Features

5 reasons to avoid gaming laptops

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Acer Predator 21 X

There’s only one good reason to buy a gaming laptop: acceptable gaming performance on the go. That’s it.

I’ve met several gamers who’d live and die with their gaming notebooks, and I too occasionally use them for casual gaming when I travel, but the cons easily outweigh the pros.

Before we begin, let’s define gaming laptops as mobile computers with midrange to high-end processors and graphics cards built in. They must also be marketed by their respective companies as notebooks for gamers — whether casual or hardcore.

With that, there’s no good reason to buy one, because…

You can barely call them laptops

From the water-cooled ASUS ROG GX800 to the over-the-top Acer Predator 21 X, gaming notebooks simply don’t care about portability. Whenever I review a unit, I must find a bag spacious enough to fit one of these monsters. The total weight can match a small desktop PC, minus the monitor of course.

Things get worse when you travel by air. Every single time I fly with one, security holds me at checkpoints to open my luggage and inspect my massive rig, thinking it’s a bomb controller or a bomb itself. Every. Single. Time. Needless to say, I’ve since been using something like this or this instead. (I’d love to try traveling with this, though.)

Size comparison: An ASUS gaming laptop next to an HP Ultrabook and curved Philips monitor

You could find much better deals elsewhere

Any serious gamer knows this: For the price of even just a low-end $1,000 gaming laptop, you could afford to build a high-powered desktop PC. I’m talking about being able to stick in NVIDIA’s $450 GTX 1070 graphics card with enough cash to spare for a decent processor and motherboard, plus lots of fast memory and storage.

Sure, it won’t be nearly as mobile as a notebook, but how often do you play while in transit or far from an electric socket? In addition, regular laptops equipped with lower-end graphics cards in the $500 to $600 range are actually good enough for casual gaming. I’ve enjoyed titles such as Child of Light, Portal 2, and I Am Setsuna on a $450 laptop sporting just a GTX 940m graphics card.

Upgrades are limited

One of the joys of PC gaming is designing a setup fit for your graphical needs. This is something you can do with gaming notebooks as well, but only at the beginning. That’s because you’re limited by whatever frame you start out with, so upgrades can only be dealt to the storage and RAM later on.

If you must go for a customizable notebook, Aftershock makes the process as simple as possible. I tried customizing a build in one of their shops in Singapore, and was able to choose from a variety of storage, display panel, and even warranty options. But again, prices begin at a whopping SGD 1,157 for the barest model, so you go back to the question, “Can’t I find a better deal elsewhere?”

You’ll have to stay near a wall

With so much power packed into a relatively small space, these types of machines consume a sinful amount of electricity when plugged in. This also means they get really hot under full load, so you can forget about the lap part in “laptop.” Trust me, I used one these as a pseudo fireplace during cold nights.

To make things worse, you have to keep it plugged in to maximize the processing potential while gaming. You see, most laptops throttle down the performance when working on battery power in order to save energy. This effectively kills the mobility aspect of your investment, and staples you to a wall socket.

This Acer Predator spent more time on a desk than in a backpack or train.

They’re simply too expensive

The starting price for “real” gaming laptops normally hovers around $1,000, and that’s for something equipped with a modest mobile version of midrange graphics cards. If you want a rig good enough for games like The Witcher 3 or the newest Tomb Raider, you must shell out at least $1,500, but even then you’ll be held back by middling performance.

If you just don’t care about your savings, going all the way up to $3,000 will guarantee you a gaming laptop strong enough to run games for the next three years at least. ASUS, Acer, Razer, and the like have notoriously jacked-up notebooks for exuberant prices. The wildest gaming laptop I ever used full-time was MSI’s GT80 Titan, which had a mechanical keyboard, two graphics cards, and a jaw-dropping $3,200 price tag.

Counterpoint: We need them for progress

Gaming notebooks aren’t just for bringing proofs of concepts to life; they’re also cauldrons for previously unthinkable engineering feats. Thanks to manufacturers creating these behemoths, realistic ideas spill over to more practical laptops.

Advanced cooling designs, accurate trackpads and keyboards, and efficient internal components were once exclusive to mobile gaming rigs. Now that the technology has matured, you can find these features on much cheaper mainstream notebooks.

[irp posts=”4303″ name=”IFA 2016: Acer Predator 21 X first look”]

Accessories

CASETiFY Match: Finding the right case for your Galaxy Z8 Series phone

Cases that match your personality

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CASETiFY cases for Galaxy Z8 series phones

A phone case can be more than protection. It can also be a way to show off your interests, personality, and the little things that make you, well, you.

