This video is brought to you by LARQ. Ah...spring is here, and it is time for a
new EDC. I have 20 plus items to show you, so let's get down to them.
Starting with the Aer Tech Pack 2, which is this stealthy-looking 17 liters backpack
by Aer as part of their Work Backpacks line. The backpack is reasonably compact and structurally
right despite boasting plenty of space. I hate to see a backpack not being able to sit
upright, and as always, Aer is on point with the Tech Pack. It has multiple compartments,
and the reason I chose this version is because it fits up to a 16-inch laptop, which is ideal
for the 16 inch MacBook Pro. In fact, the laptop compartment is suspended, which secures
it in place on top of the already great padding. The YKK AquaGuard zippers protect the gear
from the elements alongside the weather-resistant coating. My favorite quick-access top pocket
with soft lining is again present, and this time I have a side handle, which is helpful.
A new addition to me is the expandable water bottle which stays flush even if I decide
not to carry a bottle. The toolbox-inspired designs help me keep everything organized
and in place, with very few items roaming inside.
One of the reasons to update my everyday carry was the upgrade to the 16 inch MacBook Pro.
My configuration is the M1 Max chip with a 10-core CPU, 32-core GPU, and 16-core Neural
Engine alongside 32GB unified memory and 2TB SSD storage. Ever since I picked this laptop,
I've never been more productive and inspired to work on the next project. I love the comeback
of the ports because it has reduced the number of items I carry daily. The 16" XDR display
is more than enough for all my work needs, and I've said this before - I almost always
work exclusively on the laptop alone, without docking it to an external monitor - because
it's that great of a display. With the latest OS upgrades, I also take full advantage of
Universal Control and Sidecar, making my work process seamless. You can check out my first
impressions video on the MacBook Pro and the Portable Desk setup video that I recently
released to see how I tie the laptop and iPad together. I'll put links in the description
below. Whenever the trackpad is not enough, I always
carry an additional mouse. This time I tend to bring the MX Anywhere 3 mouse by Logitech.
I used to move the Magic Mouse, but as it turns out, I can't use it for gaming because
of the secondary button. I love the new design of the MX Anywhere 3 and the fact that it's
very compact. Also, this is a multi-device mouse which means that I can connect it to
my iPads as well. Like the MX Master mouse, this little mouse features the MagScroll wheel,
which can scroll 1000 lines in a second - extremely useful. The mouse also tracks so on any surface,
and it is very durable. The battery lasts about 70 days on a single charge, and when
necessary, I can top it up via USB-C. 8bitdo controller SN30pro
In the front accessories pocket, I always carry a little gaming controller by 8bitdo
called SN30Pro. I purchased it purely because of the retro vibes, but it was more valuable
than expected. It's a Bluetooth controller that works with almost all devices out there
- my laptop, iPhone, iPad, Switch…all of them. I use it for 2 main reasons. First of
all, it is my go-to controller when playing on the Mac, and second, it is the ideal teleprompter
remote controller. It should last about 18 hours of playtime on paper, which I can't
really confirm, but it does last really long. Also, just like the mouse, it charges via
USB-C. I love it because it's compact, durable, and inexpensive, BTW. I'll make sure to put
links to all the items in the description below.
My absolute best investment over the last few months is the iPad mini 6. I have ZERO
regrets about purchasing this little tablet because it has literally changed me. I had
never been more inclined to draw until I bought this tablet. The A15 Bionic chip is powerful
enough for all my needs and the entire App Store roster. It is very satisfying to know
that something so small can run desktop-class apps like Affinity Photo. The magic recipe
with the iPad mini 6 is the support for the Apple Pencil. At first, I thought the 8.3-inch
display won't be enough to actually use for drawing, but I've never been so wrong. All
my latest wallpapers were hand-drawn on this little guy. The front-facing Center Stage
camera is also something to enjoy when catching up with my friends or jumping on a work call.
I have the tablet wrapped inside the iPad Smart Folio in white, which adds zero bulk
to the entire package and protects the tablet from both sides. As with everything else,
it attaches magnetically. Sometimes I use the pencil to prop the iPad even more upright
when watching something. Also, a new addition to my EDC is the Ugreen
GaN X100 charger. This charger looks much sleeker with the retractable US prongs, but
we Europeans tend to carry uglier chargers in the name of 220 volts 😀
ANYWAY - this is a 100 Watt charger that is more compact than the standard chargers thanks
to Galium Nitrate technology. This Ugreen model has 4 ports - 3 USB-C and one type A.
I can quickly charge my 16-inch laptop, iPhone, iPad, and all the tech I carry in the backpack
with just this thing. The charger is smart because it detects when something is connected
and distributes optimal power. It is compact, stylish looking, and pretty much everything
I need. BTW, if you end up enjoying this video, subscribe…because WNY NOT?!?
While on the topic of charging and power, I also carry the Apple MagSafe battery. I
love this battery because it is the ultimate iPhone mini companion. I don't use it daily,
but if I happen to have a more intensive day, I might end up slapping on the back of the
iPhone - great for urgent needs. Plus, it is the ideal table chi charger when on the
go. I also carry a second external battery by
UNIQ. It's called Hoveo, and it is not just another MagSafe charger. It is also a power
bank that provides 20W USB-C PD and holds 5000 mah. I can also use it to prop my iPhone,
but that's not as important. The fact that it's compact and lightweight gives me peace
of mind when carrying it with me because I might use it if I have forgotten to charge
the MagSafe battery or, most often, when wanting to help a friend or a significant other in
need when traveling. The AirPods Pro also live in the quick-access
top pocket of the backpack, but they are more of backup earbuds than a primary sound source
for me. I prefer the AirPods 3, which I explain why in my AirPods guide, but just in case,
I keep the AirPods Pro as well. They are cocooned inside an aramid fiber case by Pitaka, which
comes with magnets. It is helpful if you don't have the MagSafe version of AirPods.
I finally upgraded my little non-branded knife to this PARAFRAME MINI Gerber Knife. Made
in Portland, Oregon, this Gerber knife weighs nothing. Despite being carried exclusively
by hunters, soldiers, and tradesmen, I think it is safe to say that it is now also carried
by tech tubers and unboxing junkies like me. When I get exhausted by opening boxes, I tend
to stay hydrated. I do that by sipping fantastic-tasting water off of the first self-cleaning water
bottle and purification system that eliminates up to 99% of bio-contaminants such as E. Coli.
I am talking about the LARQ bottle. The PureVis tech inside the LARQ bottle doesn't require
replacement filters and self-cleans every 2 hours to eliminate harmful bacteria. Aside
from doing it automatically, it can be triggered by a touch of a button once it's filled up
or at any time. For example, when I come back to the studio the next day, and it's half
full, I just tap it, and it's ready for consumption. The bottle doesn't require constant cleaning
and keeps the water fresh and tasting great. It can last for a month on a single charge,
and filling up the battery takes only 1 hour. My size choice is 740 ml, but you can go smaller
and more colorful if you'd like. Stay hydrated and be sustainable by visiting the first link
in the description below and grabbing the LARQ bottle.
Let's talk nitty-gritty. The Orbitkey Key Organizer has been living in my backpack
and in my pockets for the longest of time and for a good reason. It is one of the best
ways to carry my keys. It also comes in very handy when I need to unscrew something around
my camera gear, thanks to the little multi-tool that comes lives in it.
Staying on the Orbitkey brand for a moment, I also carry 2 AirTag holders. The first one
is attached to the key organizer as a means to track my keys if I were to leave my backpack
behind. The second is hidden inside the Aer backpack's carabiner.
I also carry an A6 pocket notebook by again Orbitkey. This blank list and dot grid page
notebook is primarily used for writing down my shot lists thanks to the Pitaka Carbon
fiber pen. I couldn't find more info on this pen because it turns out it was a limited
edition (thank you, Pitaka). One of the oldest items in my backpack is
the Apple SD card reader. This lightning SD card reader still reminds us of the old port
of the iPhones, and that's the only reason to keep it with me at all times. If I was
to import photos into my iPhone, I would resort to it because I have no quicker choice.
I carry a MagSafe wallet attached to my iPhone at all times. However, I still have a secondary
wallet in the backpack…just in case. The indestructible Ridge Wallet takes little to
no space in the backpack. It holds some backup cards and motorcycle papers that generally
don't need to live in my pockets. Sony's little point-and-shoot ZV-1 camera
always chills in the backpack since it is my on-the-go backup camera. It is fantastic
to shoot short bursts of 4k footage, mainly thanks to the built-in ND filters and excellent
stabilization. Unfortunately, I can't do more with it because it tends to overheat, and
the battery life is…mmm…What was I saying… Oh, yea…if you enjoyed this video, check
out my Everyday Carry playlist here. If you have any questions, let me know in the comment
section below, and if you got this far, why not subscribe?
It's been an absolute pleasure, This is E
Over and out