Tech articles

  • Top Ways to boost your internet & reduce ping in games

    Top Ways to boost your internet & reduce ping in games

    As we all know in the world of today be it new or old or whichever generation gaming or computers and internet go hand to hand, it’s very essential to stay connected but it’s also helpful in many ways, although very easy to set up and flexible in terms of usage, there are still limitations that we come across be it during gaming or browsing the internet in general, these, however, are for the most part solvable and hence have a pretty good threshold of nothing but simple solutions for even the overcomplicated things, the main or you can say the most annoying issue people that play games or browse about is the problem of slow internet and to solve that thankfully we have multiple methods and all of them combined don’t contradict or affect each other and only improve your speed and ping drastically without affecting or too much modification of your isp router or any other crazy methods needed.

    Duly Note that all of these methods are completely safe and optional to do and can be disabled or enabled by the user at any time.

     

    ( D.N.S )

    To start off we can do what’s called is a DNS changing or DNS Server Changing, depending upon ISPS DNS affects heavily what sources of internet your router or your network gets its addresses from and in what manner, without going into too much detail for a humbo-jumbo explanation to quickly put it in words a DNS is a standard protocol that helps internet users to discover websites using addresses(www.sitename.com) aka the IP address for that website the more open your DNS is the more likely you’re going to load your sites faster and better, while every ISPS default DNS work okay enough on own as they have been setup for you some still lack the full potential to do so.

    Henceforth finding particular DNS’S for your isps or custom routers can be tricky and therefore we give you the best ones that most people be it in the gaming public or the usual use, here are the DNS’s you can try             ( specifically by changing the IPv4 properties in your control panel under networking) are as follows -:

    Cloudflare : 1.1.1.1 (Preferred) & 1.0.0.1 (Alternate)

    Google : 8.8.8.8 (Preferred)  & 8.8.4.4 (Alternate)

    Open DNS : 208.56.222.222 (Preferred) & 208.67.220.220 (Alternate)

     

     

    ( NAT TYPE )

    NAT types while don’t internet speed too much on various and most of the sites work just fine on any of the Nat types, however, in the case of gaming, the type of networking you have in this access plays a  huge role in gaming and also pings.

     

    For example, a Strict Type restricts your ping and access to other players due to its security roots and how its maintained for other connections to be not allowed in, an example of this can be GTA V or Tekken 7 or call of duty in instances where your ping is strict it won’t either allow you to connect players with a different isp than yours or having a different NAT type than open will result in no connectivity with the other player in a peer to peer environment, or rather will have very poor ping if you’re playing a server-based game. Moderate type is the same with some relaxations in the instance that it allows traffic from outside trusted sources however does not fully open its ports to the public which gives you a reasonably good experience in terms of gaming and playing around with most of the games. Be it peer to peer or server-based however this still has its restrictions and if you truly want the best connectivity possible with your ports and the server/other players, open NAT type is the best in terms of it the risk you take is basically your ports being open so you have to be more cautious about what you download and allow access through your firewall.

     

    So depending on your knowledge of how the internet works around and if you know how to avoid those shady websites or programs you should be good with open too, though that is of course up to you but changing your NAT type from strict to moderate is a must for gaming as it allows you to be flexible with region-based servers and have a better experience overall.

     

    ( USING A ETHERNET/LAN CABLE )

    Using an Ethernet/Network Cable can be very obvious seeming at first but it’s a ridiculously good thing to do at first before you perform any of the other steps in this list the reason this is helpful is for two simple reasons, when you’re connected to your WIFI while you can access the network and perform pretty much everything else needed to be done be it gaming or browsing however a consistent flow of internet without any packet loss is only possible on a Lan / Ethernet connection which allows much better browsing experience, download speed and of course which in turn results in random ping losses or fluctuations not being present in your daily to daily internet usage activities.

    So get an Ethernet/Lan cable as soon as you can and allow yourself to have consistent network flow without any packet loss to make sure you can get nothing less than a perfect flow of internet while using it in either way.

     

     

    ( USING PORT FORWARDING / VPN )

    In certain instances or situations while using the internet be it in terms of gaming or browsing the internet. There can be times when accessing content through your country or location you might be at is much harder than it should be this kind of problems occur due to either server far away or ports not being forwarded and for that premium VPN’s are a great choice to do so, while they may slow down your browsing speed a bit but for gaming, it’s a huge boost as it allows you to play with players from regions you wouldn’t be able to do so easily such as India to Singapore or India to Nepal or UAE. (This option actually exists in a few premium VPN’s such as PIA or Nord VPN.)

    Port Forwarding of course depends upon game to game so choose/use this option as you may prefer to do so if you come across connection delay or issues in certain games a good example of this can be games of live service such as Destiny or Star wars battlefront series.

    To put it in simple words using port forwarding is basically

    Without port forwarding: – You <-> Intermediary <->Other Player

                        With port forwarding: – You <-> Other Player

    Hence improving the ping and latency between both the players.

     

     

     

    (Extra options to help reduce ping or improve internet speed in general)

    While most of the technical options are as mentioned above ahead and there are many others that claim to work but don’t. Henceforth after the ones that do work, here are some key things you can do still other than the above options to improve your overall experience for browsing/gaming/downloading &, etc.

    1. Having a good Net plan (Fiber) – Having a decent internet plan with good enough speed goes a long way towards having speed and stability and increased download, it also helps a lot if it’s a fiber wire-based connection as they have a direct flow to it rather than signals and also provide constant speeds very consistently without much delay so preferably depending upon your heavy or light gaming choose the correct net plan for your system so it can manage the workload you give it while keeping a consistent enough speed.

    1. Blocking Trackers and clearing cache/cookies – Clearing out cookies and cache about every week is a great idea and incentive to keep your browser fresh and not have it stuck in the old patterns it is used to alongside this blocking trackers also helps you reduce clutter in your overall browsing experience as multiple trackers can actually delay your page loading times and also run in the background at times causing small bits of the internet being used where it could resource something else useful you’re doing.

     

     

    1. Using servers near you – Every internet server exists at their own offices and with multiple workstations managing the whole server setup, all of these exist at multiple locations. Whatever internet of whichever company you might have be it Jio/GTPl/Hathaway or Xtreme fiber try to make sure the ISP office is nearby you or at least in the same city because then it’s easier for data to transmit vastly rather than relying on a server 100’s of kilometers away, you can also configure and customize your approach to each of the providers so connectivity can be the top-notch as it should be.

    1. Choosing the right ISP for yourself – As mentioned before some routers and isps do not come along too well and routers that have locked frame do not give static IP hence not allowing your nat type to be customizable so without giving any specific names, make sure to check beforehand if your isp allows you to have a static IP to change those settings because without it problems and peer to peer connection isn’t possible at all.

     

     

    Either way, make sure because not just the above there are other benefits to having an isp that provides you direct or remote support as well when you need it so, so be sure to have the one right for yourself.

  • Best camera drones in India 2021

    Best camera drones in India 2021

    DGCA  lifted the long running blanket ban on drones back in 2018 making the use of drone cameras legal in India.

    Drones have become far more than just simple aerial toys that they used to be. Drone cameras allow professional photography and videography of landscapes, buildings and unreachable places which can only be done before with the help of a helicopter or a hefty big crane!

    The Indian government and the drone flying community have had a tense relationship ever since the ban was lifted.But drone flying is still prevalent and ever growing among the Indian crowd.

    Drones are a great investment for budding or professional  photo and videographers as it’s a no brainer that a drone camera is a must if you want to add production value to your photography or videography by adding scenic aerial shots.

    But those scenic aerial shots have a hefty price tag, you get what you paid for. If you want to invest in a good drone that can capture stunning footage you need to be ready to spend some serious cash. So research is must before buying a drone.

    Even though the market is dominated by DJI drones there are a few underdogs that are trying to make it big  in the Indian market. We at techoids have curated a list of the best drones that you can buy in India to help you narrow down your search for your perfect match!

     

    What to look for while buying a drone

     

    GPS

    According to the DGCA, GPS is a mandatory feature to have for flying drones in India.

    The positioning system helps the drone to keep its position stable, you don’t want your drone to be flowing with the breeze!

    It not only helps in stabilizing drones position but it also enables automatic return to the take off point if the drone loses control or if the battery is on the verge of dying.

     

    Controller

    Most of the controllers work by sending a radio signal to the drone, which tells the drone what to do.

    Some of the lower standard controllers use Wi-Fi to send the signals to the drone, these controllers usually have poor range (around 100m). Some drones might also use a smartphone as a controller. A good controller range is important if you want better accessibility.

     

    Camera & gimbal

    If you are just getting into flying drones, a drone camera close to 2MP would be able to shoot decent photos and videos. But professionals who want high quality footage can go for 1080p HD or 4k quality cameras as well.

    Some high standard drones often come with stabilization features such as gimbals. even though the inclusion of a gimbal ramps the drone’s price up the smooth high quality footage that you get  pays it all off!

     

    Battery

    Drones can have either rechargeable or replaceable batteries. If you want to fly your drone for a long periods of time, look for drones with interchangeable batteries. Swapping batteries with spare ones will allow you to take another go at capturing that perfect shot!