For our CASETiFY Match for the Galaxy Z8 Series, we asked the team one question: Why was this CASETiFY design your Match?

From Spider-Man fandom and capybara obsession to feline-inspired art and snake motifs, here are the designs that found their way into our team’s everyday carry, plus a couple of bonus picks worth checking out.

Rodneil: A little New York energy for a certified web-head

If it wasn’t obvious enough, I’m a certified web-head. I love anything and everything Spider-Man, especially the iconic red-and-blue motif. Though, if we’re being honest, I’m more partial to the red.

I had my eyes on the Spider-Man suit design for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the Spider-Man Mask Snappy Grip Stand. Unfortunately, those designs aren’t available for the Galaxy Z Fold8.

So, I went with a design that gives off a bit of New York energy instead. It still pairs nicely with the Spidey Snappy Grip Stand, letting me bring a little of that Spider-Man vibe to my everyday setup.

V: Keeping it cool with capybaras

I’ve been a capybara stan since 2020, long before the world finally caught up with just how cute and chill these animals are. Seeing them get the recognition they deserve has been a source of much excitement.

Finding cool and cute capybara cases and accessories for the phones I use every day, however, hasn’t always been easy.

That’s where Deville Dewil’s capybara collection comes in. It fills that gap while making my Galaxy Z Fold8 feel like an even more personal accessory.

At this point, I’d like to identify as a capy/bara.

Luigi: A cat design that’s playful without being too loud

There’s no shortage of cat-themed cases out there. If you’re a cat lover like me, chances are you’ve considered one at some point.

The tricky part is finding a design that isn’t too whimsical or loud. I love the little furballs, but I still want something sleek and clean.

CASETiFY’s cat collection speaks to that balance. In particular, this design by Catwheezie blends artistry with a touch of whimsy. It lets me show off my personality without being too flashy.

MJ: A little reputation energy

I’ve always had a soft spot for snake motifs, and CASETiFY’s Transparent Kingsnake case gives me Taylor Swift’s reputation era energy.

I love how snakes symbolize transformation. As someone who’s always evolving and never afraid to reinvent himself, that meaning feels personal.

The black-and-white design also brings a sleek, rebellious edge. Paired with my Galaxy Z Flip8, it’s giving statement accessory with a little bite.

Bonus Match: Sunglasses at Night

Sometimes, keeping it simple is the way to go. The Sunglasses at Night design is tasteful and understated, letting me show off the actual color of my phone without competing with it.

Bonus Match: Pink Weekly Planner

For the girls (and gaes) who plan their days–and life–ahead. And of course, for when they need to keep their Wednesdays pink.

Find your Match

There’s no single way to find a phone case that feels right. It might be a favorite character, an animal you’ve loved for years, a piece of art, or a symbol that means something to you.

For our team, the right CASETiFY design is the one that brings a little more personality to a device we carry every day.

So, which design would be your Match?

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Hands-On

Apple iPhone Duo Unboxing and Hands-on

Supported apps, crease, cameras, and MagSafe all tested

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Apple’s iPhone Duo is finally here!

Aside from unboxing the all-new iPhone-dable in Night Sky, we take a closer look at the display crease, check out the under-display camera quality, see which MagSafe accessories work with it.

Most of all, which apps support it (or not).

But how well does the dual-screen experience on an iPhone actually work? Watch our Apple iPhone Duo unboxing and hands-on to know more!

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Buyer's Guide

iPhone Duo Philippines: Prices, installments, and where to buy

Compare prices and payment options

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The iPhone Duo is now available for pre-order in the Philippines. Apple’s first foldable iPhone comes in four storage configurations, with promotional prices ranging from PhP 159,990 to PhP 254,990.

But which model should you buy, and where should you get it?

Several authorized retailers offer discounted launch prices, 0% credit card installments, and pre-order bundles. Eligible bank promotions can also reduce the price by thousands of pesos.

Here’s what you need to know before ordering.

iPhone Duo Philippines price list

Storage Regular SRP Promotional price
256GB PhP 170,990 PhP 159,990
512GB PhP 187,990 PhP 175,990
1TB PhP 221,990 PhP 207,990
2TB PhP 271,990 PhP 254,990

The promotional prices are based on Power Mac Center’s published exclusive launch offer. Other retailers may have different payment requirements or participating bank promotions.

Prices reflect Power Mac Center’s published exclusive launch offer and may differ across retailers. We’ll update this guide as we verify each store’s latest offers.

