Gadget reviews: Sony Vaio Ultrabook, Bose gym headphones
The Bose SIE2i are the perfect earphones for the gym, while Sony's Vaio T Series (11-inch) is a value for-money ultrabook.
Reviews of the perfect earphones for the gym and a value for-money ultrabook -
STYLE, POWER, VALUE
Sony Vaio T Series (11-inch)
Price: Rs 49,990
Many of the slim Sony Vaio laptops look like ultrabooks anyway, but since late last year, Sony has been bringing out models which incorporate other features of ultrabooks too.
At less than Rs 50,000, the recent Sony Vaio T series option, is also a most affordable one. The 11.6-inch model we tested - there is also a 13.3 inch version - has an overdose of aluminium, but that is nothing to complain about. The screen is the same size as Apple's MacBook Air, but this one looks smaller. The display is clear and has better viewing angles than most devices in this price range.
The sound is good, but we have heard better. This ultrabook has a third generation Intel core processor, and that too an I5-3317U 1.70 GHZ with turbo boost up to 2.60 GHZ. At under three seconds, it has the shortest 'wake-up from sleep' time span we have seen. This is the combined effect of the hybrid storage drive and the powerful processor. Even the full start takes just 18 seconds.
PLUS: Affordable; Overall performance
MINUS: Bezel thick on top; Low resolution
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
Bose SIE2i
Price: Rs 8,663
These are earphones meant for those who take both their workouts and their music very seriously. They can be used at all times, sure, but they have been designed specifically for the gym. In most cases moisture is fatal for earphones, but with the Bose SIE2i your sweating makes not a whit of difference.
Bose's StayHear tips plug in so well they stay put in your ears without slipping out whatever you may be doing, while audio quality, powered by Bose's TriPort acoustic technology, is outstanding. We tested a bright orange model using it during workouts, long walks and even in an autumn drizzle.
This device lets you take calls over most phones as well. There is also a cheaper version without the hands-free option.
PLUS: Audio quality; Great design
MINUS: Expensive; Short cable
STYLE, POWER, VALUE
Sony Vaio T Series (11-inch)
Price: Rs 49,990
Many of the slim Sony Vaio laptops look like ultrabooks anyway, but since late last year, Sony has been bringing out models which incorporate other features of ultrabooks too.
At less than Rs 50,000, the recent Sony Vaio T series option, is also a most affordable one. The 11.6-inch model we tested - there is also a 13.3 inch version - has an overdose of aluminium, but that is nothing to complain about. The screen is the same size as Apple's MacBook Air, but this one looks smaller. The display is clear and has better viewing angles than most devices in this price range.
The sound is good, but we have heard better. This ultrabook has a third generation Intel core processor, and that too an I5-3317U 1.70 GHZ with turbo boost up to 2.60 GHZ. At under three seconds, it has the shortest 'wake-up from sleep' time span we have seen. This is the combined effect of the hybrid storage drive and the powerful processor. Even the full start takes just 18 seconds.
PLUS: Affordable; Overall performance
MINUS: Bezel thick on top; Low resolution
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
Bose SIE2i
Price: Rs 8,663
Bose's StayHear tips plug in so well they stay put in your ears without slipping out whatever you may be doing, while audio quality, powered by Bose's TriPort acoustic technology, is outstanding. We tested a bright orange model using it during workouts, long walks and even in an autumn drizzle.
This device lets you take calls over most phones as well. There is also a cheaper version without the hands-free option.
PLUS: Audio quality; Great design
MINUS: Expensive; Short cable