     

    The App

    Some of the drones might use a smartphone as a controller. The apps that come bundled with the drone will have virtual buttons and various different features to control and monitor your drone.

    Before investing into a drone that uses a smartphone controller, it’s better to check the usability of the app. Ending up with an app with bad UI and usability would significantly hinder your flying experience.

     

    Flight time

    Flight time of your drone mainly depends upon the battery and the type of your drone (nano, micro). Usually flight times range from 8-30 minutes.

    Most of the nano drones will have 8-12 minutes of flight time while micro drones can have 30+ minutes of flight time.

    It’s crucial to choose a drone with a decent flight time as it affects the quality and length of the footage that you will be capturing.

     

    Type

    According to the standards of DGCA drones in India are classified according to their weight. Some of the drone types that are available in the market are nano, micro, small, medium and large drones.

    To fly a drone in India all drones except nano ones require permission. So when you are buying a drone look out for its type!

     

    Here’s the list of drones that we recommend!

     

    1-Ryze tello

    Best budget drone!

    Video quality: 720P HD

    Drone camera quality: 5MP

    Flight time: 13 minutes

    Flight distance: 100m

    Type: Nano

    ryze tello

    Whether you are a novice or an experienced pilot, Ryze tello provides a great stable and powerful flying experience at an affordable price.

    Ryze tello or DJI tello is equipped with a 5MP camera. It has an electronic image stabilization (EIS) feature which reduces the blurriness. The drone’s camera streams a 720P HD video which is decent considering the price range.

    Tello a quadcopter is a simple and lightweight drone whose battery can churn up to a reasonable 13 minutes of flight time with 100m of range. The intelligent sensors at the bottom helps the drone to stabilize as well as allows it to perform a bunch of automated tricks.

    The bundled smartphone app acts as a controller for Ryze tello. The app is very user friendly and feels very responsive. It has an easy to understand twin stick layout, the taking off, landing and other features are straightforward and nicely integrated within the app.

    Even though the Ryze tello weighs just about 235g its stabilizing features do a good job at keeping its position intact. Due to its weight it falls under the nano drone category which means you won’t have to take permission before every flight.

    ✔️ Easy to pilot

    ✔️ Image stabilization by electronic image stabilization (EIS)

    ✔️ Decent battery life

    Who is it for: Hobbyists who want to invest in a drone to just capture casual footage on trips and picnics.

     

    2-DJI mini 2

    A 4K option in a compact size!

    Video quality: 4k 30fps

    Drone camera quality: 12MP 

    Flight time: 31 minutes

    Flight distance: 10Km

    Type: Nano

    DJI mini 2

    Building up on its predecessor(DJI mini), DJI mini 2 adds a lot of additional features that DJI mini lacked and in the process introduces us to its own special treats!

    Mini 2 has a lightweight airframe body which makes it good for carrying around and also its foldable wing design makes it more compact! Despite having such a light body, Mini 2 feels strong and reliable.

    This quadcopter drone features a 3 axis gimbal and a 12MP 4K camera. The gimbal smooths out the footage during sharp twists and turns.

    Mini 2 comes with a controller unlike its predecessor. The new and improved controller boasts a range of upto 10km and comes with a great battery life.

    It also has DJI drones signature quickshot feature in which the drone keeps the camera on you and performs cool pre planned tricks! It helps in taking dramatic professional-like footage with just a click of a button.

    ✔️ Compact and portable design

    ✔️ Great range

    ✔️ 4K video quality on budget!

    Who is it for: Hobbyists who are looking for a drone with 4K video capturing abilities.

     

    3-DJI mavic 2 pro

    Paired with a powerful Hasselblad camera!

    Video quality: 4K HDR

    Drone camera quality: 20MP

    Flight time: 31 minutes

    Flight distance: 8Km

    Type: micro

    mavic 2 pro

    DJI Mavic 2 pro comes with a 20MP Hasselblad L1D-20c drone camera which can shoot videos at 4K 30fps. Hasselblad’s cameras are no stranger to spotlight and that too for a good reason, having a drone camera of that quality is a really good deal breaker! The 1-inch sensor of 20 megapixels also offers manual controls for color grading and aperture. This makes it good for professionals who will get to tweak the settings to get that perfect shot!

    The Mavic 2 pro weighs at 907g and the quadcopter also has foldable wings making it a decent option to carry around.

    It has an impressive battery life of 31 minutes and a range of around 8KM, which makes it ideal for travel vloggers who may use it to capture longer aerial footage.

    This DJI drone comes with a controller that supports removable thumb sticks and flight screen. It even has the capability to switch between 2.4gHz and 5.8gHz frequency.

    The drone camera comes equipped with DJI’s Quickshots feature. Quickshots provides a huge range of automatic shots that the drone can perform while following a target.

    ✔️ 1 inch sensor

    ✔️ Great camera quality

    ✔️ Impressive flight time and range

    Who is it for: Professionals who are willing to make a serious investment.

     

    4-DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

    Great for aerial photography!

    Video quality: 4k 30fps

    Drone camera quality: 12MP

    Flight time: 31 minutes

    Flight distance: 10KM

    Type: micro

    dji mavic 2 zoom

    DJI mavic 2 zoom is a variant in the DJI mavic 2 series(the other one being DJI Mavic 2 pro). The feature that sets it apart from DJI mavic 2 pro is it’s different camera (Mavic 2 pro has a Hasselblad camera). This camera is capable of zooming 4x making it good for aerial photography.

    But the zooming ability comes with a tradeoff, Mavic 2’s zoom reduces the quality to 1080p from 4K when zoomed in.

    Mavic 2 zoom weighs around 905g and has a compact design as it is foldable. It’s a good option to carry around while travelling.

    The controller is similar to what you would find in a mavic series drone and is incredibly compact. It uses a dual frequency system to offer a range of upto 10km.

    This quadcopter DJI drone has an impressive run time of 31 minutes and it captures videos at 4K@30fps but reduces quality to 1080p when zoomed in. You can even switch to the 1080p@120fps mode while not zoomed in to capture videos.

    ✔️ zooming in capabilities

    ✔️ Compact and light

    ✔️ Great flight time and range

    Who is it for: Professionals who want to capture detailed more object centric footage like wildlife photographers and videographers.

     

    5-PowerVision PowerEgg X

    A feature rich underdog in the DJI dominated market!

    Video quality: 4K@60fps

    Drone camera quality: 12MP

    Flight time: 30 minutes

    Flight distance: 6KM

    Type: micro

    poweregg x

    In a DJI drone dominated market poweregg x is the only drone that stands out, that too because of its distinctive features. Features like its egg or orb like design! Which allows it to fly in rain and to land on water! (if coupled with the wizard bundle) This feature opens up a range of creative possibilities that professionals can pull off!

    Poweregg x can also be used as a standalone handheld gimbal camera. By detaching the propellers you can transform Poweregg x into an autonomous AI camera that can even be mounted on a tripod.

    This Poweregg  quadcopter drone has a good run time of 31 minutes and has a decent range of 6km.

    The drone camera can capture images at 12MP and can capture video footage at 4K@60fps.

    Poweregg x does great with accessibility and portability but it falls short when it comes to camera quality where DJI drones are clearly better.

    ✔️ Able to fly in bad weather (if paired with the wizard bundle)

    ✔️ Converts into a handheld camera.

    Who is it for: Hobbyists as well professionals who are looking for a cool all weather drone to capture footage in rain or even in bad weather!

     

    6-Ninja UAV

    A lightweight scouting drone!

    Video quality: 720P HD

    Drone camera quality: 15MP

    Flight time: 20-25 minutes

    Flight distance: 2KM

    Type: micro

    Ninja UAV

    Ideaforge’s Ninja UAV is a lightweight micro drone which is marketed by the company as a mapping and a surveillance drone. It’s a reliable NPNT compliant micro drone.

    It comes with a 15MP camera that can capture footage at 720P HD. The drone also comes with a thermal payload which can be used for thermal image scanning. The camera also features a 5x optical zoom. Being a military grade drone, Ninja UAV is also capable of capturing footage at night.

    The drone has a 2kg  take off weight and has a decent operational range of 2KM. It has a good runtime of around 20-25 minutes.

    Ninja UAV is built with military precision for enterprise applications, it comes with military grade features such as autopilot, flight area breach prevention, thermal scanning and mapping, independent GPS tracking and a fire resistant UIN plate.

    The drone is only available for purchase at the Ideaforge’s official website.

    ✔️ Tough and reliable body.

    ✔️Can be used at night also (thermal imaging).

    ✔️Compliant with all of the mandatory DGCA features

    Who is it for: Professionals working in extreme environments or professionals in need for a surveillance drone for a particular area.

     

    Frequently asked questions

     

    What is the limit of flying drones in India?

    Micro and nano drones should not cross the limit of 60 meters while small drones can fly upto 120 meters vertically. All of the drones should maintain their speed below 25 meters per second.

     

    I have a Nano drone, what permissions do I require?

    Nano drones (less than 250g) do not require a UIN to fly.

