Toyota will bust your myths about hybrid cars!

Chances are you’ve seen them in your favorite movies and TV series. No, we’re not talking about A-List celebrities (though many stars drive themselves around in one). We’re talking about hybrid cars, especially the uber-popular Toyota Prius! Globally, Toyota’s hybrid cars have established themselves as reliable choices for amazing fuel economy. It’s no wonder why you see Hybrids almost everywhere in most other countries!

It’s a very different story though here in the Philippines where there’s still a lot to be understood about Hybrids. There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding surrounding Hybrids, and here we’ll address the top myths to hopefully clear the air (pun intended) about these environment-friendly vehicles.

Let’s see how many of these Hybrid myths we can bust together! SPOILER ALERT: We’ll bust them all!

MYTH #1: Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Electric Vehicles are basically the same

THE TRUTH

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) operate on only one power source (electric motor) while the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), as the name “Hybrid” suggests, runs on a combination of a petrol engine and an electric motor.

They’re similar in that they both have electricity as a power source but different because Hybrids vehicles also have a second power source — the petrol engine.

MYTH # 2: Hybrid Cars Need to Be Charged Before Use

THE TRUTH: Hybrids do not need to be plugged in to be charged. They are self-charging through the motion and braking of the car. This is called “regenerative braking” and is what makes Hybrids unique and extra convenient as electrified vehicles! This makes the ideal for the Philippines since there’s no need for added infrastructure like charging stations.

MYTH # 3: Hybrids are difficult to maintain.

THE TRUTH: Similar to a regular car, Hybrids just need to be brought to your local Toyota dealer for its preventive maintenance service (PMS). While usage circumstances still play a key role, Hybrid batteries don’t need any special maintenance on top of PMS.

Did you know that for added piece-of-mind, Toyota provides a 5-year warranty on the hybrid battery alongside the standard 3-year warranty on the vehicle itself? But don’t think that after 5 years you’re going to need to replace the battery, as Toyota’s Hybrid batteries are designed to last the lifetime of the car with proper care and maintenance.

MYTH # 4: Driving Hybrids in a flood will cause you to get electrocuted

THE TRUTH: No, you definitely won’t get electrocuted! The power shuts off once in contact with water. It’s no different in terms of safety from a conventional vehicle since both hybrids and conventional vehicles have their engines at similar heights from the ground. Don’t believe it yet? Check out this video to see how Toyota simulated flood situations with a Hybrid to prove its safety.

MYTH #5: Hybrids are expensive.

THE TRUTH: Hybrids are a lot more affordable now and are priced competitively to their conventional gas counterparts. And since Hybrids are very fuel-efficient, you’ll also save a lot on gas expenses in the long run.

Toyota has many Hybrids now for you to choose from, from the iconic Toyota Prius to hybrid variants of the Toyota Corolla Altis sedan and of the Toyota Corolla Cross.

MYTH #6: Hybrids are hard to drive

THE TRUTH: If you know how to drive a conventional vehicle, then you know how to drive a hybrid! Hybrids actually have the smallest learning curve among electrified vehicles! You just need to gas them up like your conventional car (just not as often anymore!). The hybrid system is very intelligent and automatically switches between EV and gas mode to give you the most out of your fuel!

And there you have it! Six myths, all busted! Hybrids may be thought of as the future, but they’re also the now!

Toyota Motor Philippines offers several hybrid models available now ready to be driven on Philippine roads. No need for charging stations. No worrying about running out of juice in the middle of a trip. Reduce your emissions today and start saving on fuel!

Visit http://toyota.com.ph/hybrid to discover more about Toyota’s Hybrid vehicles!

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5 best affordable laptops for online classes and WFH (2021)

09/01/2021

With online classes and WFH setups becoming the new norm, it’s more important than ever to invest in a reliable laptop. Not all notebooks are equal, however. You need to pick one that suits your specific needs and fits the budget.

For this list, we prioritize three factors: brand, specifications, and price. We highly recommend purchasing from reputable brands and shops because they offer reasonable warranty for their laptops.

For specs, it’s important to aim for at least a Core i3 or Ryzen 3 CPU; anything lower than those could cause stutter during heavy usage. Lastly, we chose a price limit of PhP 30,000, which excludes certain models such as those from Microsoft and MSI.

While you could find laptops cheaper than the ones listed below, you run the risk of subpar performance or trade-offs such as cheap keyboards or low-resolution displays. When it comes to long-term gadgets, it’s best to invest in the best.

SEE ALSO: 5 best affordable tablets for online classes and WFH (2021)

Acer Aspire 5

 

Specifications and Price:

  • 14-inch 1080p display
  • Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor
  • 8GB RAM
  • Intel UHD graphics
  • 256GB SSD
  • PhP 27,999

Acer’s Aspire 5 does everything right: an 11th-generation Core i3 processor, the bare minimum 8GB of RAM, and a healthy 256GB SSD. On top of all that, it comes with a two-year warranty. It’s tough to beat its value, especially since it’s well below the PhP 30,000 mark.

Its design is unremarkable, but if you’re spending most of your time at home, no one’s going to notice.

ASUS ExpertBook P1

Specifications and Price:

  • 15.6-inch 1080p display
  • AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • Radeon Vega 3 graphics
  • 128GB SSD
  • PhP 26,995

The ASUS ExpertBook P1 has a large 15.6-inch display and a number pad, both of which make this laptop great for heavy data crunching. In addition, the Ryzen 3 processor with its Vega 3 graphics make Chrome and Photoshop usage smooth.

On the other hand, the 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD definitely need to be upgraded down the line. Fortunately, at PhP 26,995, you’ll have extra cash to spend.

Dell Inspiron 3501

Specifications and Price:

  • 15.6-inch 1080p display
  • Intel Core i3-1125G4 processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • Intel UHD graphics
  • 256GB SSD
  • PhP 29,990

While this Dell Inspiron looks plain on the surface, its hardware has a nice mix of the aforementioned Acer and ASUS laptops. You get the larger 15.6-inch display, 11th-generation Core i3 processor, and generous 256GB SSD.

However, this is another model that requires a RAM upgrade for its measly 4GB. On the bright side, Dell’s home service applies to this laptop’s warranty.

CHECK OUT: Value for money gaming laptops starting at PhP30K

Huawei MateBook D 15

Specifications and Price:

  • 15.6-inch 1080p display
  • Intel Core i3-10110U processor
  • 8GB RAM
  • Intel UHD graphics
  • 256GB SSD
  • PhP 31,999

The MateBook D 15 goes above the P30,000 limit, but Huawei often includes freebies such as a backpack to the package. It’s certainly worth spending extra for this model: it comes with all the essential hardware, plus some nifty features, such as a fingerprint reader for logging in, USB-C charging, and Huawei Share for easier pairing with your smartphone.

The only downside is its recessed webcam above the keyboard; people on the other end of the video call would have a clear view of your nostrils.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

Specifications and Price:

  • 14-inch 1080p display
  • Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • Intel UHD graphics
  • 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD
  • PhP 29,995

If you’re after lots of storage, the IdeaPad 3i is your best bet. In addition to the 128GB SSD, it includes a 1TB HDD for all your locally saved files. It also comes with a physical shutter for its webcam, allowing you to cover it when not in use.

Other than those, this IdeaPad has run-of-the-mill specifications from its 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor to the 14-inch Full HD display.

Alternatives

Apple MacBook

It’s time to address the elephant in the room: you can’t score a brand-new MacBook at this price point. Alternatively, you could find secondhand or refurbished models on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace.

A MacBook’s main advantage would be its macOS operating system. You’d have access to apps and software that you can’t use on Windows laptops. MacBooks also tend to last longer than their Windows counterparts thanks to sturdier build quality and service centers specifically catered to repair Apple products.

Chromebook

If you aren’t loyal to Windows or macOS and are on a tight budget, the next best thing is a Chromebook. They hover around the P10,000 to PhP 15,000 range from known brands including ASUS and Lenovo. The catch is that the build quality may not be as solid as the laptops above and your apps will be limited to what Google allows you to install.

Thankfully, Chromebooks have access to the Play Store, providing a similar experience to what you’d find on an Android smartphone except with a much larger screen.

Final thoughts

You can’t go wrong with any of the aforementioned Windows laptops. If we were forced to recommend only one, it would be the Acer Aspire 5. It has every specification covered, and it’s one of the cheapest Core i3 laptops you can find brand new.

Best of all, the two-year warranty is unmatched in providing peace of mind during your online classes or work from home. Our runner-up would be the Dell Inspiron 3501.

If you have an extra stick of RAM to insert, it’s easily the most complete 15-inch laptop you can find at this price point.

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