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since 2002
I bought two Elecom USB-C to USB-C Power Delivery cables from Yodobashi Sapporo, only to realise they're from different series despite looking identical. Per Benson Leung, the USB3-CC5P supports 100W (5A), while the USB3-CCP supports 60W (3A).
I bought the Leplus USB-C to USB-A 3.0 Adapter from Yodobashi Sapporo. Leplus, a brand by MSSolutions Japan, is relatively unknown, so it's cheap; I paid about S$11 after a tax-free discount.
I hadn't realised ZMI is one of Xiaomi's ecosystem companies, supplying its power banks, batteries, and chargers. I came across the ZMI QB820 20,000mAh Power Bank through a friend's comment during the Razer Power Bank launch discussion.
I bought the nonda USB-C to USB-A 3.0 Mini Adapter from Amazon for US$9.99. Billed as the world's smallest USB-C adapter, it qualifies for free AmazonGlobal shipping above US$125, which I consolidated through my US freight forwarder HopShopGo.
Hunting for a USB-C Ethernet adapter, I found Belkin's at S$49 overpriced versus Anker's at S$32. For a little more, the Anker USB-C to 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Ethernet Adapter adds extra USB ports, so I chose it.
The Klipsch Reference X12i launched in Singapore in November 2015 at S$599, succeeding the X11i and X10i before it. These in-ear earphones weigh just 15g, with a milled aluminium chassis under 6mm in diameter for a deep-fit seal.
To charge a USB-C MacBook Pro, your cable must support USB Power Delivery. The Anker PowerLine USB-C to USB-C Cable retails for US$15.99 in a 0.9m length, a cheaper alternative to Apple's 2m USB-C Charge Cable at S$48.
USB-C to DisplayPort cables and adapters are tough to find in Singapore, so you must order online from Lazada or Amazon. I bought mine from Amazon for the wider choice, settling on the Plugable cable.
The Satechi Aluminum USB-C Multi-Port Adapter retails for US$89.99 in Gold, Space Grey, and Silver. A perfect compact docking station, it adds HDMI, Ethernet, three USB ports, USB-C pass-through charging, and SD and microSD card slots.
Searching for a USB-C SD card reader, I found SanDisk's Apple Store option at S$75 expensive and SD-only. I instead settled on the Satechi Aluminum USB-C Micro/SD Card Reader from Amazon at US$14.99, though it ships only via a forwarder.
While gadget shopping in Sapporo, I picked up the Elecom iPad Pro 10.5-inch Clear Back Cover at Yodobashi for around JP¥3,110. Spending over JP¥5,000 made it tax-free, and paying by VISA added another 5% off the final price.
The iPad Pro 10.5-inch is my fourth iPad, after the original (2010), iPad 2, and iPad Air. Nearly four years on, my Air feels sluggish, and its 16GB was always too little, prompting this upgrade.
The Apple iPad Pro 10.5-inch Smart Cover comes in leather at S$98 or polyurethane at S$68. The leather has four colours and the polyurethane seven. I preferred the cheaper polyurethane, choosing Charcoal Grey for my iPad Pro.
The Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter retails for S$98, my first purchase at the new Apple Orchard Road store. It powers the 13-inch MacBook Pro, though pricey, it doesn't include a USB-C charge cable.
I'd been stocking up on USB-C devices to prepare for this: my company MacBook Pro 13-inch (Mid 2014) was due for a refresh after three years at Tech in Asia. Its replacement is the MacBook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar.
The Adidas Originals x PORTER 2 Way Waist/Shoulder Bag retails for S$259 at Dover Street Market Singapore, S$10 more than the matching NMD C1 shoes. My brother bought me both, and this is my second waist bag.
I already own two pairs of Adidas NMD shoes, from Hong Kong and Munich, and have used Head Porter bags since 2009. So when Adidas NMD crossed over with Porter (Yoshida), I had to get the NMD C1 shoes.
The Innergie PowerJoy 30C, unveiled at Computex 2017, is Innergie's first USB-C wall charger, retailing for US$44. It features SmartBoost for up to 35% faster charging and InnerShield power protection, and ships with three interchangeable travel plugs.
The Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter retails for S$98. It extends a single USB-C port into three: HDMI, USB-A, and USB-C. The HDMI supports full HD at 60Hz or 4K at 30Hz, though Apple notes some incompatibilities.
I found an unopened Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter in my drawer and decided to write it up. It retails for S$38, a price unchanged after all these years; the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter costs the same.
Glif is a smartphone tripod mount from Studio Neat. The original launched on Kickstarter in 2010, raising US$137,417, though I missed it. The second generation followed in July 2016, raising over US$208,000, and this review covers that version.
Like the KeySmart Nano Pen, the KeySmart Nano Torch is a KeySmart accessory, a small stainless steel LED torch. Its NICHIA LED puts out 25 lumens, powered by four included LR521 button cells, and it retails for US$19.99.