About My Tech

Here are the main specs (full info can be found here.):

Case: NZXT H700i
CPU: Intel i9-9900KF
CPU Cooler: Corsair H150i (360mm)
GPU: EVGA GeForce RTX 2080ti
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2x16GB) @ 3600MHz
PSU: EVGA 1000W P6
Storage: 4TB Western Digital NVME SSD & 2TB Samsung Evo Plus NVME SSD

Accessories and peripherals used with my PC include:
--- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset
--- Corsair K100 RGB Mechanical Keyboard
--- Logitech G502 X Plus Gaming Mouse
--- Elgato Stream Deck
--- Blue Sona XLR Microphone
--- Helicon GoXLR Mixer
--- Microsoft Xbox Series X Controller
--- Logitech G29 Racing Wheel with H-Shifter
--- Tobii Eye Tracker 5
--- NZXT Puck (in blue)
--- LG 34" Ultrawide 3440x1440 Monitor

As a successor to my 2017 MacBook Pro, I picked up the 2020 M1 Mac Mini in 2021. Named "macr0", it handles video editing in Final Cut Pro, vector graphic design in Adobe Illustrator CC, as well as finalizing graphics in Adobe Photoshop CC. And by handle, I mean it. The M1 chip features an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. I have mine spec'd on the low-end. I chose to go with 8GB of RAM, and it's clear I don't need more. I decided on 256GB of flash storage, because I use an external Thunderbolt 3 SSD and HDD RAID configuration for editing videos, and mostly everything else that I do is stored in Adobe's Creative Cloud, as well as iCloud. The Mac Mini also features 2 Thunderbolt-3/USB-4 ports, 2 USB-3.1 (Gen. 2) ports, a 1Gb/s Ethernet port, HDMI output, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, and a 3.5mm audio jack. I currently have it running the new macOS Sequoia beta.

I currently have my M1 Mac Mini paired to an Apple Magic Keyboard, as well as an Apple Magic Mouse 2. Accessories include my 4TB SanDisk Thunderbolt 3 SSD, 8TB (2x4TB) G-RAID in a RAID 0 configuration, and my pair of AirPod Pros.

For the first time since the death of my MacBook Pro back in 2020, I decided it was time to own a new laptop so that I could work on daily tasks while I'm on the go.

"macr0air" is an Apple MacBook Air, packed with the powerful M3 chip by Apple, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 13" display. It currently runs the recently-released beta of macOS Sequoia. The current selection of third-party software installed include Discord, DaisyDisk, Fantastical, and iStat Menus.

After taking a liking to the smaller iPhone 15 Pro's size and lighter weight, I decided to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro. Just like before, I'm breaking things down into 4 core areas (design, internal specs, display, and software), as well as the addition of the camera.

When it comes to the design of the iPhone 16 Pro, it features a slightly larger 6.3" display and a new Camera Control button. The white variant of this year's model (which is what I have) is brighter than last years. The iPhone 16 Pro is also available in last year's Black Titanium and Natural Titanium, as well as the new Desert Titanium. Also featured is the next-generation Ceramic Shield.

For the internal specs, the iPhone 16 Pro features Apple's new A18 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. The cameras have also been upgraded, as the Pro Camera System features a 48MP Fusion camera, 48MP ultrawide camera, and 12MP telephoto camera. The front features a 12MP True Depth camera. This year's model features WiFi 7, an upgrade from last year's WiFi 6E. It also features a slightly larger 3,582mAh battery, up from the iPhone 15 Pro's 3274mAh. Still included are the features from before, such as the Dynamic Island, ProMotion Display, 6GB of RAM, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and Emergency SOS via Satellite. My specific model features 512GB of storage.

Apple's "Pro" models have always had great displays, and this year is no different. The iPhone 16 Pro's 6.3" Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion can range from 1Hz for Always-On Display to 120Hz for smooth navigation. Brightness ranges from 2000 nits outdoors, 1600 nits for HDR, 1000 nits in typical use-cases, all the way down to 1 nit. It still features the Dynamic Island. The slightly larger display is nice, giving me more room to work and see what I need to see, without feeling too large and cumbersome.

This year, there have been some great changes to the cameras and how to control them. All iPhone 16 series devices have the new Camera Control. This new button is situated on the right side of the device underneath the power button. As it is a button, a single click will open the Camera app from anywhere except when the device is locked and not awake. While in the Camera app, a single click will take a photo or start video recording, while holding will record video until the button has been let go. Pressure sensitive touch controls allow you to pick and adjust exposure, depth, zoom, cameras, styles, and tone. While the iPhone 15 Pro only had a 3X zoom while the Pro Max had a 5X zoom. With the iPhone 16 Pro, it shares the 5X zoom with the Pro Max, and is able to take Spacial Photo and Video, as well as 4K Dolby Vision 160FPS video. Audio Mix allows you to pick volume levels of the various microphones, so that you can focus on where the action is. Other improvements include a new studio-quality microphone array and the ability to record SpacialAudio.

When it comes to software, I'm currently running the iOS 18.1 beta on my iPhone 16 Pro. The main difference when it comes to this update is Apple Intelligence, which is currently only available in pieces with this beta. Some features are available, such as Writing Tools to help with composing/typing up texts and emails. This beta has all the great features from iOS 18, such as the customizable Control Center, home screen icon customization, and RCS support. Social apps include Discord, Snapchat, and Instagram. Utilities include Authy, Down Detector, and Tydlig. I also have entertainment apps like Apple Music, Hulu, Paramount+, and YouTube.

My current selection of accessories include a ZAGG tempered glass blue-light filter screen protector, a Bondi Blue Spigen UltraFit case and MagSafe wallet, a pair of AirPod Pros (2nd Generation), Apple Watch Ultra, Belkin's adjustable MagSafe charger for my desk, and Belkin's 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafe for my nightstand. I also use Belkin's MagSafe car mount in my car.

Released in July 2024, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is my second Samsung smartphone. This phone features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a 3.4" outer display, and a 6.7" inner display. It's fast with its 5G capabilities (currently rocking T-Mobile's 5G Ultra Capacity), it's bright, and it's very useful for taking notes with features like Note Assist to help organize, summarize, translate, and more! Plus, with all of the Galaxy AI features introduced with the Galaxy S24 series, it's smarter than ever!

My current selection of accessories include a clear case from Samsung and a ZAGG blue-light filter screen protector.

I recently got myself the 2021 Apple iPad Pro in Space Gray. Some specs include Apple's powerful M1 chip (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine), 8GB of RAM, and a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, with ProMotion technology to keep the display running at a smooth 120 frames-per-second. It also features Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, and 5G.

As for the cameras, the rear sports a 12MP Wide camera, a 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and a LIDAR sensor, while the front features a 12MP TrueDepth Ultra Wide camera. All rear cameras are capable of 4K images, 4K60 videos, and 1080p240 slow-motion videos.

My iPad Pro is currently running the iPadOS 18 beta, which is essentially just iOS 18 for iPads. My favorite feature at the moment is Universal Control, which allows me to seamlessly take control of my Mac mini M1, iPad Pro M1, and MacBook Air M3 from one keyboard/mouse when they're in proximity of each other. Univeral Control also allows me to, under the same conditions, drag and drop items (photos, files, videos, etc.) between devices without every connecting a wire, as if they're one machine. My other favorite features include widgets, trackpad support, and Continuity.

Social apps include Discord and Reddit. Utilities include Speedtest, LIFX, and GeekBench. Media apps include Apple TV, Apple Music, YouTube, Disney+, Paramount+, and Xfinity Stream. My games of choice are Mini Metro, Mini Motorways, and Plague Inc, though I've also been trying out Steam Link a little bit.

The current selection of accessories that I use with my iPad Pro are a pair of AirPod Pros (2nd Generation), the second generation Apple Pencil, and a Logitech Touch Combo keyboard case (which takes advantage of the Smart Connector pins on the rear of the iPad Pro.

Previous tech that's currently still in my possession:
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 6
- Apple iPhone 3G
- Moto Razr+ 2023 (known in some markets as the Moto Razr 40 Ultra)
- Moto Razr V3
- OnePlus 8T
- OnePlus 7 Pro
- OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition