The Radicals

If you are looking for your third laptop in as many years because no machine seems to outlast the rigours of your job,or if you are an outdoor person who needs a computer as adventurous as you are,you require the Panasonic CF-53.

If a laptop is called Toughbook,then the company is not leaving much to the imagination. And if it comes with an in-built magnesium alloy case with a snap-out handle,making a carrying case redundant,then the intentions are even clearer. Over the past decade,Panasonic has made a niche for itself with laptops designed to work in rugged conditions. But the CF-53,the latest in their range of semi-rugged laptops,does not need a forklift to move it. It is as light as regular 17 laptops,weighing 2.65 kg.

The Toughbook features a spill-resistant keyboard,can withstand a minor fall I will take the companys word on this one and,best of all,has covers for its ports. It can work in temperatures ranging from 0 to 50 degree Celsius. The screen clicks shut,becoming a water-tight unit.

The keyboard is very responsive. There is a generous keypad just below and the only other button is the rubbery power button. However,the clicketty-clack was a bit loud for my liking. The 14 backlit LED screen can play full HD and the speakers are good enough to be heard in the din of a construction site. Tucked away safely behind the slot flaps are four USB ports including a USB 3.0,a serial port,modem port,a LAN port,a VGA port and a HDMI port.

The CF-53 features Windows 7,a minimum 2GB RAM with i3 Intel Core i3-2310M and 320 GB storage. There is also a touchscreen version with Intel Core i5 and a stylus. The CF-53 costs Rs 99,000.

Music on the Move

Most people frequenting gyms wonder whether to use the phone or the MP3 player during a work out. Those with two mobile phones are left puzzling over which one to connect to the Bluetooth headset. Well,there seems to be a solution in sight.

The stylish Jabra Street2 Bluetooth pendant can connect to two devices simultaneously,while hanging from your neck like a dog-tag or clipped to your clothing or a bag. The device has a range of 10 metres so you can keep your phone or iPod in a nearby locker or bag while you work out or just laze around. The device has a metallic finish and is not affected by mild rain. It is easy to pair with other devices and simple to use with no confusing buttons. You can do most phone functions with it and control your music player as well.

The sound is crystal clear and is augmented by the Jabra earbuds. The battery can give up to eight hours on a two-hour charge,just remember to switch off the device when you are not listening in. Buy it if you are okay with the bling factor around your neck. Price Rs 3,799.

Boom Box

Anyone who owns a computer has at some point brought home a pair of 2.1 speakers. They allow you to enjoy movies on the PC,even listen to the numerous MP3s you have stashed away on your hard drive,but for serious listening you always aspire for a 5.1 set. All that is set to change with the new Bose Companion 20 multimedia speaker system.

Frankly,I have never experienced better sound on a pair of computer speakers. Often,the sound was so good that I thought I heard more than two channels. But that was just the new driver and advanced port at work. Even in its small 3.5 wide and 4.3 deep sound boxes,Bose has brought in its proprietary electronics and amplification so that users get to experience the deep low notes and volume levels of larger systems. And the Bose TrueSpace stereo digital signal processing expands the acoustic image,giving the sound a wider feel.

The Companion 20 is easy to operate,thanks to a small,circular control pod that lets users adjust volume with one-touch muting. The pod has a headphone jack as well as the input for an additional audio source,so that you can turn the device into a one-stop shop for all your audio needs. The Companion 20 comes with a standard 3.5 stereo jack and your sound sourcing is not limited to your PC or laptop. You can play music from an iPad or a mobile phone,but I found that the results differed slightly.

The only drawback is the messy tangle of wires that the speakers leave in their wake. Bose should have cut out the clutter. Did I tell you that the Companion 20 costs Rs 14,513?