Samsung recently launched a bunch of Galaxy products, albeit in the budget segment. Among the lot was the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, which is expected to fall in the mid-range tablet segment. While we are yet to explore it fully, here’s a quick review of what we have learnt so far:
First Impressions:
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite comes in a simple white box. Apart from the tablet, its contents include a travel adaptor, a data cable, an ejection pin, and a manual. Samsung has also provided a book cover for the Tab, though I doubt it will be offered as a standard accessory. The cover itself is priced at 2199, which is still considerable, should a potential customer opt for it.
The model we received gets 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage. There is also a higher version available with 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage. Both models share an 8.7-inch HD Display that might not be the best in class, but it does its job flawlessly. The tab gets an 8MP camera at the front and a 2MP unit at the rear. Neither are excellent for photography, but a tablet isn’t supposed to be used for severe photography either!
Usage:
Being equipped with just 3GB RAM means the tablet is rather sluggish. Honestly, I felt a slight lag right from the time I booted it up. The interface is typical Samsung with nothing to admire, though Samsung loyalists will find no fault. The usual Samsung paraphernalia is included in the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, while it also gets an optional e-educator. It’s a nifty addition, especially in current times.
The tablet is not bulky to hold and feels more like an enlarged phone. However, its awkward dimensions mean that fluent operation is more of a habit than intuition. The display, however, is classic Samsung and shows all colours in vivid beauty. However, the lack of a suitable processing system and supporting hardware means that the Tab’s potential might be untapped, should it have any.
Verdict:
Samsung has given the Tab a 5100mAH battery. While it is not monstrous, it should suffice for a day’s worth of light or medium usage. It is clear that Samsung aims to market this Tab as a jack of all trades, and it is doubtful that it will be a master of any. That said, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a suitable pick for anyone looking for a multi-purpose utility tool without too high expectations and while also being reasonably priced. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is available in 3GB + 32GB and priced at Rs 14,999 for LTE and Rs 11,999 for WIFI model.
Asus is a brand synonymous with extravagance. Be it smartphones or laptops; the brand always offers something extra. But is it always good? We got a chance to answer that question when we reviewed the Asus VivoBook 17 M712. Here’s how it went:
First impressions:
With a 17.3-inch Full HD NanoEdge display, the laptop ensures an immersive and crystal clear visual experience. That, coupled with SonicMaster audio technology, translates to a theatre-like experience in a closed room. It also has an 85 per cent screen-to-body ratio that could have been better, but it looks good.
Usage:
The laptop functions fantastically as a professional device. After all, with the AMD Ryzen 5 Processor and AMD’s integrated Radeon graphics equipped, it is sure to offer smooth performance. However, it is more of a generalist than a specialist and can be best used for productive multitasking, multimedia editing, or casual gaming. It gets 16GB RAM and a PCIe SSD storage that offers quite substantial storage and run speeds. Asus also provides additional storage alongside the SSD, with 1TB SATA HDD.
However, the downside of its enormous size is its keyboard. Although it is a full-size backlit keyboard, it is relatively far from the base of the laptop. Probably because the mouse tracker occupies significant space, but that pushes the keyboard further towards the screen. This makes it slightly cumbersome to use over extended periods, and prolonged usage is almost guaranteed to cause wrist pain. The keys have 1.4mm of travel, which allows feather-touch typing, but their proximity and flatness can lead to frequent mistype under speed.
Connectivity options are plentiful in the VivoBook, with one USB Type-C port, featuring an any-way-up design that makes connecting devices as easy as possible. In addition, there is one USB 3.1 Gen 1 and two USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI 1.4 output, and a microSD card reader. All these options ensure that the user can opt for multiple inputs for the laptop.
Verdict:
A starting price tag of Rs 62,990 might make the user consider other options, but anybody who opts for the VivoBook 17 with a generalist approach will not be disappointed. However, it would be nice if Asus could update the keyboard design in its future models to increase the comfort level of using its laptops.
The second wave of covid-19 thrusts us back into our homes, and mission work from home begins again. Now, looking at a maximum number of professionals working from home, everyone needs and wants to own the best laptop to finish off work and enjoy their extra hours with their family or with their other ventures. So, whether you’re looking for a laptop with massive battery life or one with a magical crisp display, here is our list of top 5 laptops for work from home culture:
Dell XPS 13 (9300)
Specifications
CPU
8th generation Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM
8GB-16GB
Storage
256GB – 1TB SSD
Screen
13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4k (3840 x 2160)
We’re beginning our list with an expertly designed Dell XPS 13 (9300) that combines tremendous power in a stylish thin, and stunningly small body. The award-winning 13.3″ laptop offers a Full-HD+ display, and it is powered by 8th generation Intel Core i5 and i7. The laptop boasts over 12 hours of battery life, and the webcam is now placed right above the screen that helps you attend video calls more smoothly. The i5 variant of the Dell XPS 13 features 8GB RAM with a 512GB SSD is priced at Rs 1,50,990, while the i7 model features 16GB RAM with a 1TB SSD is priced at Rs 1,95,790; the prices are hefty, but with all the features it stands tall in front of its other competitors.
