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Computers, News

The New ASUS ZenBook 13 & ZenBook 14 Lands in Malaysia! Prices start from MYR3,999

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ASUS’s ZenBook series has always been the company’s foremost when it comes to delivering solutions for workers on-the-go. The company has revitalised the line up with features that make working on-the-go easier, more ergonomic and less of a hassle. This year is no different with the new ASUS ZenBook 13 (UX325) and the ZenBook 14 (UX425).

The two new entries into the ASUS ZenBook line up make up the new ZenBook Classics line up which hold fast to the original ZenBook’s ethos of being portable and fitted for productivity. The ZenBook 13 and ZenBook 14 come with the 10th Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors with Intel IRIS Plus Graphics which allow them to be more power efficient and more powerful – allowing on-the-go workers to get more done and keep up with the increasing demand for processing power. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the ZenBooks will be able to handle most anything you can throw at the laptops.

The new line is the lightest and most compact line up of ZenBooks ever. The 13.3-inch ZenBook 13 comes in at only 1.07kg and is an astounding 13.9mm thin. The ZenBook 14 maintains the thickness but gets a little bump in weight, coming in at 1.13kg. Both laptops come with Full HD LED displays with 1080p resolution. The slim bezels around the screen allow for up to 90% screen to body ratio for a more immersive experience when you’re consuming your multimedia while maintaining the compact size.

Built for Productivity

Keeping with their productivity focus, the laptops come equipped with The ZenBook 13 and ZenBook 14 come with a 512GB NVMe PCIe 3.0 solid state drive (SSD) for quick read and write performance. The SSD also allows you to boot into Windows in less than 10 seconds. In addition, ASUS NumPad 2.0 which turns the touchpad into a fully functional NumPad for all your number crunching needs. Together with NumPad 2.0, ASUS has also optimised the ergonomics of the laptop with it’s now ubiquitous ErgoLift hinge. The hinge raises the laptop slightly and angles the keyboard for a more natural typing experience and better cooling.

The new ASUS ZenBook Classic entries are not only optimising hardware for productivity, it also ensures that you don’t need to live the dongle life. The ZenBook 13 and ZenBook 14 both come with a full array of ports to make sure you’re ready to connect. It comes with two USB-C port complete with Thunderbolt 3 technology and ASUS EasyCharge. Also on the laptops is a USB Type A port, a HDMI port and a microSD card reader.

In addition to the numerous ports, the new ASUS ZenBooks also come equipped with WiFi 6 compatibility. The new WiFi technology allows up to three times more data to be communicated through WiFi for quicker data speeds and better latency. Your data isn’t the only thing that will be quicker than usual, you’ll also be able to login in a snap with the Windows Hello thanks to the IR webcam on the new ZenBooks.

Keeping productive can be a little bit frustrating at times, but the ZenBook 13 and 14 are tough with MIL-STD 810G ruggedness. So, you won’t need to worry about things getting a little bit rough with the laptops. This is complemented by up to 22 hours battery life thanks to it’s large 67Wh battery.

Pricing & Availability

The ASUS ZenBook 13 and ZenBook 14 will be available starting on August 11, 2020 for MYR3,999 (USD$953.25) for the version with the Core i5 and MYR4,699 (USD1,120.15) for the one with the Core i7.

Official Specifications

ASUS ZenBook 13 (UX325)

CPUIntel Core i7-1065G7 processor
Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor
Display13.3” LED-backlit FHD (1920 x 1080)
450 nits
Slim 2.9 mm bezels with 88% screen-to-body ratio
Operating systemWindows 10 Home
Office SoftwareOffice Home & Student 2019 included
GraphicsIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Main memory8GB 3200 MHz LPDDR4x onboard
Storage512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD
ConnectivityWiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth® 5.0
CameraHD infrared (IR) webcam (supports Windows Hello)
I/O ports2 x Thunderbolt™ 3 USB-C® with ASUS USB-C® Easy Charge
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A;
1 x Standard HDMI 2.0;
1 x MicroSD card reader
TouchpadASUS NumberPad 2.0
AudioCertified by Harman Kardon
ASUS SonicMaster stereo audio system with surround-sound; smart amplifier for maximum audio performance
Array microphone with Cortana and Alexa voice-recognition support
Battery67 Wh lithium-polymer battery up to 22 hr battery life
AC adapter65-watt power adapter
Output: 20 V DC, 3.42 A;
Input: 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal
Dimensions304 x 203 x 13.9 mm
WeightApprox. 1.07 kg
ColorPine Grey
Retail Pricing (MYR)RM 3,999 (i5-1035G1)
RM 4,699 (i7-1065G7)

ASUS ZenBook 14 (UX425)

CPUIntel Core i7-1065G7 processor Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor
Display14” LED-backlit FHD (1920 x 1080)
400 nits
Slim 2.5 mm bezels with 90% screen-to-body ratio
Operating systemWindows 10 Home
Office SoftwareOffice Home & Student 2019 included
GraphicsIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Main memory8GB 3200 MHz LPDDR4x onboard
Storage512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD
ConnectivityWiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth® 5.0
CameraHD infrared (IR) webcam (supports Windows Hello)
I/O ports2 x Thunderbolt™ 3 USB-C® with ASUS USB-C® Easy Charge
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A;
1 x Standard HDMI 2.0;
1 x MicroSD card reader
TouchpadASUS NumberPad 2.0
AudioCertified by Harman Kardon
ASUS SonicMaster stereo audio system with surround-sound; smart amplifier for maximum audio performance
Array microphone with Cortana and Alexa voice-recognition support
Battery67 Wh lithium-polymer battery up to 22 hr battery life
AC adapter65-watt power adapter
Output: 20 V DC, 3.42 A;
Input: 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal
Dimensions319 x 208 x 13.9 mm
WeightApprox. 1.13 kg
ColorPine Grey
Retail Pricing (MYR)RM 3,999 (i5-1035G1)
RM 4,699 (i7-1065G7)

Accessories, Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Sony Announces the New WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Headphones – the New Gold Standard for MYR 1,599

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The Sony WH-1000XM3 was regarded, at its time, one of the best Active Noise Cancelling headphones if not the best. While it is not cheap, it is a great piece of listening kit to have. It was plenty more comfortable compared to the WH-1000XM2 and it had a much better performing noise cancelling performance. Coupled with Sony’s know how in music production and reproduction, the headphone is quite special.