     

    What is a UIN and how to acquire it?

    UIN is a unique identification number issued by DGCA for a particular drone. You register for a UIN on digital sky’s platform. Check this guide for detailed information on hoe to obtain a UIN.

     

    How much is the fees for obtaining a UIN?

    One thousand rupees (Rs.1000/-)

     

    What will be the actions performed in the case of violation of DGCA rules and regulations?

    The UIN of the drone will get suspended/cancelled in case of violations of rules and regulations provided by DGCA

    Individuals operating a drone without a valid license will have to pay a fine of INR 25,000.

    Individuals flying in the no fly zone will be obliged to pay a fine of INR 50,000.

     

    What areas are classified as No Fly Zones?

    No fly zones include area such as airports, government buildings and international borders.

     

    Can i use the UIN of a deprecated drone on a new drone of the same model and maker?

    No, the pilot should apply for a fresh UIN for the new drone.

     

    What is NPNT?

    No permission, no takeoff (NPNT) is a software program that allows every drone (except nano drones) to get permission from the Digital Sky Platform before every flight in India. It is mandatory to obtain permission before every flight, if not taken the drone will simply not fly.

     

    What are the mandatory features that a drone should have in India?

    All drones (except nano) should have GPS, return to home(RTH) feature, Anti collision light, ID plate, a controller with flight data logging capabilities.

     

    Rules that you need to follow while flying drones in India.

    According to the Ministry of civil aviation, flying a drone is legal in India. After DGCA (Directorate general of civil aviation) lifted the ban on drones back in 2018 CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) for drones was formed which came into effect on December 1,2018.

    Drones in India are categorized according to their weight:

    • Nano: Less than or equal to 250 grams
    • Micro: From 250 grams (.55 pounds) to 2kg
    • Small: From 2kg (4.4 pounds) to 25kg
    • Medium: From 25kg (55 pounds) to 150kg
    • Large: Greater than 150kg

    Nano drones require no registration while all the others need to get registered from DGCA after which they will obtain their unique identification number(UIN) for their drone.

    Registered drones need to take permission from India’s digital sky platform before every single flight. This is being called India’s “No permission, No takeoff” (NPNT) system. If a pilot tries to fly his/her drone without taking permission they will simply not be able to take off.

    Users who own a small, medium or a large drone need a pilot license to fly the drone in India. Anyone who is 18 years of age and has passed 10th grade can obtain this license. The pilots will have to go for a mandatory 35 hours of training to obtain this license. Information about how to register as a pilot can be found here.

    Foreigners are currently not allowed to fly drones in India. Although they can turn their drone to an indian personnel who can then obtain a unique identification number from the DGCA.

    Drones can be flown as long as they are within the visual limits of the pilot and are flown outside the “No fly zones”. These no fly zones include airports, international borders and government buildings.

    These are the mandatory features that a drone flown in India should have:

    • GPS
    • ID plate
    • Controller with flight data logging feature
    • Anti collision light

    TLDR:

    • Registration and UIN (Unique identification number) are necessary for every drone except the nano category.
    • No drone should surpass the limit of 400 feet vertically.
    • Drones should be in the limits of the pilot’s line of vision.
    • Flying drones is restricted in the “No fly zone”, these zones include airports, government buildings and international borders.
    • Permission from digital sky platform is necessary before every flight.
    • Registration of pilots with small, medium and large drone is mandatory.

    More information on rules and regulations of flying drones in India can be found on the DGCA website.

     

    Conclusion

    DJI drones are currently dominating the Indian market. Due to the recent legalization of drones in India, the drone market is fairly new. So if you want to invest in a drone right now go for DJI drones.

    The coming years might prove important for the industry as we are seeing new companies taking chances and diving into the ever growing Indian market. While products like Poweregg x lack a bunch of features that DJI’s drones have, we might see a huge surge in their demand because of their distinctive features.

    If you are a hobbyist and you just need a drone to capture footage on your trips and picnics, you should go for Ryze tello which gives you a decent amount of power and features to have fun with and as it is a nano drone you will don’t have to request for permission every time you want to fly it, or if you have a bigger budget you can go for DJI mini 2.

    If you are looking for a drone to capture high quality footage for travel vlogs or professional projects you should definitely go for DJI mavic 2 pro which has absolutely everything needed to capture great footage.

     

     

  • Best Processors To Buy In India For Gaming Under 15000 Rupees

    Best Processors To Buy In India For Gaming Under 15000 Rupees

    Introduction

    With so many shortages going on in the current market, buying a processor at a good price seems like a difficult ordeal (not more difficult than buying a graphics card obviously), but the truth is, there are a lot of options for you to consider. A lot of budget processors offer great performance which a lot of users want while remaining pocket-friendly. Processors being an important and central part of any computer, many people assume that there’s absolutely no way you could cut costs on a processor without sacrificing a lot of performance. But that is absolutely not the case with processors nowadays and you can easily game and multitask on budget processors without any difficulty.

    Keeping this in mind, I’m gonna focus on processors that offer great gaming performance for their price. They’re equally good for other tasks too and offer an overall great experience.

    How does a processor affect gaming performance?

    A CPU is equally important as a GPU for gaming performance. The CPU is literally the brain behind everything that happens in your computer. Everything that happens in your computer is first passed through the processor which will then process it. If the CPU is slow, all the other components like your GPU won’t be able to perform at their full potential making the CPU the weak link in your system(bottleneck).

    There’s also the fact that most modern games use a lot of complex stuff like AI and world generation which puts a heavy load on your CPU, affecting the overall FPS. Thus having a good processor is essential for gaming. But that doesn’t mean you should compulsorily go for high-end 8 core processors because chances are you won’t need them especially while playing at a higher resolution. A good 4 core or 6 core processor nowadays will run almost all games comfortably as long as it is paired with a good graphics card.

    Keeping this in mind here are the processors you should go for in the under 15000 Rupees range.

    Processors under 10000 Rupees

    1- Ryzen 3 3100

    The Ryzen 3 3100 is a 4 core 8 thread processor which currently costs just Rs 9700 (on MD Computers at the time of writing and even cheaper during sales)  is a really good option for its price. This processor, while being affordable, does not compromise on performance 

    Pros-

    • Great gaming performance at a low cost
    • Included AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler 
    • Works with any AM4 motherboard and has PCIe Gen 4 support

    Cons-

    • No integrated graphics (requires a graphics card)
    • Low stocks currently and therefore hard to find at a good price

    Here’s the gaming performance of the chip paired with an RTX 2080ti (Bottleneck? Absolutely not)

    Name Of The Game Performance at 1080p       Performance at 4K
    Far Cry 5 (Ultra) 92 Average FPS 75 Average FPS 
    CS: GO (High) 360 Average FPS 265 Average FPS
    Rise Of The Tomb Raider (Very High)         131 Average FPS 84 Average FPS
    Rainbow Six Siege (High) 245 Average FPS 185 Average FPS

    2- Ryzen 3 3200g 

     

    The Ryzen 3 3200g at just Rs 9500 (at the time of writing on MD Computers) is a great option for those who wanna hold out on buying a graphics card in the current market due to the inflated prices. It has Radeon Vega 8 Graphics and is a 4 core 8 thread processor.

    Pros-

    • Has integrated graphics
    • Included AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler
    • Works with any AM4 Motherboard and has PCIe Gen 4 Support

    Cons-

    • The integrated graphics should be used temporarily as they do not give playable frame rates at high resolutions in most of the newly released AAA games.

    Here’s the gaming performance of the chip on integrated graphics (It’s not that impressive but still playable while you wait for that 3060ti to come in stock)

    Name Of The Game Performance at 720p      Performance at 1080p
    CS: GO (medium) 112 Average FPS 70 Average FPS
    Rise Of The Tomb Raider (lowest)           44 Average FPS 31 Average FPS
    Rainbow Six Siege (Medium) 95 Average FPS 54 Average FPS

    Processors Under 150000 Rupees

    1- Intel i5-9400F

    The I5 9400f is one of the cheapest 6 core processors you can find at just Rs 10900 (at the time of writing on PrimeABGB). Although it does not have integrated graphics the performance of this processor and the 2 extra when compared to the rest of the processors at this price, make it a compelling buy.

    Pros-

    • Leading gaming performance at its price point
    • Bundled cooler (which is not that great, but it’s better than nothing)

    Cons-

    • No Integrated Graphics
    • No Hyperthreading

    Here’s the gaming performance when paired with an RTX 2080ti, and at just Rs 10500, this is really worth the price

    Name Of The Game Performance at 1080p
    CS: GO (High) 413 Average FPS
    Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (Very High)         93 Average FPS
    GTA: V (Very High) 118 Average FPS
    Rainbow Six Siege (Very High) 268 Average FPS

    2- i5-11400f

    The i5 11400f with 6 cores and 12 threads is the most expensive processor on the list at Rs 14,750 (at the time of writing on ezpz solutions.in) and also the latest one from Intel. This processor is an absolute beast for its price beating the Ryzen 5 3600 in games by almost 20% on average. It is surprising to say but Intel has now become the budget gaming processor king with the 11400f. This graphics card lacks an integrated GPU but is certainly the best choice when paired with a good graphics card provided you can find one in stock.