Pre-orders run from October 16 to 29, 2026, ahead of the October 30 launch.

Which storage should you buy? Get the 512GB

Our recommendation is simple: skip the 256GB and get the 512GB iPhone Duo.

At PhP 159,990, the 256GB version is already an expensive purchase. While it offers enough storage for everyday tasks, it could become restrictive as your photo library, videos, games, and downloaded files grow.

The 512GB model costs PhP 16,000 more under the promotional pricing. That buys twice the storage capacity without the significantly larger price jump to 1TB.

Spread across 24 months, the difference is approximately PhP 667 per month.

For a phone this expensive, we’d rather pay that difference than constantly manage storage or rely on cloud subscriptions.

The 1TB and 2TB configurations remain options for people who regularly shoot large amounts of video or need substantial offline storage. However, most buyers won’t need to spend that much.

The 512GB iPhone Duo offers the best balance of storage and price.

Where to buy the iPhone Duo in the Philippines

Power Mac Center

Power Mac Center offers the iPhone Duo 512GB at an exclusive launch price of PhP 175,990.

Its published installment options include:

Term Monthly payment
24 months at 0% PhP 7,332.92
36 months at 0% PhP 4,888.61

The 24-month option is available with credit cards and Home Credit under the published offer. The 36-month option is subject to eligible bank cards and promotional periods.

Installment amounts are based on Power Mac Center’s published promotional pricing and applicable 0% installment terms. Actual payments depend on the eligible card and transaction. We’ll update this section as we verify the latest terms.

Power Mac Center also operates UpTrade, which lets customers trade in eligible devices toward a new purchase.

Beyond the Box

Beyond the Box offers iPhone Duo pre-orders with installment options of 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months at participating physical stores. Online payment options differ.

Using the PhP 175,990 promotional price as a comparison, a 0% installment would cost:

Term Monthly payment
12 months PhP 14,665.83
24 months PhP 7,332.92
36 months PhP 4,888.61
Monthly payments are illustrative calculations based on the PhP 175,990 promotional price, assuming 0% interest and no additional fees. Confirm the final price and available installment terms with Beyond the Box before purchasing. We’ll update this section once the retailer confirms its current offers.

Beyond the Box also advertises a pre-order accessory bundle worth over PhP 22,000 at listed retail prices. It includes a Speck case, Urbanista speaker, Function101 charger, Momax speaker flask, Bellroy tech kit, and other accessories.

The retailer says qualifying pre-orders receive the gift bundle, subject to availability. Buyers can also explore its BoxTrade program.

Digital Walker

Digital Walker participates in iPhone Duo pre-orders and selected bank promotions.

Using the PhP 175,990 promotional price as a comparison, the illustrative monthly payments would be:

Term Monthly payment
12 months at 0% PhP 14,665.83
24 months at 0% PhP 7,332.92
These are calculated examples, not confirmed Digital Walker quotations. Actual pricing depends on the final transaction, participating bank, and installment terms. We’ll update this section when the retailer confirms its current offers.

Digital Walker also participates in the Live Beyond Grand Raffle, which gives qualifying iPhone Duo purchases a chance to win an exclusive dinner for two at Toyo Eatery. The raffle is a chance to win, not a guaranteed purchase benefit.

Digimap

Digimap offers the iPhone Duo through its retail channels, with participating bank promotions and its DigiTrade program.

Metrobank lists Digimap among its participating retailers offering special iPhone Duo cash pricing.

For the 512GB model, the reference promotional price is PhP 175,990. At 0% interest, that would equal PhP 14,665.83 monthly over 12 months or PhP 7,332.92 over 24 months.

These amounts are illustrative calculations, not verified Digimap installment quotations. Digimap’s exact installment amounts and applicable terms have not yet been independently verified. We’ll update this section once the retailer confirms its current offers.

Buyers should compare the final cash price against available credit card installment offers. Trade-in credits may also reduce the amount payable, depending on the assessed value of the device.

The Loop

The Loop participates in several iPhone Duo bank promotions, including an offer from Security Bank.

The retailer’s reference promotional price for the 512GB model is PhP 175,990. At 0% interest, the illustrative payments would be:

Term Monthly payment
12 months PhP 14,665.83
24 months PhP 7,332.92
These are calculated examples based on the reference promotional price, not confirmed quotations from The Loop. Actual payments depend on eligible bank cards and transaction terms. We’ll update this section as we verify the latest offers.

The Loop also participates in bank-specific discounts. Buyers should check whether their card qualifies and whether the discount can be combined with other retailer offers.

