WHITE is fast becoming the new black in the world of gadgetry. The colour, popularised by Apple's iPod, iBook and MacBook, can now be found in all manner of gizmos, from mobile phones to TVs and even speakers.
While sombre colours such as black, grey and brown remain the norm, major players in the tech industry like Acer, Logitech, Samsung and Sony Ericsson have come up with funky snow-hued products to appeal to those who don't see function and beauty as mutually exclusive.
As Mr Rob Shaw, Samsung's product manager, put it: 'White is perfect for anyone with a bit of an artistic flair when it comes to decorating.'
Gizmos checks out some of these pearly-white devices.
Laptop
Acer TravelMate 3020
Released in July last year, Acer's new crystal-white business notebook, the ultra-portable TravelMate 3020, strives to convey an image of 'pureness, cleanliness and maximum lightness'.
The 1.5kg laptop incorporates an Intel Centrino Mobile Technology Duo platform with a sleek LCD panel. Its hard disk drive has a storage space of up to 120GB, and it comes with an LCD panel-mounted 1.3-megapixel CMOS camera.
Price: $1,700
Laptop
ASUS W5A laptop
This slim portable computer has a high-resolution, 12.1-inch widescreen display with glare-technology. The result is a laptop endowed with one of the best colour-screen displays in the market.
The W5A also has other unique features, including a swivelling webcam that can be used for video chat or conferencing. The system features a built-in microphone for use with the webcam and Lifeframe software for capturing, recording and playing photos and videos.
It incorporates an Intel Pentium M740 and a 40GB hard disk.
Price: $2,400
MP3 player
SanDisk's Sansa M240
This featherweight flash-memory digital audio player has a 1GB memory that can hold 16 hours of MP3 and 32 hours of WMA audio.
The M240 has been awarded Microsoft's 'PlaysForSure' certification, which is given to portable music devices that are compatible with a wide range of subscription services.
This tiny gizmo also comes with a built-in microphone, enabling it to double up as a voice recorder.
Powered by a single AAA battery, the M240 lasts for up to 19 hours.
Price: $120
Speaker system
Logitech Z-4i (with wired remote control)
This high-quality speaker system employs Logitech's award-winning subwoofer technology that delivers distortion-free bass.
The speakers, which are sleek and cast in durable metal stands, contain one active and two pressure drivers.
The set comes with a wired remote control that includes headphone jack, auxiliary input, volume, subwoofer and power controls.
Price: $150
Mobile phone
Sony Ericsson w850i
This uber-cool slide-phone is designed for the hip and trendy.
While Sony Ericsson rarely produces slide-design mobile phones, the w850i has an easy-to-use keypad and a five-way scroll key that some say is easier to use than the usual joystick design.
The w850i makes excellent use of the slide format to include a large screen. The white version (the w850i also comes in black) has a real 24-carat gold Walkman logo for the added glam factor.
In addition, the w850i is a music lover's dream. The keypad pulses to the beat of the music when a call is received. The phone's stereo sound produces excellent audio quality.
Price: $348-368 from SingTel, StarHub and M1 shops (with mobile plans)
LCD TV
Samsung LE32R71
Samsung has expanded its range of flat-panel LCDs with this sleek HD-ready, pearl-white model. The striking design is matched by the admirable viewing experience it offers.
The HD-ready functionality relays more visual information on its screen, resulting in impeccable screen resolution. Its Game Mode feature also provides the user with an excellent gaming experience at the touch of a button.