    Pros-

    • Unmatched gaming performance for its price.
    • Better price/performance for gaming than the 3600/3600x/5600x
    • 6 cores with hyperthreading

    Cons-

    • No overclocking potential as the processor is locked
    • No integrated graphics (so no display output until you source a graphics card)
    • Relatively less productivity performance than its Ryzen competitors

    Here’s the gaming performance of the 11400f paired with an RTX 3080. Also, have included a comparison with the Ryzen 5 3600 which is similarly priced and you can see why this processor is a beast for its price.

    Name Of The Game  i5-11400F

    Performance at 1080p           

        Ryzen 5 3600

    Performance at 1080p

     

    Red Dead Redemption 2 (High/Custom)            159 Average FPS  131 Average FPS
    Rainbow Six Siege (Very High) 414 Average FPS  382 Average FPS
    Cyberpunk 2077 (Medium) 140 Average FPS  117 Average FPS
    GTA V (Very High) 122 Average FPS  105 Average FPS

    Conclusion

    With the current silicon shortages, finding a good processor at a good price can be quite challenging but I highly recommend the above processors if you can find them in stock at a good price Here’s a short summary- The 3100 and 3200g are great processors under 10k and the choice should be made depending on whether you need integrated graphics or not. The i5 9400f is a good choice if you want 6 cores and provides great gaming performance for its 11k price tag. However, if you can stretch your budget up to 15k, the 11400f is an absolute beast for its price and I highly recommend it if you’re someone who is looking for a budget processor so that you can spend more money on the graphics card which are overpriced nowadays.

     

  • Best wireless neckband earphones under 2000 rupees in India

    Best wireless neckband earphones under 2000 rupees in India

    The one must have electronic accessory which almost everyone has, regardless of their device, is a pair of earphones.  Earphones are not only useful for listening to music or watching movies, but they are also very useful for taking all kinds of calls and nowadays, for attending online classes or for work from home. Although headphones are better just based purely on sound quality, people with limited budgets prefer earphones.

    Not only are earphones easily portable, but they also have a better sound quality under this price range. They are much more convenient at this price range. With the budget options coming out in the past few years, wireless earphones under a budget of 2000 rupees is no longer just a pipe dream. On the contrary, there are many good quality earphones available to the consumers.

    Another revolution in technology is the age of the wireless. Wireless earphones are becoming more and more common. People prefer wireless earphones over wired ones because of many reasons.

    ADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS EARPHONES

    No hassle of wires– Wired earphones can often lead to tangling. Even with earphones who claim to come with tangle free wires, there is almost always an issue of tangling which takes a long time to solve and is not only time consuming, but also very annoying. Wireless earphones prevent this hassle faced by the people.

    Not only is there a chance of tangling, people can also get these wires stuck somewhere which can cause accidents like breaking of the wire etc. Also, wired earphones have very damage prone 3.5mm audio jacks. Wireless earphones solve this problem.

    Portability– Due to a lack of wires, wireless earphones are much lighter and easier to carry around. They weigh a lot less and can be easily taken on the go. They can easily be folded without worrying of damaging the 3.5mm jack, which is a constant issue with wired earphones. Also, they can be worn and carried around without feeling much discomfort or baggage.

    Wider compatibility– Since a lot of manufacturers have stopped adding a headphone jack to their products, wireless earphones have gained even more popularity. They can be connected with both old and new devices. There is a huge advantage while purchasing wireless earphones as wireless is becoming the norm and it is the future of audio technology. Technology developments are increasing the demand of wireless over wired. VR and other upcoming technologies are promoting more and more wireless technology.

    Wide range of movement– Since there are lesser hassles due to lack of long wires, there is a wide range of movement in wireless earphones. You can keep your device at a distance without having to carry it with you all the time. This is perfect for users who want to keep the device a little further from themselves. Gym goers especially benefit from this. Newer earphones allow longer distances away from the source device.

    These are the advantages that wireless earphones have over wireless ones. If these are the things you are looking for in your earphones, you should prefer wireless earphones over wired ones. However, wireless earphones have many disadvantages too, when compared to wireless earphones. They are listed below.

    DISADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS EARPHONES

    Higher price- The construction of wireless earphones is costlier than their wired counterparts, therefore the earphones themselves are also costlier too. The higher price can be a big turn off for people with a limited budget. Many wireless earphones are coming in the budget range, as the topic of this article is about. Still, the wired earphones will always be cheaper.

    Worse audio quality– Wireless earphones have a lot more technicalities when it comes to the audio quality. A lot of it depends on the technology and the drivers. Therefore, wired earphones in the same price bracket will always sound better than their wireless counterparts.

    Constant need to charge- Wireless earphones work on batteries, hence they need to be regularly charged unlike wired earphones. This is very bothersome as some people do not have the time to do this if they are away from home for long periods of time. Also, wireless earphones drain the battery of the device they are connected to, faster too.

    There might be moments when someone forgot to charge their earphones, and if during that period they needed their earphones badly, they will have to suffer. However, there are many wireless earphones which have very long battery life. Also, the introduction of fast charging has reduced this problem by a large margin. Still, you should keep this in mind while thinking about purchasing wireless earphones.

    Connectivity issues– The wireless earphones need good connection to work at their best. There are many factors which affect the pairing and connectivity of wireless earphones. They can be distance from source device, quality and type of drivers of earphones, codec of earphones etc. These factors are different for different earphones and thus one simple conclusion cannot be made.

    However, many earphones don’t have such big connectivity issues, so if you take your time and choose the product wisely, you won’t face this issue.

    Harder to repair– Wireless earphones do not usually break down and are generally tougher than wired earphones, if taken proper care of. However, if something does happen to them, repairs are much more tough when compared to wired earphones. This is because of their complex design and delicate parts. Sometimes, repair is impossible. This is a huge drawback of wireless earphones.

    Higher latency– People looking for lesser latency, like gamers, will prefer wired earphones because they have almost negligible latency. However, the latency on wireless earphones is pretty high which is a big concern for some people.

    PEOPLE WHO SHOULD PREFER WIRELESS EARPHONES

    Fitness enthusiasts, active people and athletes– Listening to music while working out or just going for a light jog is a common practice. Not only athletes, but people who care about their fitness like listening to music while working out. Workout playlists are very common. Wireless earphones are perfect for these people. They are portable, lightweight and have no mobility issues.

    Travelers– Since wireless earphones are lightweight and easily portable, they can be carried around very easily on travels. Thus, they are very good for people who like travelling very often, or travel is a big part of their jobs.

    People with devices without a 3.5mm audio jack– Following the example of Apple, there are many mobile phone companies that are stupid enough to launch mobile phones without an audio jack. In that case, you have no option other than buying wireless earphones, unless your wired earphones have a USB type C wire, which is very rare. Hence, people with modern devices would get wireless earphones.

    People who like freedom of movement– Wireless earphones offer more mobility than their wired counterparts. Wireless earphone users don’t have to worry about moving too far away from the device. As a result, they get a more immersive experience.

    Therefore, we see that wireless earphones have both their pros and cons. If after evaluating all of these things, you decide that wireless earphones fit your need better, then you should purchase them without any hassle.

    TYPES OF WIRELESS EARPHONES:

    After deciding that you want to purchase wireless earphones, you should know about the types of wireless earphones. We can categorize wireless earphones either on the basis of the connectivity, or on the basis of design.

    The wireless earphones can connect either through infrared (IR), Bluetooth technology, or through frequency. These are the three types of wireless connections available in case of earphones.

    Infrared earphones– These earphones work based on line-of-sight. If the device is in the line of sight, the earphones will be connected. If not, they will not work. Therefore, it there is an object like a door or a wall in the middle, the connection would fail. Thus, these earphones have a very small range of sight

    Radio Frequency– This type allows the most extended range of connection (about 300 ft), they aren’t restrained by wall and ceiling, and can connect about 100 headphones to an RF transmitter. The drawback of this type of earphone is that they aren’t that portable, and you’ll most likely need a base station to connect your headphones. An example is the Sennheiser Rs series; the difficulty is finding a source and destination that both support the technology.

    Bluetooth– The most common and most widely used technology in wireless earphones is Bluetooth. Bluetooth earphones use Bluetooth to connect to devices. With the improvement in Bluetooth technology, their range and connectivity are also increasing. Therefore, Bluetooth is the best type of wireless earphone with a lot of future potential as well. We would recommend you to purchase wireless earphones.

    These are the earphones based on connectivity. However, they can even be categorized on the basis of the design. On the basis of design, wireless earphones can be categorised into neckband earphones and truly wireless earphones. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. We will briefly discuss the types of these two earphones below.

    Neckband earphones– These are wireless earphones which go around your neck. They are also called behind-the-neck earphones or collar earphones. This type of earphone is particularly popular with gym goers and people who like to go running. They offer a sporty look and feel. They can be in-ear or on-ear in design. The modern neckbands have magnetic tips to connect the ear tips together when earphones are not in use.