The WH-1000XM3 also came with DSEE HX that upscales mp3 music to something that is closer to Hi-Res or lossless music. That also means you are getting superb sound quality even from cheap music format. With long battery life, you really should not be looking elsewhere for a headphone if you love music. It was priced at MYR 1,699 though, not cheap.

Still, from the brilliance of the WH-1000XM3, the WF-1000X skipped a generation and goes into the WF-1000XM3. The QN1 Noise Cancelling processor is one big reason for that jump though. The QN1 Noise Cancelling processor is undoubtedly one of the most advanced sound and noise cancelling processor ever made by Sony.

  • Source: Sony
  • Source: Sony

Why did we say that? The Sony QN1 processor is still being used by Sony in the product they just launched not more than a few hours ago. The Sony QN1 powers the WH-1000XM4. Now we are hearing questions by you asking; “how is this different of better than the WH-1000XM3 then? Shouldn’t we just buy the Sony WH-1000XM3 after this officially lands then?”

You are not wrong in thinking that, until you look deeper into what the WH-1000XM4 can do.

Cleverer Personal 360-Reality Audio

Source: Sony

First up is what they call Hear AI, or, as they put it, brain assisted noise cancelling. That is not to say that it uses our brains to assist it. Rather, the WH-1000XM4 is now cleverer in its noise cancelling. That also means a more complex algorithm for noise cancelling which in turn results in better noise cancelling for each individual listener.

Yes, personalisation returns in the form of a personalised earphone and audio setting when you get the app to work with the headphone to analyse how your ear responds to sounds. But because the QN1 processor now can now handle more complex maths, it understands your ears better and adjusts noise cancelling and other forms of audio to your ears better for the best listening experience possible on your headphones. This also means that your earphones are yours alone and tuned exactly for you. Keep in mind though that your friends might not be that impressed with the earphones because they are set to you and you alone.

But thanks to that cleverer hearing experience, Sony has also improved its 3D audio. They call it the 360-reality audio algorithm. In most cases the headphones will give you a sense of virtual surround sound. But in some cases, with new music from the likes of Dua Lipa, you are getting a completely different aural experience. We do not know how that will be just yet, we are looking forward.

Speak-to-Chat

Source: Sony

Other cleverer things on the WH-1000XM4 is just making it a better hands-free kit. You now do not need to cover any one of the earcups to turn on ambient noise. It now does that when you start talking. They call it Speak-to-Chat, which may sound like a no-brainer. But even with the WF-1000XM3, you still had to have a finger on one of the earphones to turn on ambient noise to talk to your friends. Not anymore with the WH-1000XM4.

Wearing Detection

Source: Sony

To preserve its battery life (that is still up to 30 hours, by the way), there is now wearing detection too. You do not need to manually turn the headphones off or on. Like plenty of the wireless earbuds these days, it is just a matter of putting the headphones on or take it off to turn it on or off.

DSEE Extreme

Source: Sony

If you think that DSEE HX was brilliant, this thing will amaze you with an improved DSEE upscaler. They call it DSEE Extreme to put music even closer or even on par with Hi-Res or lossless quality. That is considering that you have an MP3 format. The WH-1000XM4 will obviously sound good if you put a FLAC file through it.

Of course, plenty of things that I may have put out may sound like just a minor software update. That could be true. Which also means that the WH-1000XM3 could receive the same updates and sound just as good. But what the WH-1000XM3 cannot update is in the comfort department.

More Comfortable

Source: Sony

The WH-1000XM3 is in no way an uncomfortable headphone. It is, in its day, one of the most comfortable headphones in the market if not the most comfortable wireless item you put over your head. We actually wondered if they could make it anymore comfortable without losing grip over our heads and ears.

Turns out they allegedly can with the WH-1000XM4. The new materials that is a mix of plastics, aluminium, memory foams, and faux leather is supposed to make it feel better in the ears. How? It is now softer on your ears; meaning, less pressure toward your head – which helps with long hours of use. The top of the headband is better padded too apparently. We will not know how they perform until we actually get our hands on them though.

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Price and Availability

The Sony WH-1000XM4 will be available on the 31st of August 2020 onward – Malaysia’s national day, so you should gift yourself one. If you want one, you can find it at any Sony authorised retailers across Malaysia or online. It will set you back MYR 1,599, which is MYR 100 cheaper than the WH-1000XM3 when it was new. Early bird buyers will get a limited-edition exclusive headphone stand for the 1000X and a starbucks card worth MYR 50. To know more about the amazing thing that is the Sony WH-1000XM4, you can head to their website.

News

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 series Goes Pro Sized

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Working on the go is getting more and more compact with many users opting for more portable devices. Recently, many users have been opting for Pro tablets which bring enough power for creators while being easy to use on the go for the road warrior. The Galaxy Tab S7 series is Samsung’s latest offering which takes that into account.

The Tab S7 series comes with two devices: the Tab S7 and the Tab S7+. These tablets bring a Samsung’s signature productivity features with a the brand new S Pen like the Galaxy Note20 series that was launched at the same time. The new Tab S7 and S7+ comes equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+. This is paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage respectively.

