Switching to Apple MacBook

Finally. I am now writing this blog with my new Macbook Pro. I feel amazing today.  It's been two years that I am dreaming of this.

2008 when I first came to Dubai and the very first gadget I bought is a HP computer costing around 4000 Dirhams and I paid it on an installment basis because my salary that time is only 1700 Dirhams. But due to excessive use for gaming by my room mate, the LCD crashed and think of bringing it to the repair shop will gives me more trouble in the future so I decided to buy a new one.

December 2009 when I bought a new one  Toshiba Satellite L505 which until now (June 2014) is in good condition without any scratches or faded color. I am heavy user but until now it works good for web browsing, watching movies, etc. But it takes time now to start and it becomes very slow on video editing.

Why I switched to MacBook.

It all started when I bought an iPhone 4S on 2012 as replacement for my Samsung Jet. I thought  it's only the camera and the design that makes the iPhone 4S amazing. But then I started to watch a tips and tricks youtube video tutorial and from there I learned that it can do so many things that  other smart phone cannot do, that it can create music, edit great video etc. Ty Moss of Ty's iHelp YouTube Channel without him knowing that he influenced me to be apple fanboy. I bought an iPad 2 then change it with an iPad mini and before buying this Macbook I am very much tempted to buy a 128 gb iPad mini retina but then end up with this Macbook Pro.

Most of my videos are edited using Cyberlink Powerdirector on my PC but its getting very slow with my almost five years Toshiba Satellite L505 PC. Then I learned some stuff that it's more easy and more convenient to transfer and edit videos on iPad. Aside from that, iMovie and Pinnacle Studio video editors works great on iPad the only problem is the 16 gb space on the iPad. Gadgets and stuff are not created perfectly so I decided to keep my16 GB iPad mini  and bought this Macbook Pro MD101 mid 2012 model.

This Macbook Pro MD101 is mid 2012 model, Since two years ago I am planning to buy this. Finally I did.

With this Macbook Pro:

1. I hope to learn new things that only a Macbook can do. (making apps etc)

2. To make nice video.

3. To learn audio production.

4. To write more blog.

5. To use this device to help others.

6. To enhance my knowledges as a Chef.

7. To save money,

Is it worth to buy the new iPad Pro 2020?

Unboxing The New iPad Pro 2020

The first iPad Experienced
I have the very first model of iPad mini that I bought in Dubai a long time ago.  It is still working but noticeably slower than it was before. Is it time to buy a new one?
My Second iPad 

Last year I bought this iPad Pro 10"5 because of the pencil feature. I was really convinced by the advertisement, IPad Pro reviews about the limitless thing you can do with the iPad.
I have seen people not using paper anymore for drawing, dictation, noting, drawing, editing video etc...everything that you can do in the computer is now possible in the very portable iPad.
Purpose of my iPad
I am using an iPad to edit videos, watch YouTube, write a blog, and continuing what I am doing on the computer to the iPad.

What I like about my current Ipad Pro 10"5 is that it is compatible with my Macbook Pro 2019, The Sidecar feature is amazing, the iPad can be used as a second screen of my MacBook and continue working with it.

Do You Want To Upgrade?

Now there is this new iPad Pro 2020 that I am actually tempted to have one additionally because of its new keyboard. This, of course, comes with the more advance features of the previous version.

The New iPad Pro 2020

The New iPad Pro 2020 and other updates.

Apple Magic Keyboard: Floating iPad Pro?

Gadgets

GoPro Hero Problem

I have SJ4000 and it's amazing, it has a screen, it takes a very nice picture and amazing video. The fact that it doesn't have a WiFi is maybe the reason why I bought a GoPro Hero 3+ black edition.

I have Canon EOS 600D, Samsung DV100, Sj4000 and of course my iPhone as a cameras. But I don't exactly know why I am very much tempted to buying a GoPro. Well, GoPro is very compact, looks good and takes the best video. GoPro in Dubai is around 1500 Dirhams and that is expensive.