Apple’s newly refreshed Apple MacBook Pro 13″ is powered by the new M1 processor and sets the benchmark for performance and battery life. If you’re a video editor and looking to decorate your editing table, then MacBook Pro 13″ is one of the best options you have in the market, as it works splendidly with FCP, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and more. Along with a magic keyboard, retina display and all other premium features, the new MacBook Pro 13″ provides an exceptionally well battery that keeps the device running for a long time. The 8GB memory and 256GB storage configuration model costs Rs 1,22,900.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Specifications
CPU
Quad-core 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-i7
Graphics
Intel® Iris™ Plus
RAM
Up to 16 GB
Storage
Up to 512GB
Screen
13.5″ / 15” Touchscreen PixelSense™ Display
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is the most traditional laptop you would see in the market but it promises fast performance, premium design and a touch screen experience. It has been redesigned from the inside out to impact productivity. The laptop is powered by the latest 10th Gen Intel Core™ Processor with improved graphics and up to 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage. It has an exceptionally well-designed keyboard and trackpad, and it only takes about an hour to reach 80% of the battery, and when charged fully, it lasts up to 11 hours. The prices start at Rs. Rs 1,01,990 for the 128GB storage variant, and move up to Rs 1,27,990 for the 256GB.
HP Spectre x360
Specifications
CPU
Intel Core i7-1065G7
Graphics
Intel Integrated UHD Graphics 620
RAM
8GB
Storage
512GB SSD
Screen
13.30-inch
HP Spectre x360 is a convertible laptop from HP that raises the bar with the chipmaker’s latest innovations, including Thunderbolt 4 ports and an 11th Generation Tiger Lake processor with Iris Xe integrated graphics. It gulps up everyday work tasks with smooth operations with its 10th-generation 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 processor. The battery life is good and stays long for up to 10 hours. If you’re looking for a modern laptop with the best features, this one should be on your wishlist as it is one of the best laptops for day-to-day work. HP Spectre x360 prices start from Rs. 121,499.
Lenovo ThinkPad E15
Specifications
CPU
Intel Core i5-10510U / Intel Core i7-10210U
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics
RAM
Up to 32GB
Storage
Up to 2TB SSD + Up to 2TB HDD
Screen
15.6”, Full HD (1920 x 1080), IPS
Lenovo has done an excellent job of overcoming the profile and the weight of the Lenovo ThinkPad E15; it is an unofficial successor of the ThinkPad E590. The plastic-made laptop has a terrific keyboard and display, and it also provides various options for upgradability. The Intel Core i5-10510U / Intel Core i7-10210U powered laptop stays a little down when it comes to battery life but manages to stay alive for up to 8 hours. If you’re running low on a budget or trying to save some money for lockdown life, this one will fulfil your both wishes as the ThinkPad E15 prices start at Rs. 59,490.
ASUS India today announced the expansion of its TUF laptop portfolio in India with the new TUF Dash F15. This super-slim 15-inch device represents portability and a thin and light design. Engineered to empower users with the ability to game, work, and stay productive anywhere, the new Asus laptop comes with the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11370H processor and GeForce RTX 3070/ 3060 GPU for unbeatable performance. The laptop was unveiled globally during a virtual conference at CES 2021 and is finally set to mark India. The powerful core experience is equipped with high-end features not typically seen at accessible price points, such as a tournament-level gaming panel with up to a 240Hz refresh rate, a versatile Thunderbolt 4 port and a Two-Way AI Noise Cancellation technology. With an extended battery that nets up to 16.6 hours of video playback and Type-C charging that extends battery life from various adapters and power packs, gamers can be productive longer on the go. The TUF Dash F15 fits all these features in a stylish chassis that is easy to carry and boosts productivity without sacrificing the TUF Gaming series’ signature military-grade durability. Commenting on the launch, Arnold Su, Business Head, Consumer and Gaming PC, System Business Group, ASUS India, stated, “We at ASUS aim at empowering our consumers with products that boost their productivity while uplifting their performance with industry-leading technologies. Our TUF Gaming series resonates with this synergy and is designed to augment your gaming experience by making it accessible to all. Powered by 11th Gen Intel Core processors, TUF Dash F15 is set to create new experiences and replicate its success by creating new milestones in the Indian market. We are attuned to evolving consumer requirements and have them at the core of our product development strategy. With our latest offering, we further aim at elevating their gaming experience.” Rahul Malhotra, Director – Consumer Sales, Intel India, said, “Intel’s new line of 11th Gen Intel Core H-series mobile processors pushes the limits of what is possible for enthusiast-level gaming in ultraportable form factors. This combination of performance and sleek design is built for anyone who needs a laptop that can go anywhere and do everything.” Slim and stylish design to suit every lifestyle: The all-new Dash F15 is lighter and thinner than standard TUF Gaming laptops, with only 19.9 mm thin and 2kg weight, while still meeting MIL-STD-810H military standards. It has been rigorously tested to survive everything from extreme environments and ambient vibrations to accidental knocks and bumps, making it a device that’s reliable to take on the road. Because it represents such a new direction for TUF Gaming, Dash F15 was designed with a streamlined new look and feel. Moonlight White and Eclipse Gray colour options are both professional and understated, accentuated by bolt blue backlighting on the keyboard. The refreshed TUF logo boasts a modern look that evokes the series’s strength, while the thin lettering across the lid underscores the slim new design direction. Latest 11th Gen Intel Core laptop that goes everywhere and does everything: Users can play more than a game with the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11370H processor. The CPU clocks up to an astounding 4.8GHz, nearly matching the fastest desktop processors’ frequency – enabling fantastic performance in a thin chassis. It also features four