Uses

Welcome to my “uses” page, where you can find out what tools and gadgets I use the most.

Tech #

• Laptop: MacBook Pro 14", 32GB RAM, 10-core M1 Pro SoC

  Quite possibly the best laptop computer I’ve ever had, even though macOS feels like the worst operating system I’ve ever used.

• Desktop: Custom-built “gaming” computer

  • AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 12-Core CPU
  • 32GB DDR5 RAM
  • AMD Radeon RX6950XT 16GB VRAM
  • Some Gigabyte Socket AM5 motherboard¹
  • LG 27UL500 4K 27" display
  • An ErGear display arm
  • Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED mouse²
  • EPOMAKER TH66 Pro 65% mechanical keyboard³

• Home server: HP EliteDesk 800 G4 Mini

  • Intel Core i7 8700T low-power 12-threads CPU
  • 16GB of DDR4 RAM
  • 256GB of 2.5” SSD
  • 4TB NVMe SSD

• Phone: iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max Got it to replace my 14 Pro.

  I have never been a fan of the Max form-factor, but the extra battery life is noticeable… When I don’t run it in the “80% max charge” mode.

  Who knows, maybe this battery will last more than a year!

  I’m casing it with a Mobile Case V2 by Peak Design.

  Just like for the 14 Pro, the same warrant applies to the 15 Pro Max: nobody actually needs Pro iPhone’s, except if they shoot lots of videos.

• Tablet: 11" iPad Pro with Pencil and Smart Keyboard none Got rid of it, didn’t really use it after all.

• E-book reader: Kobo Sage, RENAISSER Slim Pen 2

  Turns out I’m not a tablet person, I’m more of a “e-book reader with some note-taking capabilities” individual.

  Despite having a so-so battery, the screen, performance and backlight setup on the Kobo Sage made me realize e-Ink displays can offer an amazingly relaxing reading experience.

  I love how Kobo devices are just wide open, accept basically any open book format available on the World Wide Web and support Pocket, Dropbox natively.

  I’m on track to ace my reading goals for 2024, that’s for sure.

• Smartwatch: Apple Watch Ultra 2

  A perfect blend between style and toughness.

  I went for the Ultra 2 because as a mountain biker, I like when my gadgets have a higher change of surviving a hard crash and have enough juice in the battery to survive for a day’s worth of bike park.

  On top of that, the high-tech array of sensors makes for a great training tool, if you spend the extra cash for a couple apps:

  1. Athlytic : Whoop -level features for 30€/year
  2. WorkOutDoors : a better alternative to the integrated Workout app, full of functionality and customizability - it also has a map view!

• Headphones: Apple AirPods Pro 2, Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020, 64Audio U4s, Focal Bathys

  As hard as it is for me, they (editor’s note: the Focal Bathys) might be replacing my Andromeda’s.

  Turns out I just needed a new pair of IEMs :^)

  I am deeply in love with the sound of the 64Audio U4s: with the M20 module, the bass is punchy and detailed, while retaining the entirety of the audible range.

  They perform great even wit ha 5th generation iPod Classic.

  I’m still a diehard fan of the AirPods Pro 2’s: great microphone for calls, long-lasting battery, great audio quality for the form factor, incredibly convenient.

  As for the Focal Bathys, they’re the best Bluetooth headphones ever to be put on the market – they sound even better through the integrated DAC, which can be used by connecting them via Type-C to a computer or phone.

• Camera: Fujifilm X-T2

  • FUJINON XF35mmf2 R WR – my everyday carry, incredibly sharp lens, lightweight and good looking
  • Urth 43 mm UV filter – used on the XF35
  • FUJINON XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS – used mostly when traveling, great all-around lens
  • FUJINON XF27mmF2.8 R WR – an attempt at street photography, which also turns out is great as a low-weight traveling lens.
  • Two Sabrent 128GB UHS-II SD cards
  • Two PATONA Platinum NP-W126S batteries
  • One Fujifilm NP-W126S battery
  • All stored in a Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L

EDC #

• Heavy-load bag: Patagonia Black Hole 25L

  I love this backpack.

  I’ve had mine for a couple of intensive years and it’s still holding great!

  If you’re looking for a big, spacious backpack with a real layer of water resistance and not just some hand-wavy internal coating, the Borealis is a great choice.

• Everyday bag: North Face Borealis Mini or Topo Designs Rover Pack Mini

  Both bags are high-quality and stylish, I’ll pick one of them when I feel like changing a little.

• Wallet: Peak Design Mobile Slim Wallet

  The only slim wallet I found that inspires a sense of durability, can fit several cards and maybe a couple bills too.

  It also safely clips to my iPhone’s Peak Design case.