The Tab S7 comes with an 11-inch, LTPS TFT screen with an WXGA resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. The Tab S7+, on the other hand, comes with a 12.4-inch, Super AMOLED screen with a WQXGA+ resolution of 2800×1752 pixels. Both have 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy Tab S7 series come equipped with fingerprint authentication; on the Tab S7 it’s a side mounted key while the S7+ come with an on display fingerprint sensor.

  • Picture Courtesy of Samsung

The Tab S7 series come with a dual camera setup on the back with a 13-megapixel main sensor and a 5-megapixel ultrawide sensor. On the front, the tablets come with a 8-megapixel sensor.

The Tab S7 series also takes advantage of the growing number of creative apps on Android. In fact, the Tab S7 and S7+ will be one of the first Galaxy devices that will be compatible with Note Shell, Canva and Clip Studio Paint. These apps join a growing number of apps which have been optimised for the S Pen.

Pricing & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ will be available for pre-order starting on 6 August, 2020.

Pricing for the Galaxy Tab S7 starts at USD$649.99 (MYR2,726.64) while the Galaxy Tab S7+ starts at USD$849.99 (MYR3,565.62).

No pricing has been announced just yet for Malaysia.

Android, Mobile, News

Galaxy Note20 Series Refines Samsung’s Experience for the New Normal

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Samsung’s Galaxy Note series has always been one of the foremost series when it comes to productivity and creativity. With its signature S-Pen and its large display, the series was responsible for revolutionising the smartphone space – the effects of which we still feel until today. This year, the company is looking to do more of the same when it comes to the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note20 series.

The Galaxy Note20 series will consists of only two devices: the Galaxy Note20 Ultra and the regular Galaxy Note; unlike the Galaxy S20 series. However, the gap between the two new flagships is a little more pronounced. The Note 20 Ultra builds on the series’ legacy while the Note20 serves as an entry point for people looking to explore the Note series for the first time.

Swifter Response, More Natural Writing

The new Galaxy Note series comes with a more fortified S Pen. The new S Pen on the Galaxy Note20 comes with a 9ms response time compared to the 42ms in the Galaxy Note10 series. The improved S Pen response time is supposed to provide a more natural writing experience on the smartphone. The higher response time will translate into a more seamless experience and the stroke appearing on the screen as soon as S pen hits the surface. This would also mean that it would be even more natural taking notes and creatives will definitely revel in the feel when their creating on the Note.

That said, the S Pen doesn’t just gain a faster response rate, it also turns into your navigation tool. The new S Pen gains more Air Actions to help with navigation and quick actions. The new Air Actions allows you navigate the Android UI with the S Pen. Gestures like scribbling to cover the screen will trigger a screenshot. It’s hard to describe all of them but it seems like there will be a lot more wizards appearing with Notes in their pockets.

More Features on Samsung Notes and DeX Untethered

Samsung’s Notes app gets a little boost too with the updated Galaxy Note series. It gains the ability to annoted PDFs and even PowerPoint files. Of course, if you’re already a Galaxy Note user, you’d know this functionality is already there with Samsung’s Write on PDF app. However, with the Note20, it comes baked into the Samsung Notes app and users will also be able to export their files to PDF and PowerPoint formats for easy editing.

The productivity features on the Note20 series also get a boost with a new improvement to Samsung’s DeX – it’s now wireless. The untethered DeX experience not only brings the full DeX experience to any capable wireless screen, it also allows your phone to be used as a second screen. This allows you to project and share while keeping items like your messages to yourself. This feature will be compatible with all

The Note20 series also introduces what Samsung is calling Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology. The new tech comes as Android’s – yep, you read that right, ANDROID’s – answer to AirDrop. The new tech is now being used as a means to quickly and seamlessly share files between phones and has been in development for a while now. The technology is pioneered by a partnership between Google and Samsung. That said, the most interesting feature that we got to see was the Point to Share feature which allows you to share files by simply pointing and tapping on the detected phone. Samsung is looking to use this technology as to develop access keys and more in the future.

Augmented Camera features for a better Creator Experience

Last year, Samsung explored the Note series’ prowess when it came to creator experiences. This year, the series take another leap with more creator focused features primarily focused on the camera.

The new Note20 series will be the first Samsung device to have an improved Pro Video mode which gives creators better control of the camera when they are creating. The new pro video mode brings granular sound control; allowing creators to play with volume levels and also choose their sound source. This will allow users to choose between the device mics as well as Bluetooth devices such as the Galaxy Buds Active. The camera also has variable zoom speed just in case you need that extra splash of drama.

The camera also comes with the capability to shoot 8K video with support for lower resolutions. Users can select frame rates of up to 120fps for resolutions below 4K. You can even use DisplayPort over USB-C or USB-C to HDMI for video out.

Powerful Specs that Allow You to Get More Done

As always, the Galaxy Note series comes supped specifications to keep you ever at the ready. The Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra come with top of the line processors capable of 5G connectivity. They will be coming with either the Exynos 990 or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ depending on your region. This will be complemented by either 8GB or 12 GB of RAM and a minimum of 256GB onboard memory. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will have expandable memory via microSD card slot while the Note20 will not.

The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will be coming with a 6.9-inch, curved Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Quad HD+ resolution of 3088×1440 pixels. The Galaxy Note20, on the other hand, will be coming with a 6.7-inch flat Super AMOLED+ display with Full HD+ resolution of 2400×1080 pixels. They will both come with the signature S Pen with all its bells and whistles as well.

