Laptops

realme Book review: Done right the first time around

Published

October 15, 2021

Apple Gamboa

The pandemic has brought about major changes on how we depend on our gadgets. We stay glued to our smartphones for hours to stay connected. Most of us also continue with our work from home setup, causing the demand for laptops to continue to rise and opening the market to new players.

realme tries to steal the scene as they make their laptop debut with the realme Book, aimed at competing at the midrange level where many brands have already made their mark.

Let’s check out if the realme Book can be a great contender in the laptop arena.

Familiar yet better

Having a first look at the realme Book, the similarity of its design is undeniable with the MacBook though I don’t really think it’s a bad thing. Its sleek and stylish minimalist design actually makes me feel like I’m using a premium laptop.

Compared to its smartphones that have those flashy labels, realme veered away from that with their first laptop as they kept the label subtle and you can barely see the “Dare to Leap” mark on one of its rubber feet.

Its 14-inch sleek aluminum alloy body with matte finish really feels solid and has little or no flex on its slim chassis.

If you’re someone who likes to work in different corners of your home or at al fresco shops, the realme book can easily fit in your bag with its 14.9mm width and 1.38kg weight. When working on a flat surface, the rubber feet on the back actually help the laptop stay stable.

In terms of port options, you get one USB-A port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and two Type-C ports, one being a Thunderbolt 4 for the core i5 variant.

The USB port was a bit too tight that it required me to exert effort to pull out my USB device. Also, this laptop lacks an SD card slot and HDMI port. It doesn’t bother me that much but it may be a deal-breaker for other users.

Top-Notch Display

One thing that the realme Book can really boast about is its display. As full HD display is common in laptops from its competition, the realme Book takes it up a notch with its 2K Ultra-HD screen with 2160 x 1440 pixel resolution delivering stellar image quality with sharp detail.

The realme Book also packs in 100 percent sRGB wide color gamut that enables true-to-life visuals and a peak brightness of 400 nits which maintains high quality image even under direct sunlight.

What also sets it apart from other laptops is its 3:2 aspect ratio, giving you more vertical room compared to most laptops that are either 16:10 or 16:9. This feature is an advantage when it comes to your productivity especially if you usually work on documents, spreadsheets or social media content for work.

However, this becomes a disadvantage when you’re watching videos since you’ll have wider black bars at the top and bottom of the screen due to movies and series being usually formatted with 16:9 ratio.

Another impressive feature of this laptop is that realme was able to fit its web camera on its narrow bezels, unlike Huawei that had to sacrifice a good camera angle with their Matebook’s hidden camera placed on its keyboard.

Comfortable for work

Speaking of the keyboard, typing on the realme Book is satisfying thanks to its 1.3mm key travel and the sound of its clicks is just right for my preference.

The keyboard also comes with a 3-mode backlit option which you can activate and adjust by pressing the F7 key. This is convenient especially when you have to work or use the laptop for a while during the night. It is also interesting since this is a feature that you barely get to experience on laptops at this price.

Compared to other laptops, the trackpad on the realme Book is pretty huge but doesn’t get in the way of typing. It is also very responsive to the touch and works precisely with all gestures and clicks.

And similar to the Huawei Matebook devices, it also has a fingerprint-sensor embedded power button to boot it up which is actually a handy feature to have in a laptop.

Power Performance

As for breezing through tasks, the realme Book is highly capable to give you the best experience being powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core processor. Paired with this is the Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 8GB DDR4 memory and 512GB PCIe SSD storage.

Aside from writing and creating social media content, I sometimes do photo and basic video editing for my side hustles. With the power combo under this laptop’s hood, it didn’t come as a surprise that the realme Book actually handled my tasks smoothly.

Even with games such as Valorant, I was able to play it at 2K resolution at high settings and it didn’t feel laggy at all. Of course, if you’d want a faster frame rate, you can always lower down your settings to improve your gaming experience.

I also noticed that while playing games, the laptop didn’t feel heated up at all. I checked via HWMOnitor and its temperature was just hovering a little over 60 degrees. This is actually cool for its slim body. I guess we can attribute this to its efficient cooling system with dual 8mm heat pipes and high speed, high airflow fans.

Quick juice up

When working, I usually take short breaks in between major tasks to refresh my mind. So it’s actually enough for me that the realme Book’s 54 Wh battery can support up to 9 hours of work and leisure, keeping me powered and connected.

And once the battery already ran out, the 65W fast charger got me to a 50 percent charge in just 30 minutes so I was able to conveniently continue with whatever I’m doing.