lanes of CPU-attached PCI Gen 4 for high bandwidth to connect the latest discrete graphics, accelerating everything from gaming and streaming to intensive tasks like compiling code. Intel shares ROG’s vision of rugged ultra-slim gaming laptops that let users work and play in more places. TUF Dash results from close collaboration with a fine-tuned performance that allows the processor to reach its full potential and sustain high speed while gaming. Room for up to 32 GB of DDR4-3200MHz memory means there’s enough RAM for productive multitasking and content creation. Everything loads at warp speed thanks to a PCI Express SSD that makes systems feel more responsive. Up to 1 TB of space holds a massive collection of games, while an additional SSD slot makes it easy to add terabytes of extra capacity for massive multimedia files and more. Dash F15 features an easy-upgrade design that puts the SO-DIMM slot and both M.2 slots just behind the bottom panel, held in place with standard Philips screws. A special pop-open screw pushes the bottom corner away from the chassis, so it’s easy to get under the hood fast. The surrounding hooks holding the edges together are smaller and more robust than conventional counterparts, making it easier to lift off the panel without scuffing the body or special tools. Powered by Ampere Graphics power is assured with up to a GeForce RTX 3070/3060 GPU clocked up to 1390 MHz at 80W with ROG Boost, allowing it to pump out massive frame rates in the latest blockbuster games and popular esports titles alike. Built on NVIDIA’s latest Ampere architecture, this all-new GPU blends traditional CUDA processing cores with 2nd generation RT and 3rd generation Tensor cores to accelerate ray tracing and artificial intelligence. This combination of cores enables realistic in-game lighting and effects, and it also speeds up other computationally intensive work like AI deep learning. A powerful GPU puts triple-digit FPS within reach in popular games, but a fast display is essential to get the full effect. A gaming panel with up to a 240 Hz refresh rate offers gamers the same edge as esports athletes, with a 3ms response time that reduces motion blur to make fast-paced target tracking more precise. This top IPS-level panel option covers 100% of the sRGB spectrum, the most widely used digital colour space, letting users game, create, and do more in true colour. Other configurations of the Dash F15 feature a 144 Hz display that still offers competitive gaming speed, more than doubling conventional laptop displays’ refresh rate. The panel maintains colours and contrasts across wide viewing angles, so you can set off to the side while playing games or streaming videos with friends. Adaptive-Sync support across all display options enables ultra-smooth gameplay by synchronising the refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate, reducing lag, minimising stuttering, and eliminating visual tearing. The display is framed by 6.2 mm super-narrow bezels that minimise distractions from the action. The slim border shrinks the footprint of the chassis, too, making the laptop more compact. Portable power Working anywhere is more flexible with excellent battery life. Up to 16.6 hours of continuous video playback time means gamers can stream or take care of other tasks without tethering themselves to an outlet. When a full recharge is needed, the new fast-charging technology takes the battery from 0% to 50% in under 30 minutes. Battery life can be extended even further with Type-C charging support that can top off a charge from compatible adapters and power packs. Type-C adapters up to 100W are supported, meaning users can travel lighter and save the standard AC adapter for gaming or other intensive tasks that require full performance. The Type-C port works with Thunderbolt4 and USB4, connecting to the latest generation of premium devices. Thunderbolt4 lets users plug in a docking station to drive a desktop setup or hook up an external GPU to boost gaming performance and overall graphics power on demand. Dash F15 is also equipped with a wide variety of additional ports that keep users flexible for any situation. Three USB 3.2 Type-A ports make room for vital peripherals like a gamepad, mouse, and external storage. HDMI 2.0b can be connected to a wide range of displays at resolutions up to 4K. The Type-A port also doubles as a DisplayPort 1.4 output, making it simple to connect to a secondary display. Getting online is comfortable with ultrafast Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). It’s hard to beat wireless networking convenience, but wired connections have lower latency for severe multiplayer gaming, so Gigabit Ethernet is also included. Comprehensive cooling Advanced cooling enables the Dash F15 to fit top tier processors in a super slim form factor. A substantial heat spreader and five copper heat pipes distribute thermal energy from the CPU, GPU, VRAM, and VRM into four heatsinks, each lined with thin fins that maximise surface area for heat dissipation and minimise resistance to airflow. Dual fans channel air through four outlets that expel heat faster and less noise than typical ultra-slim designs. The N-Blade fans are specially sculpted to move more air. They’re made from a special liquid crystal polymer that creates enough space to fit 83 blades per fan and ensure that each edge is strong enough to hold high RPMs. Such high blade density means each fan can draw and push more air per rotation, cooling components faster. With 0dB Technology, the fans switch off completely when CPU and GPU temperatures drop below 50°C in the Silent operating mode. This makes cooling truly silent under light workloads. The self-cleaning cooling module maintains long-term stability and performance by preventing the build-up of critical components like fan blades and heatsink fins. Updated anti-dust tunnels are shorter to create more airflow space around the fan while still redirecting particles away from necessary hardware. Users can take fine-tuned control of Dash F15 with Scenario Profiles, in which users can switch seamlessly between three operating modes that mix different cooling and performance profiles. Turbo mode delivers maximum performance and fan speeds for intensive tasks, while Performance mode optimises speed and acoustics for the best gaming experience. Silent mode reduces power and noise for lighter loads like web surfing and video streaming. Users can set scenario Profiles to trigger when they launch specific apps and games automatically. They can also change additional system settings, like the display profile and behaviour of the Windows key.