On the camera front, the Note20 Ultra comes with a triple camera setup which has a 108-megapixel main sensor complemented with a 12-megapixel ultra wide sensor and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera. The Note 20 comes with a similar setup replacing the 108-megapixel sensor with a 12-megapixel main sensor and the 12-megapixel telephoto sensor with a 64-megapixel telephoto sensor. The Note series ditches the 100X Space Zoom for a more sensible 50X Space Zoom on the Ultra while the regular Note20 has 30X Space Zoom. The front camera is a 10-megapixel wide sensor. Both smartphones come with Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) and Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), however, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra comes with Laser Autofocus.

The Galaxy Note20 series will be 5G capable with 4G connectivity being the standard across all regions. The phones will support both the Sub6 and mmWave bandwidths for 5G – support for actual 5G connectivity will depend on your carrier/telco. The Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra will also support WiFi 6 (802.11 ax). This comes in addition to normal WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac. The smartphones will also have Bluetooth 5.0 LE and GPS connectivity.

The Note20 will be powered by a 4,300mAh battery while the Ultra will have a larger 4,500mAh battery. Both will support fast charging. This includes wireless fast charging. They will also be capable of Wireless PowerShare as well.

Pricing & Availability

The Galaxy Note20 will be available for pre-order starting September 6, 2020 for USD$999.99 (MYR4,194.84) internationally. In Malaysia, prices will be starting at MYR3,899 for the Note20 and MYR4,299 for the Note20 5G. It will be available in Mystic Green, Mystic Grey and Mystic Bronze.

The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will be available starting at USD$1,299.99 (MYR5,453.30) internationally. In Malaysia, it will be retailing at MYR5,199. It will be available in Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black and Mystic White.

Pre-orders for Malaysia kick off on 6 August, 2020. Pre-orders of the Note20 Ultra will be entitled to a free pair of Galaxy Buds Live worth MYR699 while Note20 pre-orders will be entitled to a free of Galaxy Buds+ worth MYR599.

Official Specifications

Accessories, News

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Keeps the Noise Out with Noise Cancellation

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Samsung’s Galaxy Buds line up has evolved over the years. What started off as the IconX has now become an essential part of the Galaxy ecosystem. The Galaxy Buds+ already impressed us previously with its battery life and iterative improvements, the Galaxy Buds Live takes Samsung’s truly wireless earbuds in to a whole new territory.

The Buds Live may look a little funky, but the design of the Buds Live is purposeful. It’s unique bean design allows Samsung to include a larger 12mm driver. It doesn’t just stop at a larger driver either, the iconic design, as Samsung puts it, allows Samsung to include a bass duct. This creates deeper, fuller sound within the confines of a true wireless form factor. The Galaxy Buds Live comes with, the now signature, AKG tuned audio.

The Galaxy Buds Live is also the first true wireless earphone from Samsung to come with three microphones which allow for better ambient sound technology and also better noise cancelling. That’s right, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live is the first earbuds from Samsung with Active noise cancelling. This allows you to tune out the world while you tune in to your audiobook or playlist. That said, the microphones also help with vocal pickup and noise cancellation during calls. They work in tandem with the built in Voice Pick up unit for better voice quality. In fact, with the Galaxy Note20 series, users can even use the Buds Live as a Bluetooth audio source to help when you’re creating that awesome video.

The Galaxy Buds Live also has support for multidevice connectivity which allows you to connect to more than one device at the same time.

Pricing & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live will be available starting on 6 September, 2020 for USD$169.99 (MYR713.07). In Malaysia, it will retail for MYR699. It will be available in Bronze, White and Black.

Consumer Electronics, Gaming, News

Sony’s New PlayStation 5 Ready 8K BRAVIA Launched with Full Array LED

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The next era of console gaming is here! Oh wait, we are not in December 2020 yet; my bad. We got a little carried away with some of the interesting things that Sony promises with their upcoming PlayStation 5 (PS5) console gamer. We are not expecting to see the console until we are closer to December 2020 though.

While the gaming console is not yet coming, it does not hurt to prepare for its arrival. As per Sony’s claims, the next generation Zen 2 gaming console from the Japanese firm will support 8K resolution gaming or even 4K resolution at 120 frames every second. Right out of the box, there is a small issue with those numbers.

Source: Sony

Most Televisions(TV) you can buy in the market today does not have the grunt to take full advantage of the power that the Sony PS5 boasts. The only TV that sort of came to mind that might take full advantage of Sony’s new console gamer is Samsung’s 8K Television which was launched last year. It is no Sony though, so it is not necessarily turned and made for PS5.

Of course, it only makes sense then that Sony makes TVs that would be fitting of the next generation gaming console. Sony launching TVs with this kind of power should not come as a surprise though. Still, what amazing devices they are.

Sony BRAVIA X90H

They have launched two new BRAVIA TVs to really take advantage of Sony’s PS5. The Sony Z8H and X90H TVs. The Z series, being the higher-end model will sport 8K resolution while capable of downscaling itself to 4K 120Hz resolution and refresh rate. You get up to 85-inch too for both models for the perfect immersion at home, even when you are not necessarily gaming.

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We start with the X90H series of TVs. At the smallest, it measures at 55-inch. In that case, you get to choose between four sizes for the high-end TV at 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch. All of them sport 4K resolution with HDR as well, so you are still not missing out even if your home may not have as large a space. The best part is that it refreshes at 120Hz still to take full advantage of the upcoming PS5’s 4K 120fps capability. All this is thanks to the new 4K X-Reality processor that Sony put into this thin TV.

Sound from the X90H is handled by Sony’s always brilliant X-Balanced speakers for superior sound quality. The speakers are even Dolby Atmos certified. That also means a highly immersive sound from an amazingly small package. Couple that with Dolby Vision on the TV and you get full immersion without needing an extra speaker system set. That also means you save some money there.