It’s also a plus that the charger of the realme Book is small and just slightly heavier than a smartphone charger so it’s an easy carry in the bag. It also has the same USB-C cable used to charge our smartphones so you won’t have to carry another charger for your smartphone when traveling.

Immersive speakers

For a laptop this slim, I was quite surprised that the sound coming from its down-firing Harman speakers is considerably loud and well defined.

When I tried listening to my playlists, I did notice that while it did not have as much bass as I would have preferred, it does sound fuller compared to others. When it comes to binging series and playing games, the speakers did a great job of simulating space that sounds pleasant and immersive. I guess I can say, it does sound better than many of the laptops I’ve tried.

Is the realme Book your GadgetMatch?

As a new player in the laptop market, the realme Book makes a pretty great attempt at laptops and definitely challenges competing and more established brands.

Sure this laptop may not be perfect but realme has brought their expertise in creating attractive smartphones to this laptop that definitely looks premium for its price. Also with its 2K Ultra-HD display, sleek and sturdy aluminum build, premium design, powerful performance and immersive audio, this laptop is definitely a solid deal for its price.

The realme Book is available in Real Grey and Real Blue colors and retails at PhP 37,990 for the i3 variant and PhP 47,990 for the i5 variant.

Laptops

Living with the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024

Twice the screen, twice the productivity?

Published

April 3, 2024

Rodneil Quiteles

The ASUS Zenbook Duo 2024 came into my life at such a weird time. Over the past few months, I have been actively trying to build a workflow that’s not reliant on having to bring a laptop all the time. Yet, here comes ASUS’ latest and possibly best dual screen laptop yet, opening up possibilities I personally never even imagined.

Here’s my time so far with the ASUS Zenbook Duo 2024.

Multiple modes

The multiple modes available to you with this unique form factor have been well documented. But here’s a quick recap.

Naturally, there’s Laptop Mode. If you don’t care for extra attention when you’re out and about while working, this is likely the mode you’ll stick with most of the time. Due to its nature, this is also the mode where you’ll be able to squeeze out more usage from the device because the other screen is not in use. More on that later.

There’s Dual Screen Mode. Next to Laptop Mode, this is the orientation I use the most, especially when I’m able to plug the device. So, at home, this is mostly how I used the Zenbook DUO 2024. I’m starting to get so used to this mode that when I do work on the regular Laptop Mode, something feels lacking.

Underrated use-case: Side-by-side fancams of TWICE Momo and LE SSERAFIM Chaewon <3

Lastly, there’s Desktop Mode. It’s essentially just like Dual Screen Mode but with the Dual Screen in portrait orientation. I’ve never used this to work and only really went to this orientation to showcase it.

A key thing that makes all of these possible is the underrated inclusion of a kickstand. It feels like a natural part of the whole contraption that it’s mostly just a passing mention in most discussions about the Zenbook DUO 2024. But I think it’s a big part of what makes all of it work seamlessly.

There isn’t a name for it but you can also lay the laptop flat on the table fully spread. It’s great when you’re trying to present something to someone across the table. Also feels like more apps can get some sort of use-case for it if the form factor ends up being popular.

Other knick knacks

ASUS also made sure to make this as usable as possible even if, for whatever reason, you misplace the bluetooth keyboard.

You can tap the bottom screen with six fingers to pull-up a Virtual Keyboard. It’ll never feel as good as a physical keyboard, but it’s there in case you happen to need it.

Swipe down with six fingers and you’ll get the Easy-access tools. Here you’ll have handy things like handwriting input, the control panel, as well as the number key and quick key.

Lastly, you can tap the screen with three fingers to get the Virtual touchpad. This layout is reminiscent of the earlier Zenbook Duo designs.

Does anyone ‘need’ this?

They say necessity is the mother of invention, so what was the thing that necessitated the creation of this dual screen laptop?

Personally, I think more screen real estate is always a boon. And over the years, more and more people have squeezed out plenty of usage out of multi-monitor desktop setups. What ASUS did here is they took that concept and made it more mobile.

For me specifically, I’ve used it to run two browsers side-by-side. One for the material I need to reference, the other for the Google Doc that I stare blankly at as I try to cobble words together to make sense of things.

Steam up top, X (Twitter) at the bottom

It’s also great for video editing. You can have one entire screen to be the preview area and reserve the other for your timeline and work area. It’s so much easier than having to preview your video on 25% or less of a regular screen.