Premium sound Dash F15 is topped off with a range of premium features that enhance its everyday user experience for gaming, entertainment, and more. Voice chat is crystal clear thanks to the new Two-Way AI Noise Cancellation technology. This advanced technology removes a broad range of unwanted background noise from both input and output audio, meaning that both the user’s voice and incoming communications are fuzz-free. It supports any input device, and noise cancellation settings can be applied and adjusted for specific apps, so unwanted sounds can be filtered out of voice chat software without adversely affecting game audio or music apps. Best of all, this technology runs on the CPU, allowing the GPU to focus all its resources on maximising gaming performance. A new, quiet keyboard design keeps inputs under 30dB. Commands can be input freely and discreetly, no matter where users want to play. Its desktop-style design is optimised for gaming, with four dedicated hotkeys that allow quick access to essential features like volume, mic mute, and Armoury Crate. Function keys are separated into the usual groups to make shortcuts more intuitive, while arrow keys are offset for effortless navigation. The stealthy keyboard switches have a 1.7mm travel distance that makes typing more comfortable. Entertainment experiences are more immersive with DTS:X Ultra technology that brings 7.1-channel virtual surround sound to stereo headsets and speakers. Users can choose between built-in presets for games, movies, and sports or customise their tuning with an embedded equaliser. AVAILABILITY AND PRICING:
Product
Colour and Price
Availability
ASUS TUF Dash F15
Eclipse Grey – Rs 1,39,990/
Moonlight White – Rs 1,40,990/
End of March’21 – Across all channels – Online (Flipkart * Amazon) and Offline, ASUS Exclusive Stores and ROG Stores
Hewlett Packard, known in the computing world as HP, has always been keen on providing maximum performance at a minimal price. Well, minimal if you consider the value on offer and the competition. When Intel came up with the latest 10th series mobile CPUs, HP jumped on the bandwagon to upgrade its offering in the gaming industry.
While the baseline HP Pavilion Gaming gets a 16-inch model as an update, the flagship Omen series has undergone considerable changes. While the Omen X acts as the top boss in the lineup, I will be exploring the Omen 15 in detail, which I got a chance to review. Here are my thoughts.
First Impressions:
If the Omen had to mean what it is named after, it would be a rather good omen. Not that it doesn’t have its share of drawbacks and shortcomings, but more on that later. A glance at the laptop defines its purpose and HP has done a fantastic job keeping it straight, sophisticated, and subtle. The lack of RGB lighting on the exterior gives the laptop an understated look, but probably that’s where its stealth factor comes in. Displaying its logo in a shiny diamond background is the only telltale sign of what lies underneath. The new update has made the laptop sleeker and stealthier, making it more powerful and purpose-oriented.
As I opened the lid, I was greeted by the ‘015’ branding on the keyboard deck. This is the first sign of the laptop being a gaming-oriented machine. Its chassis has a metal finish and a matte black colour. While it does look appealing, it tends to attract a lot of smudges. The shiny logo will immediately start to look worn and used if not taken proper care of. The lid itself is quite flimsy and was unable to hold its position as I moved and jerked the laptop around. Not that it was a pressure test, but HP Omen 15 could use a bit better build quality.
Another parameter that seems unnecessary is the 180-degree flat hinge. It appears useless as there would be hardly any ardent gamer who would lay the laptop flat on the table to play. Add to that a weight of 2.36 kilos, and you have a good “chunky” laptop at your disposal.
According to HP, the Omen 15 gaming laptop has the smallest footprint in the 15-inch gaming laptop segment. However, it is in no way lightweight and will give you a decent arm workout should you choose to carry it around in a handbag. However, carrying it on your back is relatively easier.
Display
The unit I reviewed displayed all its content on a Full-HD (1920×1080) resolution, with 144Hz refresh rate screen (though it can scale up to 300Hz as per the model) compatible with Nvidia G-Sync. The IPS panel offers 300 nits of brightness, 72 per cent NTSC, and 90 per cent sRGB colour gamut coverage.
