It’s the season of love, and your tired little mind is brainstorming for the much-dreaded gifting ritual. The whole process being tough as it is gets even more annoying when your significant other is a full-fledged geek. Well geeks, quite unlike their non-geeky counterparts have a completely different set of tastes, and making them happy might turn out to be a Herculean task. That’s why, this Valentine’s day, we at TechSource have decided to help you pick out the best gifts for your geeky lover. Some of them are geeky and some are downright nerdy, so do make sure you pick out the one that suits your partner. Oh, and before you add these items to your cart do make sure that he/she doesn’t already own any of these gifts.

Inspired by the heavily worshiped Star Wars franchise comes a perfect weapon to light up your geeky bedroom (or basement). The Lightsaber Room Light, which can be mounted on any wall, lets you show off your true Jedi fanboyism/fangirlism to any friend who comes to visit your house.

Do they need to put on something geeky while going to work? Then the 8-bit tie is the perfect gift you can think of. Inspired by the amazing world of classic video games, the tie, apart from making them a tad nostalgic, will also let them showcase their geeky side to their workmates.

If you are a business owner, then there’s nothing more important than the relationship you have with your customers. Costumer Relationship Management or CRM helps you strengthen that relationship further and makes sure that the consumers always get what they want.

There are already plenty of software applications that let you do CRM as well as sales tracking, most of them are on Windows and Mac but there also some excellent CRM software for Linux. Now, as we move towards the era of smartphones and tablet computers, new mobile-based CRM apps have started popping up. Not only do these apps let you handle traditional CRM, they also let you do other things like sales tracking, task management, and reminders.

So, if you’re on Android and are looking for some good CRM apps, read on as we cover the best ones for this awesome platform.

Base is one of the best CRM apps for Android. This free CRM and sales-tracking app lets you manage contacts and tracks your sales very conveniently. With the simple, intuitive interface you can capture new leads and manage them on the go. Furthermore, you can also manage information about deals and contracts, thus making this app an indispensable tool in a businessman’s repertoire.

Base, apart from letting you manage deals, also acts as an excellent task management and reminder service. You can set Base to remind you about future meetings and also add tasks to your to-do list. Oh, and don’t worry about your data if you lose your phone, everything in Base is safely backed up to the cloud. Rated 4.8/5 stars in the marketplace, Base is a must-have app for every businessman.

Resco Mobile CRM is an offline-capable CRM app that lets you manage customers, add contacts, check invoices, and more using just your Android phone. The app syncs smoothly with Microsoft’s Dynamic CRM server so that all the data is safely backed up. Users can view invoices, orders, products, cases and more with the application’s simple and easy-to-use interface. Though the app is quite functional, there have been compatibility issues with the latest version of Android that is Ice Cream Sandwich.

This cloud-based CRM service offers a lot of features that would come in handy for small businesses. The app lets you track sales, manage contacts, jot down ideas, and much more using your smartphone. You can also use Upvise as a GTD client and an organizer.

For those who like to jot everything down, Upvise comes with support for notebooks. And yes, not overlooking the most important part of a business, the cloud-based app also lets you keep track of your expenses.

All the data you store on the app is synced instantly to the web client. Moreover, Upvise integrates perfectly with built-in Android features like Dialer, Contacts, SMS, Mail, Maps etc. to provide you with better features. Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars in the marketplace, Upvise Pro CRM can be freely downloaded and installed on your Droid.

WORKetc is a fully featured CRM client for Android that lets you manage your business in a simple and easy-to-use way. Once installed, the app lets you view details about your customers; for example, you can check invoice history, purchases, products, support cases, and sales right from the app. With multiple language support, WORKetc also lets you manage your entire business inside of Gmail. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars, WORKetc can be freely tried out (no credit card required) from the marketplace. If you like it, you can go ahead and purchase the full version.