Sony BRAVIA Z8H

Since every other TV maker is getting to 8K resolution, Sony cannot be missing out. They are one of the biggest and more successful TV manufacturers to date after all. That gap is now filled with the Sony BRAVIA Z8H TV.

8K from the Z8H is amazingly rich. To fully take advantage of the many pixels you need a large display. You can appreciate the Full Array LED panel that stretches 85-inch.

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At 8K though, you are limited up to 60Hz in refresh rate, which also means you cannot play games at 120Hz at full resolution. That is okay though, even the PS5 can only do 8K in limited fps. Turn it down to 4K though and you can harness a full 120hz and therefore run your PS5 at 120fps and still enjoy great images. The refresh rate advantage alone is already an advantage for the Sony against other TVs.

It is not a regular HDR that we have here though on the 8K display. It is an Extended Dynamic Range (XDR), instead of High Dynamic Range that we are talking about. That means even more details in the dark, and even better contrasts from your pictures. This is only possible with Sony’s X1 Ultimate processor fitted into the TV. Of course, this being Sony’s highest end TV, it is Dolby Vision certified too.

Source: Sony

That is not all this TV is capable of though. It has S-Force speakers which also means that sound comes from multiple parts of the TV. This is quite expected from Sony’s highest end TVs though.

The S-Force speakers means that the Z8H produces sound like no other TVs in the market. Without a full array of speaker sets, the TV itself can produce a true Dolby Atmos experience with virtual surround sound, including the low frequencies. If you have a speaker system, this would be the center firing speaker. In some sense though, if you want your TV space to look clean, you may not even need a soundbar or other speakers for this.

Android TV + Apple AirPlay

Source: Sony

Since both the BRAVIA X90H and Z8H TVs are Sony’s line of Smart TVs, they pack Android out-of-the-box for your enjoyment. Sony has been on the Android TV platform exclusively for a while now. That also means that you get to enjoy Netflix, Amazon Prime and even use Spotify on Sony’s amazing speakers built-in with the TV without needing an extra TV box. This is nothing new though.

What is new is the AirPlay compatibility that the new TV comes with. Apple AirPlay, before this, is a feature exclusive to Apple TV Boxes. There were only a handful of TVs in the market that supports the feature. Sony will now fully embrace the Apple ecosystem with AirPlay. This also means you can watch Apple TV and Apple TV+ programs on your TV without an Apple TV Box. You just need to have your Apple iPhone or iPad.

Full Array LED

What is new is Sony adopting Full Array LED panels instead of the usual direct lit OLED panels of the new high-end TVs. While they look similar, there are differences. Bear with us as we get a little bit technical.

Sony’s BRAVIA TVs are known for championing OLED technology even when other manufacturers are moving away from OLED. There is a very good reason for their adamance to their stubbornness though. No, it is not because they are Japanese.

OLED is very expensive, more so than IPS. The price alone is a small reason to other manufacturers choosing to go on a different route to their TVs. The high price is partly due to the limited amount of production in OLED panels.

Source: LG

The price is also still justified by the unparalleled colour contrast, brightness, and accuracy in the display industry. There is a reason why plenty of colour accurate monitors and reference displays still use OLED panels. The only panels that can achieve true black in the modern market are still OLED panels. That is what Sony wants, an unparalleled colour clarity and accuracy compared to any other TVs, while ensuring that you are not blinded.

There are downsides however, besides its high price point. It is not as durable as a regular LCD panel. While you can make OLED panels thinner than your exam papers, It may not last as long as a regular LCD panel. You might want to replace your TV or OLED panel in 3-5 years at a time, and that is just not as feasible in your home.

Source: Reddit

They call it LED burn in. This is also the reason why Sony did not include the always on function that Samsung has made popular in their wallpaper TVs. This happens especially when you leave an image on the panel for too long. You start seeing silhouettes of the image that is burned into the panel even when you want other images on your TV. This is an annoying and quite uncurable for OLED TVs.

To handle the problem, Sony has an LED ‘cleaner’ program built into their TVs. That does not completely eliminate the issue though. The program just extends the life of the panel a little bit with minimal loss of clarity and quality. The damage can be accalerated with leaving your display on for a long time without anything playing on it. It can be exaggerated with bright colours.

Source: Sony

This is where Full Array LED comes in though. If you look through Sony’s specification sheet for the new high-end TVs like the Z8H and X90H, you will notice that it is not an LED panel anymore that is stated in the display. Instead, you find an LCD panel with LED backlighting as its description.

No, it is not false advertising. Full Array LED panels are generaly LCD panels with LED backlight behind the LCD panels. The only difference between a regular LED backlit panel and Full Array LED panel is the amount of LEDs there are in the panel.

Full Array also means that each pixel is individually backlit as well by an LED array. There are plenty of benefits for this. Among which, a Full Array LED panel’s black is the closest to a direct lit OLED panel’s black so far. Though it may not be true black, as far as technicalities are concerned, it makes very negligible differences in a normal human eye.

Everything else is also pretty similar in terms of picture and colour quality. Sure, there is a little more colour bleeding from the edges of the image. That also means there might be a slight smear in the images. Again, they are very negligible to the naked eye. One thing for sure, these panels are cheaper than regular OLED panels to produce. That said, the new high-end TVs from Sony are not exactly on the affordable side.

Price and Availability

The more affordable Sony X90H that is ready to take on your Sony PS5 will set you back MYR 4,299 (starting from). Considering that there are not many TVs that would be boasting next-gen gaming console support, the price is somewhat acceptable. The X90H is now available from Sony’s retailers and Sony Centre’s across the nation.