While it isn’t the best offering for gamers, it is a pretty solid deal for the price tag it commands. Narrow bezels surround the display on three sides, which offers a decently immersive experience. Continuing the “matte finish” theme, the laptop also features a non-reflective display which is great for gaming.
Connectivity and Hardware
HP does not like to comprise on connectivity and it shows. Armed with three USB-A ports, a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support, an HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, and a 3.5mm connector for your headphones or microphone, the laptop can connect to practically anything you throw at it. It also gets an SD card reader, should any content creator or photographer wish to unload the data onto its super-fast 1 TB SSD, more on that later.
The laptop charges via a standard barrel charging pin and can sustain light to medium use for 6-8 hours a day on a full charge. However, for heavy gaming, it is recommended to keep the charger plugged in as AAA games will drain the battery otherwise.
Coming to the keyboard, it is a pleasant sight to look at. With full-sized arrow keys, it took us straight back to the time when I used to play 8-bit games with blocky controls. The keyboard has RGB lighting, though the one present under the keyboard isn’t the best of the lot either.
I found it best to use a single light, or switch it off altogether. The keyboard misses out on the Numpad, though it compensates for it with a few handy shortcut keys.
Typing on the keyboard for prolonged periods would have been easier if it wasn’t for the laptop’s jagged edges, starting digging into the wrists after some time.
HP has sent me the Omen 15 with a 10-gen Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB of RAM and GeForce GTX 1660Ti with 6GB VRAM. Since I had to use the laptop for general office work, it neither took load on itself nor gave me trouble.
For the average office-goer, the laptop will be a boon as it will be lag-free and sustainable for as long as you would like. Ardent gamers, however, will be slightly underwhelmed by the hardware. However, this should be the perfect pick for someone running on a budget.
The heat dissipation was also remarkable, and the laptop managed to stay cool as I enjoyed hours of gameplay! The fan did become slightly noisy and could be heard over the keyboard, but it wasn’t too intrusive or distracting. Bang and Olufsen have provided a sound system for the laptop, which sits under a somewhat quirky design on the keyboard’s top.
While the sound output is decent, I didn’t use the speakers a lot as my headphones were almost always plugged in. Overall, I’d like to say that HP Omen 15 is a compelling package at its price point if you overlook its few drawbacks.
Verdict
Priced well above the Rs 1 lakh mark, the Omen has to be a well-researched and thought out pick for someone looking for a good gaming experience. While it does its job well, its shortcomings might dissuade some buyers who have a higher budget. Nevertheless, it is a value for money machine that’ll be capable enough for your productivity and gaming needs.
Microsoft has announced the availability of Surface Laptop Go in India from January 22 via commercial authorized resellers, authorized retailers and online partners at a starting price of INR 63,499. Designed to power essential everyday experiences, Surface Laptop Go extends its Surface line-up by delivering standout designs along with the features most loved by our Surface Laptop customers at a more affordable price.
Combining performance, battery life, value and style, Surface Laptop Go is ultra-light with a portable profile comprised of premium materials. Whether for learning or working, the camera, speakers, and mics are being used more now than ever before. For families, students and businesses, Surface Laptop Go offers a premium Surface look and feel at amazing value.
“As the reality of hybrid work and learning environments unfolds before us, the PC continues to play an integral role in keeping all of us connected to our work, school, and lives – and every person today needs a PC. Our goal is to design a Surface for every person, work style and location. With the new Surface Laptop Go, we want to give every person in the household or organization a laptop that’s not just something you need to use, but something you want to use. The Surface Laptop Go is our lightest and most affordable Surface laptop yet that offers the perfect balance of performance, battery life and style,” said Rajiv Sodhi, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft India.
Sleek design and standout value: The lightest Surface Laptop ever at 1.11 kg helps people do more on a 12.4” PixelSense touchscreen display, full-size keyboard with 1.3mm key travel for an accurate and comfortable typing experience, large precision trackpad and all-day battery life plus Fast Charging, all at an exceptional value. Narrow bezels and the Surface signature 3:2 screen ratio provide more space to work naturally. Available in platinum colour, there is a Surface Laptop Go for everyone.
Familiar features and trusted security: Users can get started with the Windows they love, convenient security of Windows Hello and One Touch sign-in with a Fingerprint Reader Power button on select models. One-Touch sign-in also provides fast, secure access to OneDrive Personal Vault files and more for quick productivity. Amazing sound for music and streaming video and built-in Studio Mics, Omnisonic Speakers, Dolby Audio and a 720p HD camera enhance video calls. Bringing cloud-first device deployment and management to every organization’s IT ecosystem with Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Device Firmware Configuration Interface (DFCI), Surface Laptop Go offers Windows Autopilot to reduce IT complexity by deploying straight to employees.
Get work done with essential apps: Users can power through today’s tasks and tomorrow’s assignments with all their favourite apps, backed by all-day battery life. All configurations of Surface Laptop Go feel snappy and fast, taking full advantage of cloud-connected experiences like Microsoft 365 and online storage. Surface Laptop Go features USB-C and USB-A ports for display and accessory support along with the latest 10th Gen Intel i5 Quad-Core Processor and up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, helping users stay productive and connected wherever they are.
