Publications
Partners
Shopping for a gadget can feel tedious, with so many options out there. Have a look through Nafisa Akabor’s picks to find some of the coolest affordable gadgets on the market.
1. I-Life Zed Note
New on the market, I-Life has come out with a budget-friendly notebook called the Zed Note, and is regarded as the lightest convertible PC running Windows 10. It can be used in four modes: laptop, stand, tablet and tent; with a hinge design that lets you flip the screen 360 degrees. If you love streaming video content, the Zed Note can be propped up to suit whatever position you’re in. It features an 11.6-inch full-HD screen, runs on Intel processors and has 32GB built-in storage that is expandable. It is portable, making it ideal for students, writers and travellers who want something capable and affordable.
Price: R2 999.
Contact: Incredible Connection or HiFi Corp
2. DJI Tello
Ryze Tech’s Tello drone, powered by DJI, is a great little drone with which to start a new hobby before committing to something more expensive. The Tello is controlled with a smartphone, so the photos and videos are saved directly on your device and this makes for quick social media sharing. The propellers don’t fold in, which should be considered when popping it into a bag. It is lightweight and at 79g, should not be flown on a windy day or you will probably never see it again. It is also programmable on Scratch for those who are learning to code, and could make for a pretty cool project.
Price: R1 999
Contact: iStore
3. Xqisit wireless headphones
The Xqisit oE400 wireless headphones are ideally suited for when you’re out and about, travelling, or – due to its noise cancellation features – working at a coffee shop. It has a range of up to 10 metres, soft padding to cushion your ears, and is controllable via the right headphone. It’s of German origin, so you can expect good quality. And battery life is great – you can get at least 12 hours of wireless listening. If you don’t want to use it wirelessly, a 3.5mm auxiliary cable is included. It comes with a USB charging cable in the box.
Price: R1 789
Contact: Celcom.co.za
4. LG Q7
LG’s Q7 fits into the popular mid-range segment that usually offers more phone for your money. The Q7 is no different, and has premium features such as portrait mode photography; virtual surround sound; a fingerprint sensor; and durability in the form of dust and water resistance. It also has a USB-C port and supports fast charging. The 5.5-inch full-HD display is ideal for the streaming, browsing and gaming demands of today, powered by 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, expandable up to 2TB. The main 13MP camera takes portrait shots with a bokeh effect that blurs out the background, and the front-facing 8MP camera is capable of wide-angle shots. Good battery life comes in the form of a 3 000mAh-sized battery.
Price: R5 999
Contact: Vodacom; Cell C
