphics is what impressed us. The platform is a major improvement from Intel’s previous integrated solutions for graphics. While previous iterations of Intel’s integrated graphics were able to handle light photo editing and even lighter video editing. The Intel Xe graphics allowed me to do basic editing of 4K on Adobe Premiere Pro without much problems. It was a pleasant surprise, one which led to a lot of syncrhonized work for editing.
The Intel Xe platform also allowed the ZenBook 14 to handle some gaming. During our review, we were able to play games like Star Craft II, Diablo 3 and even some Bastion. While the games aren’t that graphically intensive, they are an improvement over Intel’s UHD graphics. The games were set to medium if not high. Of course, the laptop did heat up after gaming for a while which is expected.
Display
Another strong point for ASUS’s ZenBook 14 is the Full HD 1080p IPS display. The display is capable of 400 nits brightness which allows you to work on it in the sun if need be. But the best part of the screen is the amount of detail you get with it. Yes, it’s not a quad HD display. But at 14-inches, it would arguably be overkill to have such a high definition display. ASUS has found a middle ground that makes sense when it comes to size and display.
The Full HD IPS display of the ZenBook 14 is one of the best we’ve seen on a laptop. It has pretty accurate colour reproduction and has a high enough pixel density that minute details are not missed. This paired with the powerful speakers and the thin bezels make the audio visual experience on the ASUS ZenBook 14 one of the best on the market.
A Powerful Tool for Working on the Go which can seamlessly transition to a desktop setup
The ZenBook 14 with Intel’s 11th Gen processors is a powerhouse of a laptop with enough battery to last you a full day of use before needing to be topped up. With its myriad of options for ports, its also puts other laptops to shame when it comes to connectivity. Being able to work on videos, picture and also have all-day battery life is a powerful combination that makes the ZenBook stand out. However, it’s a formulaic approach to a laptop which needs a refresh – one we know that ASUS is capable of. While it’s a good performer, it leaves you wanting more in design and user experience.
2020 is a year full of surprises and new beginnings. For us, it is the mark of our entry into the world of Podcasts with Tech & tonic. We want to first thank all of you listeners who have stayed with us and listened to our sometimes meaningless rambles about tech.
We want to thank our supporters, new and old, that has been the kindle in our fires and the motivations we needed when we were wondering if podcasting was the right area to pursue. We have learnt plenty too from our first year and season in podcasting. Of course, we have enjoyed it alongside all our guest too. For that, we also want to thank all of our guests that has appeared on our show and has shown continuous support to our show. We are looking forward to 2021 and a bigger year ahead of us with new contents and expansion to new platforms.
Back to today’s very special and final episode of the year 2020 though. We explored some shopping ideas for Christmas to prepare us for 2021 and even beyond. We pick some things that we could easily buy online right now to gift, and even keep for yourselves this Christmas and New Year. Here are our top 5 list of things that you can buy for yourself or to gift your loved ones for the year ending celebrations of 2021!
Of course, we are not just going to leave the podcast here alone. We are going to help you decide on your Christmas 2020 shopping options. In no particular order, here are the top 10 things we think you can buy for yourself or gift your loved ones in 2020.
Nintendo Switch (~MYR 1,339 onward)
Source: Nintendo
No, it is not new. But it is fun. The Nintendo Switch revolutionised the portable gaming industry with a highly compact, yet powerful hardware that you can bring around without while keeping games like Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild running as smooth as butter. It is also the perfect size for you to carry around in your travel pack should you need to bring gaming with you on your year-end holidays. Either that, or something to keep you busy at home.
Source: Lazada
Source: Shopee
The Nintendo Switch go from as low as MYR 1,339 on Shopee. Of course you can get your hands on one from Lazada too. We are looking at local options with proper local support too, so we do not recommend getting one that ships from out of the country. You might be able to get your hands on the Animal Crossing special edition or the Fortnite edition too for a little bit more money. Again, go for reputable dealers.
Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite (MYR 249)
Source: Xiaomi
What better way to keep yourself sane than constant exercises? To be fair, I have more than one answer for that; I do not know what I asked that question in the first place. Keeping yourself busy at home is very important at this time though, exercising is one way to keep yourself busy and healthy.
So there is no better gift than a fitness tracker in that case. No, not a Fitbit. Not even a Samsung Galaxy Watch. It is a Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite that will only set you back MYR 249.
The Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite can last up to 9 days on a single charge, more than most fitness trackers can manage. Its 1.4-inch square display gives you all kinds of fitness information and even allows you to keep track of your smartphone notifications. All of that in a package that is priced less than MYR 250.
Source: Lazada
You can get the Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite at this time for MYR 199 exclusively on Lazada. This is the current pre-order price and would be a perfect gift for not just fitness lovers. We do not know when the promotional price would end.
