Features

6 subtle signs you’ve found the right laptop

These signs are just like the signs when you found the one

Published

February 9, 2021

MJ Jucutan

Finding the perfect laptop is like finding the right partner out of a billion people. It’s exhausting when everyone looks and feels the same: average, not the right fit for your style, doesn’t match your lifestyle and budget, too big, too small.

The list goes on, and you start to wonder whether you’ll start compromising or lower your standards just so you have something to use.

Fret not, we’re here to help. Here are a few signs to look out for to discover if a certain laptop is the one for you — almost like finding ‘the one.’

You fell in love at first sight

Nothing beats the good ol’ love-at-first-sight. I’ve seen it first-hand and I can assure you, everyone’s looking for that exact moment. Billions of people and you find one person — or in this case, one laptop — that makes your world stop, giving that cozy, familiar feeling like “oh, hey it’s you I’m looking for.”

But before you find a moment like this, you must first discover what you like and dislike. Only until then, will you realize the specific type of laptop you’d love. And when you find the laptop that makes your heartbeat crazy fast, the search is over.

There’s a desire to explore it and learn more

After falling in love at first sight, what follows is an intimate desire to explore it and learn more. It’s like playing John Mayer’s “Your Body is a Wonderland”, gloriously worshiping the look and feel of your chosen laptop.

Not only that, you get this intense motivation to learn something badly. The desire consumes you and no one can get in the way of you experiencing this laptop in all its glory. You’ll think, “I need to have it.”

It can handle the heat — and whatever you need

More importantly, the right laptop can handle the right heat from all your passions and activities. It must have a capable processor and internals that matches what you seek out of a laptop.

In my case, finding a Pantone-validated color-accurate screen coupled with Intel’s latest EVO platform in a laptop such as the ASUS ZenBook S (UX393EA) helped seal the deal.

After all, I’m a creative professional (on most days), which is why I need a laptop that can match my goals and lifestyle. The same goes for your partner. You should never compromise your ideals and standards; they should elevate themselves and keep up.

You feel proud to wear it

In my previous laptops, I used to pick the ones that stood out the most. Whether my laptop sports vibrant colors, a unique design, or a humongous bunny sticker plastered on its lid — I have to make sure both I and the laptop turn heads.

Just what I want from my partner, a laptop should be an arm and eye candy. What’s the point of having a laptop when you’re not proud to be seen with it? Remember, your laptop says a lot about who you are.

Find a laptop that you won’t feel insecure hanging around in cafes and in meetings. Make sure it resonates with your style and preferences.

It brings out the best in you

We’ve all felt this at some point: that inane urge to be better after meeting someone new. The right laptop (and the right person) will encourage you to be better and will create this magnetic pull to bring out the best in you.

Maybe it’s because of how it looks, or how it performs — who knows, right? But what’s certain is you create a promise to yourself to be better than who you were yesterday, and you know your laptop is there to accompany you in your journey.

It’s within your budget

Lastly, the right laptop is within your reach. If it’s too expensive for now, it’s a goal you’re most likely setting. Something you desire to achieve at a certain point in time; kind of similar to the crushes we fancy.

The right laptop is and will be right for you at the exact moment you need it. And you have the means to get it, no matter how much it costs. Because when you know you found someone, you’ll pull all the stops to make sure you don’t let the chance go by.

The ASUS ZenBook S (UX393EA) retails for PhP 99,990. It’s the GadgetMatch for budding creatives, young and stylish executives, and for anyone who wants the best ASUS has to offer.

More details on the ZenBook S here.

This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and ASUS 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.