Bank discounts can make a difference

Security Bank currently advertises a PhP 5,000 discount on qualifying iPhone Duo purchases at participating retailers, including Power Mac Center, Beyond the Box, Digital Walker, and The Loop.

For the 512GB model, that brings the promotional reference price from PhP 175,990 to PhP 170,990.

Installment term Monthly payment
12 months at 0% PhP 14,249.17
24 months at 0% PhP 7,124.58
36 months at 0% PhP 4,749.72
Monthly payments are calculated from the PhP 170,990 discounted price, assuming an eligible 0% installment transaction with no additional fees. The discount is subject to the bank’s promotional terms and participating merchant conditions. We’ll update this section if the offer changes.

EastWest also advertises savings of up to PhP 17,000 on qualifying iPhone Duo purchases at Power Mac Center and The Loop. Its promotion includes 0% installment options for 12 or 24 months, with the final discount depending on the applicable terms.

Metrobank separately lists iPhone Duo offers at Power Mac Center, The Loop, Beyond the Box, Digital Walker, and Digimap. Benefits differ by merchant and transaction.

Before choosing a payment method, check the final amount payable. Some bank offers cannot be combined with other promotions.

iPhone Duo

Postpaid options: Smart and Globe

Smart Communications

Smart offers the iPhone Duo through Postpaid Plans+ 1999, with advertised monthly payments starting at PhP 6,304.

The offer includes an open-line device, a choice of Unli App bundle, 12 months of UNLI 5G, and high-priority network access.

Customers who qualify for the pre-order promotion can also receive 18GB of additional Open Access Data valid for three months, a PhP 5,000 voucher for select Smart accessories, and 18% off select Digimap accessories.

Online pre-orders also qualify for a complimentary AirTag, subject to the offer’s conditions.

Smart supports zero-interest credit card installments over 24 months with select banks. Renewing subscribers may qualify for 36-month device payments charged to their postpaid bill.

Advertised monthly payments and promotional benefits are subject to Smart’s eligibility requirements and offer conditions. The total cost depends on the selected device configuration and plan. We’ll update this section as we verify the complete cost breakdown.

Globe Telecom

Globe also offers Apple devices through its postpaid channels.

However, we have not independently verified a complete iPhone Duo price and installment breakdown for its current GPlan offers.

Buyers considering Globe should compare the device cashout, monthly plan fee, contract duration, and total payable amount against the outright retail price.

Globe’s current iPhone Duo device pricing and installment terms have not yet been independently verified. We’ll update this section when the relevant details are available.

Should you trade in your old phone?

Trading in an existing device can reduce the cost of upgrading.

Power Mac Center, Beyond the Box, and Digimap operate trade-in programs. However, final valuations depend on the device’s condition, storage, and assessment results.

Before committing, compare the assessed trade-in value against potential private-sale prices. Also check whether a trade-in bonus can be combined with the promotional price and bank discounts.

What should you check before buying?

Before placing an order, keep these points in mind:

  • Final price: Confirm the amount you’ll actually pay after eligible discounts.
  • Installments: Compare total cost, monthly payments, and any additional fees.
  • Freebies: Check which gifts are guaranteed and whether they’re subject to availability.
  • Stock: Confirm the availability of your preferred storage configuration and color.
  • Trade-ins: Ask for the final assessed value and any promotional bonus.
  • Warranty: Understand the standard warranty and any optional protection plan.
  • Network compatibility: Confirm eSIM support if you’re keeping your existing number.
  • Delivery: Ask when your order is expected to arrive, particularly if the model is on back order.

Is the iPhone Duo worth buying?

The iPhone Duo starts at PhP 159,990, putting it firmly in premium flagship territory. Its foldable design offers a larger screen for viewing content, gaming, and multitasking while retaining a compact outer display when closed.

For most buyers, we’d recommend the 512GB model at PhP 175,990. It offers twice the base storage for PhP 16,000 more, without the much larger price jump to 1TB.

Power Mac Center currently provides one of the clearest published installment schedules, while Beyond the Box offers a substantial pre-order accessory bundle.

Security Bank cardholders should pay particular attention to the PhP 5,000 discount available at participating retailers. Smart is another option for buyers who already want a postpaid subscription, although its total contract cost deserves closer examination.

Ultimately, compare the final amount payable, not just the advertised monthly payment. The right offer should give you the storage you need without unnecessary charges or restrictions.

Last updated: October 17, 2026. We are verifying retailer-specific prices, installment terms, trade-in offers, and freebies. This guide will be updated as additional details are confirmed.
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