    This is very helpful as it allows the user to hang the earphones down without worrying about losing the earbuds or the earphones. These earphones are very comfortable for treks, workouts, running etc. The neckband allows these earphones to have a bigger battery, therefore they usually have a higher battery backup when compared to truly wireless earphones.

    Another great point about these earphones is that they do not require any kind of case to store them. Also, there is a big advantage that they can’t get lost or stolen easily when compared to truly wireless earphones.

    They are not the most durable earphones, but they are stronger and sturdier than their truly wireless counterparts. Their mics are also placed much closer to the mouth, so they are better for calling.

    Truly wireless earphones– Truly wireless earphones are the latest version of wireless earphones. Like the name suggests, these are truly wireless, that is, they don’t have any wires. These just have earbuds and a case for charging and storing them. These earphones make life easier and people don’t have to worry about wires getting tangled. They feel and look premium and are very lightweight and easy to carry around.

    These earbuds however are not very sturdy and can get damaged very easily if proper care is not taken. These earphones have their mics placed very far away from the mouth so calling with them is a chore. Their compactness can also cause you a little bit of trouble, sometimes. They tend to get easily lost under the blankets or fall under the bed if you are not being careful about placing them safely inside the charging cum carry case after using them.

    Although fast charging is very easily found in these earphones, they usually have a smaller battery than neckband earphones. They are good for people who want a truly wireless experience. The sound quality of these earphones is usually worse than neckband earphones. Therefore, unless you want a truly wireless experience, or you are not a big audiophile, these earphones are good for you.

    THINGS TO LOOK AT WHILE PURCHASING WIRELESS EARPHONES:

    Now that we have talked about the types of earphones, we will come to the parameters on which any wireless earphone should be judged on. These things are:

    Design and durability– Design and durability of earphones describe how well the earphones are designed and how durable they are. To get a longer life out of your wireless earphones, you need to ensure that the earphones are not only having a good design, but a sturdy one too. If your earphones are not well designed, they can be damaged very easily and will not last very long.

    The durability also includes how water resistant and dust resistant the earphones are. A higher rating will always be preferred.

    Comfort– People prefer wireless earphones because of they generally provide better comfort levels when compared to their wired counterparts. The earphones should be light weight and hassle free and well designed to ensure they provide the user a comfortable experience. There is no point if the wireless earphones are uncomfortable for the user. Therefore, comfort should be one of the highest priorities.

    Audio quality– The audio quality is the most important point to be kept in mind while purchasing earphones. Since you buy these for the audio, audio is the number one parameter. The audio quality provided should be very good. The overall sound should be balanced with good bass, mids and highs.

    People in India usually like higher bass, so you can also pick earphones with a boosted bass, granted that it doesn’t overpower the overall sound quality. The audio drivers and codecs should be good as well to ensure a very good sound quality.

    Microphone quality– The microphone is also an important parameter while purchasing wireless earphones since you will be using your earphones to take calls too. In neckband earphones, the microphone should be close enough to the mouth, but not too close. In case of truly wireless earbuds, the mic is far away from the mouth, so there should be mics on both earbuds for a much better microphone sound quality.

    Connectivity– Since the wireless earphones in this article are all Bluetooth earphones, the earphones need to have a good connectivity. A new Bluetooth version like Bluetooth 5.0 is preferred in earphones. A newer Bluetooth version ensures better connectivity with a higher range, and also ensures that a lower amount of battery is drained from both the earphones as well as the device it is connected to.

    Battery and charging– The battery life and charging of wireless earphones are so crucial and many people overlook this aspect. Since wireless earphones don’t have any direct power supply from wires, they operate on batteries. Therefore, it is essential for them to have a long battery life and faster charging capabilities.

    A lot of people use their earphones while travelling and away from home, so a good battery life is a must. A higher battery life should be there so that people can use the earphones for long periods of time without having to worry about charging their earphones. The earphones should also support fast charging so that they are charged quickly. If a wireless earphone doesn’t support fast charging, it will take a very long time to charge.

    Pricing– The pricing of earphones is also kept in mind. Since most people have a limited budget, they want to know about the earphones which they can afford with their budget. Also, since this article talks about earphones which are within a budget of 2000 rupees, it becomes a very important parameter to judge earphones on.

    Ideally, you would want a decent sound quality for the price you are paying. In the budget we are talking about, you will not find something which audiophiles or professionals can use, but as a normal user, you can find plenty of great options to select from.

    BEST WIRELESS NECKBAND EARPHONES:

    This article will talk about the best wireless neckband earphones under 2000 rupees. The parameters mentioned above will be kept in mind while judging these earphones. Also, my personal experience with some of these earphones will also be reflected on this article. So, without further ado, let us begin our list of the best wireless earphones under 2000 in India.

    OnePlus Bullets, Oppo Enco M31, Boat Rockerz 335, Realme Buds, Boat 255 Pro Plus, Samsung Level U2, Mi Neckband.

    BOAT ROCKERZ 255 PRO PLUS:

    The first entry in this list are the Boat Rockerz 255 pro plus wireless earphones. Boat has been making a huge impact in the audio equipment market and these earphones are a big reason for it.

    Design and durability– The boat Rockerz 255 pro plus are well designed. They come with a flexible neckband which can be extended easily. The wires come out from the end of the earphones. They weigh at just 26 grammes, making them very light and comfortable. The flexible neckband ensures that the earphones can be used portably very easily. However, this also works against the earphones as they are not durable against physical damage because of the very same neckband.

    The earbuds have magnets in them which can be used to join the earbuds together while not using the earphones or keeping them in the rest position. The earphones have normal power controls on them which can be used and accessed easily. These controls are the same as normal earphones and are neither cheap, nor too great. Overall, for this price range, they are well designed.

    The earphones also have IPX 7 water and sweat resistance rating which makes them a very good and resistant pair of earphones for gym goers and runners who sweat a lot.

    Comfort– The boat rockerz 255 pro plus weighs at just 26 grammes, making them very light. Also, the neckband is flexible, thus making it very lightweight and comfortable. The earbuds are also small and have hooks on them which make these earphones very comfortable to wear for long times also. The comfort level on these earphones is very good and they can be worn for hours without feeling any discomfort.

    Audio quality– The audio quality on these earphones is pretty good. They don’t have the best sound quality in this price range, but it is still pretty good. The drivers are 10mm audio drivers, but audio drivers in this price range are very similar so they don’t matter that much. The audio quality is decent. They mids feel a little underwhelming while the highs are decent. The sound signature is V shaped. The overall audio is decent. Nothing great but not too shabby either.

    Microphone quality– The microphone on these earphones is also very good. At this price point, such a good mic quality was not expected. It is not the best in this price range, but it comes very close. The mic provides a good sound and there is very little to negligible background noise. The mic is pretty good for calls and conference and attending online classes as well.

    Connectivity– These earphones come with Bluetooth 5.0. They support A2DP. This provides dual connectivity and a good connection. The connectivity is good and the earphones work well even if you are a decent distance away from the device.

    Battery life and charging– These earphones have the best battery life when compared to all other earphones in this price range. The earphones claim a playback time of 40 hours on a full charge. They have the best battery and if you are looking for great battery backup, this is the choice for you.

    They also support fast charging and the earphones get fully charged within 1 hour which is a pretty good speed.

    Pricing– The price of these earphones is rupees 1499, which is very good for the features they provide.

    SAMSUNG LEVEL U2:

    The Samsung level U2 are premium wireless neckband earphones offered by a renowned company.

    Design and durability– The Samsung U2 earphones are designed a little different than the other earphones in this price range. It has a plastic neckband instead of a rubberised foldable neckband. Thus, it also weighs more than the other earphones. It weighs 42 grams and thus it is much heavier than the other earphones in this price range. However, this weight is not felt because the neckband rests on the back of the neck and the wires come from the back.

    The portability of this device is however lowered by a lot by the hard plastic neckband as it is not flexible at all. The earbuds have magnets which attach to each other fairly easily. The earphones have normal buttons on the side. The buttons are a little hard to press but otherwise the design is good.

    The IPX rating is not given for these earphones, thus their durability is not known when it comes to water and sweat. However, the earphones appear very durable otherwise, owing to their sturdy plastic neckband which is very strong.

    Comfort– The Samsung U2 earphones weigh 46 grams, which is very heavy for neckband earphones in this price range. However, since the wires come out of the back, they don’t feel that heavy. The Samsung Level U2 has a hybrid earbud and in-ear monitor-like design, so they sit inside your ear, instead of going deep into your ear canal, so they feel very different. They are quite comfortable, and if you don’t like the design of the other earphones, you should go for this one. However, after long periods, they do tend to become painful and have to be removed.

    Audio quality– The audio quality of these earphones is amazing. The hybrid earphone design makes the vocals really stand out. The bass is a little underwhelming, but if you are not a big basshead, it won’t affect you. The instruments also sound good. The sound quality is good and they have a wide soundstage. However, the noise cancellation isn’t that good so you might hear some sounds from outside while listening to music. The Samsung Level U2 supports AAC HD Audio too, which is another plus point. The drivers are 12mm dynamic audio drivers.