Handy Elephant acts more like a personal networking assistant rather than a CRM. By doing so, it lets you keep track of all your client relationships and improves your networking productivity. The app lets you figure out which relationships are important, and which aren’t. It also maximizes efficiency by calling customers at their preferred times, thus acting like a full-fledged secretary. Rated 3.9 out of 5 stars, Handy Elephant is freely available for download from the marketplace.

You may also check out: Best Finance Apps for Android

For Linux users who enjoy a fragmentation-free and virus-immune laptop, there’s barely anything that makes them whine as much as their Redmond-loving counterparts. Linux, on a fully compatible machine, achieves a perfect blend of performance and stability. That said, there are some of us who want more than perfection, they want optimum performance and a beast-like computing speed. I know, overclocking is a bit risky, but tweaking isn't.

Earlier, we told you about the most amazing desktop-tweaking tools out there for Linux. In today’s article, though, our focus will be on Linux laptop users. We've heard them whining about their empty batteries and their always-plugged workdays, and yeah, as always, we couldn't help doling out some useful advice to those folks.

In most of the devices, including cellphones, the display is the biggest culprit when it comes to reduced battery life. A brightly lit laptop won’t really help you get through a whole workday. The best solution to this problem is to dim the screen as much as possible. If, in certain cases like movie-watching or reading you need a bright display, you can turn the brightness up for that period and them dim the screen back when you’re finished.

It’s not just the display that hurts the battery, it’s also those CPU-hogging programs that make you reach out for the charger sooner than expected. That said, it’s not always easy for a user to spot that the CPU is under a load. It takes a real slowdown or freezing to realize that the program has become a mess and needs to be killed.

Don’t worry yet, as you can always keep an eye on your CPU or RAM by using any of the following methods:

1. Take a look at the system monitor if you feel the slightest of difference in performance. From there, you can kill any misbehaving task.

2. Ubuntu users can install the System Load Indicator from a ppa, which, once installed, will let you take a look at the performance right from the indicator menu. To install, go to the terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and paste/type in the following commands.

The computer’s power management scheme is one of the most important factors that decide the fate of your battery. In the power management settings window, always make sure you choose a balanced plan that helps you get through a whole workday without looking for an adapter. Another great way to take advantage of this setting is by making sure that the laptop goes into suspend mode as soon as the lid is closed. Though, it might not be a suitable setting for folks who are a tad impatient, it still is one of the most effective ways of saving battery life. To access the power management settings in Ubuntu, open the Dash (Super/Windows key) and type in the word “Power” without quotes.

If, instead of shutting down your laptop, you put it on suspend mode, always make sure you’re connected to a charger. If not, then put the computer in hibernate mode and go for a nice nap. That way, neither would you lose any precious battery life nor would you lose your current work.

Most of the battery loss also occurs due to overheating laptops. The overheating issue is something that affects a lot of laptops. To remedy that problem, simply use a laptop cooling pad, a simple accessory that saves your computer from overheating. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the temperature; to do that, simply install the system monitor indicator that comes with various temperature sensors.

Or, if all you want is a simple hardware sensor, then try out the following indicator applet:

Finally, always remember to update your computer. The Linux kernel is continuously improving, and so are the distributions. In Ubuntu 12.04 for example, users will get to see an improved support for battery life. So, make sure you don’t ignore your computer when it badgers you to give it a big update.

No tech company has really revolutionized education as much as Apple. With their student-friendly iPads and their recently announced iBooks 2 suite, they’ve taken learning to a whole new level. That said, not everyone owns an iPad, and not everyone likes one. There are the ones, like you and me of course, who prefer using products associated with Apple’s archrival Google.

As most of the schools prefer iPads over Android tablets, there is a dearth of good kid-friendly educational apps on the open-source platform. Moreover, thanks to Apple’s dominance in the tablet computer and smartphone market, education on Android gadgets hasn’t really taken off. Having said that, it’s not as if there aren’t any good Android apps that you can load on your tablet computers and give to your kids. In fact, there are quite a lot of good applications in this genre. However, most of them are not quite as good as the ones you find in the Apple App Store.

