Features

Why the IdeaPad is an ideal partner

For getting started and more

Published

September 25, 2020

GadgetMatch

Every good thing we have today began with an idea. But it didn’t end as just being that.

When you’re in the late stages of college or university education or perhaps about to enter the workforce, this is the time when you’re full of youthful energy and a desire to make a dent in the world.

It’s also around this time that you’re bursting at the seams with ideas on what you want to do, and what you want to contribute to society. You might also be looking for a tool that can help you bring these ideas to life.

It’s a critical time in your life and you may not have the resources for multiple tools. So if you’re putting all your eggs in one basket — or in this case one gadget — let it be something that’s powerful, versatile, and can match all your needs.

Here’s an idea: Perhaps you should get a Lenovo IdeaPad! We think you should choose the new IdeaPad Slim 5/5i or IdeaPad Flex 5/5i. Read on to know why.

The processing power you need

The IdeaPad Slim 5/5i and Flex 5/5i are equipped with fresh Intel or AMD Ryzen processors to go along with configurations of up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and up to 1TB of SSD internal storage. That means all the computing power and speed you would need to last you for a few years.

Whether you’re dealing with tons of documents, endless pages of spreadsheets, and slide after slide of presentations, an IdeaPad will have you more than covered.

A workhorse like you deserves a partner that can more than keep up. These IdeaPads come with batteries that can stay with you for over 10 hours. Whether you’re making things happen at home or lugging it around for necessary remote work, it’s a device that has enough juice for a day.

Tools that keep you going

If you’re working with videos and images, the IdeaPad Slim 5/5i and Flex 5/5i will surely help in bringing your ideas to life. The only limit is your imagination.

It’s peppered with ports to unlock the multimedia mage in you. IdeaPads typically have a USB-C port, two USB 3.1 ports, a DisplayPort, an SD card reader, and an audio jack. You’re also equipped with competent connectivity (WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2). That’s everything you need to work your magic.

If you’re really deep into the arts, the IdeaPad Flex 5/5i comes with a stylus to give your creativity even more flexibility. Flip it however you like and whatever form you’re comfortable with. This is a gadget line that won’t leave you wanting.

A worthy partner

Life is already difficult enough as it is. Make it easier on yourself by choosing a partner that will help you achieve your goals. A partner that can stay with you through the grind and enable you to do things you probably didn’t think you’re capable of.

You need a partner that you can just let loose on without fear that it will give up on you at a crucial moment. This is what Lenovo IdeaPads are built for. They’re designed to provide you better opportunities, greater connectivity, and the ability to transcend limitations with its smarter technology and solutions that unlock your potential when turning ideas into reality.

The IdeaPad Slim 5/5i and Flex 5/5i are pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2019 and come bundled with Lenovo’s 3-Year Premium Care warranty upon purchase. This top-notch service provides customers with direct access to Lenovo engineers. They can guide you on basic troubleshooting and do an annual PC Health Check, as well as on-site repairs if absolutely necessary.

Don’t let yourself be held back by machines that fall short of the greatness you wish to achieve. With a Lenovo IdeaPad, you’re equipped with the necessary tools to make it big. Once you have one, all you really need is an idea to build on.

Contact any Lenovo authorized reseller to get your hands on an IdeaPad: http://lenovoph.com/authorizedresellers

This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and Lenovo Philippines.

Cameras

What HYROX Hong Kong looks like up close

Photographed on the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.

Published

June 11, 2026

MJ Jucutan

HYROX drew people from all over the world for a single purpose: finish the course. In Hong Kong, athletes showed up at AsiaWorld-Expo ready to run, row, and push through 8 stations of pure functional fitness.

So, we brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to capture one of the most demanding fitness races on the planet.

The Expo floor is a lighting nightmare, a mix of harsh overheads and deep shadows, but the 32.5MP sensor handled the contrast without breaking a sweat.

The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already capturing the moment half a second before we consciously decided to press the shutter.

Covering a race means staying mobile, and the 8.5-stop IBIS let us move freely alongside athletes without losing the shot. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked on athletes even when they were squinting through the final stretch.

What came out were stories of triumph and determination. Even when their bodies were screaming, they pushed through anyway.

This is what HYROX Hong Kong looked like from the inside.

Words by MJ Jucutan. Photos by Sky Rodillas.

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: Xiaomi Pad 8 Series

Do you need the base or the Pro?

Published

June 8, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro feels like picking between a “sweet treat” and a “full-course meal.”

It’s deciding between a reliable travel companion and a specialized workstation. Both tablets rock a slim 5.8mm profile and a manageable 485-gram weight, and a 9200mAh battery.

However, under the hood, they are playing in different leagues. Especially since the “Pro” moniker adds serious muscle to the internals, and a solution for that glossy screen distraction.

Specs at a glance

Product	Xiaomi Pad 8	Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
Processor	Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
Display	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)
Surface	Ultra-Glossy Glass	Optional Matte Nano-Texture
Storage/RAM	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB	Up to 16GB LPDDR5T / 512GB
Rear Camera	13MP	50MP
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Charging	45W Turbo Charge	67W HyperCharge
Pricing	Starts at PhP 20,999	Starts at PhP 38,999

Why you should pick the Xiaomi Pad 8

The standard Pad 8 is that “Goldilocks” device, hitting that sweet spot between price and premium hardware.

It’s ideal if your tablet usage is centered on media consumption and light productivity. Since it shares the same 11.2-inch screen size as the Pro, it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table, making it a dream for frequent flyers.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is no slouch; it still runs titles like Racing Master at 60fps on Ultra-High settings. If you’re a fan of XG or KiiiKiii, you’ll appreciate the quad-speaker setup and Hi-Res Audio support without needing to pay the “Pro” tax.

It’s the smart choice for those who want a capable second screen to complement their main laptop.

Why you should level up to the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro

The “Pro” is for those who found the standard model’s limitations — like the glossy screen reflections or the 128GB storage ceiling — to be a dealbreaker.

The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerhouse chip that turns the tablet into a legitimate workstation for video editing in CapCut or heavy multitasking in HyperOS 3.0.

Beyond power, the Pro version offers a Matte Glass Edition, which completely solves the “reflection” issue that can ruin your movie sessions or drawing time under bright lights.

You also get significantly better cameras, such as a 32-megapixel front sensor for professional-looking video calls. There’s also a 50-megapixel rear camera for high-res document scanning.

Finally, the 67W HyperCharge means you spend less time tethered to a wall and more time being productive.

Which Xiaomi Pad is your GadgetMatch?

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 if you want the best value for your money.

It’s thin, light, and powerful enough for 90% of users. It handles gaming, writing, and music playback with ease, making it a worthy recipient of a seal of approval for anyone on a budget.

Just be sure to skip the 128GB entry model and go for the 256GB version to ensure you get those faster storage speeds.

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you are a “power user” who hates screen glare. If you plan to use the Focus Pen Pro for serious creative work or need 512GB of space for a massive game library, the Pro is worth the extra investment.

It’s a high-speed machine that charges faster, captures better photos, and runs every app with flagship-level fluidness.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at PhP 20,999 with Normal Keyboard while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at PhP 38,999 with Touch Keyboard. Both tablets come with free Focus Pen Pro.

Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

Published

June 5, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.

Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.