For most of us, our smartphones have become the primary device for computing, where we not only access the internet but also perform more complicated tasks. But the handheld devices have not been able to push out thepersonal computer (PC).
According to an IDC report published late last year, 2.19 million PCs were shipped to India in the April-June quarter – an increase of 1.4 per cent over the previous quarter.
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Perhaps, in a bid to take advantage of this, phone makerMicromax launched its clamshell laptop, the Lapbook, in October last year. This is its second proper computing device, after the Windows 8.1 LapTab, launched in June. Priced at Rs 13,999, it is the least expensive Windows-based notebook/netbook in the market.
It is easy, not only on the pocket, but also on the eye. A matte metal finish makes it classy, as opposed to most low-priced notebooks, which look cheap with their often glossy covers. Weighing just 1.3 kg and with a thickness of 19mm, it is only slightly heavier than its competition, the Asus EeeBook (980g; 17.4mm) and the HP Stream 11 (1.5kg; 19mm).
The battery, too, is satisfactory. It lasted a whole day, when I was using it for creating documents or reading stuff offline. But if you go online, the battery life drops a bit. Also, the USB ports are a tad too tight. One has to struggle a bit to insert a drive. Also, it is best to buy a mouse also with this device. The track pad is too small – after all, this is not really a laptop, is it? The keyboard, too, is a bit of a disappointment. Since, I mostly use a laptop for typing I found it a little difficult to work on the keyboard.
The screen resolution, however, is wonderful for such a device. Unlike most other such devices, the resolution was good and it adapts well to different kinds of light, not straining your eyes. Watching videos on it may not be a good idea because of the small screen but it did play a full HD movie without a hiccup. The device is not for gaming, though. The storage is a bit limited: Closer to the tablets than laptops – internal storage is 32GB and the MicroSD slot allows another 64GB.
There are different reasons for which one buys a hatchback and a sedan. The Canvas Lapbook makes a strong debut as the hatchback of the segment – keeping all the promises it makes for its price.
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