It seems that laptops are becoming more and more expensive as the years wear on. Brand new, state-of-the-art features and functionality, faster and faster processor units, and unbelievably large storage capacities are some of the selling points of today’s modern laptop. Unfortunately, while these choices might make most of us drool, the sad truth is that not a lot of buyers can afford their steep price tags.

So the introduction of the Redfox brand into the market was a welcome relief for meticulous consumers who’ve been wanting high-quality performance without having to pay too steep a cost. Currently, the most prominent Redfox laptop on the market comes in the form of the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 – a laptop-tablet hybrid that comes in a small (and allegedly powerful) package. But does it really meet expectations?

There has been a lot of talk about this laptop model, but sadly, not a lot of people have been able to provide the right answers. So in this comprehensive guide, we’re dishing out everything you need to know about the Arc 360.

At a Glance

One of the things that pops right out when you look at the Wizbook Arc series is that they come in pretty flamboyant colors. With only two options to choose from, it might be a bit of a struggle for more serious professionals to make the choice between bubblegum pink and electric teal. For me, the choice was easy – teal looked a lot less playful and girly, so it was a no-brainer.

Given their slim selection of colors, it’s easy to see that the Wizbook Arc 360 is marketed mostly for teens and college students who might be more appreciative of this bright aesthetic. Personally, I’m a work from home freelancer and I would have preferred something a little more serious (like black, gray, or even just a dark, less saturated blue.) Nonetheless, the color does grow on you.

The touch screen measures 10.3 inches which is actually along the smaller end of the size spectrum. For typing work and simple internet browsing though, the size might not be too much of an issue. I think it really works well as a basic writing laptop, and the size rarely interferes with my needs and purpose.

Controls for the laptop can be found along its sides. These include:

• Power button
• Volume +/-
• Headphone jack
• USB ports (one on each side)
• Micro USB port
• Micro SD slot
• Charging port
• Reset button (I think)
• Lock switch

On the lid of the laptop is the Redfox logo which lights up when the laptop is turned on. Personally, I really appreciate this aesthetic touch, and I think it adds some serious appeal to the entire thing. The laptop itself has a rubberized feel – matte and slightly tacky which does attract quite a bit of dirt and dust. I’m also not quite sure whether the texture would take well to pen marks, so I recommend that you try to avoid getting any sort of stains on it.

Fast Functionality with Basic Features

I got my Wizbook Arc on sale at Ace Gadget Store on Facebook for the ultra low price of just PhP 10,999 plus shipping. Originally, the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 sells for around PhP 16,000 through other physical stores, so I would say that I got a pretty sweet deal. Of course, for such a low price, I would tell you not to expect anything exceptional in terms of performance and functionality. But I am going to point out that I’m not disappointed either.

The laptop comes with an Intel Atom Quadcore 1.4ghz processor that makes it pretty fast, considering it can only run a few apps at a time. In the 3 months I’ve spent using it as my ride or die work laptop, I haven’t encountered any freezing, slow responses, or other issues that would tell of a speed issue.

When it comes to storage space though, it might be a bit of deal breaker for some. The laptop only comes with a 32gb internal memory which I thought was INSANELY small. You can expand though with a 128gb memory card (which is why it has a micro SD slot along the side) for a total of 160gb.

Personally, I almost wanted to back out of the purchase when I found out it had such a small internal memory. But I pushed through anyway since I know how I would use it, and I knew I wouldn’t need a lot of space anyway. Fortunately, the laptop hasn’t had any space issues since I save most of my files in my SD card. I do wonder though whether there might be a few hiccups in performance once the internal memory gets bombarded with Windows updates down the line.

When I got the Arc 360, it didn’t really contain much other than WPS Office (which is like an MS Office rip off) and the built-in browser. I appreciate that there isn’t a lot of bloatware, since the laptop doesn’t really have a lot of memory. Since I purchased it though, I did install Firefox and CCleaner. Other than that, there’s not much else on the thing.

I would like to mention that when I first got my hands on the device, it didn’t turn on which made me think I had a defective unit. The kind people at Ace Gadget Store though told me to charge it for an hour then try again. Their advice did work though, and I haven’t had the same experience since then.

What I think makes it really appealing to most buyers is the fact that it converts into a tablet, which is the reason for its name. The Arc 360 can fold backwards on itself completely, allowing you to use it as a standing tablet or a handheld tablet, depending on your preference. The Windows 10 OS works great for the feature, since it leaves users the option to switch to a tablet-friendly interface.

 

Powerful Performance in a Small, Durable Package

If we’re talking battery life, I’m happy to report that the Wizbook Arc 360 comes with a very impressive power capacity. On a full charge, I’ve found that its 9600mAh battery can stand up to 12 hours. Of course, there are a few hours of stand-by incorporated into my usual schedule, but it’s pretty impressive nonetheless.

In terms of speed, I really can’t complain. I’ve tried using it with ten different tabs open, all while typing away with WPS Writer, and it really doesn’t give me any lag time. So there’s nothing for me to be disappointed with. For heavier use though, I can’t really recommend it – and I don’t really think it could accommodate any demanding apps either since it comes with a pretty small storage capacity.

In the arena of durability, I have to be honest and say that I have dropped my Arc 360 a few times. Fortunately, there was always my children’s playmat underneath to cushion the fall so it didn’t sustain any nicks, dings, or dents. It also hasn’t suffered any performance issues (thank God) so I can say it’s pretty well-built.

The only issue I have with durability are the screws underneath. Three of the small screws that keep the laptop’s internal workings hidden from view keep loosening, and I’ve lost one since purchasing it. So after every few days, I have to re-tighten the two that loosen to make sure they don’t suffer the same fate.

Pros of the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360

• Slim, lightweight design
• Responsive touch screen
• Durable construction
• Fast processing unit relative to its intended functionality
• Long battery life
• Converts to a tablet
• Great as a basic laptop for school and simple work like typing and internet browsing
• Affordable

Cons of the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360

• Small internal memory
• Screws might not be secure
• Limited memory space limits what users can do with the design

The Verdict – Is the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 Worth It?

Given its reasonable price tag (PhP 12,000 regular price) and its exceptional performance in terms of basic functions, I would highly recommend the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 as the ideal starter laptop for students who just need something they can use for typing work. For freelance writers like myself, it also makes a suitable companion since it comes with all the essentials features needed to complete assignments.

Of course, it does have limitations. Its restricted memory space means you can install too many programs since it might slow down your device. But other than that, the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 really is a sound purchase, promising to help you get work done, minus the fancy (and often distracting) bells and whistles.