Value for money gaming laptops starting PhP30K

Whether you’re due for a laptop upgrade or simply wanting a portable gaming rig, choosing the next laptop could be a long and arduous task. I picked some of the best laptops you can buy online today to aim and narrow your searching journey. These will help you balance work and play and are some of the best value for money around.

As a general rule when buying laptops, always check specifications for the processor, graphics card, RAM, and SSD to have a proper understanding of your chosen laptop’s performance. For a laptop to be considered a good workstation, the CPU should be at least an AMD Ryzen 3 or an Intel Core i5 processor, the GPU should be at least 4GB, the RAM should be at least 8GB, and storage that is at least a 256GB SSD.

As for other concerns, weight shouldn’t be heavier than 3kg for portability. Look at around 75Hz displays and you’ll be fine. Higher refresh rates up to 120Hz are not needed because these are usually used for competitive games like Valorant.

Let’s check these laptops according to different price range:

PhP 30K gaming laptops

Let’s start with the PhP 30K laptops. Here’s the Machenike Machcreator built with a Ryzen 5 4000 series CPU, AMD Radeon graphics, a 15.6-inch IPS FHD display, Wi-Fi 6, and only weighs 1.6kg. Going back to our checklist, its specs are considered a good workstation. If you have a bit more to spare, you can opt for the 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD variant.

With a one-year Philippine local warranty, this laptop is a bit too good for its price. Alternatively, you may also check the Huawei MateBook D 15.

PhP 40K gaming laptops

With a PhP 40K budget in mind, here’s another entry from Machenike —  the Machenike T58-VA. It comes loaded with an Intel Core i5 10th gen CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GPU with a GTX 1650Ti option, plus a variety of RAM and storage options, a 15.6″ IPS FHD display, Wi-Fi 6 certification, and weighs approximately 2.2kg.

 

It also has a one-year Philippine local warranty with well-received feedback. This is another good laptop to consider, but you can also spot the Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming as an option.

PhP 50K gaming laptops

With a PhP 50K budget in mind, here’s ASUS TUF Gaming F15. It’s built with an Intel Core i5 10th gen CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti 4GB GPU, with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD storage. The display spans 15.6 inches across and comes with a 144Hz FHD IPS anti-glare panel. The battery is pegged at 12.5 hours video playback and the laptops supports multi-monitor arrays. It has an RGB keyboard with overstroke technology which triggers in each keystroke for faster responsiveness and effortless control and weighs approximately 2.3kg.

 

TUF laptops are known for military-grade toughness as they can withstand drop, shake, heat, cold, and humidity. It’s easy to say that it is built as a really durable laptop. With a two-year local supplier warranty and this kind of specs, it is a very good laptop for its price. Alternatively, you may also check the Machenike F117-V65.

PhP 60K gaming laptops

With a PhP 60k budget in mind, here’s ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14. It’s equipped with a Ryzen 5 4000 series CPU, 8GB RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GPU, a 14-inch 120Hz IPS FHD display with 100% sRGB and is Pantone-validated. It comes with adaptive sync that is perfect for creatives, Wi-Fi 6 certification, and only weighs 1.6kg. It also includes AniMe matrix LED display for a personalized experience. Its specs are considered a good workstation.

With a two-year local manufacturer warranty, you won’t go wrong considering this laptop. As a different entry, you can also check Xiaomi Mi Notebook Gaming Laptop.

PhP 70K gaming laptops

Starting from this point forward, everything listed performs with desktop-like capabilities.

Here’s the Acer Predator Helios 300 which is built with an Intel Core i5 10th gen CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GPU. It includes 16GB RAM with up to 32GB option and 1TB HDD storage. Display is at 15.6 inches with 144Hz IPS FHD panel and the device comes with customizable RGB lighting, Wi-Fi 6 certification, and weighs 2.5kg. Tap Turbo is a feature that will instantly overclock and boost your laptop’s performance with a single click.

With a one-year local supplier warranty, this laptop’s GPU is powerful enough and warrants consideration. Alternatively, you may also check the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14.

PhP 80K gaming laptops

With a PhP 80k budget in mind, another Machenike laptop is back again in the form of the Machenike T58-V. It is built with an Intel Core i7 10th gen CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GPU. Memory is at 16GB with a 32GB RAM option and storage comes at 512GB NVMe SSD with 1TB HDD storage and a 2TB HDD option.

The display comes in at 15.6 inches with a 144Hz IPS FHD screen. It also includes a colorful backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6 certification, and weighs approximately 2.2kg.

With a one-year Philippine local warranty, this beast with its specifications for its price is worth considering. You can also check this variant of ASUS TUF Dash F15.

PhP 90K gaming laptops

The ASUS TUF Dash F15 is armed with an Intel Core i7 11th gen CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GPU with 16GB RAM and 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD. It also comes with a 15.6-inch FHD 144Hz IPS display, Wi-Fi 6, and fast charging technology that goes for 50% in 30 minutes. The TUF Dash F15 is only 19.9mm thin and weighs 2kg. Machenike also has a PhP90K-worth Machenike T58-V if you want to check that out.

PhP 100K+ gaming laptops

With this kind of budget in mind, it should have at least an RTX 3080 GPU. So check out Gigabyte Aorus 15G YC. It’s equipped with an Intel Core i7 10th gen CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 8GB GPU, with 32gb RAM and 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD. Display comes in at 15.6 inches as well with a FHD 240Hz IPS anti-glare panel, Wi-Fi 6, and Island-style AORUS Fusion Keyboard with per-key backlit control. The battery is rated at up to eight hours and weighs approximately 2kg.

