Acer Chromebook C720: Almost a nirvana of Chromebook

Hailed from the C7 Chromebook line, the latest iteration of Acer Chromebook, the C720 may not have the bells and whistles of being the flashiest laptop, but is definitely worth coveting in its thinner, sleeker and lighter chassis. If you're looking for a far more stellar power and killer functionality of a tablet but less cost and complexity than a full-pledged PC, then the Acer Chromebook C720 might just be on top of your wish basket. 

The ceremonial unboxing starts…

….now.

Slapped with a Haswell-based Intel Celeron 2955U processor, 4GB of RAM and an integrated Intel graphic card. Booting up is relatively good at 7 seconds and wakes from sleep at 2 seconds. It comes close to a technological nirvana had it been because of its meager 16GB SSD Storage, however it too is complimented by the 100GB Google Drive Cloud Storage.

Also, it's highly dependent on a wifi network and can't be truly stand-alone as it has no 4G LTE implementation. 

11.6inch at a 1366x768 resolution and a hefty battery of about 6hours, I'd say it's good enough for a Chromebook category. 

With it, you can have rafts of outstanding features like those inside the pack of a Google's ChromeOS. Browsing the internet(not just the real truncated mobile version) is a already a given, but what is under the hood are the online marvels you can get from the OS, anytime, anywhere email(even offline version), streaming entertainment, cloud capability, collaboration tools, among others. And because the browser is fully functional, you can have an array of good selection of plug-ins, can visit Flash-based sites with nary a crash or slowdown. 

Lenovo IdeaPad U460: Fashion-driven laptop

If you're like me whose fancy for gadgets is the same as my fondness for overall fashion, then this Lenovo IdeaPad U460 is just right for you.

The IdeaPad U460 offered an intricate textured covers featuring modern look for the next-generation geeky fashion-driven individuals, offering red and black variants with chic geometric print in lay on its lid. The inside comes with a sleek aluminum finish featuring a full-chiclet style keys, as well as touchpad with two buttons for mouse-free navigation. A fingerprint reader is integrated into a system for security and easy access.

The portability comes astutely fitting at the package weighing 4 lbs. and less than 1 inch thick with a promised 6hours of battery life. Of course, we know that battery grades are often nominal at a most power-efficient computing conditions.

The IdeaPad U460 has two variants. Each varies with the processor and graphic card configuration. Intel Core i3-350M 2.26Ghz for 087723U with Intel GMA HM45; while the 087722U comes with Intel Core i5-450M 2.40Ghz with Nvidia Geforce 305M. Although both of them sports dual core chip, they differ in Turbo mode. This is due to the RAM sharing of Intel graphic than the dedicated one wit Nvidia. So from a gaming perspective, the 087722U is better.

The rest of the specs are essentially the same: 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 14" HD LED 1366 x 768, 8cell Li-Ion battery, and a 1.4MP webcam resolution. Ports include 3USB, ethernet, HDMI, eSATA/USB, 5-in-1 Card Reader, headphone output and mic input. Package is slapped with Windows 7 Home Premium Edition.

The raft of connectivity options include wifi link 1000 and bluetooth version 2.1 + EDR.

Price starts tagged at $799 in the US, while some SKU's are bundled with dataplan in Singapore. I haven't confirmed the price points yet.

Sorry for the slightly blurry pics as they're iPhone 4G taken only.

Moshi Clearguard Keyboard Protector

Recently, I thought of armoring a long term protective material for my Mac so I marched to the Digital Hub to grab Capdase Screen Protector(Php1,250 - 10% discount) and a Moshi Clearguard Keyboard Protector(Php1,450 - 10% discount). There is nothing to brandish about a screen protector because every gadget has it as a basic staple, although I must admit that the Capdase's crystal clear anti-glare property is outstanding.

But the Moshi Clearguard is something. Professing to be a purveyor of electronics fashion, they have wide array of products from an assortment of devices, MacBook, iPhone/iPod, iPad, etc. Moshi carries bezel anti-glare, keyboard silicon protector, mouseguard, card readers, port replicators, headset, sleeve, wipes, iPhone/iPod cases, etc.

The Clearguard I bought has an unparalleled quality amongst all keyboard protectors. For one, it is so thin and is probably the clearest of them all. It fits perfectly on the square keys of my MacBook Pro and you barely notice that it's there. It's like a keyboard condom(pardon the pun). It is made of a 0.01mm thin, non-toxic engineering grade thermoplastic urethane.

I have apprehensions at first in buying screen protectors because I feel like it would impede my typing speed. But the thin membrane of the Cleaguard is so astutely fitting for those hands who doesn't have to press hard in order to get right keyboard characters. The keys will have around 90% of their original feel but it isn't necessarily a letdown since the silicone will provide a higher grip on the keys.