So I bought a second-hand GoPro for 1000 Dirhams. The guy said he is bankrupt and he needs money that is why he is selling it. I met him in Burj Al Arab he is an intern there.

These is some of my complaints with my GoPro Hero 3+ Balck Edition.

1.Green and pink color in low lights/room/night
2.Old TV effect when start recording
3.Heating when WiFi is ON

I checked for a possible solution to fix the problem, I tried the hard reset, I bought a new micro SD card and there are no changes with the video quality...the same problem. Then finally I downgraded it to the original version of Hero 3+ and it never switches ON again.

I ask the guy if he still has the receipt so I can get the shop warranty but then he lost it. I don't want to cause a problem to him so..... nevermind

I never experienced those things with my SJ4000, And I realized the advantage of having an LCD screen of SJ4000 to easily see the video that I just recorded.

I don't understand why I STILL WANTED A GoPro.






Gadgets

Cheap iPhone SE Second Generation 2020

I just bought my third iPhone 6S last week and I am actually regretting having this one again because this is my third iPhone 6S.
Yes, it is my third iPhone 6S, I had no idea that this Cheap iPhone SE Second Generation is coming out this coming week.
I had my first iPhone 6S three years ago, the second one just less than a year ago, both of them got the glass broken because I was not using a protective case because it feels unnatural having a protective case. I learned my lesson and I am now using a protective case to my third one.

SJ4000 A GoPro Like Sports Camera

I always wanted to buy a GoPro because it's more popular and I think has more features than any other action/sports camera. But because I think it's expensive for me, I decided to buy a cheap alternative which is the SJ4000 HD DV Action Camera. This camera comes with a nice packaging with a waterproof case and all the mount you needed for the bike, helmet, belt, etc.

Unboxing SJ4000 HD DVAction Camera.

I bought it from souq.com, Amazon, eBay like a store in the middle east. Souq.com is good but they have a very disappointing courier(Q-express)

Video Sample.

This video was taken from Dubai Double Decker Bus from Discovery Garden through Shiek Zayed Road in Dubai.

Comparing Video Quality to Popular Cameras.

All videos were taken from Double Decker Bus using iPhone 4s, Samsung DV100 Digicam, Canon 600D DSLR camera, and my new SJ4000 action/sports camera.

Can be Use as Webcam

SJ4000 1080p HD DV Action Camera
Features.


A water-resistant casing that allows you to film fascinating water sports; water-resistant up to 30 meters underwater

Gadgets

GoPro as Vlogging Camera

My GoPro Hero 8 Lens is now broken but it still working very well with clear and crisp video quality.
I basically put a screen protector on the lens and on the back and front LCD because without the protection it will be prone to breakage and scratch. One day I fell off my bike and the GoPro lens hits the ground and it got scratches. I was happy when I fell off the screen protector because it was just the first layer of the lens that is broken.

This Vlog is recorded with GoPro Hero 8 with broken lens.

GoPro Hero 8

It has the most advance software features of all the action cameras available today.
it is a little bigger than GoPro Hero 7 black.
Custom Presets/Setting Preset -
It doesn't have Protective Housing Case
The glass/lens is not replaceable
Check the price here.

GoPro Hero 7 Black.
I am very satisfied with this camera because it captures crisp and clear video. Very smooth video quality even if you are running.

DIY Fixed my GoPro Shutter

I just needed to upgrade to GoPro Hero 8 because the shutter button is already tear/broken due to excessive use for my daily filming
I fixed it now and still working very well. Check the price here.




Canon M50.
It has 4k video capability
It is smaller than most DSLR
It works like a DSLR
it has a flip monitor

Just to have an alternative camera, Because the GoPro has no zooming capability and Canon G7X doesn't have a microphone jack input that is why I decided to have the Canon M50.

Check the price here.

GoPro Hero 5 Black

This camera is already good when it comes to video quality but it doesn't have the HyperSmooth and other features of Hero 7 and Hero 8.
Check the price here.

