Cars, gadgets reviews for smart spending
Sam Abraham introduces new products and services to help you zero in on those that offer value for money.
Sam Abraham introduces new products and services to help you zero in on those that offer value for money.
KINDLE FIRE | $199 (Rs 10,000 approx)
Features
>> Dual-core 1GHz chip, Android Gingerbread
The 8GB memory is much too low but is workable as Amazon lets you re-download anything you've bought any time you want and stream all your music. The 512MB RAM is also a step down and there were glitches that didn't allow full use of the OS and the Android app market. The display was also poor at 169ppi.
HONDA BRIO | Rs 5.86 lakh
Features
>> 1198cc, 4 inline cylinders
>> Max power of 88bhp at 6,000rpm
Light steering, along with a nice shifting gearbox, and a responsive clutch make it effortless to drive within the city. With the same engine as the Jazz, but on a lighter car, and the reengineered gearing makes it a good buy. However, its top speed of 141kmph is slightly below par for the segment but has a decent fuel efficiency of 18.4kmpl (ARAI).
HTC EVO 3D | Rs 35,000 (est)
Features
>> 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon
>> Sense 3.0 UI on top of Android 2.3.3
Performance is amazing with the Snapdragon taking Gingerbread to greater levels of fluidity. It's fluent, from the basic UI to the browser and maps, though Sense over Android is unnecessary. Now, as for 3D, it's interesting, something of a pleasant distraction but adds no real value as too many compromises are needed to see it function optimally.
DELL LATITUDE | Rs 1 lakh (est)
Features
>> Intel Sandy Bridge internals
>> 13 inch swivel display with touchscreen
The sequel to the high-performance XT2, the XT3 is high functioning with a Core i7 running at 2.7GHz with a 4GB RAM and a selection of hard drive sizes. The touchscreen and stylus are also adequate but not the best. The big problem is the TN panel. On a tablet, its notoriously poor vertical viewing performance does the XT3 no favours.
HYUNDAI EON | Rs 3.75 lakh
Features
>> 814cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine
>> Max power of 56bhp at 5,500rpm
The design is indicative of evolving Indian tastes and has an engine to match. Though the engine is rough while idling, it feels balanced on the move. The car does have a modern feel with a digitised odometer, an integrated music system with aux-in and USB. The most impressive though is its mileage-a segment topping 21.1kmpl (ARAI).
Features
>> Dual-core 1GHz chip, Android Gingerbread
The 8GB memory is much too low but is workable as Amazon lets you re-download anything you've bought any time you want and stream all your music. The 512MB RAM is also a step down and there were glitches that didn't allow full use of the OS and the Android app market. The display was also poor at 169ppi.
Features
>> 1198cc, 4 inline cylinders
>> Max power of 88bhp at 6,000rpm
Light steering, along with a nice shifting gearbox, and a responsive clutch make it effortless to drive within the city. With the same engine as the Jazz, but on a lighter car, and the reengineered gearing makes it a good buy. However, its top speed of 141kmph is slightly below par for the segment but has a decent fuel efficiency of 18.4kmpl (ARAI).
Features
>> 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon
>> Sense 3.0 UI on top of Android 2.3.3
Performance is amazing with the Snapdragon taking Gingerbread to greater levels of fluidity. It's fluent, from the basic UI to the browser and maps, though Sense over Android is unnecessary. Now, as for 3D, it's interesting, something of a pleasant distraction but adds no real value as too many compromises are needed to see it function optimally.
Features
>> Intel Sandy Bridge internals
>> 13 inch swivel display with touchscreen
The sequel to the high-performance XT2, the XT3 is high functioning with a Core i7 running at 2.7GHz with a 4GB RAM and a selection of hard drive sizes. The touchscreen and stylus are also adequate but not the best. The big problem is the TN panel. On a tablet, its notoriously poor vertical viewing performance does the XT3 no favours.
Features
>> 814cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine
>> Max power of 56bhp at 5,500rpm
The design is indicative of evolving Indian tastes and has an engine to match. Though the engine is rough while idling, it feels balanced on the move. The car does have a modern feel with a digitised odometer, an integrated music system with aux-in and USB. The most impressive though is its mileage-a segment topping 21.1kmpl (ARAI).