    If audio quality is your highest priority, and the hybrid earphone design and underwhelming bass doesn’t affect you, these earphones are a no brainer.

    Microphone quality– The microphone quality of this earphone is decent at best. It is not very good and if you primarily want to use these earphones for calling purposes, you should look for some other neckband earphones.

    Connectivity– The Samsung earphones come with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. The range of the earphones is pretty decent as well. Overall, no complaints in this department.

    Battery and charging– The battery on this pair of earphones gives a playback time of 18 hours, which is very good. The USB C charging port, thus the earphones charge up very quickly. These are good earphones to purchase looking at the battery backup too.

    Pricing– The price of these earphones is rupees 1899 on Flipkart. The premium cost also comes with it because they are Samsung earphones. It is worth it to pay this amount if you feel like the hybrid earbud style will suit you.

    OPPO ENCO M31:

    The Oppo earphones are probably the best sounding earphones you will find in this range and they have a good case if we are opting for the best overall earphones.

    Design and durability– The Oppo Enco earphones have a flexible neckband and a design similar to the boat rockerz 255 pro plus. They are the lightest earphones in this budget weighing at just 22 grams. The Oppo earphones are a little different from the previous earphones as they have magnetically attaching earbuds, but no power button or controls on the earphones.

    They instead work via the earbuds only. When the earbuds are connected, the earphones power off, and they switch the power on when the earbuds are taken away from each other. The other controls are on the neckband itself.

    They are IPX 5 rated which makes them very good for fitness freaks as well. They look pretty durable if taken proper care of.

    Comfort– These earphones are the lightest earphones in this price range, weighing just 22 grams. You don’t feel anything while wearing them. However, their earbuds are oval shaped, which might not be comfortable to some people. Other than that, they can be easily worn for long periods of times without having to worry about anything else.

    Audio quality– The audio quality of these earphones is the best under this budget. They have the most well-balanced sound quality in this range. The bass, mids, highs, everything is good and balanced properly. The soundstage is a little narrow, but the audio quality for most people is phenomenal considering the price range of these earphones.

    They also come with LDAC audio codec which improves the sound quality even more. You won’t even miss out on the bass on these earphones, unlike the Samsung Level U2 ones. If audio quality is your number one priority, go for these for sure.

    Microphone quality– The microphone quality of this earphone is alright at this price range. If calling is a priority for you, these earphones are not suggested because other earphones offer better mic quality than these.

    Connectivity– They too have Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and like all other earphones, work well at a decent distance away from the device.

    Battery and charging– The battery life of these earphones is not good as they only last around 12 hours. If you use the LDAC codec on these earphones, the battery life decreases even more. It supports fast charging through the type C port, but only with the official charger, which is a bummer. So, if battery is a big concern to you, you should look elsewhere.

    Pricing– The price of these earphones is rupees 1799 on Amazon. They are a good value offering earphones at the current price.

    ONEPLUS BULLETS WIRELESS Z:

    The OnePlus bullets are another great choice if you’re looking for wireless earphones in this range.

    Design and durability– The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z have a similar design to the Oppo earphones. They have a flexible neckband which makes them easy to carry around. They also have magnetic tips which are detected and used to power the earphones on and off. The other controls are on the wire. The design looks classy and feels premium.

    The earphones are IP 55 certified, thus they too are good enough for people who love exercising or people who sweat a lot. The earphones, if handled carefully, are decent to use. However, owing to their lightweight and thin wires, they should be handled carefully.

    Comfort– These earphones are also very light and comfortable. They weight just 26 grams and don’t feel heavy or burdensome at all. The earbuds are shaped in a way that they don’t hurt the ears even after long hours of usage, although they are not perfect.

    Overall, a very good comfort level is provided by these earphones and most people will find them very comfortable to wear.

    Audio quality– The audio which is heard from these earphones is good as well. The earphones don’t offer a specific codec, but they do have a very good sound quality. Since their earbuds are also comfortable, they provide a good sound quality. The audio of these earphones is balanced. The mids and highs are good. The bass is good as well, but if you want a thumping bass, you should go for the Bass version of these earphones, which are costlier than these ones.

    The sound signature is V shaped, which is very good for people who prefer a tighter sound space.

    Microphone quality– The microphone quality of these earphones is the best amongst all the other earphones. The quality is a class apart. You can clearly hear the voice on the microphone and there is no background noise which detrimentally harms the voice quality.

    The mic is very good for calling and conference purposes. If calling and mic quality is important to you, go for these earphones.

    Connectivity– They too have Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and like all other earphones, work well at a decent distance away from the device.

    Battery and charging– The battery life of these earphones is decent and they offer a playback time of 20 hours. This is more than sufficient for most people. When it comes to the charging, these pair of earphones have the best and fastest charging time. Using the USB C point, the battery fully charges in around 20 minutes. Just 10 minutes of charging will give a playback time of 10 hours which is very good.

    If you want a good battery life and very fast charging speed, these earphones are the best choice.

    Pricing– The price of these earphones is rupees 1999 on Flipkart. They have the highest price, but offer the best quality features as well. So, they are worth the price at which they are sold.

    MI NECKBAND:

    The Mi Neckband is the newest and latest wireless earphone on this list. It was launched recently. It is being marketed for the active noise cancellation feature it offers.

    Design and durability– The Mi Neckband is also having a rubberised flexible neckband. It has a stylized finish and looks very cool. They have a premium feel to them. They have magnetic earbuds as well. Their control buttons lie on the neckband, which are a little harder to use. The have a heavy neckband like the Samsung U2 earphones which takes the total weight of the earphones to 38 grams. The design is very similar to the Samsung earphones and other Xiaomi earphones.

    The durability of these earphones looks decent as well. They are IPX5 certified, so can easily handle sweat and rain like most other earphones in this price range. Overall, look durable enough to last long.

    Comfort– The comfort on this earphone is decent. They weigh 36 grammes but don’t feel very heavy on the neck. The band sometimes feels a little tight, but other than that, the design is very good. The plastic doesn’t cause any comfort issues with these earphones.

    The earbuds are ear friendly as well and they fit pretty well inside the ears. The earphones can be used for long periods of time without feeling any sort of discomfort. Pretty comfortable all in all.

    Audio quality– The audio quality of these earphones is nothing special but it is decent. The bass overpowers the mids and the highs, which makes them not really suitable for people who don’t like a lot of bass. This can however be fixed through an equalizer to a certain extent.

    But the biggest quality of these earphones is that they offer Active Noise Cancellation which works surprisingly well. The noise cancellation is very good and gives tough competition to earphones which are much costlier than this. Overall, if you want good noise cancellation and can deal with a bass heavy sound signature, these earphones are pretty good for you.

    Microphone quality– The microphone quality is decent and they can be used for calling and conference. Although, you should not expect too much from these earphones in terms of microphone quality.

    Connectivity– They too have Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and like all other earphones, work well at a decent distance away from the device.

    Battery and charging– The battery life of these earphones is claimed to be around 20 hours but can very easily die before that period. The noise cancellation may be a reason for the faster drain. The charging also is not very fast as it has a normal micro-USB charging slot instead of a type C slot.

    Pricing– The price of these earphones is rupees 1599. They are the best value for money earphones if you want active noise cancellation.

    BOAT ROCKERZ 335:

    Another alternative is the boat rockerz 335. These are an alternative to the boat 255 pro plus earphones.

    Design and durability– The design is similar to the Boat Rockerz 255 Pro Plus. They have a flexible neckband which makes them easy to carry around. The controls are on the neckband. They weigh 30 grams and are pretty easy to carry around. The earbuds attach to each other through magnets. The earbuds are small and have hooks just like the 255 pro plus model.

    They are IPX 5 certified, therefore they provide very good sweat and rain resistance. They are very durable and will last pretty long.

    Comfort– Weighing 30 grams, they aren’t the most comfortable earphones, but they aren’t too uncomfortable either. The earbuds are small and fit inside the ears very easily. The hooks help the earphones lock in place. They can be used for long periods of time without any comfort issues.

    Audio quality– The audio quality of these earphones is very similar to that of the boat Rockerz 255 pro plus. They come with AptX technology and noise isolation. The sound coming from these earphones is well balanced. They have a very good and balanced sound. The bass is very good. The mids and highs are also pretty decent. It doesn’t have that much of a balanced sound, but since most of the people who want to purchase these earphones aren’t audiophiles anyways, they won’t find any major issue in the sound quality of these earphones.

    Microphone quality– The microphone is good and the voice is clear in calling as well as conferences. It isn’t as good as the OnePlus bullets, but comes in at a close second along with the 255-pro plus.

    Connectivity– They too have Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and like all other earphones, work well at around 10 m away from the device.

    Battery and charging– The battery life of these earphones is only second to the rockerz 255 pro plus, as they boast a battery which guarantees 30 hours of playback. However, what makes them better than the rockerz 255 pro is the fact that they have a type C charging port with fast charging which charges a lot faster than the former earphones. A 10-minute charge is enough to provide 10 hours of music playback.

    Therefore, although the battery life is shorter than the 255 pro plus, these earphones make it up through the fast charging speed.

