Backseat blockbusters: portable devices tested

Posted on 28 October 2013

Top Quality

About R9000

The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is slim, lightweight and built for the road, with water and dust resistance and an eight-megapixel camera for taking holiday snaps.

The HD screen is incredibly clear and the sound quality is good, making the tablet perfect for watching films. The biggest advantage it its versatility – you can use it for work and play – but the price tag is hefty if you’re purely after travel entertainment.

Available at MTN and Vodacom stores nationwide.

Affordable

R699

byD:sign’s seven-inch portable DVD player flips out like a small laptop and has a good five-hour battery life.

Fitted with a USB port and SD card reader, it can read many movie formats and plays music. The device is bulky, but it’s good to use on long flights (check rules governing use of electronic equipment with your airline) as it can rest on your lap and is light enough to pop into carry-on luggage.

HiFi Corp

0860-459-459, www.hificorp.co.za

For the road

R800

The seven-inch Teac portable DVD player is great for road trips, with an in-car display case, headphones, car charger and a remote control that’s especially handy because the buttons on the player are small and fiddly.

It can also be used at your holiday destination as you can connect it to the TV. The screen clarity doesn’t match up to the Sony Xperia, but there’s no colour distortion and it’s easy to use.

Dion Wired

0861-392-273, www.dionwired.co.za

 

TV on the go

From R899

With the Walka 7, you’re never far from your favourite TV shows. It offers 15 DSTV channels and the quality on the seven-inch screen is sufficient for it’s size, but you may struggle to read the rugby score.

The comfortable, handheld device is simple to use, but it takes a while to scan for channels and I found it had patchy signal.

Monthly subscription costs up to R49.

From DStv

011-289-2207, www.dtsvmobile.com






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