Logitech C920 HD Pro Webcam (MYR 539)
Source: Logitech
Video conference calls are more important now than ever. The thing is, a video call is still not as natural as meeting someone face-to-face. But better video quality will always help. So you need a better webcam than the one that your notebook PC comes with.
You need a Logitech C920 HD Pro Webcam for all your video calls. That, or start your own streaming channel, because even streamers love this as their main stream camera. it feeds up to 1080p footage up into the streaming platform and even your video calls, why would they not love it.
Of course, any videographer would tell you to get your lighting set up correctly to make stream and video calls look much better. But starting with a good camera does not hurt at all. The Logitech C920 HD Pro is definitely a good option to start with.
Source: Lazada
Source: Shopee
The Logitech C920 HD Pro is available on both Shopee and Lazada from Logitech themselves, which is definitely a good news. It is originally priced at MYR 539, which may sound like a lot of money for a small webcam. It is now only going for MYR 398.99 though, at least for the time being. It is still not exactly cheap, but this is a perfect upgrade for you, and even your loved ones.
Razer Seiren Mini (MYR 249)
Source: Razer
Speaking of video calls and conferences, you need a good mic. Sure, the Logitech C920 HD Pro already has a built-in mic. But you can make your set-up even better with a separate dedicated mic. You can go for the Razer Seiren Mini for something that is relatively inexpensive.
Out-of-the-box, this nifty little mic comes with its own plastic base that you can quickly work with and get things going. It is a USB mic too, so its basically plug and play. There are nearly zero set-up required after that, so you can really get going in 10 seconds when you get your stuff.
Source: Lazada
Source: Shopee
Besides the added benefit of better audio quality in your conference calls, you can use the mic for streaming purposes, or even for podcasts. I know I use it for podcasting. All this, in a package you can just chuck in your bag and worth MYR 249 on Shopee and Lazada. At this price, it is really hard to find a good mic for all those purposes.
DJI Pocket 2 (MYR 1,549 ~ MYR 2,169)
Source: DJI
They say the best camera is the one that is accessible to you at the time. Most of the time, that is your smartphone. But what if we tell you that there is an alternative that could really change your video creation experience?
That is the DJI Pocket 2, DJI’s latest small form factor OSMO product. It is super cute, and uber cool in our books. Like its name suggests, it is small enough to fit in your pockets when you need a compact and quick set up for videos and even photos. If you get the Creator Pack, it comes with a whole slew of stuff as well that enhances your experience with it and even help with vlogging and other content creation process.
Who says you need a large gimbal set up to take impressive videos for social media and even YouTube? Nobody said that you need to spend MYR 10,000 and above too, for all these purposes. A package that is smaller than your smartphone and a budget of MYR 2,200 is more than enough.
Source: Lazada
Source: Shopee
We admit, MYR 1,549 is not exactly cheap. It is not something that you can easily buy and giveaway as well. We think that this is perfect for those expecting too though, so shower them with some love. It is also still cheaper than buying a regular camera, and even most mid-range smartphones. You can get the DJI Pocket 2 from DJI’s Official Store on both Shopee and Lazada.
1MORE Dual Driver ANC Pro Wireless Headphone (MYR 599)
Source: 1More
We recently had a chance to review this piece of kit and was very impressed with the audio quality, build quality, and its overall performance. We do not blame you if you have not heard of the brad before. No, it is not some china product that tries to copy JBL and Jabra products.
The 1MORE brand actually comes from the United States of America (U.S.A.). The 1MORE Dual Drive ANC Pro Wireless Headphones may be built in China, but it exudes the quality expected from an American, or even a European company. Of course those mean nothing if the audio is not great.
To that, we are happy to report that the audio produced from this piece of kit will not disappoint. What might stop you from buying it is probably its price at MYR 599. We promise though though, if you live an active livestyle and do not trust those Truly Wireless type earphones, this is the one for you. You can get yours now exclusively on Lazada.
Source: Lazada
Sony WF-1000XM3 (MYR 999)
Source: Sony
This is our personal favourite when it comes to audio gear. If you ask us to leave every other earphones and headphones at home and only carry one pair of earphones for our travels, we will pick this every single time. No joke, we were so impressed by this device that we actually went out of our way to pre-order these kits.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 is probably the best sounding Truly Wireless Earphones at its price. It is not cheap, to be fair, at MYR 999 retail. It sounds fantastic though. It does a lot of other wireless earphones no justice because the price suddenly looks reasonable when you put on the WF-1000XM3.
Sony also arguable has the best active noise cancelling technology to date. The latest WH-1000XM4 over ear headphones still use the same processing as the WF-1000XM3 as well. That is just a testimony to how good the noise cancelling technology is on the Sony earphones.
