#tech recommendations

What I'm concerned with is:

Good speakers

Good resolution

Doesn't run hot

Can run lightweight games (not the most important thing)

Multiple USB ports

Robust hinges

Necessary aspects:

opportunity to buy/order it in Russia

price up to 250 USD (about 20 000 RUB for today)

screen (I browse my songs often and need to find certain ones quickly)

playlists (my previous player supported only 3 playlists. I think I need more than that)

Unnecessary aspects:

Bluetooth support as well as good old classic AUX

Hey guys so as I'm sure u know by now, I'm starting college next week and I'm gonna be studying games art, so that's gonna be a lot of digital stuff using programs like maya and shit like that

My laptop atm is OK but pretty slow running Krita, so I'm fairly sure it's not gonna work for running heavier programs, bitch hasn't even got a dedicated graphics card lol

I was thinking of getting the Microsoft surface book 2, the one I'm looking at has like a 268 gb SSD, nvidia geforce gtx 1050, 2 gb VRAM, Intel core i7, and 8gb ram

Only problem is its like £1,600, which is mad expensive

There's a way I can pay £150 a month for it, so if its the best one I can get then I'll for sure go for that option, bc I'm wanting something powerful enough for me to be able to do most of my coursework at home, bc ill be going to college full time and working full time straight after, meaning I won't have loads of time to hang back at college to use their computers, and something that I can also use in uni for a games art course there when I'm done w college

It's been a few days since getting my iPhone 17 Pro Max in Cosmic Orange, and I have already been bit by the Cosmic Orange fever. Today, I want to share three accessories purchased to complement my new phone in the hopes I might be able to help other Cosmic Orange owners find accessories that match this new aesthetic.

We'll start with the only official Apple accessory— the Terra Cotta Silicone Case for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Regularly priced at £49, although available online for £39 (at time of writing), the Terra Cotta colour is a nice contrast to the Cosmic Orange of the phone itself. Apple does also sell an Orange Silicone Case for the Pro iPhones, but I personally prefer the slight contrast with the warmer orange hue.

I'm not normally someone who buys a case for their iPhone. In fact, I've been rocking the caseless life since at least the iPhone X. I've never cracked, scratched, or damaged any of my iPhones, but with reports of the anodisation of the new aluminium unibody scratching, especially around the plateau, I wanted to be overly safe. I don't use the case all the time— in fact, it only goes on when I leave the house. When I'm at home, I'm still loving the design of the phone itself and how it feels in the hand.

That said, the official Apple Silicone cases always feel good. For a couple of years at least. Yes, they're on the more premium side in terms of cost, but it's official Apple, what do you expect? I would actually love to try the Sienna TechWoven Case too, but it's sold out everywhere. Maybe convenience has saved me £10 though, so I can't complain.

To pair with my Terra Cotta Silicone Case, I very nearly purchased the Sienna Crossbody Strap. I was so close. Then I had a revelation.

The Crossbody Strap seems like a great piece of design, and something that I'm sure I'll start seeing adorning the fashion-conscious youth in the coming weeks and months. But, it's single use. It can carry my iPhone, while it's in the case, and that's it. £59 to show off the fact I have a high-cost and in-demand item might not be the most sensible choice. Especially as someone who tends to carry a fair bit with me when I'm out and about. I should be like Apple in 1984 and Think Different.

Think Different I did. Out with the Crossbody Strap and in with a Crossbody Bag. Not a full size one though, I don't want a whole bag to come with me all the time. I did a lot of research on various options, and was ecstatic when I came across the OrbitKey Sling Plus. Like my case, it's also terracotta (although one word rather than Apple's two) and is built just as well as an Apple product.

I'm going to go on a slight tangent to talk about bags, so if that doesn't interest you, please skip the next paragraph— I'll talk more about how I use this with my phone afterwards, I promise!

I've been a huge fan of Bellroy for years. In fact, when I decided to get a sling bag, I assumed it would be a Bellroy. Their quality is impeccable, as is their style. They have a lot of bronze products too, which would have matched the Cosmic Orange iPhone, so why did I choose to jump ship and go to Orbitkey? Being totally honest, I prefer the aesthetics of the Orbitkey Sling Plus, as well as the carry capacity compared to Bellroy's offerings. There's also two smaller options— the Sling, and the Sling Mini. From what I can tell, all options will comfortably fit the 17 Pro Max, so your choice depends on what extras you want to bring with you.

The Sling Plus is almost paradoxically expansive. It has a relatively minimal footprint, yet can hold so much. The first and most important thing it needed to protect is my iPhone, which it does with ease. You have ample pockets to choose from, in three different compartments. I tested what else I could fit into this Sling, and I was shocked. Just keep in mind, this is the Plus size, so you won't fit as much in the smaller models.

Within this Sling, I easily fit my iPhone 17 Pro Max, my AirPods Pro 2, my Kindle Paperwhite, a hefty power bank, the iFi Hip DAC, and my keys. In fact, this haul, which I assumed would be almost filling the Sling, barely touched the sides. In fact, in the main compartment, I could squeeze in a Steam Deck. Sure, it's not the Steam Deck in its own protective case, but if left as the sole item in the middle compartment, there's nothing to damage it as long as you don't throw your bag around. Being honest, I don't carry my Steam Deck around all too often— only if I'm going on a long haul trip and need some distraction. So I tested something less ergonomically designed for the form factor of the sling. My Focal Bathys headphones. I love these headphones so much, they're over-ear and sound far superior (to me) compared to other headphones like AirPods Max and the Sony bunch-of-numbers. The Bathys don't fold down either, the ear cups just swivel to be flat. I was astonished to find they fit too. In their case. That's all I'll ever need to carry in the sling, so it passes the test for being capable of carrying everything I'd need without a bigger bag. I honestly couldn't ask for more.

My last, but by certainly no means least recommendation could be considered a niche one for Apple fans. After using Apple Watches since the original released (on my birthday) back in 2015, I have decided to go without for a year as an experiment. If I prefer a traditional watch, I'll stay with it, and use AirPods Pro 3 for tracking workouts.

I got the Hamilton Khaki Automatic watch on a great deal second hand on eBay, with a couple of straps, including a lovely leather one. It's a bit too dressy for my personal day-to-day, and I wanted something fun, easy to put on, and most importantly, comfortable.

That's where WatchGecko comes in, with their Ridge Military Strap in orange. Sure, it's not terracotta like my other accessories, nor is it Cosmic Orange, but it is a beautiful shade. It was super easy to install on my watch, and they come in a range of sizes and shades— I'm sure that there'll be a Ridge Military Strap for any traditional watch you can find.

After a week of wearing the watch on this strap, I'm taken aback by just how comfortable it is. It's breathable, lightweight, and while the colour I chose is bright by design, I think it makes the black dial of my Hamilton really pop. Being made out of nylon, I was slightly worried when I purchased it that it might irritate my skin, but I've had absolutely no issues.

Compared to the Apple Watch Ultra I've been using for the past couple of years, this watch and strap combo is so much lighter, and is in so much of a sleeker profile. I know it's still early doors, but other than sleep tracking, there's nothing I'm massively feeling like I'm missing so far. I'll likely do a much more in-depth dive into my mechanical watch experience in the coming months too.

So, they're the three accessories purchased to complement my Cosmic Orange iPhone. I'm sure more will come in the coming year, and if any are particularly interesting, I'll be sure to share them with you. If you have any suggestions, be sure to let me know too!

Until next time!