Laptops

Acer Spin 5 Review: Long-lasting and full-powered

Published

October 18, 2017

Daniel Morial

360-degree notebooks are everywhere. While some may not like them, they prove to be more versatile than your typical laptop. Acer’s Spin 5 is the latest to join the group. Can its full-bending hinge make you consider having one?

Let’s begin with the notebook’s physique. There is a lot to talk about the sleek metal body of the Spin 5 starting with how…

The Spin 5 looks like a typical laptop when in this position

The touchscreen is a 13.3-inch 1080p IPS LCD surrounded by thick bezels

It has a spacious keyboard with backlight…

Key travel is good and the layout will grow on you after a while

… and its responsive trackpad has a built-in fingerprint reader

Both the fingerprint reader and trackpad are responsive, but the click travel is quite deep

The left side houses the important ports on the Spin 5…

There’s the charging port, HDMI, USB-C, and two USB 3.0

… while the left has a few more ports along with a couple of buttons

Here we have the LED indicators, volume rocker, audio port, SD card reader, USB 2.0, power key, and lock hole

One of the best features of the Spin 5 are its speakers!

It fires sound directly up and gets pretty loud!

The 360-degree hinge is quite special, allowing the Spin 5 to have multiple positions

The hinge is solid and has enough resistance

You can position it like this when watching a video…

I enjoyed watching Star Trek: Discovery on this

Or like this when trying to present something at a meeting

Also works as a large digital display on a table

It can turn into a tablet anytime, too!

It comes with a stylus for jotting down notes and doing some sketches

An ideal laptop for media consumption

It’s a given that a regular laptop is fitting for productivity. We’re already accustomed to its layout, design, and overall experience. The Spin 5 doesn’t hold back in that sense thanks to its nice backlit keyboard and surprisingly responsive plastic trackpad. I do have some concerns about how difficult it is to execute a click on the trackpad, though. It takes effort to do a simple selection because of the deep click travel.

Since this isn’t your ordinary notebook, the 360-degree hinge makes the Spin 5 ideal for watching videos and general web surfing while in tablet mode. The speakers are also great, because no matter how I place the device on the table, the audio is always (or at least seems to be) directed at me. This makes everything sound clearer and louder. I’d gladly use the Spin 5 for binge watching.

Great performance for everyday use and more

While I enjoy the Spin 5 mainly for catching up on my TV shows, it’s got some oomph under the hood. The model we have for review has the latest Intel Core i5-8520U processor paired with Intel Graphics 620, 8GB of memory, and a fast 256GB SSD. Everything, of course, is run by Windows 10.

The configuration puts this notebook in the middle of the crop, having the right balance to run productivity apps like Office with no problems and letting you be efficient in Photoshop without hiccups. The Spin 5 offers everything I need to get me through my usual workload, with some casual gaming on the side.

By casual, I mean titles from the Windows Store like Asphalt Extreme and my boring yet fun (for me) American Truck Simulator. As expected, the former ran the smoothest (and more immersive than playing it on mobile phones), while the latter is best set to medium settings. It also won’t have any trouble loading DOTA 2 or League of Legends, just in case you’re planning on installing and playing them on the Spin 5.

It can last long without a charger around

I started my day with the Spin 5 fully charged to 100 percent and hoped that it would be enough for the day ahead, because I had to work remotely in a place that’s not quite generous with wall sockets. With the brightness set to 50 percent and Wi-Fi connected to the network, I was productive for four straight hours. I used the Microsoft Edge browser during this period, since Chrome consumes a lot of power. I was able to spend another three hours with the remaining juice watching Netflix at home before it asked me for the charger.

A total of seven hours of actual usage is impressive for a laptop with these specs. Other laptops that last this long are the fan-less Ultrabooks, which are more expensive and under-powered.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

The model we have is priced at PhP 59,990, which can already provide you with a more powerful gaming laptop. But that means you’d have to carry a bulky machine, which doesn’t even last as long on the road. The Spin 5 is more suited for those who want the right balance between work and play. I was surprised by how long it was able to last on a full charge.