So, if you’re confused as to which apps you should hand over to your toddler, don’t worry just yet. We’ve compiled a list of the best educational applications that you can load on your Droid and make your kid learn stuff, the smart way.

Specially designed for preschoolers, this simple game challenges the kids’ brains by asking them to match socks of same color or pattern. That way, your kid will learn how to recognize patterns and colors in a much more interactive way. Though not as good as other apps in this genre, Kids Socks is still a great game if you have a preschooler.

Intellijoy is one of the most well known publishers when it comes to educational apps. So far, they’ve published 8 apps, all of which are free to try, and are of great quality. Here are some of the best apps that they’ve published so far:

To get started, you can install Kids Numbers and Maths Free, which teaches kids numbers in a fun, interactive way. The app lets kids learn numbers, teaches them how to recognize the maximum/minimum number, and also helps them understand addition and subtraction.

Also worth trying is Kids ABC Letters Free that teaches kids alphabets in an interactive way. Intended for kids aged 2-7, this app helps kids recognize different letters, form words, and identify words in their context and more.

Apart from the traditional ABC and numerals, if you want to give your kid some brain-bending exercises, there’s an app for that too. Kids Connect the Dots brings the classic Connect the Dots game in an amazing kid-friendly package. Suitable for preschoolers, the app will let you enjoy a fun game and learn alphabets and numbers at the same time.

It’s not just us adults that need memory exercises; kids too can play memory games so that they could reap the benefits in the future. Memory for Kids is a fun app that lets your kid train his or her memory in a fun and interactive way. The objective of the game is to turn over pairs of matching cards. Tap the two matching cards, and they disappear slowly advancing you towards victory. Though the game could be a tad difficult at times, especially for preschoolers, it is still one of the best kid-friendly memory-training exercises on Android.

If your toddler has a penchant for drawing and painting, this next app will make him or her jump for joy. Especially designed for kids, Color And Draw is a drawing and sketching app that brings the best experience of a coloring book to your Android gadget. The coloring book features more than 50 drawings of animals, professions, and landscapes, thus letting your kid learn a lot during the process.

Apart from letting the kid sketch and paint, the app also includes more than 50 customized voice-over invitations. The color palette, quite rightfully, is kept limited, so as not to overwhelm the kid with too many choices. Though not free, Color and Draw is a must-have app if you want to teach your kids painting without them touching those messy crayons.

Ubuntu Linux got a new look when the much-debated Unity was unveiled to users. The modern, search-based interface was liked as much as it was hated, making it one of Canonical’s most controversial decisions. The problem with Unity was not just that it was a new interface; the main issue this reborn Ubuntu faced was of basic usability gone wrong. So, as obvious as it may seem, many people are trying hard to disencumber themselves from this ‘innovation’. While most of those efforts are spent making alternative distros, some are busy tweaking the desktop.

When it comes to alternatives, there are many; in fact, there’s a horde of distros waiting to be tried out by non-geeky audiences. That said, despite its flaws, many people still prefer sticking to Ubuntu Linux, mainly because of its more mainstream nature as well as the more user-friendly aspects of it like the Software Center and Ubuntu One.

So, if you’re one of those Ubuntu fans who can’t stand the look of the new default desktop, there’s a thing or two you can do to give your screen a revamp. Here are some of the best desktop-tweaking tools for Ubuntu Linux:

Though not intended for the ‘normal’ users, CCSM is one of the best tools when it comes to desktop tweaking. It lets you customize your desktop in every way possible. The popular tool divides customizations into broad categories like General, Desktop Effects, Window Management, and most important of all, Accessibility. Each category houses a myriad of small settings that affect the behavior of the desktop in one-way or the other. Most of those settings let you change the numeric value of that property, so that you can fine-tune your desktop as much as possible. Don’t worry though, as there’s usually a ‘Restore Defaults’ button that can be used in case things go wrong.

Coming to the tweaking part, CCSM lets you change almost all the aspects of your desktop. From hiding the launcher to making it smaller, you can change almost everything. The other interesting thing about CCSM is that it lets you add/remove as many desktop effects as you want. This can be very useful if you’re itching to create that perfect balance between performance and aesthetics.

To install Compiz Config Settings Manager on your computer, simply type in/paste the following commands in the terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T), and once installed, use the launcher to search for the term ‘ccsm’.

While not a tweaking tool in the true sense, DesktopNova still is a great tool to spice up your boring desktop. This simple little application lets you automatically switch the wallpapers without you having to worry about anything. Once installed, DesktopNova lets you specify which folder you want to load the images from. Then, you can set the interval at which the images will change. Usually, an interval of 15-20 minutes is a great idea. Oh, and make sure you keep the daemon running once you’re done with the settings.

To install the application you’ll need to install the repository first. To do that type in or paste the following commands in your terminal:

Then type in/paste the following command to install the software:

Ubuntu Tweak, perhaps the most famous third-party tweaking tool for Linux, brings the best out of your brand new Ubuntu desktop. The open-source application, once installed, lets you change the splash screen, login background, and hide/reveal certain elements of the desktop. Apart from letting you change security settings, tweaking panels and stuff, Ubuntu Tweak also lets you manage your applications and remove them when needed. The app recently released a brand new version allowing users to tweak their brand new Unity desktops. With it, you can dress up your desktop in pretty themes like Faenza and others without having to go through any hoops.


To install the software, simply go to their website HERE and hit the 'Download Now' button.


Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

We’ve already written a detailed guide on how to backup your Android devices; however, we haven’t touched much upon the backup process for apps and data. The backup process for apps and data is quite different, and sometimes tedious, when compared to contacts syncing or bookmarks syncing. Don’t worry though, as we’ve got it all covered in this article.

Backing up apps can be a tiresome job, even more so if you have a lot of them installed on your Droid. There are a few applications that will help you backup your apps, but most of them require root access. In this article, we’ve listed some of the best apps to take backups, two of which don’t require root, and one requires. So, whether you’re a geeky rooter, or a fledgling Droid-fanboy, there’s no excuse when it comes to backups.

On a side note, if you’re on the fence whether to root your phone or not, do check out our earlier article where we’ve highlighted all the pros and cons of rooting on Android.

App Backup And Restore is a highly rated backup app for Android that lets you backup and restore your device without the need for rooting. Once installed, you can use this app to backup apps to SD card, and restore them in case things go wrong. For protected apps, there’s an option to backup the market link so that all your apps will be with you even after a fresh install.

Other important features include batch backup, restoring apps from SD card, and multi-version backup. What’s more, you can also send APK files by email so that you won’t lose those important apps.

Rated 4.6 stars out of 5 in the marketplace, App Backup And Restore is freely available for download from the marketplace HERE.

This next app lets you backup all your important data, including your apps, photos, homescreens, etc. right to the cloud. Though in Beta, MyBackup Pro is the perfect, and perhaps the most easy-to-use backup app for non-rooters. Once installed, the app lets you backup applications, SMSes, MMSes, System Settings, Alarms, Music Playlists, and even call logs to the cloud or to your trusted little SD card.

If you have rooted your phone, there’s something in it for you as well. Rooted users can take advantage of advanced features like freezing of bloatware or system apps, wipe cache of applications, uninstall applications, link apps to Android Market, unfreeze applications and force-close applications.

Though not free, MyBackup Pro is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars in the marketplace. However, if you want to try before you buy, you can always grab the free trial version HERE.

One of the most powerful tools in the Android Marketplace, Titanium Backup Pro is more than just a backup tool. The root-only app allows you to backup, restore, and freeze all of your applications and data. The app comes with a barrage of interesting features which include, but are not limited to, Dropbox sync, multi-user app data, encryption, cache cleaning, apps freezer, integration of system apps into ROM, zero-click batch restores, and the ability to send backups by email.

