My current work laptop is a Apple MacBook Air 13 Inch (Mid 2011). Despite getting it back in March 2012, the laptop itself is a 3-year old model. My company, migme, has a policy to change laptop every 3 years and this time round, they bought for me a 13″ MacBook Pro Retina (Late 2013).
The processor is a 2.4GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz) with 16GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM and 256GB PCIe-based Flash Storage. This configuration cost S$2,368.
I was invited to a Dell event 2 days back and they announced new laptops (Latitude, Inspiron & XPS) and new tablets (Venue 7, Venue 8 & Venue 11 Pro). Since most of the stuff are still to be announced (TBA), I will start off with this post on Inspiron 14/15/17 7000 series, Inspiron 11 3000 series & Inspiron 23 all-in-one as I got all the prices for it and you can already get it now from Dell.
Inspiron 11 3000 Series Laptops
COMEX 2013 will be happening from the 5th to 8th September 2013 at Hall 5 & 6 of Singapore Expo. Lenovo will be launching some new computers there.
Lenovo Flex 14
Alienware, the pioneer in specialty high-performance PC gaming systems, announced its latest and most powerful gaming laptops, the Alienware 14, Alienware 17 and Alienware 18. The laptops feature all new performance graphics, processors (Intel 4th Generation Core Processors) and components engineered for extreme performance.
They also introduce a new range of Alienware laptop bags named Alienware Vindicator Laptop Bags specifically designed to house the new Alienware 14, Alienware 17 and Alienware 18 laptops. The series includes a backpack, messenger bag and slim carrying case, while their styling reflects a fusion of urban and military influences. The bags feature sturdy, weather-resistant materials and reinforced handles or straps for comfort and durability, and have smartly-designed, dedicated compartments that allow for organization and protection of essential accessories.
Lenovo has a bunch of new computers that will be available during and some after PC Show 2013 which will be held at Singapore Expo from 6th to 9th June 2013.
IdeaCentre Horizon
The IdeaCentre Horizon was the first thing that caught my eye at the event because it looks like a Microsoft PixelSense. It is running on Windows 8 Pro with Lenovo own’s Aura interface. It is still a little pale in comparison if you compare it with Microsoft PixelSense interface.
Chromebooks have arrived in Singapore and for some reasons, they are only on sale at Courts and not elsewhere like Challenger, Harvey Norman or Best Denki. I guess Courts got the exclusivity rights for the time being.
3 models of Chromebook are available, HP Pavilion Chromebook (S$449), Samsung Chromebook (S$449) and Acer C7 Chromebook (S$369).
Bought the Twelve South HiRise for iMac from Hong Kong Hysan Place‘s Apple Store located in Causeway Bay for HK$618 (S$99).
I can’t seem to find the HiRise in Singapore, even Apple Singapore and Hong Kong Online Store doesn’t list the product. You best bet is to get the product directly from Twelve South website itself for US$79.99 (S$99) excluding shipping of about US$45 to Singapore.
Bought the Twelve South BackPack 2 from Hong Kong Hysan Place‘s Apple Store located in Causeway Bay for HK$268 (S$43). I saw it selling in Singapore at Epicenter at Wheelock Place for S$55 while Apple Singapore Online Store is selling for S$49.
The BackPack 2 fits well for the new iMac 27″ (Late 2012), but according to the site, it is not yet compatible with the new 21.5″ iMac.
In my first part review of the Dell XPS 12, I talked about the Unboxing and Design, in the second part review, I talked about the Features and Functionality and for this last review, I will talk about my experience using the Dell XPS 12.
Ultrabook vs Tablet
When given a choice to use the Dell XPS 12 as an ultrabook or a tablet, we will always choose something that we are familiar with because as humans, we are afraid of change. Unless we have no choice but to accept the change and get used to it. In this case, perhaps a Windows 8 tablet running on Windows RT, where user have no choice but to get used to the “New Windows 8 UI”?
For the first part review of the Dell XPS 12, I talked about Unboxing and Design and in this second part review, I will talk about the features and functionality.
Ports – Right Side
Let’s start with the ports available on the Dell XPS 12. All of the ports of the Dell XPS 12 are located on the right side of the ultrabook except for the headphone/microphone combo port.
