Laptops

Microsoft announces ‘most balanced’ Surface Laptop

Published

May 3, 2017

Rodneil Quiteles

Setting its eyes squarely on students, Microsoft unveiled what it calls the “most balanced” notebook, the Surface Laptop.

Microsoft made some bold claims about the Surface Laptop saying it made no compromises with the device. Microsoft Devices Chief Panos Panay kept driving home the point it is balanced and seamless. It’s powered by the latest Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and should last for 14.5 hours. Panay says it has “more battery life than any MacBook,” and is faster than a Core i7 MacBook Pro.

It has a 13.5-inch PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio — not something you’d normally see on laptops, but Panay claims it’s “the thinnest LCD touch model ever created and put into a laptop.” As for ports, it does not come with a USB-C port, but you do get a USB 3.0 port, SD card reader, Mini DisplayPort, and a headphone jack.

Seamless with Windows 10 S, peripherals

Windows 10 S is a version of Microsoft’s operating system that can only run apps that are downloaded from the Windows Store. While that may seem limited, it should also save you some much-needed battery life, which is probably how they are able to claim the 14.5-hour battery life.

Panay demonstrated how the Surface, Office, and Windows worked together on this particular product by showing how the Surface Dial — introduced along with the Surface Studio — quickly adapts to whatever app is currently active on the laptop. From scrolling through pages of Microsoft Word to adjusting the volume on Spotify (yes, it’s now on the Windows Store), the Dial knows what app is running on the laptop and adjusts its functions instantly.

If you’re worried about the laptop being locked to Windows 10 S, fret not. You have the option to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro directly. Since this is geared toward students, if you still happen to be transitioning from high school to college, you get to upgrade for free. If not, the upgrade will cost you $49.99.

Sleek and Stylish

Part of the “no compromises” claim is how beautifully designed the Surface Laptop is. It is thin, light, and gorgeous. It comes in four colors: platinum, burgundy, cobalt blue, and graphite gold.

Its keyboard is covered with Microsoft’s Signature Alcantara fabric that looks like it’ll attract dirt real quick, but the company claims it resists spills, stains, and absorption and can be easily wiped clean.

The base model starts $999. Pre-orders begin on May 2 and it will be available on June 15.

[irp posts=”7256″ name=”Microsoft Surface Studio is the all-in-one PC of our dreams”]

Gaming

ASUS ROG launches new gaming laptop in tandem with SCAR Runner

Announced at For Those Who Dare: Boundless event

Published

May 19, 2022

GadgetMatch

During their For Those Who Dare: Boundless event, ASUS ROG announced the launch of their latest gaming laptops, accessories, and SCAR Runner for the ROG Citadel Game on Steam.

The launch covers the following:

ROG Strix SCAR 17 Special Edition
ROG Flow X16
SCAR Runner first-person parkour game
Expanded ROG Slash Fashion Line
Team ROG partnerships

Pricing and availability of the models announced during the event are yet to be known.

ROG Strix SCAR 17 Special Edition

With more powerful specs than its predecessor, the Strix SCAR 17 SE is poised to be a class-leading gaming laptop.

It is powered by the new Intel Core i9-12950HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU, on top of advanced features such as:

Maximum GPU TGP of 175W with Dynamic Boost
Maximum CPU TDP of 65W
Boost frequency of 5.2GHz
Up to 64GB DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 4 storage
ROG’s Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal

SCAR Runner: Vault to new heights

Available as an expansion of the ROG Citadel XV game, SCAR Runner is a first-person parkour game set in the world of ROG SAGA.

The protagonist, X, is in a race against time in Goemon City and needs to recover critical information while solving puzzles and challenges.

It’s no coincidence that the new Strix SCAR laptop and new game have same name, as they were released as a tandem.

Gamers can in fact find clues hidden on the laptop chassis itself, that will allow them to solve in-game puzzles.

SCAR Runner is launching with a giveaway campaign with over US$ 20,000 worth of prizes to be won from May 17 to June 30, 2022.

ROG Flow X16

In addition to the Strix SCAR 17 SE, the Flow X16 has been added to the ROG Flow series, the most powerful yet from the line.

It has a Ryzen 9 6900HS processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU. It likewise supports up to 64GB of memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage.

The Flow X16 features ROG’s Nebula HDR Display, a 165Hz Mini LED panel with 1100 nits peak brightness and 100 percent DCI-P3 gamut.

These are all complemented by Frost Force Technology and Pulsar Heatsink to ensure high performance but low temperatures.

ROG Slash accessories

Aside from the two new gaming laptops, ROG also introduced new apparels:

Crossbody Bag
Backpack
Hip Bag
Protective Laptop Bag
Cobra Buckle Cap
Bucket Hat

All these items are built with durable quality and have features like adjustable straps, multiple compartments, and water-repellent TPU materials.

Some of these items are also included in the SCAR Runner giveaway campaign.

The Team ROG initiative

Lastly, Team ROG is expanding its 2022 roster, pairing high-end ROG products with influencers, professional gamers, content creators, and athletes around the world.

A new partnership with ReKT Gaming has been announced while the current partnership with esports team Misfits Gaming has likewise been extended.

Gaming

Lenovo Legion Gen 7 laptops lineup now official

Published

May 18, 2022

GadgetMatch

Lenovo has released its latest generation gaming devices in the Philippines, which are custom-built for top-notch performance. The new Lenovo Legion Gen 7 lineup includes six new battle-ready computers:

Legion 5i and 5i Pro
Legion 7i
IdeaPad Gaming 3i
Legion Slim 7i
Legion Tower 7i

Depending on the model, the new gaming devices all come with these latest features:

12th Gen Intel Core (up to i9) processors
NVIDIA GeForce RTX laptop GPUs (up to 3080Ti)
Memory up to 32GB DDR5 and storage up to 2TB SSD Gen 4
Adaptive refresh rate up to 240Hz
IPS display up to 2960 x 1600

And thanks to gamer research, the laptops also come with the next-level Legion Coldfront 4.0, Legion TrueStrike keyboard, and Lenovo Vantage for gaming.

Pricing, specs, availability

All new Lenovo Legion Gen 7devices will be available in all Legion Exclusive Stores, as well as Lenovo Experience stores, authorized resellers, and the Legion Flagship Store in Lazada.

For the prices and basic specs of each laptop, check the table below.

Device	Specs	Price
Legion 5i Storm Grey Comes with a choice of 4-Zone RGB or white backlighting via Legion Spectrum RGB Lighting solution built into the Legion TrueStrike keyboard	12th Gen Intel Core 17-12700H Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 with 140W maximum TGP Up to 15-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS 16:9 display 165Hz refresh rate Improved stealth cooling system	Starts at PhP 89,995
Legion 5i Pro Storm Grey Features Legion Spectrum RGB Lighting	12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H processor NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070Ti with 150W maximum TGP 2960 x 1600 IPS 16:10 display 100 percent RGB color gamut Supported by Dolby Vision, NVIDIA G-SYNC 4800Mhz DDR5 memory, 1TB PCle SSD (Gen4) storage 80Whr battery capacity with Super Rapid Charge	Starts at PhP 119,995
Legion 7i Storm Grey	16-inch WQHD+ Mini LED display 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900HX processor NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti 165Hz refresh rate Up to 2TB SSD Gen 4 storage, 32GB DDR5 memory	Starts at PhP 179,995
Legion Slim 7i Onyx Grey	12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H processor NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics 165Hz refresh rate Up to 1TB SSD Gen4 storage, 24GB DDR5 memory	Starts at PhP 124,995
Legion Tower 7i	12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900K NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti LHR Up to 2TB SSD Gen 4 storage, 32GB DDR5 memory	Starts at PhP 159,995
IdeaPad Gaming 3 15.6-inch model (Onyx Grey) 16-inch model (Onyx Grey)	Option between 12th Gen Intel Core i7 and i5 H-Series processors Option between NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or NVIDIA GeForce RTX3050Ti Dolby Audio speakers 165Hz refresh rate	Starts at PhP 69,995

More benefits

Additionally, all Legion and IdeaPad Gaming laptops also come with the following benefits and standard warranties:

Free Microsoft Office Home & student 2021 Lifetime License
Lenovo’s 3-Year accidental Damage Protection
3-Year Legion Ultimate Support

Laptops

ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition: Price, availability in the Philippines

Ready for space travel!

Published

May 18, 2022

MJ Jucutan

Back in CES 2022, ASUS delivered its latest lineup of laptops. The Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition garnered attention, standing out among the rest. Consequently, the esteemed laptop is now finding its way to the Philippines.

Built and designed for space travel

The Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition is an exclusive, special edition laptop. It commemorates the 25th anniversary of the ASUS P6300 laptop’s 600-day space mission. The prestigious laptop features unique space-themed design details finished in an exceptional Zero-G Titanium color.

Photo by MJ Jucutan/GadgetMatch

Furthermore, ASUS ensured its space grade is compliant with the US Space Systems Command Standard SMC-S-016A testing protocols.

The device is reportedly capable of withstanding extreme temperatures between -24 to 61° C and intense vibrations ranging from 20 to 2000 Hz. To put it simply, it’s ready for space travel.

Photo by MJ Jucutan/GadgetMatch

Impressive in and out

The Space Edition comes with quirky features. Taking center stage is its ZenVision, a 3.5-inch OLED display mounted on its lid. The small display shows off customizable messages and animations. In addition, its main screen exhibits an expansive PANTONE-validated 16:10 2.8k OLED display.

Photo by MJ Jucutan/GadgetMatch

Moreover, the Space Edition is equipped with powerhouse internals. For instance, it’s powered by up to 12th-generation Intel Core i9 H-Series processors, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 32GB RAM, a PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD, and Intel WiFi 6E.

Reusable packaging

The Space Edition isn’t your typical special edition package. Its accessories box doubles up as a laptop stand, lifting the laptop at 23-degrees — the ideal angle for comfortable typing.

Photo by MJ Jucutan/GadgetMatch

The initiative aims to reduce packaging waste through an innovative sustainable design.

Price and availability

The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition will come to ASUS’s official stores and authorized retailers. Its price varies depending on its specifications.

UX5401ZAS-KN072WS — PHP 84,995