One great thing about Titanium is that despite being a geeky tool, it is so simple to use that even an Android novice can figure out most of its features. Oh, and just because it’s geeky doesn’t mean that it’s not popular; Titanium has been rated 4.8 stars out of 5 in the marketplace, which is a very high score, even for a non-root app. Oh, and don’t forget, the app has over 3.5 million users and has been translated in over 28 languages. Definitely worth your every penny. You may download Titanium Backup Pro HERE.

Television, since its inception in the early twenties, has gone through a plethora of changes. From the big curvy boxes to the thin and flat LCDs, the attention-seeking living room device still stays one of the most popular gadgets around.

While watching the television whilst sprawled on a sofa has been the ultimate Sunday experience, the need for mobility is slowly changing this scenario. TV, these days, has become a bit more mobile, thus catering to the needs of people who are always on the go. Our very own Android too hasn’t been that immune from the mobility boom as it has some amazing Internet TV apps to boast of. So, to help you choose the best of the lot, here we are with another article outlining only the essential Internet TV apps for Android.

Though basically a media platform, Plex does come in handy if you’re looking for a comfortable way to get access to Internet television. With a beautifully organized interface, Plex works well in unison with the Plex media server.

Hulu Plus

Hulu Plus for Android brings the highly popular Hulu experience to your mobile phone. Once installed, Hulu Plus members can stream thousands of episodes from hundreds of current and classic TV shows. Though mainly for Hulu Plus subscribers, the app does provide a lot of free episodes for non-subscribers to sample out. Users can also opt-in for a one-week free trial if they want to. Once the trial ends, the service costs about $8 a month.

You may also check out: 5 of the Best Internet Radio Apps for Android


Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

Over the years, people have pinned Windows down as the slowest of all operating systems. While Mac still remains a class product, our beloved Ubuntu Linux has shot to fame because of its amazing speed and power, even on low-end systems. Windows, after months, or sometimes weeks of usage, tends to bloat and behave like a sluggish car beyond repair. Ubuntu on the other hand, tends to stay as agile as it was when you first installed it, making it one of the most preferred operating systems on low-end computer users.

That said, grass isn’t always green in the Ubuntu Linux world. As with every operating system, perfection eludes the open-source distribution, thus making issues like slowdown and incompatibility more prominent. These problems, however, cannot be pinned down as Ubuntu’s fault because most of them arise from incompatible hardware, especially graphics cards. So, if you too, in some point in time have faced, or are facing issues of slowdown and choppy graphics, here are some simple tips to help you alleviate those problems and in effect make Ubuntu Linux run faster.

About three years ago, when I went to purchase a new graphics card, the vendor recommended me ATI, telling me that it’s much better than the almost-omnipresent NVIDIA, and that I won’t be disappointed by the performance. I couldn’t agree more with him as I too had read a lot about ATI, but never had the chance to try it out. So, I went home with a sparkling grin, installed it, and tried out the latest game that was available out there, and boy, I was thoroughly impressed with it. The card ran as smooth as butter on Windows, but then, once I installed Ubuntu on my computer, that’s where the problems began. Not only did I have a tough time installing the drivers, I also had trouble getting the card to work just enough to play movies.

However, sticking to ATI paid off, as graphic support for my card has improved by miles over the last couple of years. Though not as good as it is on Windows, it is still quite satisfactory when you have a lot of RAM.

If you ever have faced similar issues in the past, I don't need to tell you how important it is to update your graphics drivers.

If upgrading your graphic card doesn’t help alleviate the problem, then it may be good idea to move to something lighter. While XFCE is a perfect desktop for extremely low-end and dated computers, for those stuck with an incompatible or old graphic cards, the Qt-based Unity 2D comes in really handy. The light environment brings the best features of Ubuntu without using too much of your RAM.

With the advent of Ubuntu Software Center, the classic-yet-powerful apt has lost its prominence. Though as good as Ubuntu’s new app store is, apt-get is almost ten times faster thus saving you a lot of valuable time that’s usually spent while updating and installing applications.