    Pricing– The price of these earphones is rupees 1599. They provide a very good value for the price they are offering.

    CONCLUSION:

    These all earphones have their pros and cons. Some are good for one purpose, while the others are good for others. If you want good noise cancellation, Mi Neckband is the best choice. If you want the best audio quality, the Oppo Enco earphones should be your choice. If you want good overall sound, but can deal with a lack of water resistance and underwhelming bass, then the Samsung Level U2 should be your choice.

    If you like a great battery life, you can choose either of the Boat Rockerz on this list. If you prefer a sturdier and more durable and water-resistant earphone, go for the 255 pro plus, but if you prefer faster charging, go for the 335 version.

    However, the overall best pick has to be the OnePlus Wireless Bullets Z. These earphones provide the whole package and have the best microphone as well. You can select these earphones if you want the best overall experience.

    The options within the 2000 rupees budget are limited, yet due to the advancements in technology, there are more and more options emerging. The OnePlus Bullets are the perfect example. With even more time, more and more options will emerge. Till now, people could only think about purchasing wired earphones in the price range of 2000 rupees because the wireless earphones would have much worse audio quality and a very short battery life. But the earphones in this list prove that this is no longer the case.

    However, we still recommend you to go for wired earphones if wireless is not an essential need for you, as they would provide a better sound quality at this price range. People who want to game using their earphones should clearly stay away from these wireless earphones and go for wired ones as the latency in these earphones is a big detrimental factor when it comes to gaming, as you will hear the footsteps and important sound cues much later.

    However, if you fall into any other category and want the freedom of wireless earphones, these are a no brainer. The neckband earphones in the budget price range are much better than truly wireless earphones currently. Therefore, you should pick these neckbands over the truly wireless earphones if your budget is limited.

     

     

     

     

  • Best drawing tablets for artists in India 2021

    Best drawing tablets for artists in India 2021

    A comprehensive guide for buying drawing tablets in 2021!

    The digital art boom caused multiple electronics providers to jump into the drawing tablet market. Due to the vast number of choices the process of finding the perfect drawing tablet becomes a daunting one. We at Techoids have curated a list of best drawing tablets available in India to help you choose!

    Drawing tablets provide more precision than standard mice while working with digital art which is why it’s a necessary tool for digital art professionals. It’s much more natural than using a mouse to illustrate, paint or retouch photos .

    While drawing tablets are primarily used by digital artists and cartoonists, they are also making their way into the architecture industry. Architects no longer have to carry hefty laptops or squint at blueprints on the field, a pen display (a drawing tablet with display) is all they need.

    This list has a lot of different types of tablets suitable for both beginners who are just testing the waters and for seasoned professionals who are ready to invest to take their art game to the next level. Hopefully this guide will help you to find your perfect match!

     

    Tablet with display or without display?

    Drawing tablets with displays are sometimes referred to as pen displays. These tablets have an edge over the traditional tablets in terms of portability and usability. These are generally expensive and should be avoided by beginners and they also suffer from parallax (more on this below!). Only professionals who would like to have a portable device for their illustrations should opt for tablets with display.

    Traditional drawing tablets have no displays and they have to be hooked up with a computer or a laptop to get them running. You have to draw on the featureless surface of the tablet (which is sometimes marked with dots so as to help the user to draw) with a stylus. Due to the display being separate, drawing with a traditional non display tablet has a bit of a learning curve. Traditional drawing tablets are inexpensive as compared to pen displays and are generally a choice of a wide variety of artists. They have less or close to none parallaxIf you are just getting started with digital art, you should try a drawing tablet with no display first to see if it meets your needs.

    In the end it’s just a matter of preference, go with what you are comfortable with!

    Before getting into the list we would suggest you to take a look at the “features that you need to look out for” section to get an idea of what you need to look out for while buying a drawing tablet.

     

    Features that you need to look out for

     

    • Pressure sensitivity

    Pressure sensitivity is the range of pressure that a tablet can recognize, the higher the pressure sensitivity the more you will be able to control the thickness of your line.

    It is one of the most important features to look out for. Beginners should go for tablets with 4000 or less than 4000 pressure sensitivity while advanced users can go 8000+ if needed.

     

    • Size

    The greater the size of the tablet the more area you will get to work on.

    The actual area on the tablet where you will be drawing is known as the Active area. 

    Larger size also means that the tablet will have space to include shortcut keys on the surface which makes work much efficient.

     

    • Resolution

    Resolution refers to the number of LPI (lines per inch) a tablet has, the more resolution the more detailed your work will be.

    A higher resolution guarantees a more accurate display and the ability to show different colors at the same time.

     

    • Responsiveness

    Responsiveness is the time taken by the device to display the lines that you are drawing on the tablet onto the screen. 

    Responsiveness mainly depends upon the drivers (software) that the tablet is running on and on your computer’s specs.

    Lag is often the worst problem users encounter so before buying thoroughly investigate the tablet’s drivers by reading the user reviews.

    • Parallax

    Parallax is the offset between the tip of the pen on the tablet surface and the mouse cursor where the lines you draw actually appears. 

    Parallax is caused by the pen tip and the digitizer under the screen’s glass. It’s one of the biggest hindrances for artists working with drawing tablets.

    The problem with parallax usually appear with drawing tablets with displays while tablets with no display have little to none parallax. Parallax is the reason why some of the professionals go for tablets with no display.

     

    • Shortcut keys

    Shortcut keys are a huge time saver and a necessity when it comes to a good drawing tablet.

    Most of the drawing tablets have dedicated hot keys on them which you can customize according to your liking.

     

    • Stylus type

    Drawing tablets usually come with one of these three stylus types:

      • Battery powered
      • Rechargeable
      • EMR (Electro magnetic resonance)

    Battery powered styluses as the name suggests are powered by batteries. A battery powered stylus is usually heavy and bulky because of the space accommodated by the battery.

    Rechargeable styluses have to be recharged like your phone or laptop. They are slimmer as compared to battery powered styluses.

    EMR styluses use a technology called Electro magnetic resonance which allows them to retrieve power wirelessly directly from the tablet surface, so there is no need to charge them.

     

    • Ports

    Look out for different ports on the tablet, they range from standard usb 2.0 ports to hdmi and dvi ports.

    Make sure that the tablet has enough ports to accommodate all of your accessories.

     

    • Operating system compatibility

    Make sure that the device that you’ll be purchasing is compatible with the operating system that you are using.

    Most of tablet’s compatibility range between windows, mac and android operating systems.

    According to statistics Mac is the user choice when working with drawing tablets.

    • Battery

    Remember to choose a tablet with battery life that will suit your area of expertise.

    If you want a portable drawing tablet that you can use out on the field, make sure that the tablet has at least 4-5 hours of battery life.

    But Ultimately the battery’s performance depends on your usage and the quality of the actual battery.

    • Additional features

    Some tablets can have additional functionalities like multi touch display which allows to zoom in and zoom out with a pinch and tilt sensitivity. While these features are not necessities they are usually sought out by more seasoned artists.

     

    • Warranty 

    Some of the tablets on the list fall on the expensive side of the world of electronics, so it’s a must to have a warranty.

    Most of the tablets will come with at least one year of warranty but the length will depend upon the manufacturer of the tablet.

     

     

    Drawing tablets without displays

     

    Wacom One by CTL-472/K0-CX Small

    Wacom’s most affordable drawing tablet.

    Pressure sensitivity: 2048

    Active area: 6 x 3.5 inches

    Connections: USB type-A port

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac, Linux

    Wacom One by CTL-472/K0-CX Small

    Wacom One by CTL-472/K0-CX is a small sized tablet (Also has a medium sized variant) which has a working area of 6 x 3.5 inches.

    The tablet runs on lithium ion batteries and has a battery life of about 5.5 hours.

    Wacom One weighs about 260g and has a compact size which makes it ideal for carrying around.

    The tablet comes with a battery free EMR stylus. It has a pressure sensitivity level of 2048 Which makes it ideal for beginners.

    ✔️  Affordable

    ✔️ Compact

    No programmable shortcut keys on the tablet surface

    Who is it for: Beginners who are looking for an affordable option.

     

    VEIKK A15 Graphics Drawing Tablet

    Affordable all rounder

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Active area: 10 x 6 inches

    Connections: USB type C port

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac

    VEIKK A15 Graphics Drawing Tablet

    Veikk A15 comes with a 10×6 inch active surface area which makes it very comfortable to work on while weighing only 570g with a thickness of 9mm.

    An area where Veikk A15 stands out is its large array of customisable hotkeys on the surface. They can be configured to any key as needed.

    8192 levels of pressure sensitivity provides better control on the thickness of the lines.

    The EMR stylus of Veikk A15 comes with dedicated buttons for switching between eraser and pen which makes it more accessible.

    ✔️ Large array of programmable shortcut keys

    ✔️ Large working area

    ✔️ Lightweight and ultrathin

    Who is it for: Beginners as well as advanced users who are looking for a compact and thin option.

