This month, we’re highlighting laptops that transition from work to play (and vice versa) without compromising on performance. We’ve also found portable speakers that upgrade the audio from your mobile gadgets for a more enjoyable listening experience, at home and on the go.
1. Sonos Roam
If we had to describe the Sonos Roam in three words, we’d pick: Powerful, smart and ultra portable. Given its compact dimensions (430g and 17cm tall), the Roam’s precision-engineered acoustics deliver surprisingly clear and full-bodied audio at all volumes. Connect the speaker to your home network (and multi-room Sonos ecosystem) via WiFi, or pair it with your devices to listen virtually anywhere using Bluetooth. It intuitively switches between both networks, supports AirPlay 2, and syncs easily with over 100 streaming services. There’s also an all-new feature called Sound Swap, where holding the play/pause button on the Roam switches the music to the nearest speaker on your system.
That said, the Roam is made to hit the road. Not literally if possible, but it is solidly constructed (rated IP67) to be drop-resistant, waterproof up to three feet for 30 minutes, and dustproof. We like how the slim, triangular shape doesn’t take up much space in a bag. Wherever life may take you and your Roam, Automatic Trueplay tuning ensures you enjoy detailed and balanced sound in any surroundings. A single charge will give you 10 hours of continuous playback before it’s time to power up again—wirelessly with any Qi-certified charger or plugged in with the included cable.
Price: RM1,099 or RM366.33 on a three-month instalment plan
Colours: Shadow Black and Lunar White
2. Fujitsu UH-X
At just 749g in weight and 15.5mm in thickness, the Fujitsu UH-X maintains mobility without sacrificing performance. Powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, it handles work tasks at incredible speeds. When it’s time to relax, the 13.3-inch FHD Display by Igzo with 400 nits output heightens your viewing pleasure, with great sound from the Dirac Audio stereo speakers.
Logging in is instant and effortless with the facial recognition feature. For added security, the power button comes integrated with a fingerprint sensor and the webcam has a shutter. Despite its slim build, the laptop fits in 2 USB-C and USB-A ports each, HDMI (in and out) port, RJ45 Ethernet LAN connector, SD card slot, and an audio combo jack that works with a range of connectors. You can also easily access, save and store files with up to 16GB memory and 1TB in SSD storage.
Price: RM RM5,399 (11th Gen i7)
Colours: Black and white
For more information, visit this website.
3. Sony SRS-XB13
Despite its petite stature, Sony’s SRS-XB13 packs a punch. Listen to your playlists either indoors or outdoors as the Sound Diffusion Processor expands sound all around. The speakers also project more powerful sound with Extra Bass technology, which pairs a passive radiator with a full range speaker to enhance low-end tones and give bass a boost.
Designed with a durable exterior (it’s waterproof and dustproof) and multiway strap, you can take the speaker anywhere with you. You could also connect two XB13s wirelessly to fill a larger space with sound, or hang one upside down from a higher spot for a more immersive audio experience. The built-in mic gives you the option to switch to hands-free calling when necessary, without interruptions. For now, add the SRS-XB13 to your wishlist as it’ll be available locally from August 2021.
Price: TBA
Colours: Black, blue, taupe, coral pink, powder blue and lemon yellow
4. Acer Nitro 5
Do you spend more time these days on gaming, rather than Netflix? If so, you may want to consider getting a gaming laptop. The latest Acer Nitro 5 combines the power of Intel’s 11th Gen Core i7 processor with the huge leap in graphics performance of Nvidia’s RTX3060. These specs enable smooth, blur-free gameplay with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. You wo, as you’ll enjoy sharp visuals on the 15.6-inch, 300-nit FHD IPS display.
Ace your game with the responsive four-zone RGB keyboard, where the WASD and arrow keys are highlighted for easy visibility. After its facelift, the new Acer Nitro sports a cleaner chassis and narrower bezels. Two fans and the quad-exhaust port design, in addition to Acer’s CoolBoost Technology, ensures this gaming machine keeps its cool under pressure.
Not a fan of Intel processors? You can now also choose from six Acer Nitro 5 models running on AMD’s Ryzen 5000 processors.
Price: RM5,299 (AN515-55-79VX)
For more information, visit this website and the official Acer store on Shopee.
5. Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i
Lenovo recently launched their latest Yoga series, but the one that caught our eye is the Yoga Slim 9i. The line-up revolves around key features that appeal to people who are constantly on the go: flexibility with no compromise on power. The 14-inch Yoga Slim 9i, in particular, is one of the lightest (1.29kg) and thinnest (13.9mm) laptops around. But don’t let that fool you. Not only is it ultra responsive—thanks to the 11th-gen Intel Core processors—but it’s power-efficient too! Its battery capacity has been increased to last up to 20 hours, complemented by its reduced fan noise, so it’s a more pleasant experience.
In terms of performance, you’ll definitely appreciate the 16GB LPDDR4X memory and up to 2TB PCIe SSD storage for all your important files, both business and personal. Wherever you may take it, trust the three USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports to get the job done: speedy data transfers, external display support and plugging in for power. When it’s time to clock off, enjoy the gorgeous graphics of your latest Netflix binge as the Yoga Slim 9i boasts performance and entertainment capabilities that Lenovo deems are among the best in its class. It gets the job done and more!
Price:
From RM7,599 at all Lenovo exclusive stores (LES) nationwide and authorised online retailers on Lazada and Shopee
From RM6,629 or RM553 on a 12-month instalment plan at the Lenovo Malaysia Official Online Store
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