The Z8H is a pill that is quite difficult to swallow. You would want to have a considerable space for the TV itself, thanks to its enormous size at 85-inch. You will need to spare another MR 79,999 for the TV though if you really want it. Yes, the price is quite similar to their competitor, Samsung’s, offering. You get 4K at 120Hz on this thing though. This is a testament of; “with money, anything is possible”. The high-end 8K TV will be available sometime this month as well, well before PS5 launches.

Computers, News

Acer Day is Back for 2020 Season – Kick-Off with the Helios 300!

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Last year Acer Day was a huge deal. No, not just for Acer, but for plenty of Acer fans and even people who are in the market for some new hardware. There was plenty on offer on Acer’s biggest sales festival of the year in the year 2019. Tis year is a little different though.

For the past years, Acer day have been always held physically and you will get to see the items on offer in Malaysia’s Mid Valley Megamall. This year’s COVID-19 crisis though has made a physical show floor a little more difficult. It does not mean that Acer Day is not going to happen though, it is still happening.

Thanks to one of Acer’s biggest online retail partners, Shopee, Acer Day 2020 is happening. Without a venue though, the Acer Day 2020 event is exclusively online ordeal. Of course, when it happens online, you know there is some great deals.

Acer Day 2020

Acer Day 2020 is happening on the 2nd to the 4th of August 2020 exclusively online on Shopee and Acer’s own online store. You get plenty of deals too, up to 83% in discounts in some their attractive accessories. Would you believe me if I tell you one of them is their highly sought after gaming chair?

  • Source: Acer
  • Source: Acer

Acer is still having their virtual event celebration too though. The Acer Day 2020 virtual even will be happening on their Malaysia Facebook page on the 2nd of August 2020 at 3.00 p.m. in the afternoon. You can catch Linora, Pong Pong, and Cikidot’s performance then in addition to catching  and winning some lucky draw prizes.

For 83% discounts all you have to do then is to go to Acer’s online store or Shopee on the 3rd of August 2020 to look at all the deals Acer has in store for you. You can even get their gaming chair for as low as MYR 340 from about MYR 1,900. The bad news is the Acer Predator Gaming chair that is being sold on that day is no the OSIM massage chair that was recently launched in Acer@NEXT 2020. Still a good deal all in all.

But that is not the biggest deal of Acer Day 2020. The biggest deal is Acer’s Helios 300 gaming notebook PC for 2020 making its debut in Malaysia. We call it the baby Helios. Just because it is a baby Helios though, does not mean it is a lemon.

Acer Predator Helios 300

No, the Helios 300 for 2020 is one very powerful notebook PC indeed. It packs Intel’s latest 10th Generation Core i7-10750H six-core processor that has been proving to be a kicker in Acer’s Nitro 5 for 2020. That kick turns into a shove though with Acer fitting an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU. You can even spec it up with 16GB of RAM, which is huge. You even get a 144Hz IPS display that produces great colours and clarity at Full HD.

  • Source: Acer
  • Source: Acer
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  • Source: Acer

The Acer Predator Helios 300 for the 2020 will come in two flavours. One packs a 10th Generation Intel Core i5 and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti for MYR 4,599. For a little bit more money at MYR 5,199 you are getting the ultimate Acer Predator Helios 300 with the 10th Generation Core i7 and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060.

Acer Predator Helios 700

There is something else that will lurk in the shadows for Acer Day 2020. That is the replacement model of the desktop replacement that took the world by storm last year. When I say it took the world by storm, it actually sounds like a storm when you turn it up. This is the Acer predator Helios 700 gaming notebook.

Source: Acer

It is not really a gaming notebook when it weighs as much as a cow on your desk. The desktop replacement comes with everything that Acer can throw at it to make it the perfect weapon to bring to LAN parties without strapping as much as a luggage bag to yourself. Its form factor means that it should still fit an overly large backpack, if that is all you are carrying in your backpack.

Enough with making fun of its size though. What it packs within the large body is no joke. You get power from the 10th Generation Intel Core i9 CPU, the ultimate gamers CPU. You can spec it up with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super too, for maximum GPU attack. Yes, sounds like plenty of heat.

The 17-incher display produces crisp Full HD image at 240Hz and responds to you at 1ms. It is an IPS display with high degree of colour accuracy too, so you can technically work with it if you are in the creative industry. But those also sounds like a lot of stress on the CPU and GPU. That means more heat.

Source: Acer

The behemoth though can handle the heat. Acer’s 4th generation Aeroblade design has proven itself to be a capable active cooler for plenty of Acer’s Predator machines. The blade design is the reason why you can get something like an Acer Predator Triton to work at full chat reliably.

That same Aeroblade technology cools the Acer predator Helios 700 for 2020. Cooling is a tricky business though, this much heat needs more management still. That is why Acer developed a new heat dissipator plate that they call POWERGEM. The new conductor is supposed to be a better conduit for heat transfer and therefore a more efficient cooling solution to be on hand.

  • Source: Acer
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  • Source: Acer
  • Source: Acer
  • Source: Acer

Like the older Acer predator Helios 700, there is the HyperDrift keyboard technology that allows the hardware to be used in two configurations. One, normal mode where it looks like any notebook PC on your desk (albeit a large one with 17-inch display). The other one is a slid down, full power, full cooling, ultimate gaming mode. You reveal the complex heatpipe and fan system that cools your PC and additional vents to let out and intake more air to cool the whole system down for maximum beast mode. This is your ‘Turbo’ button on the Helios 700.

It is pricey though. For an Intel Core i7 variant with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super, you are spending about MYR 12,999. If you go for the full beast option of an Intel Core i9 and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super combination, you are looking at MYR 17,999. That is not even counting the amount of money you might spend on Chiropractic treatments for your compressed back after hauling this thing from the shop to your home or your LAN parties. Maybe you might need that luggage bag after all.