     

    Huion Inspiroy H640P Graphics Drawing Tablet

    Best and cheapest in the huion series

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Active area: 6.3 x 3.9 inches

    Connections: USB Type C

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac, Android

    Huion Inspiroy H640P Graphics Drawing Tablet

    Inspiriyo H640P is a thin 9mm tablet with a weight of around 277g making it compact as well as easy to carry.

    It comes with a pressure sensitivity of 8192 levels and has a working area of 6.3 x 3.9 inch making it ideal for working on large and detailed pieces of art.

    It has 6 conveniently placed programmable keys on the surface

    Inspiriyo H640P supports Windows, Mac and Android as well giving you the ultimate portable experience.

    The tablet surface is coated with graded material that provides a fine textured feel and has programmable hotkeys.

    ✔️ Android compatibility

    ✔️ Thin and easy to carry

    Who is it for: Artists who want to work android as well as on other platforms.

     

    XP-Pen Deco01 V2 Digital Graphics Drawing

    Value for money

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Active area: 10 x 6.25 inches

    Connections: USB type-C

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac, Android

    XP-Pen Deco01 V2 Digital Graphics Drawing

    XPen Deco01 V2 has a large area of 10 x 6.25 inch making it a good choice for large projects. It has a thickness of 8mm which makes it ideal for carrying.

    Deco 01 V2 supports connections with Android, Windows and Mac devices and is compatible with most of the leading digital drawing apps both on android and on computers.

    The tablet surface is featured with eight round programmable shortcut keys.

    The tablet supports up to 60 degrees of tilt brush effect which delivers smoother and natural strokes.

    ✔️ Despite of Large active drawing area, the tablet is light and thin.

    ✔️ Compatibility for android

    ✔️ Supports tilt brush effect

    Who is it for: Great for beginners, would act as a great secondary option for professionals might as well replace the primary option!

     

    VEIKK A50 Graphic Tablet 

    Feature rich and with a minimalist look!

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Active area: 10 x 6 inches

    Connections: USB type-C

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac

    VEIKK A50 Graphic Tablet 

    VEIKK A50 comes with a pleasing minimalist design which is desirable by some as glaring features on the tablet surface can often be distracting.

    The tablet comes with 8 programmable shortcut keys and also a gesture pad which can be used to pan or zoom in or out in your drawings conveniently without reaching for your mouse.

    The papery texture on the tablet offers a better grip and better control of the stylus.

    ✔️ Minimalist design

    ✔️ Includes a convenient gesture pad

    Who is it for: Beginners and professionals alike who desire a distraction free minimalist device.

     

    VEIKK S640 V2

    A cheap and Best option for online teaching and osu!

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Active area: 6 x 4 inches

    Connections: USB type-C

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac, Android

    VEIKK S640 V2

    VEIKK S640 has a 6 x 4 inch active area and has a thickness of only 2mm weighing at 117g making it the most compact and ultrathin drawing tablet on the list.

    Despite the ultrathin design of the drawing surface, VEIKK S640 features a thick power brick on the side which has all the ports.

    It has 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity making the drawing experience smoother.

    Veikk S640 V2 features no shortcut keys on the surface which hinders its functionality.

    It supports android 6.0+, windows and Mac devices making it an ideal choice for online teaching .

    ✔️ Ultrathin drawing surface

    ✔️ Good compatibility

    ✔️ Affordable

    No programmable shortcut keys on the tablet surface

    Who is it for: People who want a tablet for online teaching or for just playing games like osu! 

     

    HUION HS64

    Best for working with Android

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Active area: 6.3 x 4 inches

    Connections: USB type-C

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac, Android

    HUION HS64

    Huion HS64 comes with an active area of 6.3 x 4 inch with 4 programmable shortcut keys on top.

    It has a weight of 258g and a thickness of 8mm making it thin and easy to carry.

    The key feature of Huion H64 is its dedicated android working area, when connected to an android device the tablet switches from the normal working area of 6.3 x 4 inch to a mobile friendly workspace of 4.02 x 2.5 inch on the left side of the tablet. This constraint helps the artist to scale his work proportionate to an actual mobile screen.

    8192 levels of pressure sensitivity guarantees smooth and detailed strokes.

    ✔️ Dedicated android workspace 

    ✔️ Compact design

    Shortcut keys don’t work when working on android

    Who is it for: Anyone who will be working with an android device extensively.

     

    Wacom Intuos Pro PTH-460/K0-CX

    Small but impressive accuracy!

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Active area: 6.3 x 3.9 inches

    Connections: USB type-C

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac

    Wacom intuos pro is perfect for professionals who need a device with great functionalities to work on the go!

    Despite its small size intuos pro has six programmable shortcut keys, a touch ring and multi touch features which is rare to see in a tablet of this size.

    It weighs around 450g and has a matte black finish to it. Even though it weighs just 450g it still feels reliable and durable.

    The left side of intuos pro features six programmable hot keys and a touch ring which can be used to zoom in/out or tweak a certain value, it also has a multi touch feature so gestures can be programmed to suit your workflow.

    ✔️ Great hotkey layout

    ✔️ Multi touch functionality

    illustrators might find the screen too small

    Who is it for: Professionals who need a portable, reliable and feature rich tablet.

     

    Drawing tablets with displays

     

    HUION Drawing Monitor KAMVAS Pro 13

    Best for designers

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels

    Active area: 11.5 x 6.5 inches

    Connections: USB type-C

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac

    HUION Drawing Monitor KAMVAS Pro 13

    Huion Kamvas Pro 13 is one the best tablets in the market in the 13 inch category and It features an Anodized aluminium body which not only makes it durable but also gives it a modern look.

    Kamvas Pro 13 weighs around 900g and has an active working area of 11.5 x 6.5 inch.

    It has a resolution of  1920 x 1080 pixels and has a color range coverage of 120% sRGB making it ideal for large and detailed projects.

    The glass on Kamvas pro 13 has anti glare properties which substantially reduces reflections, it also has fully laminated display which not only reduces parallax but also results in more vibrant colors and improved image quality.

    It comes with 4 programmable shortcut keys and a touch bar on the side.

    The battery free EMR stylus comes with tilt functionality that makes the digital pen feel more like an actual pen.

    ✔️ Great design and build quality

    ✔️ Great color support

    ✔️ almost no parallax

    Who is it for: Designers who are looking for affordable pen display tablets.

     

    XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro

    A truly portable drawing tablet with a display!

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels

    Active area: 10 x 5.6 inches

    Connections: USB type-C

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac

    XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro

    XP-Pen Artist 12 pro comes with a 11.6 inch display with an active area of 10 x 5.6 inch, it has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 72% NTSC color coverage giving you a full hd experience.

    XP-Pen Artist 12 pro with 11.6 inch display is a great portable option that can be taken anywhere. The tablet has a thickness of 0.3 inches and weight of 0.98 kg making it slimmer and lighter as compared to other pen displays.

    The display has an anti glare film that reduces reflections and the surface also has a textured finish to it which gives you a better control on your stylus.

    The display is also laminated which greatly reduces the parallax.

    XP-Pen Artist 12 pro comes with a total of 8 programmable shortcut keys, it also has a handy multipurpose roller wheel which can be used to perform actions such as zooming in/out or panning.

    ✔️ Feature rich portable design

    ✔️ Great shortcut key layout and a convenient roller wheel

    Who is it for: Anyone who wants to make an investment in buying a pen display tablet to take their career to the next level.

     

    Wacom Cintiq 16_DTK-1660/K1-CX

    Wacom’s least expensive pen display tablet!

    Pressure sensitivity: 8192

    Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels

    Active area: 13.6 x 7.6 inches

    Connections: USB type-C

    Stylus type: EMR stylus

    Compatible os: Windows, Mac

    Wacom Cintiq 16_DTK-1660/K1-CX

    Wacom cintiq 16 has a 15.6 inch display with an active area of 13.6 x 7.6 inches and has a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

    The screen has a TFT(thin film transistor) liquid crystal display (LCD) and has an anti glare textured overlay.

    It has a color gamut of 72% NTSC which is pretty standard for a tablet in this range. Color gamut is the full range of colors that are visible to the human eye.

    It features a pressure sensitivity of 8192 levels and its stylus Pro pen 3d has very minimal parallax.

    The biggest drawback of the Wacom cintiq 16 is its lack of shortcut keys on the surface of the tablet, which should’ve been added as this is no entry level tablet as some of the previous ones.

    ✔️  Large working area

    ✔️ A great textured display

    ❌ Has a color gamut of only 72% NTSC

    No programmable shortcut keys

    Who is it for: Professionals who are looking for a pen display and are familiar with Wacom’s range of products.

     

    Conclusion

    These were our best picks of drawing tablets in 2021, hopefully it will narrow down your hunt for the best drawing tablet!

    TL;DR

    If you are an absolute beginner go for something like Wacom One by CTL-472/K0-CX or VEIKK S640 V2 which will get you going with the least amount of investment.

    If you’ve got your knees pretty deep in the world of digital art and want to make a good investment go for something like VEIKK A50, XP-Pen Deco01 V2 or Wacom intuos pro

    If you want to take it a step further and invest in a standalone more portable device go for XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro which offers best functionalities at a reasonable price over the other pen displays.