Posts Tagged ‘tech4xmas2017’

tech4xmas 2017 gift ideas review: LG gram notebook computer

Thursday, December 21st, 2017

tech4xmas 2017 gift recommendation: One of few gadgets that totally blew me away and convinces me it is worth its high-end price tag. The road warrior would love to have this as his/her Christmas present. I know I would be absolutely elated!

My take: “The LG gram excels streaks ahead in all four areas that are critical to me - lightweight, battery-life, startup-time, and external connectivity.”

My take: “The LG gram 14 excels streaks ahead in all four areas that are critical to me – lightweight, battery-life, startup-time, and external connectivity.”

Notebooks are such a commodity nowadays that you can get a pretty decent one that meets your needs at an affordable price.

The pricier ones are usually the flagship models of each manufacturer that, in my personal opinion, offer only marginal additional benefits for a huge surcharge.

And usually much of these additional features are in the department of styling and design that, as a pragmatic user, I don’t really care.

So when I tried out the 14-inch LG gram 14 (14Z970), I was pleasantly surprised to find myself planning it as my next purchase – despite its relatively high price tag.

Specs wise, it’s no doubt high end – gram is the only notebook series that LG sells in Singapore.

But what impressed me was how it really stood out in the areas that matters to me – and I mean really stand out!

Firstly, the light weight at 970g. I believe it’s the lightest notebook I’ve ever used, with its enhanced durability Magnesium alloy body.

It’s so light I took a double take when I first handled it – wondering if it was a plastic mockup, even though I knew full well it was a real functioning notebook.

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tech4xmas 2017 gift ideas review: Philips SW6700/14 Star Wars shaver

Tuesday, December 12th, 2017

tech4xmas 2017 gift list: With the premiere of “The Last Jedi”, this Poe Dameron-inspired shaver (S$219) is an apt gift for the ardent Star Wars fan who wants everything in his life to be associated with the movie series. And as a wet and dry electric shaver, it gives a really close shave with its cutting-edge rotary technology.

The three shave heads flex in 8 different directions to catch 20% more hair with every pass.

The three shave heads flex in 8 different directions to catch 20% more hair with every pass.

Design and appearance wise the glossy SW6700/14 is based on the X-wing fighter that Poe Dameron pilots in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

I like the scratched metal finishing and red stripes.

Adding a nice touch is the red X-wing symbol that flickers during use.

Trying out the shaver, I found the Reflex Action system on the shaver provided a speedy close shave.

As it is moved over the skin, the shaver’s eight-directional ContourDetect flex heads automatically recalibrates to the curves of my neck and face.

Throughout the shave, I didn’t feel any pulling or tugging – because of the shaver’s V-Track Precision Pro technology, which uses 72 self-sharpening V-shaped blades cutting at 151,000 times per minute.

According to Philips, this technology positions each hair in the best cutting position, even on a three-day stubble (mine was a two-day old stubble) for a shave 30% closer to the skin and in fewer strokes, cutting up to 20% more hair compared to Philips predecessor shaver models.

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tech4xmas 2017 gift ideas review: Seagate Backup Plus Hub desktop HDD

Sunday, November 12th, 2017

tech4xmas 2017 gift list: The Seagate Backup Plus Hub serves as an external storage hub that provides extra USB 3.0 ports for direct data transfer and device charging. An ideal X’mas gift for the geeky uncle to help him manage all the digital assets in his family.

Comes in 4TB (S$259), 6TB (S$399) and 8TB (S$499) capacities.

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Editor’s note:

“I’m buying for my uncle the 8TB version as a X’mas present because he has been complaining lately that he’s running out of storage space for all the videos that he’s been capturing of his grandchildren. I think he’ll be delighted with the additional storage and ease of use.”

The Seagate Backup Plus Hub has been around for a while and it’s been an indispensible part of my desktop setup at home giving me much convenience and peace of mind.

First off, the 4-8TB provides much needed respite for storing and backing up the deluge of photos and videos that we capture with our cameras and smartphones/tablets.

The Seagate Backup Plus Hub comes in 4TB, 6TB & 8TB capacities.

You can access the Backup Plus Hub directly using Windows Explorer or via the bundled easy-to-use Seagate Dashboard software which enables you to configure and manage your backups/restores – whether it’s files from the computer, mobile devices or content on social media.

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tech4xmas 2017 gift ideas review: Google Pixel 2 XL phablet

Thursday, November 2nd, 2017

The new Google Pixel 2 XL phablet in the tech4xmas 2017 gift list not just because it’s the latest, but mostly because it’s up there among the best, and whoever you’re giving this to as a X’mas present is going to be absolutely delighted. Available in Singapore from 15 November, 2017.

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My take:

“The Google Pixel 2 XL has one of the best cameras I’ve tried among the flagship models of other smartphone makers and it does it with a single lens!”

Made by Google, the Pixel 2 XL ships with Google organic apps installed and most significantly, the phone will be the first in the market to receive Android updates from Google.

Having tried out the phablet, it truly has a superb camera.

The rear camera has a 12.2-megapixels sensor with f/1.8 lens while the front camera has 8 megapixels and a f/2.4 lens. Measuring 6.2 x 3 inches, the phablet comes in just black or black & white.

In fact, it has the highest DxOMark of 98 for its camera performance – higher than all other smartphone cameras today – and it does it with a single lens!

Photos turned out crisp and clear even in low light.

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The aluminum unibody of the Google Pixel 2 XL makes it water/dust resistant IP67 standards. That means the Pixel 2 XL – like the Apple iPhone X, iPhone 8 & 8 plus – can withstand immersion in water up to one meter for 30 minutes.

It offers the popular Portrait Mode, boasting background blur if you keep the background relatively far behind the subject you’re shooting.

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