Price and Availability

The Acer Predator Helios 700 will be available for pre-orders on Acer Day 2020. The Predator Helios 300 though will be available on Acer Day 2020 with some event exclusive gifts and promotional prices. Of course, that goes along with all other Acer’s accessories and hardware on Acer Day.

  • Source: Acer
  • Source: Acer

Acer Day 2020 is happening from the 2nd to 4th August 2020 in partnership with Shopee. You can tune in to Acer’s Facebook page on the 2nd of August 2020 at 3.00 p.m. to catch performances that Acer has lined-up for Acer Day. Of course, everything is done online and all purchases will be done online. You can visit their website, Facebook page, and their Shopee official store to know more. Save up and start shopping.

Camera, News

Sony’s A 7S III Is Launched – The New Low Light King

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It has been five years since the Sony Alpha 7S II launched, which also means the king of low-light photography and videography have stood the test of time. In that time, nothing came close to taking its throne as the best videography and photography tool when it comes to low-light scenes. The camera is the weapon of choice for plenty of aspiring videographers for obvious reasons. The new one has a lot to live up to.

There are a few similarities from the A 7S III and the A 7S II. For one, it records at 4K resolution 10-bit still. But instead of shooting at a measly 30 frames a second, the new A 7S III now records at 120 frames a second. That is a large improvement over the older A 7S II. It also outputs up to 4K 60p 16-bit output via a full-sized HDMI port.

Source: Sony

You might not want to put this beside the Canon EOS R5 though, it is more of a Canon EOS R6 contender, if you ask me. The A 7S III still shoots from a 12.1-Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS sensor with a small, but significant improvement. The new Exmor R technology means that the Rolling-Shutter problem that the A 7S II and A 7S had is now reduced to a barely noticeable level at the worst.

Better Pair of Eyes

Source: Sony

The A 7S II was known for its ability to “see” even better than our regular eyes. The A 7S III improved on that with an even bigger native ISO range at 40-409,600. There is no need to be afraid of noise too with about 1 more stop on noise reduction at highly sensitive ISO settings and 15 dynamic range stops. This will ensure that details do not get murky in low-light shoots. Even S-Log3 allows you to record from ISO as low as 160 if you really need to. Say goodbye to the ND filters you have bought for the A 7S II.

There was a small issue with Auto Focus when it comes to Sony cameras of old though. They have corrected that with the Sony A 7S III with their new Fast Hybrid Auto Focus system with 759 points of Auto Focus points covering 92% of the sensor. We have seen the technology implemented on Sony’s A 7R III and A 7 III.

Longer Shoots, Better Feel

Recording 4K videos for a long time creates plenty of heat. Sony devised a new heat dissipating mechanism to ensure that you an continue recording at 4K continuously for at least an hour. We suspect that contributes a little bit to the bigger overall package size. Of course, you still get the highly acclaimed 5-axis stabiliser within the compact body.

Source: Sony

A larger package also means that you can fit more things into it though. The A 7S III allows you to work with two memory cards now. You can either choose to work with two regular SD cards or two new standard CFexpress Type A cards for even higher speeds to work with. You need that for 100mb/s card write speeds when shooting at 4K resolution.

  • Source: Sony
  • Source: Sony
  • Source: Sony

In terms of ergonomics, besides the thicker body, there are a few changes to how the button layout and arrangement. For example, there is a new joystick at the back with a slightly different dial button. The record button has been moved yet again. It is in a much improved location though – near the shutter button. Even the mode select button is raised a little higher for better accessibility.

Instead of the limited flip out LCD display with limited play, Sony has finally adopted the vari-angle LCD that plenty of users prefer. This allows you to place the Sony A 7S III anywhere at any angle and you do not need a secondary monitor to see what the camera sees.

Availability

Source: Sony

If you are looking for a replacement of the aging Sony A 7S II, you may not have a fitting replacement until now. No, not the Canon EOS R5, the new Sony A 7S III. No, it does not shoot at 8K, but 4K is still plenty more than enough these days. With better colour science, higher ISO sensitivity, and better noise removal, this is the only way to beat the reigning king of low-light.

The Sony A 7S III will be available in Malaysia from October 2020 onward. There are no mentions on price just yet though. We are guessing that it would be priced slightly above the price of a brand-new A 7S II body (roughly between MYR 8,500 to MYR 9,000 for body only). Of course, there are still plenty of lenses for you to choose from with the new A 7S III.

Computers, News

The New ASUS ROG STRIX gaming Notebooks with Liquid Metal Cooling Comes to Malaysia!

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Standing out in the world today is difficult. This statement cannot be truer in the gaming notebook PC segment. Everywhere you look, gaming notebooks look very similar to each other. At this point too, every gaming notebook have nearly the same design language – understated, simple, clean. Do not get us wrong though. We are not saying that they look bad, quite the opposite. There is nothing wrong too with the ‘blended in’ look and goal.

Still, we also understand that there are some who still wants something outrageous. There is still a market for a ‘different’ looking hardware. Something that stands out, but still looks decently fitting in a meeting room anyway. Something like an ASUS ROG STRIX.

The SCAR Edition

The ASUS ROG STRIX SCAR Edition has always been one of our favourite series of gaming notebooks. The new ROG STRIX SCAR 15 for 2020 comes with an Intel Core i7-10875H CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 (up to) combination for raw horsepower in AAA titles. You get up to 16GB (8GB x 2) RAM configuration within the beastly body of the STRIX SCAR 15 as well for a crazy amount of Google Chrome tabs open at the same time.