Since it is the clearest in its class, the keyboard illumination will not be hardly affected.

Some friends though who have been using this one for an extended period of time complained of an unpleasant cloudy effect that cannot be removed even after washing. But let's see where this keyboard protector leads me.

AppleCare Protection Plan: Extending your Apple Service Coverage up to 3years

Damn if you do? Or damn if you don't.

I just got my AppleCare Protection Plan from Apple Philippines which raises the eyebrows of my colleagues saying "why bother."

Well, for one, Apple products are essentially expensive. And thus any repairs, hardware replacement or service diagnostics, cost an arm and a leg. And the AppleCare is your gateway to access all the service entitlements of Apple product for two years. That translates a worry-free service guarantee with my MacBookPro if in case it conks out.

APP is an integrated service and support solution that extends Outright/Express Warranty coverage on Apple products up to three years(including your standard complimentary coverage of 1year) from your purchase period. This comprehensive plan comprises phone support from Apple Experts, global repair coverage, onsite repairs for select units(desktop computers), online support resources, and powerful diagnostic tools - all crunched in a Php13,490 price point. I recommend purchasing one along with your purchase of your system to take the maximum advantage it provides.

However, you have to do it(purchase and registartion) right before your warranty expires. Otherwise damn if you don't.

Speck Hard Case for MacBookPro

Just like buying a spanking new car that you'd end up shelling more dough for the car set-up, same goes true with electronics devices. You always had an animated habit to buy add-on accessories, either for protection or for perspicuity.

I, for example, have been torn between grabbing a Speck See Thru Case or a Speck Satin Case for my MacBook Pro. That way, I can sport different colors for my Mac in variantly different days. Ok, I know a Mac is a Mac and not a "United Colors of Benetton" but I have always been wishing to don a red laptop, and there's no red Mac.

Speck has a solution(well, depends if you see it that way because for some people, slapping a Speck makes their device look plain cheap). But having a reddish hue in the Apple logo is extrinsically arresting to my visual senses.

And the battle continues for the See Thru or Satin. Both add an accentuation of desire to your Mac by churning out a variety of colors: black, pink, purple, and cranberry(they stopped production of a lime green). They are both high-quality polycarbonate materials, one that can stand against accidental knocks and collisions, because a polished aluminum finish is never immune to the hazards of daily grind. The difference between the two: the See Thru is glossy and the Satin has a rubberized texture. One caveat though is that they will add 4oz to your laptop's overall weight.

So what about you, how do you protect your laptop. Zigg Invishield? GMask? Or plain sleeves.

Speck Cases cost Php2,450.

Thanks to Racq Santos(shown in the pic) for modeling it without a fee. Heart yah.

Sumdex Aircube Laptop Sleeve

On the first week from the soft launch of the Digital Walker in Eastwood, me and Mr.MobilityReel headed off. The shop was one of the lifestyle digital convergence shops of Charlie Paw, same man behind the Digital Hub fame. The only difference of this retail concept is the incorporation of camera technology in the Digital Walker, while purely gadgets for the Digital Hub. See? You can see me frolicking around and holding a Samsung ST550 in the picture. That darn huge digital camera!!! LoL.

I have a growing fondness for Charlie's shops because it caters to all the needs of a road warrior in me, in all of us, especially for those mobile professionals always carrying a laptop wherever, whenever.

One caveat of lugging around a laptop is the strain of subjecting your device into extreme wear-and-tear. So how does one protect his laptop from the rigid mobility and extensive travels.

For one, you need to have a bag well-cushioned to protect it from the accidental bumps and untoward repugnance. Secondly, you need to have a sleeve fitted for the size of your laptop that will protect your device from wiggling around, scratching your laptop out of other hard objects in bag, or even the zipper material of the sleeve itself.

One solution is the Sumdex Aircube Sleeve that featured air cell technology (pending patent application) for excellent protection and functionality. It also has a semi-transparent Quick Check system that allows an easier access to airport safety measures in a breeze.

The design is not only one-of-a-kind and stylish, the functionality is reassuring as it is promising. The front-side of the sleeve is made up of Thermoplastic Urethane Air-Pockets which delivers imminent protection from knocks and inevitable resistance from water spills. The back is made of up shock-absorbing neoprene. The double zip lock allows easy access while the internal zipper lip prevents it from scratching the lid and edges of your precious laptop.

For a Php1,650 a pop, I think it is one good and must-buy sleeve if you want perfect protection for your digital concierge.

Asus K42J: May "K" kaya?

Asus K42J may have a conventional design portfolio of other K series laptops, but the specs are enough to raise our eyebrows with wow gestures. But the question remains, "for a Php33,500 price point, may K kaya sya?" Does it wallop with wonder to compete with other Core i3 laptops in the market?

It is the latest addition to their K series computing workhorse. From the tradition of Asus K40IN, this one brims with ATI Radeon graphic card apart from the Nvidia chip of the former.