Hewlett Packard, or HP as it is most commonly known, has always been the go-to brand for style, functionality and reliability. Among its wide range of laptops is the latest Envy 15, which targets the professional users such as video editors, creators, and graphic designers. While it is loaded with top-notch specs, it does have its share of shortcomings. Will the HP Envy 15 make your colleagues green with envy? Find out.
Aesthetics and first impressions:
One glance at the HP Envy 15 is enough to conclude that it is indeed a professional laptop and it carries that badge with pride. Thanks to its aluminium build in a silver-metal finish, the laptop oozes subtlety and elegance. That is complemented by the stylish chrome HP logo on the display lid, while the slim bezels on the top and sides of the 15.6-inch full HD IPS display panel further enhance the sleekness of the laptop.
The bottom bezel, however, takes away some of the glamour with its rather large design. The backlit keyboard is flanked by speaker grilles on both sides (From Bang & Olufsen, particularly) that give out quite decent audio output, while the arrow keys are accompanied by a nifty fingerprint scanner. The touchpad is also quite smooth (more on that later).
Two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, a full-size HDMI 2.0 port, a USB-A 3.1 port and a microSD card reader constitute the left side of the laptop. The right side houses a headphone jack and another USB-A 3.1 port. All this is housed in a sleek case measuring 14.1 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches (LxWxH) and weighing 2.14 kg. This does seem like a lot, but it can be seen as a compact design if you consider the specs it comes loaded with.
Video and Audio:
As mentioned above, the laptop gets a 15.6-inch full HD (1920×1080 pixels) IPS, anti-glare display. Its 60 Hz refresh rate might not be in the same league as 144Hz screens, but the display is clear, crisp, and colourful nevertheless. Most colours on-screen pop out vibrantly, but it isn’t too abrasive to the eye.
HP has added a 720p webcam to the mix, which does its job as it should but is nothing to ponder over. However, the highlight of the webcam is the external shutter and microphone mute keys on the keyboard. Coming to the B&O speakers, a decently stereo surround sound can be experienced, though an immersive experience is not guaranteed.
Hardware:
I can safely say that the HP Envy 15 gets one of the best keyboards to work on. Comfortable, intuitive and well-lit, the keyboard looks as pleasing as it is to work on. The trackpad also does its job well and there is hardly anything to complain about here. If you had to be nitpicky, you could wish for a bigger trackpad, but that will only be an occasional woe rather than a regular complaint. The keys are not only well-spaced, but the back-lighting also ensures that every individual key can be clearly seen. The layout is overall quite symmetrical and pleasing to the eye.
Internals:
Armed with an Intel Core i7-10875H CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q GPU, 16GBDDR4 RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD, the laptop can take on anything that you throw at it. Be it heavy files, complex designs or intense gaming, there is nothing that the HP Envy 15 can’t handle. However, the laptop isn’t immune from heating, which it does after a while of extensive usage. It isn’t unmanageable, however, and can be overlooked as well. For the average commercial user, this laptop will fulfil all purposes and will still have the capacity for more. Nevertheless, it could offer a better performance had it been equipped with better internal components such as an Nvidia RTX series graphics card or 32GB of RAM.
Should you go for it?
Priced well above the Rs 1.50 lakh mark, the HP Envy 15 is not a casual buy for sure. But if you are willing to invest that kind of money, you will definitely be pleased with the outcome. There is not much that is left to desire for after owning an Envy 15, but that is only if you are a jack of all trades. Purpose oriented buyers such as gamers or professional video creators might want something more from it, but the Envy 15 will still carry all the tasks given to it diligently.
When was the last time you let your imagination run wild? When did you feel you were at your creative best? And when did you last get the chance to unleash your creativity to its fullest extent? If you are like me, the answer to the first two questions will be “many times” and for the last one, “rarely”. But after I spent some time with Acer’s ConceptD 7 laptop, my perception has definitely changed.
Initial impression:
To begin with, Acer has dedicated the laptop to designer and illustrators and it shows! It might give away its family lineage in some ways, such as its slim design might remind you of the Predator Triton or its foldable screen might remind you of the Spin 5, but let ME remind you, this is an entirely different deal! Now, Acer might offer a lot of features in its laptops but trust me, the ConceptD gets it all.
Display and Processor:
For starters, the laptop comes with a 15.6-inch 4K display, 32GB RAM, a hexacore Intel Core i7 processor, 2 TB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphic card with 6GB memory! That packs a serious performance punch! However, that takes a slight toll on its portability as the laptop weighs north of 2 kilos. However, these specs are enough to put it miles ahead of the MacBook Pro, which is pricier than the ConceptD and offers the same, if not better features.
Post usage:
Setting itself apart from the other Acers, the ConceptD comes in a suave white colour scheme, with a warm yellow RGB backlit keyboard. This is just to bring a more comforting and professional look to it, as opposed to the wild and in-your-face design of the Predator series, or the minimalistic look of other laptops. With Acer’s claim of adding a stain-resistant coating, which protects the laptop from yellowing and getting dirty, inked or otherwise stained, there is one more reason to not be worried about the pristineness of the laptop.
Verdict:
There are hardly any laptops that can be considered as an alternative to the ConceptD 7 or even put in the same league as it. However, it is also a laptop which can never be considered a casual buy. With a price point north of ₹2 lakh, anybody purchasing this laptop must have a clear intention of its usage. Nevertheless, it will definitely be a faithful buddy at any required time and will fulfil all its duties without the slightest hesitation. If you are a creator looking to unleash your creativity, this is your chance!
Asus has been known to provide genre-specific, purpose-oriented computers that are built for a reason and they follow that reason alone. But what about a laptop that is touted as an ‘expert’? Is it a stronger testament to their dedication towards a purpose or is it more of a forced moniker to draw attention away from its flaws?
Touch, feel, and vibe:
First and foremost, it is a solid laptop hands-down. Good built quality, sturdy backlit keyboard, and decently lightweight. It also offers a modern version of the ThinkPad TrackPoint, called the SensePoint. For newcomers, it is basically a tracking nub in the centre of your keyboard. Yes, the old-school one. The trackpad is also old-fashioned, with the left and right-click buttons on the top, instead of the conventional bottom. What’s more, there is even a privacy shutter for the webcam, so you can access the dark web more easily (just kidding, please don’t visit the dark web. It’s bad, trust me.) Weighing in at around 1.5 kilos, it also offers great portability. So what’s the problem? It is the display.
Display:
Oh, the display! If only it were sharper and clearer! Colour accuracy of only 46% sRGB is acceptable, so is an average brightness level of around 190 nits. However, what rubs off all the charm is the aspect ratio of 70:1! It simply destroys the picture quality and does not give a good output whatsoever. The LCD screen is absolutely outdated and takes away all the modernness of the laptop. Just by glancing at my colleague’s screen and looking back at mine, I could make out the difference. Yes, it is that hindering.
Performance:
That said, the laptop performs like a businessman. Crisp, curt, professional. What else can you expect though, with Intel’s 10th-Gen i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a pretty decent graphics card? Yes, you can play games and edit videos, and generally use it as a standard laptop. Or, you can be a good employee and use it exclusively for work! That way, you won’t have to deal with overheating, lagging, or battery drainage. Speaking of, moderate to standard office use will allow the battery to run for an entire day, assuming it is fully charged.
User Experience:
Funnily enough, I got the chance to use this laptop under varied circumstances. Be it on the desk of my office or in the middle of nowhere during a shoot, the laptop did its job and did it well. There were no complaints when copying or transferring data and also sustaining a day-long use without a recharge. But again, the display quality was a big let-down and dimmed the otherwise bright spotlight. Nevertheless, there is nothing a standard office-goer would miss on this laptop. Its body is meant to be durable and that’s what it is. You will have a tough time breaking it apart, provided you don’t make special efforts to do so! The keyboard is also intuitive, though the SensePoint nub is a bit intrusive. That would probably be because its presence is scarce these days, but the privacy shutter over the webcam is a welcome addition.
Verdict:
With a starting price of ₹62,999, the Asus Expertbook can be a consideration for anybody looking for a sturdy laptop with sufficient corporate abilities. Other users with a more focussed purpose, such as gamers, content creators, or graphic designers will find a lot of flaws and shortcomings and hence should prefer other options. Overall, the Expertbook is definitely not an expert, but rather a business specialist.
I have always been a fan of convertibles. Be it cars or gadgets, anything that has a 2-in-1 quality always catches my attention. Among those is the Acer Spin 5 laptop, which I recently reviewed. Now, I wouldn’t be talking about this laptop if it was just a run-of-the-mill laptop. But, there are certain elements of this laptop that I could not miss out on. So, without further ado, here is what I think about the Acer Spin 5.
First Impressions:
The highlight of the laptop is obviously its 360-degree hinge that converts the laptop to a tablet seamlessly. This gives the user a great deal of versatility and that will definitely help graphic designers, students, and even tablet lovers! It also comes with an inbuilt stylus that further increases the usability of the laptop.
Display and screen:
Talking about the screen, it gets a 13.5-inch touchscreen display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, which can be a little discouraging for someone who likes a widespread screen, but it is not too dissuasive. Unfortunately, its wide aspect ratio meant every time I tried to watch a 16:9 video, it was accompanied by two giant black bars at the top and bottom, which were rather intrusive. This was the only dissuasion in the otherwise crystal clear video experience.
Stylus:
Its stylus too does not actually feel like a pen and feels more like a long and thick needle. That it would, considering it is not even five inches long (12.53 cm, to be exact) and is only 5.3 mm in diameter, but it does the job. It uses the Wacom AES 1.0 technology, which gives it an accurate response rate. Add to it 4,096 pressure levels and you can easily get surgical precision from the stylus. It can be easy to forget that the stylus can run out of charge too, but Acer has an easy fix for that. Just plug it back in the laptop for 15 or 20 seconds and its ultra-fast charging will juice up the battery for 90 minutes worth of charge in that duration. The only discomfort is that you have to lift the laptop to toggle it out of the charging unit, and it’s the same place where it will be resting all the time. Unlike the earlier version of Spin 5 which was loosely attached.
