Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga
Tech versatility for the executive
Price R29 000
Lenovo has identified an interesting gap in the business market: executives who need a tablet and laptop. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga is a 14-inch 2-in-1 notebook with really good 2K (2560 x 1440) touch screen display running Intel’s latest Core i7 processor. Basically, it has all the bells and whistles. It has a 512 GB solid state drive, weighs 1.27kg and has an average 10 hour battery life. Is it the right laptop for you though? If you are like me, and have done a yoga class in your life, you’ll understand how humiliating it can be watching how supple others are and not being able to do the splits. Well, now you can do the splits thanks to Lenovo. But don’t let this influence your decision to upgrade your current technology. This is a really good piece of tech, especially if you are constantly on the road and need tablet functionality with a screen that has a 360 degree range. Another unique feature is the dockable stylus pen that slides into the holder close to the USB slots. Quite useful when you need to add annotations or diagrams. It also has built in LTE technology, so communication is not an issue. Just on LTE, coverage has really come a long way across South Africa in the last 18 months when there were only small pockets of LTE coverage in the larger metros. Today, we are close to 50% LTE coverage across the country and on track for the target of 80% by 2018. Most notebooks can do the Lotus pose, but not many can claim the Downward-Facing Dog, Cobra or even the Locust poses. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga packs incredible functionality and agility making it unique in its class of technology.
Asus ZenBook
Beautifully engineered 13-inch notebook that will make heads turn
Price R20 000
Yes I know what you’re thinking. First he talks about yoga and now he’s going Zen. The truth is the Asus ZenBook really does get you into a state of focus and togetherness. This 13-inch full HD touchscreen display laptop is beautifully engineered and you really feel that build quality when you hold it. The manufacturing process is interesting: this machine is crafted out of a solid block of aluminium and the edges are chamfered using a diamond cutting process. You have to look twice because initially it does look like a MacBook disguised as a Windows 10 machine. And it performs really well. Using the latest Intel Core i7 processor, it has a 1 TB hard drive and every port you need, including a mini display port, HDMI and 3 USB 3.0 ports. It weighs 1.45kg and the battery life averages around 6 hours. I loved the Instant On technology that lets you resume what you were doing in just 2 second if your screen is closed. Another highlight is the backlit keyboard that features technology that is able to sense the ambient light and adjust brightness automatically. Overall, a really well built notebook that is solid, sleek and beautifully designed. But be warned, it’s one of those devices that when family members first see it for the first time will say “wow that’s gorgeous” and before you know it, your brand new laptop gets nicked by your kids.
iKlips by Adams Elements
External Flash Drive for iOS devices
Price 64GB - R1800, 128GB - R3450
One of the most frustrating aspects of modern day mobile technology is the memory. It is never enough and inevitably we will all find ourselves in a situation as you are about to snap that pic only to find your memory is full. The iKlips flash drive adds that much-needed storage to your iOS device so you can transfer your photos off your iPad or IPhone and free up much needed memory. It’s so easy to use. Download the app and start transferring. This gadget is really versatile. You can also use it to transfer your music from one iOS device to another and it supports exFAT. No, that’s not a new diet. With exFAT you have no limit on the size of the files you transfer, so a file over 4GB is no issue. But the coolest thing about the iKlip is that on the one side it has a Lightning connector for the iOS devices and the other side a USB 3.0 connector so can use it on Windows machines as well. Available from https://www.tec-den.com
Huawei P9
A great phone with superb photography features
Price R12 000
If there is one company that is innovating at a rapid pace, it is Huawei. One just needs to compare their smartphones from three years ago to their latest flagship, the P9. It is like night and day. The new 5.2 inch P9 is beautifully crafted with a massive focus on photography. Consumer research consistently shows that the quality of the phone camera is one of the deciding factors on what phone users buy. Consumers are serious about their cameras and the quality of their photographs. And this is where Huawei have taken their latest device to another level. They have partnered with the German optics and photography experts, Leica, who have been in the imaging business for over 100 years. The dual Leica 12 MP lenses on the back of the phone are able to capture more light by capturing colour and monochrome via the two sensors. The smart algorithm then combines the images to create vivid photographs, rich in colour. One of the advantages of this technology is the ability to capture great moments in low light conditions. The hardware of the P9 is not too shabby either. It also features an enhanced fingerprint sensor for added security, a great battery life and a super-fast processor in a solid aluminium unibody. The P9 is massive leap forward for Huawei, which is now fighting in the premier smartphone league while simultaneously offering great value to consumers. Photography lovers check out the P9!
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