GoPro Hero 4 Session
This my very first GoPro camera. It is very compact with good video quality. I have been using it for around two years until I got the GoPro Hero 5. I bought it in 2016 and until now 2020 it is still working.
What I don't like about is the limited features, it doesn't have a linear mode making all the videos/footages always wide.
Check the price here.

This are some of my previous camera before switching to GoPro.
Nokia N73.  I was in the Philippines

Canon FS11 I was new in Dubai
SJ4000 I was in Dubai and I can't afford GoPro.

Therefore I conclude,
GoPro Hero 5 and GoPro Hero 6 are almost the same.
GoPro Hero 7 Black and GoPro Hero 8 both with effective stabilization, but GoPro Hero 8 has more advance software features.
That GoPro Hero 5 to GoPro Hero 8 requires GoPro Audio Adaptor to be able to connect to an external microphone.
All action camera including GoPro are not good at handling wind noise that is why an external microphone is needed.




Gadgets

Switching to MacBook Pro, Air in 2020

I used two windows laptops before switching to apple computer. It was the HP and Toshiba. The HP screen had a screen problem then I bought the 15' Toshiba which last for a long time then I sold it to a friend. 

I always wanted to have an apple computer because it is looking good, it looks elegant, it looks like a luxury, it looks like it is giving you pleasure when you are using it. but it is very expensive costing around two months of my salary when I was working in Dubai.
I got my first MacBook Pro from Giant's Supermarket. 4000AED it was a big sale. It doesn't disappoint me, the pleasure and luxurious feeling having it is real, and the most important thing is what MacBook Pro can do. It is amazing it can do many things that don't require you to buy or spend more money separately.

Do You Need Gimbal for Vlogging?

Gimbal 

Gimbal is a modern camera stabilizer available in the market today. The purpose is to stabilize, to make the video footage as smooth as possible when filming on the go. What I don't like about gimbal is the noise, yes there is a mechanical noise that is being captured by the camera.

Zhiyun Crane M

Gimbal is basically a device to make a video footages smooth. It is a stabilizer. This Gimbal can be used with a smartphone camera, Mirrorless Camera, GoPro and Other Action Camera.

I have GoPro Hero 5 and Canon M50 when I bought the Zhiyon Crane M hoping to make a very smooth video vlog on my daily bike vlog. I was just using it for a few days until I get tired of it being big and requires cautiousness to use. Then I decided to buy a smaller one, the Feiyu G6.

Zhiyun Crane M
Check the price here.

Feiyu G6 for GoPro

I bought this Feiyu G6 for my GoPro Hero 5. It is absolutely making video footage really smooth, it is Amazing. Check the price here.


But as Vlogger on the move, I realized that a Gimbal is not for me. First of all a gimbal create this mechanical noise that is being captured by the camera and is not good for the vlog. A gimbal requires a battery. Gimbal requires cautiousness to use. 

New gimbals today probably eliminate the problems and you might consider checking it.
There are many gimbals available in the market, they have amazing features that make the camera and the gimbal works as one.

Gimbal
Gadgets

Macbook Pro Mid 2012 still good in 2020

It is really worth to invest in buying a computer if you do not have one yet. The computer will give you the opportunity to LEARN, Be CREATIVE, and possibly MAKE MONEY ON THE INTERNET.

I now have a Macbook Pro latest of 2019 model. I bought it simply because the Mac OS Catalina does not support the new Sidecar feature on Macbook Pro Mid 2012. Sidecar is MacOS Catalina built-in app that lets you use your iPad as a second monitor of your Mac computer.

I have my MacBook Pro Mid 2012 since 2014 and until now it is working very well and noticeably no big difference in speed compared to my MacPro Mid 2019. Oh, note that I change the HDD of my Macbook Pro Mid 2012 into SSD or Solid State Drive,  Yes I did change it by my self simply by following youtube video procedure.

Here are some of the videos that will prove that Macbook Pro Mid 2012 is still best to consider in 2020.