Ubuntu doesn’t bloat like Windows, but having a dozen of start-up applications surely slows it down. To remedy that problem, it’s always a good idea to check which apps you have added to your start-up list. To do so, open the launcher (Super Key/Windows Key) and type in the words ‘startup applications’. Once the ‘Settings’ window opens, chose which applications should load when Ubuntu starts up.

Sometimes, especially if you’re a web addict, the browser cache tends to pile up and slow down the computer. A simple solution to this problem is clearing the cache by going to your browser’s settings menu.

Preload is an adaptive readahead daemon, which, once installed, monitors the applications you run, analyzes that data, and, by predicting which application you’ll run next, loads the predicted program into your memory. Of course, this won’t dramatically speed up your computer, but you’ll certainly see some improvements. To install preload, open the terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type in/paste the following command:

You are busy strumming at that beautiful guitar, moving from the verse to the chorus. Just as the word SOLO appears on the lyrics page, with a flourish of excitement and a slight fumble of fingers, you manage to finish what seemed like the most difficult riff of your life. You complete the song and then, wiping the sweat from your brow, you shout out loud “I need to start a band.”

Starting a band eh? Well, it’s not as easy as it looks, well, at least, that’s what I’ve heard many people say. And anyway, who’d go through the trouble of looking for new bandmates? No, no, not me sir; I’m just happy sitting here in front of my computer and having the world come to my desktop. And what better way to do that than to have a cool app like GarageBand instantly downloaded on my desktop?

So, if you’re one of those aspiring musicians lacking a full-fledged band, an app like GarageBand is a blessing in disguise. And though the application is only available for iOS, Android users don’t have to go green with envy yet. Our very own Android has a good repertoire of GarageBand-like apps, some of which are even free.

ReLoop Loop Sequencer is a loop-based music sequencer that lets you make music using samples and loops. The application comes with real-time loop preview, a nice little feature, which lets you get a feel of how the loop will sound when added to the track. By default, ReLoop comes with three effects: Delay, Low-pass filter, and distortion; however, more effect packs can be added for free by downloading them from the marketplace.

As the app comes with support for gestures, the interface is really easy to use. Just dragging, dropping, and tapping are the only actions you’ll need to know in order to start using ReLoop.

Finally when you’re done creating your musical masterpiece, you can export it to a CD-quality track. Though not free, ReLoop Loop Sequencer is one of the best synthesizer apps out there; and don’t worry if you’re a tablet computer user; the app works exceptionally well on many Android tablets.

Developed in Berlin, Groovebox is an amazing app that lets you program your own grooves. With support for multi-touch gestures, the app comes with loads of features that audiophiles and musicians will love.

Groovebox includes a virtual analog synthesizer, multiple waveforms (3 types), high-quality filter modes, drum machine with 8 drum kits, and 3 play modes. The interface is really easy to use, thanks to the multi-touch support and the built-in ability to cut, copy, or paste patterns.

Once you’re done creating your tunes, you can either save the session, or export the audio loop. Though not free, RD3 is a highly polished synthesizing app for Android.

If you’re a tad skeptical about spending your money on this app, you can always try out the free demo version of the app.

One of the most highly rated apps in this genre is PocketBand Uloops Pro. Unlike the aforementioned apps, PocketBands comes across as a powerful application thanks to its reliance on cloud technology. Despite the downside of requiring a fast, unlimited data connection, PocketBand is perhaps the best synthesizer app for Android.

The app comes with a 12-channel mixer (with effects), a drum machine (35 drumkits), recorder, modulator, and an arpeggiator. The recorder makes use of your phone’s microphone to provide live audio recording. As for the effects, PocketBand leads the pack with a great lineup that includes delay, flanger, reverb, phaser, and more.

Once you’re finished recording your song, you can either share the song on the Internet or save it locally. If you want, you can also share your work under Creative Commons license so that it can be remixed and listened to freely by the huge community. What’s more, you can also remix songs uploaded by other musicians (only if they’re CC-licensed).