Of course, as with the SCAR 15 naming scheme, you get a 15.6-inch Full HD display. It is an amazing display to work with though. 240Hz refresh means you can see everything clearly. 3ms response time means there is no noticeable delay from input to action. 100% sRGB means you get colours and depth like no other.

  • Source: ASUS
  • Source: ASUS

Of course, all these things combined will produce a vast amount of heat. In addition to ASUS’s cooling technology, ASUS have replaced the thermal paste for the CPU and GPU with liquid metal for better cooling efficiency and effectiveness.

STRIX G – for Gaming

The liquid cooling technology does not stop at the SCAR edition ASUS ROG STRIX notebooks though. The ASUS ROG STRIX G15 and G17 also gets the liquid metal treatment for better cooling in heavy usage. We start with the STRIX G15.

The ASUS ROG STRIX G series comes packing with plenty of power still. It is no SCAR, but it still has the power of an Intel Core i7-10750H hexa-core processor. The combination of the powerful CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is still plenty enough to run AAA games at higher settings. You still get 16GB (8GB x 2) of RAM memory too, to take advantage of the powerful CPU and GPU.

Storage comes in a 1TB SSD flavour. In case that is not enough, there is two more M.2 slots for upgrades. HDD tray? That is so last year.

  • Source: ASUS
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The ASUS ROG STRIX G15 comes with a reasonably fast 15.6-inch Full HD display too. You get 144Hz out of it still. It is no pantone validated display though. Still, the IPS technology is known for its highly accurate and vibrant colours.

The ASUS ROG STRIX G17 on the other hand comes with a larger 17.3-inch Full HD display. It refreshes at 144Hz as well. It is a much faster responding display at 3ms response time though. This would be the one that you want to work with if you are into accurate colours too at 100% sRGB colour gamut rating.

Pricing & Availability

The ROG STRIX SCAR 15 starts at MYR 7,499 (G532L-VAZ069T) and tops out at MYR 7,999 (G532L-WAZ085T). The ASUS ROG STRIX G15 and G17 starts at MYR 6,699 (G512L-VHN146T) and MYR6,199 (G712L-UH7082T), respectively. The ASUS ROG STRIX G17 tops out at MYR 6,699 (G712L-VEV067T) though. The ASUS ROG STRIX SCAR Edition and STRIX G series is now available in Malaysia.

Computers, Gaming, News

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus S is Back – Priced from 13,999

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Think gaming PC and thing ASUS ROG. This brand that stems out of one of the largest PC makers in the world is quite a household name in the PC gaming industry. With the announcement of the ROG Phone 3 last week, they are not just cornering the PC gaming market anymore. They are now the producer of the most powerful smartphone money can buy so far with the ROG Phone 3.

Back to PC gaming though. They are also the makers of some of the most innovative and desirable gaming PCs in the market. Their gaming notebooks are especially tantalising. They make some of the best-looking stuff in the market and some of the most powerful too. Take this new 2020 spec of ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 for example.

The Zephyrus line-up is known for their super thin body. The Zephyrus S17 is no different at a thickness of 18.7mm. Pair that to a total weight of 2.6kg, this 17.3-inch machine could be the perfect work and play companion anywhere, anytime. The 240w adapter that you would require to give it enough juice and power to game is also redesigned to be smaller and lighter than before.

  • Source: ASUS
  • Source: ASUS
  • Source: ASUS
  • Source: ASUS

The first thing that greets you when you open this puppy up is a Full HD display that kicks off at 300Hz and responds at 3ms. Thanks to modern display technology, fast display does not mean bad colours too. This is a pantone validated disokay with 100%sRGB and G-sync packed. No wonder, it costs so much.

That kind of display requires plenty of power to run though. That is handled by a combination of an Intel Core i7-10875H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q GPU (Up To). To ensure that these things do not fry themselves, ASUS has taken a step forward in cooling the PC. Liquid Metal now replaces the regular thermal paste in all ASUS ROG notebooks with Intel’s 10th Generation Core processors.

Memory comes in the form of a 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage combination. Yes, not many notebook PCs come with a 16GB RAM out of the box. There is more good news with the 16GB RAM though, there is another free RAM slot for you to upgrade your RAM to make the Zephyrus S17 even more of a monster. There is even more good news on the front of storage, there is another M.2 SSD slot for you to upgrade your memory banks. No HDD slot though.

  • Source: ASUS
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  • Source: ASUS
  • Source: ASUS

If 17-inch notebooks are not your cup of tea, there is a 15-inch variant. The Zephyrus S15 comes with everything that is great about the S17. You still get the same powerpacks that powers the Zephyrus S17 to life. You get the latest Intel Core i7-10875H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q GPU. You also get the large 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage to work with. The only difference, apart from the price tag, is the screen size at 15.6-inch.

  • Source: ASUS
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Still a little too rich for your blood? But still want a powerful thin and light? What about the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M15. The 15.6-inch display is still a Full HD display with pantone validation and 100%sRGB colour gamut display. It does not refresh at 300Hz. 240Hz though should still be more than enough to handle for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti it packs. You still get a 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H too with that and 8GB of RAM to work with. 1TB of memory is still plenty enough to work with.

Now the price. The ROG Zephyrus S17 and S15 is now available in Malaysia for MYR 13,999 (GX701L-WSHG043T) onward. For that money you are getting an ROG Zephyrus S17 packed with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 super instead of the RTX 2080 Super. Still powerful, but not as powerful as the MYR 16,999 (GX701-XSHG043T) packaged ROG Zephyrus S17. The ROG Zephyrus S15 (G502L-XSHF042T) with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super will set you back at MYR 15,999. On the other hand, the baby Zephyrus M15 (GU502L-UAZ087T) sets you back MYR 6,999.