In these particular instances, productivity is most definitely enhanced. It saves time because you no longer have to press alt+tab as much to switch apps. And it’s easier than ever to glance at multiple apps at once.

Part of my work is also communicating on multiple chat apps. There’s Slack, Messenger, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Viber. Different sets of folks prefer different apps. It can be cumbersome but it’s something I’ve gotten used to. Having Dual Screens as well as the ability to split view apps in these screens has been a godsend. It’s now easier and faster to see which apps have a pending message I need to attend to.

And you can just as easily switch what’s on each screen with a single tap of this button on the F8 key.

It didn’t exactly feel like it while I was using the Zenbook DUO 2024, but as I now sit and ponder on how I’ve used it over the past couple of weeks, I definitely see how it’s helped me get some things done faster even if it’s just by a small percentage.

Work up top, TWICE Chaeyoung fancam at the bottom.

It’s also great to just have a video running on either screen while you work on the other.

Lastly, there’s this little quality of life thing where my primary screen is now near eye-level even if I’m not using a separate monitor. It’s great for one’s posture. I just have to find a better work chair now.

A Dual Screen believer

Over the past year, I have fancied myself a foldable enthusiast. On the daily I switch between the OPPO Find N3 and the HONOR Magic V2. Something about having more screen real estate flips a productivity switch in my brain.

I can’t say the Zenbook DUO 2024 has had the exact same effect, but it’s definitely in the same neighborhood. The additional screen has unlocked possibilities that at this point, I would say are still just “nice-to-have.” I can certainly still go back to a regular laptop and not miss a beat. When it comes to smartphones, I think my personal preference now is totally the foldable kind. I’m not there yet when it comes to laptops.

That said, this form-factor definitely has merit. Even Lenovo has something similar with the Yoga 9i. That alone will show you that there might just be enough demand for this kind of laptop.

Dual drawbacks

There are two things, though, that don’t make this an absolute slam dunk for me. That’s Microsoft Windows and the battery life.

For context, I’ve been using a 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro M1 for the better part of the last four years. And prior to that, I’ve used a MacBook Pro for most of my time as a media professional. When it comes to software fluidity and battery life, I have been spoiled.

To me, Windows just isn’t as fluid and does not feel as seamless as MacOS. Don’t get me wrong, it has certainly come a long way. I get by now with the same gestures using only the trackpad. There was a time when Windows trackpads just weren’t usable for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I am fully aware of the advantages of Windows and how much more control you can have over it if you’re the type to really dig down in the settings. But that’s not me. I do not have the luxury of time to be doing so much tweaking.

And while the Windows vs MacOS thing is debatable and largely boils down to preference, the same isn’t true for battery life. With my 13” MacBook Pro M1, I feel confident going out and not having to plug it for an entire day. I know I’ll have enough juice left for an entire heavy work day and then some.

That just isn’t true for the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024. Especially since I prefer using it in Dual Screen mode. That means I am limited to around 3.5 to 4 hours in this specific mode because the screens consume more power and the bluetooth keyboard can only last that long.

These aren’t absolute deal breakers, but they are things you definitely should consider if you’re thinking about getting this dual screen machine. You best know all the spots with an electricity outlet or at least have a heavy duty power bank on hand to keep things running all day.

Is the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024 your GadgetMatch?

All things considered, the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024 is a fantastic machine. After two weeks, I haven’t even tapped into its full potential yet, but the improvements in my work efficiency are noteworthy.

At PhP 129,995, it does command a hefty price tag. Whether or not the benefits are worth it will ultimately come down to how you plan to incorporate its dual screens to your workflow. If you see yourself needing to work on dual screens while you’re on the go, this is about as good as it gets.

Everything equipped in this machine is top-of-the-line: Intel Core Ultra 7 155-H, 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 1TB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD storage, and more. You also get a healthy number of ports: 2x Thunderbolt, 1x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x full-size HDMI 2.1, 1x audio combo jack.

There’s more than enough power here to fuel most workflows. And you get all of that with twice the number of screens. I wouldn’t jump in blindly, but if the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024 is something you fancy, you’ll definitely feel special once you have it on hand.

Laptops

Apple M3 MacBook Air Review

The perfect MacBook for AI?

Published

March 9, 2024

GadgetMatch

Everyone’s favorite MacBook just got an update!

It’s more powerful, faster in many ways, and it’s even better at AI.

But should you go rushing out to buy one?

Here’s our Apple M3 MacBook Air review.