We have to say though that this kit is a little on the bulkier side compared to other solutions. Still, we love it, and it is an essential part of our travel kit and gear bag. It can go on and on for 8 hours and the case holds two charges for 24 hours of music playback. Nearly nothing comes close to this pair of earphones.
It is not a new piece of gear though. It is out in the market for over a year already. It is still a highly popular piece of kit for audiophiles even. So if you have any friends claiming to be audiophiles, this is a really good gift for them. At this time too you can get your hands on one from Shopee and Lazada for as low as MYR 749.
Source: Shopee
Source: Lazada
LG XBOOM Go PL5 (MYR 649)
Source: LG
Sticking to the theme of audio, we understand that not everyone likes to have something stuffed into their ear. Thanks to the unique equatorial climate and weather behaviour in this region of the world as well, wearing a pair of over-ear headphones might get uncomfortable thanks to sweat. In that case, you want some good speakers.
In that case, we pick the LG XBOOM Go PL5 Bluetooth speaker with Meridian Audio. “What is Meridian?”, I hear you ask. Meridian is a British firm that dedicates their lives in high-end audio and video solutions. They are more established in the audio world as one of the world’s renown High-Fidelty audio system makers. They do not just let anyone use their name on products. That also means that the LG XBOOM Go PL5 is the real deal.
We have it too, thanks to LG, and we were so impressed by it when we first fire it up, it became our speaker of choice when we go for parties and when we need a wireless speaker to work with in parties and social gatherings. This is truly one small package that packs a lot of punch.
It goes on and on for up to 18 hours as well with the light show. You can either plug audio in via the 3.5mm jack, or even connect it via Bluetooth for convenience. It charges via USB Type-C and is even water resistant. That also means you can safely bring your speaker to the pool to enjoy.
The only issue is that all that goodness does not come cheap. This little pill looking speaker will set you back MYR 649 on retail. Thankfully for the holiday seasons, LG has some promotions going on these punchy little things. You can now get them from LG’s offcial store on Shopee and Lazada for as low as MYR 449.
Source: Lazada
Source: Shopee
Logitech G304 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse (MYR 245)
Source: Logitech
What is tech without gaming? These days also, every other person can appreciate gaming and the way that small part of the tech world affects the tech world as a whole. Yes, the gaming industry is also a billion dollar industry with growth still predicted to continue. You cannot ignore gaming then.
One of the biggest benefits from the gaming industry is that we can now enjoy products made for gaming and e-sports, but not pay an arm and a leg for it. The improvements made for the gaming industry culminates to the really simple things we take for granted every day on our desks, our mouse.
There are plenty of reasons why you should choose a gaming mouse, especially wireless ones, over regular mouse. For one, latency and stability. Gaming mice like the Logitech G304 Lightspeed gaming mouse you see here are built for not just speed, but accuracy. In eSports and gaming, every second counts, so you want your mouse to respond to your every input as soon as you hit the buttons. Hence, Lightspeed technology from Logitech.
The Logitech G304 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse made it to our list not just because of its Lightspeed moniker though. It is a rather portable nifty mouse you can even carry around in your work bag. You can take it anywhere and it will not stand out as a gaming mouse too, if you want to be a bit more conspicuous. But it still has the performance to slay your opponents when you need it to.
All these are packed into a package that will set you back MYR 245 on retail. No, that does not sound cheap, because it technically is not. But then again, wireless mice do go for around those prices and even more. Still, you can get it for a steal at MYR 168.99 from Logitech’s official store on Shopee and Lazada this Christmas.
Source: Lazada
Source: Shopee
External HDD/SSD (~myr 150 onward)
If you really do not know what to pick still for your loved ones, the best thing, and the most general thing you can buy for them is an external storage drive. Why? This could be the most versatile thing in our arsenal of gears, and it could be the most crucial at times.
When you work outside a lot, you tend to rely on things that are portable and easily accessible from any device. You also want something reliable, something that will not fail when your own device fails. You want a backup external storage unit.
You can choose between the traditional hard disk drive (HDD) format, or the new age solid state drive (SSD) format. Of course, there are speed differences. But there are some reliability benefits to the older, slower HDDs too. Of course, they are also cheaper.
No matter which type you get from them though, they can appreciate the extra storage and backup space you have given them. They can store more movies now, or rather, you can store more movies to enjoy on various mediums now. You can even back up your smartphone data to your external storage if you want.
The benefit of getting an external storage drive for yourself or your loved ones though is the relatively inexpensive options you can find today. You can find a 1TB sized HDD for less than MYR 150 these days. Of course, if you want to go for something like a Western Digital Passport pre-built external HDD, that is going to cost you a little bit.