For business use, the available ports on the Spin 5 are overwhelming, which also means I don’t have to buy dongles that would cost me extra. As for play, I just can’t get enough of the speakers. They’re not perfect, but they sound good and make movie watching lots of fun.

[irp posts=”19257″ name=”Acer updates laptop lineup with Switch 7, Swift 5, Spin 5″]

CES 2026

Spotlight: ASUS Zenbook at CES 2026

Did They Perfect the Dual-Screen Laptop?

Published

January 15, 2026

GadgetMatch

THE Michael Josh just got back from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas — the annual tech event that attracts all the biggest tech brands.

One of which is none other than ASUS, Taiwan’s biggest computing giant. They have launched the first wave of Windows laptops for 2026. There’s a full lineup — models for everyday folks, creators, and gamers.

However, we are focusing on these Zenbooks favorites the show: the updated 2026 Zenbook DUO and Zenbook A14, as well as a bigger Zenbook A16 model.

Eager to know more about them? Here’s our Spotlight on the three power-packed ASUS Zenbooks at CES 2026.

CES 2026

Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept was possible thanks to TCL

Also responsible behind the foldable display of the new motorola razr fold

Published

January 8, 2026

Vincenz

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

At this year’s CES 2026 in Las Vegas, TCL CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology) and Lenovo have further proved their long-term partnership. The newest Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold are equipped with displays by TCL CSOT.

Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept

The continuous collaboration of the two mighty Chinese companies bring out something that has been envisioned in laptops for quite a while now.

Ever imagined of a conventional laptop with standard 16:9 display that can instantly stretch into a 21:9 widescreen monitor? Well, the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept proves it’s more than possible.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Pioneering this partnership starts with TCL CSOT’s rollable display. Dubbed as the Lenovo PureSight OLED Gaming display. From a regular 16-inch 16:9 display, it completely transforms into an ultra-wide screen — stretching between 21.5 all the way to 24 inches.

For gamers and even e-sports athletes who seek visual flexibility (literally and figuratively), the display adapts to three (3) different training phases.

Focus Mode (16 inches) for honing reflexes
Tactical Mode (21.5 inches) for enhanced situational awareness
Arena Mode (24 inches) for full-scale competitive simulation

Behind that rollable display tech by TCL CSOT lies a dual-motor, tension-based system. This not only means that the rollable display can unroll smoothly, the expansion is not just controlled, its contraction also delivers minimal vibration and noise.

There’s also a dedicated tensioning mechanism that ensures consistent tautness across the OLED panel. Low-friction materials then secures durability throughout the rolling cycle.

motorola razr fold

Finally, after a long wait, motorola finally unveils their first ever book-style foldable.

The motorola razr fold headlines TCL CSOT’s 8.1-inch 2K LTPO flexible inner display. And unlike most foldable offerings in the market today, it supports a stylus!

When closed, its 6.6-inch external display delivers the familiarity of a candy-bar smartphone. Furthermore, its sleek, striking, and slim silhouette will feel comfortable in one’s hands.

Not much has been shared but more details will soon be unfolded by motorola.

The Co-Innovation Legacy

The steady legacy of TCL CSOT and Lenovo has already delivered consumer-ready products past the convention center show floor showcase.

Those include the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i with a flexible 4K OLED display unveiled at CES 2025. Even the motorola razr 60 series flip-style foldables launched last July 2025 was not missed.

And, with the introduction of the Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold, both companies continue to turn advanced display research into practical, user-focused products — setting new standards for performance, comfort, and sustainability.

With past display innovations, these newer advancements offer a more immersive viewing experience, better eye comfort, and flexiblility across various user applications.

This continuous collaboration highlights the companies shared commitment to advancing display technology and elevating the visual experience for users worldwide.

TCL CSOT’s constant strive for innovation is mainly driven by their APEX values:

A-mazing Display Experience
P-rotective of Eye Health
E-co-Friendly to build and use; and
X-Unlimited Imaginative Potential

Jun Zhao, the Senior Vice President of TCL Technology and CEO of TCL CSOT, states that the company is dedicated in providing Lenovo high-quality displays and custom diplay solutions that turn advanced technology into something “We are dedicated to providing Lenovo with high-quality, custom display solutions that turn advanced technology into everyday excellence, and

He also says “they look forward to exploring new frontiers together.”