The looks department is a mixture of class and elegance with executive brown that that appeal for business users. The textured touchpad makes it devoid of fingerprint smudges. Although it comes in handy, the lack of scroll zone is a letdown.

Although not a LED technology yet, its 14inch 1366x768 resolution display produces sharp and vibrant images.

The Altec Lansing speakers though has an average speaker quality, so there's nothing to write home about it.

It has the usual port configuration as other laptops of its class which includes 3 USB Ports, 1 HDMI, 1 ethernet, and 1 VGA port. It also has an SD/MMC Card slot.

Above the lid is a 0.3 megapixel webcam that is not as stellar as the competitors because of its grainy cam quality, especially under a low light condition.

The processing power of Intel Core i3, coupled with the ATI Radeon's graphic performance is a lo and behold for this unit. It delivers definite computing punches because of its fast boot up time and application execution.

One caveat though is that it has one of the poorest battery life laptops in the market, only averaging of about 3hours for seamless computing with wifi and bluetooth on and 75% brightness setting. Well, what can you expect of ATI(or any AMD products for that matter).

Overall, while I am enamored for its blazing fast performance, battery life is a major trade off. And for a mobile professional like me who always work on coffee shops, battery life is a primordial soup of my business undertakings.

My Brother's MacBook Pro 15" Core i7 Unboxing

To most of you who have knew me quite well, you know that my brother's condo in Makati had been forcibly opened by mindless thugs slash vicious thieves, taking with them some of the valuable items earned from his hard labor.

One of the most noteworthy items was a MacBook Aluminum. It was freshly bought, it didn't even consume its entire warranty entitlement period. Other items which are of seemingly important value are his passport with US Visa and some cash in dollars as it was his entire backpack that was taken.

Now, the guy has had enough hard-earned money to acquire a MacBook Pro 15". And so he did.

Everytime a new gadget is unboxed, it always send some ineffable flutters in my heart. So I volunteered as a sole witness of the ceremonial unboxing, and an official(albeit unsolicited) photographer as well. The place: his new condo(place withheld for security reason).

The MBP 15" is a midrange flagship of the MBP line, next to the MBP 13.3". It has the same single-carved unibody as the rest of the MBPs, although a distinct difference from his unit with mine is the presence of a pair of integrated speakers at the expanded sides of the keyboard lay-out.

With a 15" inch screen, obviously a trade off will be the weight. It is slightly heavier. Right now, I left him testing the battery life as to how long will it last on a seamless usage. But this one should be faster than his old MacBook as this already sports Intel Core i7, 4GB RAM, 512MB NVidia Geforce GT330M and a whopping 500GB hard drive.

It is being retailed at Apple Philippines for Php112,990.

As to why both of us are using Mac? He uses his for programming, I use mine for astronomy.

VAIO: brand of the brass?

Sony Center by Avid(previously Avid Sony Shop), my humble root, where I previously work as a Product Management Officer for five years is where we went to hunt for a bargain(to reasonably priced) VAIO laptop for a friend, Clarence. Yes, we have found a whole gamut of them sitting on the Avid shelves. We have haggled the price, beefed up the specs, and squeeze for the best value deal.

Since VAIO laptop is naturally pricey, just as how natural it is for the carabao to have four feet, the deal didn't flourish into a successful sale. Instead, it has become a repartee of old friendship. I ended up talking with the Branch Head, relishing our hey days and what-could-have-been moments.

VAIO is insanely priced. In fact, I remember one Sony executive(name withheld) who said " if we make it, people buy it." I have been surrounded with Sony lifestyle and broadcast products for the past five years. They have been known to produce high quality craftsmanship and a excellent design. But I don't know why it has never succeeded in driving its own following the way the Mac does. Maybe because at the end of the day, it is still powered by Windows? The way everyone is?

But the VAIO is a laptop so adorable that had it not been for my Mac, I would have gotten it. My only existing gripe with VAIO is that most of its notebooks have a mediocre battery life.

Next to VAIO would be a Toshiba, but I ended up having three Toshiba laptops in my lifetime because of its exceptionally long battery life that even an Energizer bunny frazzled out in keeping its lengthy runtime. Toshiba is priced at a premium rate as well, but not as high as the VAIO.

I asked Clarence on what is it in VAIO that he is seeking after, amidst the flurry of cheap Taiwan brands in the market. Just as I expected, he said it's the "perception of exclusivity", that only few people can have it. I don't know if there's truth to the apothegm that VAIO is for the Windows brass while Mac is a make for the mighty moguls. This is probably what marketing can do to our lives, we'd become slaves to perception.

I capitalized the word VAIO because it is an acronym which stands for Video Audio Integration Operation, just like CLIE and BRAVIA. Yes, I know my product well.