Features

5 work-from-home laptops for every budget

Which one is your GadgetMatch?

Published

August 17, 2020

GadgetMatch

Gearing up for a work-from-home setup can be tedious, especially when you don’t know when and how to start. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up a list of capable and powerful laptops apt for your remote working setup.

Of course, we know that budget is always a consideration before investing in a machine. In this list, you can find laptops ranging from every budget; from the cheapest to most expensive.

Regardless of your choice, you are assured that every device listed here not only meets all of your work-from-home demands but can also help address basic needs and future challenges in this global pandemic.

They’re developed by the world’s number one PC maker Lenovo, whose innovation in its wide range of PCs (ThinkPad, Yoga, Lenovo Legion, ThinkBook, etc.), tablets, accessories, smartphones, software, and services, position it as one of the IT industry’s most prolific end-to-end global technology organizations delivering smarter technology that enables more people and businesses to unlock their potential.

Lenovo IdeaPad S145 – PhP 31,995

Around PhP 30,000 budget, you can get decent laptops that are built to last with you. The Lenovo IdeaPad S145 is a lightweight, entertainment hub that lets you do balance work and life with its 14-inch HD display, 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and 256GB SSD internal storage with an upgradeable HDD slot.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i – PhP 37,995

For a fancier yet affordable laptop, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i comes with a sexy, fanless design. It’s packed with power — 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB SSD storage with an upgradeable HDD slot — which lets you bring your ideas to life.

Moreover, it has Nvidia’s MX330 as its dedicated graphics card, perfect for when you’re starting to produce your work. Additionally, you can enjoy rapid charging if you drain your battery, so you can continue creating. The IdeaPad Slim 3i comes in either 14-inch FHD or 15.6-inch FHD displays.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i – PhP 49,995

If you have an extra budget to spare, Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 5i is a tad better choice as it comes with both power and style. It has a sleek, confidence-booster design and a near-borderless 14-inch FHD IPS display, with narrow bezels on each side.

It’s also packed with smart features such as fast yet safe unlock and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. Furthermore, it’s an affordable powerhouse — rocking a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, a higher 8GB DDR 3200 RAM, , a 512GB PCIEx4 NVME SSD, and a dedicated NVIDIA MX350 graphics card.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i – PhP 52,995

If you’re into grandstanding, get lots of attention and amazement when you get Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i. It’s a convertible with a 14-inch FHD IPS display that comes with a pen — a perfect accessory to your creative and fashionable lifestyle.

You can sketch, note, and create to your heart’s content. You don’t have to worry about its performance, since the IdeaPad Flex 5i is powered by a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, an 8GB DDR4 3200 RAM, 512GB PCIE SSD internal storage, and an NVIDIA MX330 graphics card. Who told you that you can’t blend power and style?

Lenovo Yoga S730 – PhP 54,995 / PhP 64,995

The most expensive in this list is Lenovo’s near-flagship laptop — the Yoga S730. It’s an ultra-thin and ultra-sleek laptop that offers immersive entertainment with its 13.3-inch FHD IPS display, Dolby Vision and HDR panel, and Dolby Atmos Audio.

It’s equipped with USB Type-C ports: DisplayPort, PowerDelivery, and Thunderbolt 3 for faster data transfer and charging. This laptop stuns as a work-life balance companion: an entertainment hub and work powerhouse in one.

With 12 hours of battery, you can watch, play, and work even with a slim silhouette. It rocks a 16GB LPDDR3 2133 RAM, which is more than enough for most users.

It comes in two variants: an Intel Core i5-10210 processor with 512GB PCIE SSD storage priced at PhP 54,995, and an Intel Core i7-10510 processor with 1TB PCIE SSD internal storage priced at PhP 64,995.

The Lenovo Yoga S730 is exclusive to Villman.

Which one is your GadgetMatch?

So, which laptop fits your budget and needs? Whatever you choose, always remind yourself that laptops are investments that can propel your productivity and career. Choose wisely before buying!

All of the laptops mentioned come with 3 years warranty through Lenovo’s Premium Care warranty solution which gives instant access to technicians and even onsite repair. The IdeaPad Slim 3i, IdeaPad Slim 5i, IdeaPad Flex 5i, and Yoga S730 come with the newly extended 3-Year Premium Care service, while the IdeaPad S145 is under a 2-Year Premium Care support.

Each device is also pre-installed with Microsoft Office H&S 2019 Lifetime License worth PhP 6,995. It’s pre-installed with Microsoft Office H&S 2019 Lifetime License worth PhP 6,995. Avail these laptops in authorized stores like Silicon Valley, PC Express, Villman, Complink, Gigahertz, Octagon, and Abenson.

This feature was produced in collaboration between GadgetMatch, Intel, and Lenovo Philippines.

Buyer's Guide

2024 Samsung TV: Buyer’s Guide

Which 2024 Samsung TV is your GadgetMatch?

Published

April 21, 2024

GadgetMatch

With all the options available in the market, shopping for TVs can get overwhelming.