Editors' Choice

Favorite Laptops of 2025

This year had some hidden gems.

Published

December 23, 2025

GadgetMatch and Luigi Leonardo

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The mystique of laptops has not abated since the pandemic. Portable PCs are still finding niches in today’s market. Whether you need an on-the-go office machine or a plug-and-play gaming rig, there is a laptop out there for you. This year is no different. As the year closes, it’s time to show some love to our Favorite Laptops of 2025.

ROG Zephyrus G14

As a gaming laptop, the ROG Zephyrus G14 brandishes a lot of the industry’s most powerful hardware. Shining with only a little more accoutrements as a MacBook, this notebook is sleek but a force to be reckoned with under its aluminum chassis.

We described the Zephyrus G14 as a laptop’s equivalent of “quiet luxury”; it doesn’t stand out, but anyone who knows the brand will give you a silent nod of approval. As part of the premium luxury segment, it does have a pretty high price tag, but that’s about the only thing that stops this laptop from being an immediate buy. Everything else is perfect.

Apple M5 MacBook Pro

Before the year ended, Apple dropped a surprising bombshell for its fans. The M5 MacBook Pro brings out a more powerful processor for Apple’s notebook segment. A premium alternative to the M4 MacBook Air, the notebook is “Pro but without the overkill.”

Obviously, it’s not for everyone. But, to those who need an additional jolt of power, the M5 MacBook Pro delivers everything you need and more.

Lenovo Yoga 7i Aura Edition

If you’ve dabbled in notebooks over the past decade, you should recognize Lenovo’s Yoga lineup. The 2-in-1 notebook popularized foldables before foldables were even a thing. With a 360-degree hinge, users can fold the notebook back into a tablet and vice versa.

The Lenovo Yoga 7i Aura Edition is the perfection of this technology, infused with today’s hardware. It’s not a perfect laptop or a perfect tablet, but if you need both, this notebook saves you the hassle of shopping for two separate devices. It’s a great deal.

ASUS Gaming V16

A robust gaming rig might be one of the most expensive things you can spend on today, especially because of rising RAM prices. Thankfully, being a gamer doesn’t have to be just as pricey. The new ASUS Gaming series brings decent gaming performance for a fraction of the price.

The ASUS Gaming V16 is your gateway drug to portable gaming. Starting at only PhP 59,995, the notebook offers users a taste of what the gaming world can do. It has a decent Intel Core 5 chipset and an RTX 40 series GPU. Plus, with a 63Whr battery, it’s built for grinding.

Apple M4 MacBook Air

If the MacBook Pro is too much power for you, this year’s M4 MacBook Air might fit your needs more. Though it doesn’t have Apple’s latest chipset, it’s still a decent all-around notebook for everyday use.

Because it doesn’t have the most robust hardware, the new MacBook Air is a master of portability. Even if it came out in the first quarter of this year, we were quick to call it one of the best laptops of 2025. As the year winds down, we’re still not taking away that distinction.

Lenovo Legion Go S

In the strictest sense of the word, the Legion Go S technically is not a laptop. Hear us out, though: Being a Windows-powered device, the handheld gaming device can act like a notebook in a pinch. Most importantly, it deserves some love as a computer, too.

For those who were expecting more traditional laptop fare, here’s a refresher: The Legion Go S is a portable gaming device that’s shaped like a Nintendo Switch. One version comes with Windows and can do much of what a laptop can do. Though it doesn’t have a standard keyboard, the power lurking underneath earns it a spot on this list.

ASUS Zenbook A14

There’s only so many ways you can differentiate a laptop from another, while keeping its essence as a notebook intact. In the case of the Zenbook A14, beauty takes center stage. Yes, it looks like any run-of-the-mill notebook, but it will still feel like one of the most premium devices you’ve ever touched.

The notebook sports ASUS’s iconic Ceraluminum which gives the Zenbook A14 a smooth, tactile finish that feels great to lug around. Plus, it weighs only 899 grams, making it handy for portability. If that’s not enough, the PhP 65,996 price tag is so affordable for its quality.