Keyboard:
Well, though the stylus and the touchscreen are sufficient and tempting enough to forget about the keyboard, it is required to complete the feel of a laptop. The chicklet keys, while responsive, are rather cramped and would cause hindrance to someone who is used to a bigger and wider keyboard. Nevertheless, it is more about habit and I was able to adapt to it eventually. One feature that I truly appreciated was the fingerprint sensor, which is integrated into the smooth, responsive, and intuitive trackpad. The fingerprint sensor added a much-needed security feature to the laptop, immediately encouraging me to trust it more. It is also quite responsive and hardly caused a delay while unlocking the Spin 5.
Hardware performance:
With 16GB of RAM, the Spin 5 ran smoothly and did not trouble me while using it for everyday basics. Emailing, internet surfing, and video binge-watching worked flawlessly. However, it did start to lag when playing heavy, full HD games, or using video editing software for large files. Also, the Intel i5 10th Gen processor clocks in at 1.10 GHz with a maximum speed of 1.50 GHz. That, combined with Intel’s new Iris Plus integrated GPU, means that the Spin 5 can run a decent variety of games, but is far below the requirements of AAA games (Those fancy high definition ones on Steam)
Camera:
Considering the new normal, most of my meetings and discussions happened virtually. Naturally, I had extensive use of the front camera (Webcam for all you geeks!). Now, obviously this is not a camera oriented device and neither do I intend to compare it with one, but as these are Zoom days, I can conclude that the front camera is not comparable to that of a Macbook.
Verdict:
Since the Acer Spin 5 is more of a jack of all trades, I did not wish to pinpoint its flaws as such. However, I did find the sound a little lacking in spite of its front-facing speakers. The bloatware (unwanted software included on a new computer or mobile device by the manufacturer) is definitely a bummer and the laptop would have done much better sans that. With a price tag around Rs 90,000, this one is definitely a hard-hitter on the pocket. But what you get for burning a hole in your pocket is a sleek, stylish and comfortable laptop. All in all, the Acer Spin 5 is a well-rounded, (well folded, to be cheeky) laptop and can cater to a wide audience. It’s super light to carry and you actually don’t need an iPad when you have this with you. The battery lasts you a good 6 hours of continuous usage though claimed is 11 hours and I assume this means putting the ignition on and not really driving forward.
We recently switched sides from Apple to Windows and chose the Acer Spin 5 for the switch. Did it make us forget the Macbook or did it make us fall in love with Windows? Find out in this video where we talk about the convertible laptop.
Apple’s MacBook has set some definitions in the world of laptops. Nevertheless, major tech giants around the world have risen to the challenge and have produced some of the best laptops in the market. If you are looking for a quality laptop but don’t want to opt for a MacBook, check out these alternatives:
1. Dell XPS 13
Dell wanted to create a laptop that will not only match the MacBook’s aesthetics, but pose a serious competition with its performance. Enter the XPS 13. It is based on tenth-gen Core i5 and i7 processors, unlike the MacBook Pro. It also gets a lighter screen than the MacBook, with the same 13.3-inch resolution. Hardware includes 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage. It also gets features that MacBook misses on, such as two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack. However, it carries a suitable price tag of Rs 1 lakh+, while offering a weight of 1.2 kg.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers more than the MacBook Pro as it comes with a larger screen than the current 13.3-inch MacBook Pro and is available in seven set configurations. Buyers can choose from eighth and tenth generation Intel CPUs combined with IPS screens with Full HD, QHD or UHD resolutions. Compared to that, the MacBook Pro offers a maximum resolution of 2880×1800 pixels. Its price depends on the model selected also falls in the Rs 1 lakh+ range.
Asus has created one of the most affordable alternatives to the MacBook, with the VivoBook 14. It is priced under Rs 50,000 and offers an ultra-thin 14-inch display. It is powered by an 8th gen Intel Core i5 procesor and gets 8GB of ram and 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD). It also gets a microSD card reader, a USB Type C connector, two full-size USB ports, and one HDMI.
The HP Envy 13 has a 1.5cm thickness and a weight of just 1.2 kg, making it a considerable alternative to the sleek MacBook. The Envy 13 gets Intel’s 8th gen Core i5 processor, along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. It is also equipped with three full-size USB connectors, one USB Type C connector, a microSD card slot, and a micro SD card reader. HP has priced the Envy 13 at a reasonable Rs 70,000 price range.
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 2 is probably the most potent competitor to the Apple MacBook. It is exquisitely designed with unique colours and gets a premium Alcantara textile finish around the keyboard and trackpad. It gets a 13.5-inch display that has a resolution of 2256×1504. The display also has a 10-point multi-touch input options, giving it a significant upper hand over the MacBook. The laptop runs on an Intel 8th gen Core i5 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage and is priced around Rs 75,000.