One brand Michael Josh recommends whenever someone asks? It’s none other than Samsung.

They have TVs for every price point and every feature a user might prioritize.

But which one is right for you?

Keep watching our 2024 Buyer’s Guide to find out the latest Samsung TV that best matches your needs.

Features

Why choose the MSI Claw?

Is it the gaming handheld for you?

Published

April 18, 2024

GadgetMatch

The MSI Claw is the latest gaming handheld from a major PC and laptop brand. The competition in this emerging gadget segment is tighter than ever. So, what is it about the MSI Claw that can scratch your gaming itch? Here’s a quick list.

Best grip in the game

One quick glance and it’s hard not to compare the claw with another popular gaming handheld. But a closer look and actually holding the thing will reveal that its grip easily feels better.

It has a slightly deeper groove that makes it easier to hold. So, MSI’s “Grip and Game” tagline isn’t all talk. Its design truly does provide one of the better feeling handles among its competition.

The overall design makes sure it’s made for extended gameplay sessions. The buttons are where you expect them to be. That includes the four mini buttons on the upper edges of the screen. These are the View, MSI Center M, Menu, and Quick Settings buttons.

In addition, the face buttons and d-pad all feel great. The face buttons, in particular, feel comparable to those of regular console controllers.

The rest of the buttons and triggers have a very satisfying tactile feel. It also uses Hall Effect technology to get rid of any stick drift issues.

Up top, you’ll find the power button, MicroSD Card slot, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, audio jack, and the volume buttons. These are intuitively placed and just makes sense given the overall design approach.

As cliché as it sounds, you’ll really think you got your money’s worth once you hold, touch, press, and grip the MSI Claw.

Dragon Vision

Now, MSI isn’t really calling it that but I thought it sounds pretty cool. A big part of the whole gaming experience is the display. Balancing resolution and frame rates is always tricky but the MSI Claw does it convincingly.

With this gaming handheld, you get a 7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Looks great on paper and it’s even better in real life. It’s the sweet spot in terms of both size and performance. There’s enough here to immerse you all while delivering a satisfying level of crisp and smoothness.

It’s comfortable to view whether you’re on the couch, on a desk table, or lying down getting a quick game in before you get some shut-eye.

Battery Life

At 53Whr, the MSI Claw has a 36% larger battery capacity than its contemporaries and promises 50% more play time.

MSI claims “elevated performance with extended endurance” using the Claw with faster charging capabilities.

These percentages are hard to measure in real life usage. What we can say for certain is that you get the expected performance and playtime typical of a handheld. That’s a little under two hours for graphically demanding titles, and close to four hours on less demanding ones.

The charging claim is legitimate. The MSI Claw juices up faster than most other handhelds, going from 20% to 100% in about a little over a K-Drama episode (roughly a little over an hour).

MSI Center M

Any self-respecting gaming handheld has its own software to make navigating the thing more manageable. While its direct competitors have an armoury crate and a space, MSI went with Center M.

The best part about MSI Center M is it puts your installed games front and center. Right when it launches, you get immediate access to the titles you have available on your machine.

MSI Afterburner is already the most commonly used app for taking a look at how your machine is performing while you play. That functionality is built-in to the MSI Claw. You can access it view the Quick Settings buttons.

Layout and functionality-wise, the MSI Center M is certainly one of the better Gaming Handheld softwares available right now.

Competitive Performance

A defining trait of the MSI Claw is that It’s the first gaming handheld to be powered by Intel Core Ultra. With it comes Intel XeSS tech. What it does is leverage AI upscaling to boost the fps of select titles.

As of launch, 50 notable games are supported. That number will certainly grow throughout the device’s lifespan. Some of the titles include Hi-Fi Rush, Dying Light 2, Forza Horizon 5, Call of Duty Warzone 2.0, Returnal, and many, many more.

Naturally, results will vary depending on the game mode you’re using. But in general, AAA games get anywhere between 10% to 45% better frame rate performance with Intel XeSS.

For our part we played TEKKEN 8 and the recently launched Horizon Forbidden West. Both graphically demanding games played relatively well on the MSI Claw. Frame rate performance on TEKKEN 8 is crucial and we got a relatively consistent fps, never dropping below 40.

Horizon Forbidden West is a much more graphically demanding game. We were able to run it in Medium Settings and while it doesn’t look as incredible, it still played relatively well with a frame rate surprising for a gaming handheld.

Extras

MSI made sure that if you wanted to, you could get some extra stuff with the MSI Claw. Its separately sold accessory set includes the Claw Travel Case, Nest Docking Station, Claw Lanyard, and Claw Keychain.

On paper, the MSI Claw lists its ergonomic design, AI Engine, and App Player as distinct advantages over its competition.

Whether it’s the Gaming Handheld that matches your needs is still ultimately up to you. If you have the opportunity to test drive the device, we suggest you do so. That might just solidify your purchase decision.