Gaming

ROG Phone 8, Zephyrus G series 2024 PH pricing, availability

Redesigned, improved with AI

Published

March 7, 2024

GadgetMatch

The Philippine local pricing and availability details for the 2024 ROG Zephyrus G series and new ROG Phone 8 series have been announced.

The new ROG Zephyrus G laptops are available at ASUS, ROG, and multi-brand stores, as well as the ROG Shopee and ASUS Lazada stores. On the other hand, the new ROG Phone 8 series are available only on physical stores nationwide.

ROG Zephyrus G series 2024

The new ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 laptops were first announced at CES 2024, with redesigns for a sleeker form factor. The devices also use OLED displays, instead of Mini LED.

The fan favorites are available starting this March in the following variants:

Zephyrus G14 (32GB+1TB, RTX 4060): PhP 129,995
Zephyrus G14 (32GB+1TB, RTX 4070): PhP 159,995
Zephyrus G16 (32GB+1TB, RTX 4070): PhP 179,995
Zephyrus G16 (32GB+1TB, RTX 4080): PhP 249,995

The 2024 Zephyrus G14 and G16 both have a brand-new design, boasting of a lightweight and all-aluminum chassis. The models are sleeker and come with edge-to-edge keyboards with larger keycaps, and bigger and louder speakers.

More than the appearance, these new laptops feature power processors to support gaming and creative workloads. The latest Zephyrus G14 is equipped with AMD Ryzen 8000 processors and AMD Ryzen AI support. The Zephyrus G16, on the other hand, features up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 185H.

The laptops support up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU with advanced features such as DLSS 3.5, Frame Generation, and Ray Reconstruction.

Moreover, the G14 models are compatible with Windows Studio Effects, offering users tools like automatic framing, eye-contact correction, and advanced background effects during video calls.

The G16 series also has dedicated AI support for tools like Omniverse and Stable diffusion. With access to AI-accelerated technologies, the laptops’ hardware effortlessly handles the most demanding creation software and games alike.

For the first time, the new Zephyrus G devices come with OLED panels with ROG Nebula Display. The G14 offers 3K 120Hz, while the G16 boasts 2.5K 240Hz displays. These screens also feature a 16:10 aspect ratio, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500, and 100% DCI-P3 color space.

Gamers will benefit from up to 0.2ms GTG response time. moreover, the panels come with NVIDIA G-SYNC support.

ROG Phone 8 series

The ROG Phone 8 series is available starting this March in the following variants:

ROG Phone 8 (12GB+256GB): PhP 50,995
ROG Phone 8 Pro (16GB+512GB): PhP 60,995
ROG Phone 8 Pro (24GB+1TB): PhP 75,995

The ROG Phone 8 series introduces four gaming-friendly AI features to take the experience to the next level. Background Mode allows gamers to switch a game to the background. X Capture, on the other hand, lets them capture important moments easily. AI Grabber, meanwhile, helps with text capture. Wrapping up the features is X Sense 2.0, which assists users during gameplay.

Under the hood, both gaming powerhouses run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform. This is complemented by a special Rapid-Cooling Conductor design that draws heat away from the processor. Moreover, the AeroActive Cooler X clip-on accessory has been made smaller and more efficient at reducing the phone’s temperature.

The ROG Phone 8 Pro in particular comes with a 6.8-inch flexible AMOLED screen. It uses LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates from 1 to 120Hz, and has up to 165Hz for gaming. It also has an increased brightness of 2,500nits.

Furthermore, the gaming phones come with an advanced tri-camera system. The main cameras use the latest 50MP Sony image sensor. These cameras support anti-shake EIS and an upgraded OIS for smoother videos and shake-free photos.

For the first time, the series includes a 3X telephoto lens with built-in OIS. With ASUS HyperClarity technology, users can preserve detail at up to 30X zoom on photos and up to 10X zoom on videos. Completing the setup is a 13MP ultrawide camera that uses cutting-edge algorithms to reduce distortion. In front is a 32MP selfie camera with an upgraded field of view of 90 degrees.

For personalization, the Phone 8 has a customizable Aura RGB Lighting while the Phone 8 Pro has an Anime Vision Mini-LED display.

Availability, early bird offers

As part of the products’ early bird promotion, the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro (16GB+512GB) come with a free AeroActive Cooler X worth PhP 4,995.

The higher end ROG Phone 8 Pro variant (24GB+1TB) is bundled with an ROG Cetra True Wireless gaming earphones worth PhP 4,510.

On the other hand, the ROG Zephyrus G series 2024 include a complimentary three-month Xbox Game Pass subscription. Depending on the model they purchase, customers may also get the following freebies: