PC
Since 2003, I have always gone with Intel CPUs. Intel CPUs are expensive, but they deliver the good. This is my second PC since I've been to Japan. I sold my old PC while reusing few of the peripheralsin my current build.
For many components, I have gone with brands that I had no prior experience with. Zalman for CPU cooler, ASRock for motherboard, Palit for video card, Iiyama for display, Silverstone for case, Roccat for headset, Toshiba and Western Digital for the HDDs and Scythe for fan controller. But they haven't given me any big problems so far.
I am a frequent upgrader, but with the PC at current state, there aren't many upgrades I can do without anyone calling me "crazy". The specs are not the absolute highest end, but it is a very balanced highend PC.
Currently I am running Windows 8 RTM on it. I plan to buy a new Tablet that runs Windows 8 in the future.
| CPU: | Intel Core i7 2600K @4.5GHz |
| CPU Cooler: | Zalman CNPS9900 Max-B |
| Motherboard: | ASRock Z68 Extreme4 |
| RAM: | 16GB Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 |
| Video Card: | Palit GTX670 JetStream @1155MHz/6800MHz |
| Sound Card: | Creative X-Fi Titanium |
| SSDs: | Samsung 840 series 250GB |
| HDDs: | Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB (Data) |
| Western Digital Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00DC0B0 3TB (Backup) | |
| Display: | Iiyama Prolite E2773HDS |
| Case: | Silverstone Raven RV03 |
| PSU: | Corsair TX850 |
| Mouse: | Logicool G500 |
| Mouse Pad: | Steelseries QCK or Razer Sphex |
| Keyboard: | Logitech G15 V2 |
| Headset: | Roccat Kave 5.1 |
| Speakers: | Logicool Z623 |
| Webcam: | Logicool C910 |
| Fan Con: | Scythe Kaze Master Ace |
Laptop
I had an Asus UL20A laptop earlier and I sold it to get the 2011 MacBook Air. I did not have to pay the whole price, because I bought it with a new internet connection. I got a JPY35,000 discount. It's a pretty big deal. That's about $435.
I hardly use the MacBook Air. My wife uses it. I keep her away from my trusty Windows 8 based desktop PC. The only thing I do with the MacBook Air is updating the software and troubleshooting for my wife.
One of things I do not like about the laptop is that is gets very hot and at the same time very loud when doing something resource intensive. It is unfortunate that even watching YouTube videos can be considered resource intensive with a MacBook Air.
I hardly use the MacBook Air. My wife uses it. I keep her away from my trusty Windows 8 based desktop PC. The only thing I do with the MacBook Air is updating the software and troubleshooting for my wife.
One of things I do not like about the laptop is that is gets very hot and at the same time very loud when doing something resource intensive. It is unfortunate that even watching YouTube videos can be considered resource intensive with a MacBook Air.
Specs
| Dimensions: | H: 0.11-0.68" (0.3-1.7cm) |
| W: 12.8" (32.5cm) | |
| D: 8.94" (22.7cm) | |
| Weight: | 2.96 lbs (1.35kg) |
| CPU: | 1.7GHz dual-core Core i5 |
| Graphics: | Intel HD 3000 |
| RAM: | 4GB DDR3-1333 |
| SSD: | 128GB SSD |
| Display: | 1440 x 900 |
| Ports: | Thunderbolt |
| 2x USB 2.0 | |
| SDHC slot | |
| Composite audio in/out jack | |
| OS: | Mountain Lion |
I recently upgraded to Mountain Lion by paying JPY 1,700. I only did an update install, not a clean install. I do not like to play with the laptop as much as I like to play with the desktop. I would have done a clean install without any second thoughts with the desktop.
Phone
When Apple released the iPhone 4S, I upgraded quickly because SoftBank agreed to waver the existing contract with the iPhone 3GS. I settled for the 16GB Black model. When my wife arrived in Japan, I bought her the 16GB White model. Hence, now there are two iPhone 4S's in the household.
I have Jail-broken mine, but I left the wife's as it is. I use quite a few Jail-break tweaks (link) and I even paid for a couple of them. The phone feels a bit slower than when it was brand new, maybe due to all the apps and services running in the background. I doubt the Jail-break is the culprit though. My wife's phone is pretty fast because it doesn't contain many apps nor data.
Both phones are enclosed in a silicone, shock absorbing cover. They were very cheap, BUT they seems to do a very good job. I even dropped mine on the road - twice and it is still going without a scratch. Phew!
A problem with the earpiece got developed with my wife's iPhone. We had it changed at the Apple Store. They showed us that moisture has been in the phone, but it did not seem to be the direct cause of the problem, so the exchange did not cost us any money.
The Apple service might keep me stuck to the iPhone while I am in Japan. Besides, we have already paid for the warranty for an extra year.
A problem with the earpiece got developed with my wife's iPhone. We had it changed at the Apple Store. They showed us that moisture has been in the phone, but it did not seem to be the direct cause of the problem, so the exchange did not cost us any money.
The Apple service might keep me stuck to the iPhone while I am in Japan. Besides, we have already paid for the warranty for an extra year.