With a two-year local supplier warranty, this a bit over the top for your average work and play. But no one’s stopping you if you have the means to get this beast. You can also check out ASUS ROG Zephyrus M15 gaming laptop.

Final thoughts

If you’ve noticed that most of the laptops listed here are of the same brand, it’s because these are the best available laptops from their respective price range. Bigger screens are usually the better choice, though most are offering 15.6-inch display sizes as to not compromise its weight and portability. And if you really need more screen real estate, you can also try connecting to bigger monitors at home.

What can you say about our list? Want to add something to it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Affiliate Disclosure: When you purchase products through our links, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

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5 digital payment services to convince you to go cashless

06/02/2020

One of the products of being in quarantine is the rise of cashless payments not just for convenience, but also for safety.  This is because contactless payments lessen the chance of bacteria or virus transferring through the exchange of paper money and coins.

Going beyond that, this service also offers a host of other benefits like rewards points, discounts, and promotions. And once travel becomes safe again, going cashless is probably one of the most convenient ways to pay when you’re abroad.

A couple of years back, there weren’t many options for cashless payments apart from credit cards and debit cards. And while those are still very viable and reliable services today, technology has provided new, easier, and more accessible ways to transition into the use of these virtual wallets with some of them having contactless options.

If you want to adopt this payment method but don’t know where to start, then keep reading on as we list some of the popular apps and services (not credit cards) that can help you get started.

PayMaya
Paymaya

Paymaya is probably one of the most popular apps to use today for contactless payments because of the number of services it offers. It gives you a virtual prepaid credit card that you can use as a regular credit card online. Being prepaid, you get the option to load in the exact amount you need or even plan ahead and load your budget for the day/week/month so you can also track your expenses.

Services: Virtual prepaid card, QR code payments, bills payments, prepaid mobile reloading, send money to other users or banks, cash-out to banks or remittance centers, optional physical card

Cash-in methods: Online bank transfer, physical self-service kiosks, debit or credit card, partner establishments, and merchants

GCash
GCASH

GCash is right up there with PayMaya in being a widely used payment service. A product of Globe Telecom, GCash also operates as an app but acts as a mobile wallet instead of a prepaid card like PayMaya. You can, however, also avail of the optional GCash Mastercard to get a physical card and number that you can use for online or physical purchases. Unfortunately, GCash is limited to Globe Telecom customers only.

Services: Bills payment, send money to other GCash user and banks, cash-out at partner outlets or ATM, buy and borrow mobile load, buy in-store with partner merchants, GCredit.

Cash-in methods: Through Globe stores, partner outlets, online bank transfer

GrabPay

GrabPay is a mobile wallet service that comes from the ride-sharing company, Grab. Initially created for easier payments for its services, GrabPay has evolved beyond that and can now be used for other non-Grab related services. Customers can access GrabPay through the original Grab app.

Services: Payment for Grab services, bills payment, prepaid mobile reloading, transfer to other GrabPay wallets, cash out to banks, in-store payments with partner merchants, online payment with partner merchants, and apps

Cash-in methods: Grab drivers, Online bank transfer, ATM transfer, over-the-counter bank transfers, debit or credit card

Coins.ph

While not as widely popular as others, Coins.ph offers a capable mobile e-wallet solution like GCash. It’s an app-based service like the others but what makes Coins.ph different is that it’s the first licensed virtual currency provider in the Philippines. Interested customers can purchase digital currency like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, or Ethereum through their platform.

Services: Bills payment, prepaid mobile reloading, send money to other users or bank account, payment request, purchase game credits

Cash-in methods: Partner merchants, physical kiosks, GCash, online bank transfer, over-the-counter banking,

PayPal

PayPal is a payment service that’s been around for a very long time now. It’s probably one of the most globally-recognized online payment solutions around. It recognizes different currencies and is accepted in most local and international stores. With a multitude of features, PayPal mostly focuses on personal and commercial payments and doesn’t offer local services like direct bills payment. It’s important to note, though, that PayPal will need its users to be registered in order to send and receive money. Accounts can then be linked to banks or cards for cashing in and out.

Services: Send and receive personal payments, commercial payments, cash-out to banks or cards, payment to local and international partner merchants, GCash and PayPal integration

Cash-in methods: Bank transfer, credit and debit card transfer

Special mention: beep
cashless payments

Metro Manila’s Beep card is fairly new but a great initiative in introducing a cashless payment system for local transportation. Like Hong Kong’s Octopus card or Japan’s ICOCA, BEEP is an RFID-enabled, stored value card that can be used for trains and buses in the city. And with the current pandemic, contactless payments during commutes should be the choice to lessen the possibility of being infected.

Services: Payment for LRT1, LRT2, and MRT trains, payment for Point-to-Point buses, BGC Bus, Citylink Coach Services, toll payments on NLEX and CAVITEX, in-store payment at partner merchants

Cash-in methods: LRT and MRT stations, beep e-load stations, Bayad Centers, partner merchants, Coins.ph app, selected bus ticket booths, Family Mart, Circle K

Final Thoughts

With technology rapidly evolving, it won’t be surprising if a few more options for cashless or contactless payments pop up. Apart from those listed above, there are already other options like BPI’s QR code payments, WeChat Pay, AliPay, and others. Bottom line is, cashless payments are becoming the norm and are, truthfully, a whole lot more convenient than having to line up in banks, hand cash for deliveries, or visit individual payment centers to settle bills. We may be far from being a completely cashless society but the fact that we have more than one option to do so is already a great start.

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