Overall, PocketBand is a great, feature-filled synthesizer with a multitude of quality effects, which turn your Android gadget into a full-fledged mixing device.

Ultrabooks, the much-touted ultra-slim laptop computers, which Intel announced with great pomp and expectations, have finally started making their presence felt. Recently showcased at CES 2012, these Macbook Air competitors, if successful, may revolutionize the tech world just as the tablets did. At this nascent stage though, not much can be said about them; however, we at TechSource do wish ultrabooks ran Ubuntu instead of Windows.

Ultrabooks, despite being slim and sleek in design, offer the users a complete desktop that’s both usable and powerful. That said, it would be wrong to pit them head-on against laptops or even tablets for that matter. Ultrabooks target a completely different audience, which is, oddly enough, a niche that Chromebooks have been trying to get into for a long time. Chromebooks, which we covered earlier, haven’t reached the pinnacle Google expected them to, nor have they managed to impress many customers, thus making room for competitors like Ultrabooks, and even tablet computers, to steal the show. But how does the relatively mature Chromebook stack up against the emerging Ultrabook? Let’s see.

Ultrabooks, though slim in design, provide the user with a powerful, performing desktop. For example, the recently announced Dell X13 Ultrabook: this slim beast is powered by i5 and i7 processors and comes with 128GB solid-state drive (SSD).

Chromebooks, on the other hand, are powered by Chrome OS. The breezy web browser is the only thing you’ll find on a Chromebook, thus making the whole operating system feel super fast. Unlike Windows, which tends to slow down after a while, Chromebooks would perform the same way (or even faster!) even after 2-3 years. The only thing slowing down these machines is your Internet connection.

It is thus quite obvious that Chromebooks outmatch Ultrabooks in the performance department. I know, that the i7 processor is definitely faster than the Intel Atom-powered Chromebooks, but that performance comes at almost 3-4 times the price of Chromebooks. For the $300 Chromebook, you almost get the same performance you get on an i5 device with Windows Vista on it.

The Dell Ultrabook costs $999 whereas Chromebooks cost as little as $300. Though, you can purchase low-end Ultrabooks at even lesser prices, the ever-dipping price point of the browser-based notebook steals the show.

Chrome, Chromebook’s raison d’etre is a powerful, nimble browser that makes the notebook work real fast despite its relatively low-end specs. That said, when you want to get something done, you can’t always rely on a browser-based computer. Sometimes, you need Windows, Mac, or Linux to run high-end applications like video editors, or even games. This is where Chromebook is still lagging behind. People can’t be on the web all the time, and they need something with which they could work offline. Ultrabooks, in this department, completely outsmart the struggling Chromebooks.

If you’ve seen Chromebook’s reviews, you must have noticed that the little browser-based notebook is quite well designed. The nicely styled keyboard, the smooth finish, and a brightly lit display are enough to make even a full-fledged laptop user go green with envy.

That said, Chromebook’s charm pales out when compared to the stylishly designed Ultrabooks. For example, the recently announced Envy Spectre by HP will make your gadget lust reach new heights. The i5-powered beast features a Gorilla Glass chassis (scratch-resistant) and has a 1600x900 Radiance Display. Similarly, most of the notebooks in this genre feature a shiny aluminum design along with a chiclet-style keyboard. Not only does this -- to a limit of course -- succeed at curing some seriously Mac-envy, it also makes the Ultrabook an attractive-yet-powerful gadget. The winner here undoubtedly is the shiny new Ultrabook.

Though Ultrabooks target a market similar to the one Google is targeting, it would be wrong to proclaim the slim gadget as a Chromebook-killer. Chromebook is, and perhaps always was, a niche product, especially for those who have successfully migrated their tech life to the web. For the rest, a good old netbook or even a laptop does the job. Ultrabooks, on the other hand target the whole laptop market; so, it is quite unlikely that the twain will ever be at loggerheads.