What's In My Bag - Tech Bag 2022 - ZERO BUDGET BACKPACK (FREE)

Hi Guys,

I am in pursuit of a tech bag since the beginning of school and college. I have been a fan of stationery products that are unique as well as collecting pens that are unique be it a fountain or gel pens. I also love collecting small stuff that is not available to the general public unless it gets printed by the brands to give away in their contests or launch event goodie bags. 

I am also a big fan of participating in online contests be it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Sooner or later, I do win some of them from time to time. There was a time when I used to participate in 100s of them weekly and will win at least 15-20 of them in my best weeks. There was also a time when I didn't win any for continuous 3 months also without any change in my efforts to participate. 

All the items showcased here in my video are collected over several years and let's analyze what constitutes a tech backpack and how you can make it too! 

1. Bag Pack - It can be anything that can take all your stuff inside and can provide easy access to carry all the necessities. I got this Thule Achiever Backpack at one of the events and since then it's been my top choice. I have got others backpacks but those are cheap quality bags given at many launch events. None of them will last as long as this Thule one. Some people also use Targus or Dell laptop bags as their tech bags which is also good. I used Google bag (extensively in London and South Africa) for a lot of many years before switching to a Converse Messenger Bag. I used both for so many years depending on where I am going. Converse Messenger Bag I still use to keep all my original documents. Later for 3-4 years, I used a Dell backpack which came with the office laptop and now recently last year I moved to this Thule Achiever backpack that came along with the white t-shirt I am wearing in the initial part of the video and some other things in Telkom Music event. 

The purpose of the bag is to provide a transportation mechanism for all your gadgets safely. Secondly, it can give you some space to put in extra things you want to carry from time to time. Thirdly, the pockets should be easily accessible but not so open that anyone can take stuff out if I am sleeping while using public transport. 

2. Laptop/Tablet - I only have an ASUS VivoBook S15 that I won from an Instagram contest by the brand way back in 2019. I upgraded the same with a 1TB SSD which made it really fast to boot and process the videos I am editing on Filmora software. I have never won a tablet so not considering the same for this zero-budget backpack. 

3. Camera - For a life of a YouTuber or Blogger, a camera is a necessity. You can also use the best of the iPhones or Samsung Ultra devices in case you have them but I don't have them so I am carrying Canon 77D in my tech bag. This camera is super powerful for all kinds of videos and photos. I won this in 2018 from an Instagram meet. Since that time this has been my go-to camera. 

4. SD Cards - Canon provided 32GB cards at one of their roadshows to all participants that I use in my camera along with an SD card reader at one of their previous roadshows. I also got a cleaning cloth and a diary pen combo that's also part of the roadshows and all this is totally free of cost. 

5. Tripods - I got some tripods from several events (Huawei, Canon etc) that are used to carry the phone or the camera in case required with the latest one from Nikon and the same they were selling at their shop for R10 also. 

6. Travel Kit - I got a travel kit bag from DJI Global when they launched DJI Mavic Mini and since then I keep all my cables, pen drives etc in the bag. All cables came free with smartphones I use and pen drives were also part of the launch event goodies. 

7. Pens and Notepads - I use some pens that can write smoothly with fine tips so anytime I attend any conference, I get to see a wide variety of pens - plastic, metal and unique ones so the one that catches my attention I use for some time. I totally love my Emirates, Ster Kinekor Prestige and Singapore Airlines pens. I am using the Payflex notepad for Bullet journalling that I got from the Money/eCommerce Expo last year. And remember, if this is your very first time using Payflex to shop, use coupon code PAYSMART100 in the Payflex checkout for R100 off when you spend R600 or more.

The purpose of the pens and notebooks is to doodle and think and write ideas on the go. I totally write down all the tasks pending on me in a small journal and then strike off once I complete them. 

8. Earphones/Headphones - I use wired Beats Solo HD headphones that I received long back and Huawei FreeLace which I also got at one of their launch events. Recently I received VIVO TWS Air wireless earphones that I am using as I have passed my Huawei FreeBuds4i to my daughter. Very soon I am moving to the Nokia Essential Headphones as they are more comfortable and packed in their own bag to have both wires and a wireless experience. All these items are trade exchanges or won from the contests or from goodies bags so totally free of cost. 

9. Powerbanks - I am using a Huawei 20000mAh power bank that I received when they launched the Sandton City store last year. Earlier I was using Samsung Powerbank 8400mAh that I received at the launch event of the Samsung Galaxy S6. 

10. Portable Hard Disk - I use this Adata HD710 Pro 1 TB that I won at the rAge Expo way back in 2017. I also bought Seagate SSD for which I won ZAR 2000 gift voucher but I paid over and above that ZAR 300 so didn't include it in this zero-budget backpack. 

11. Smartphones - I use Samsung smartphones as I won Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 when it was launched in South Africa during the launch event itself so that's my day-to-day smartphone of choice since that time. I also got a ZAR 1000 voucher that I spent on buying the Leather cover for the same. I also use Samsung Note 20 5G phone that I also won during the previous launch events and has been my companion since then. The cover for the same I bought using the gift vouchers for takealot that you can earn if you have an FNB credit card and eBucks. 

12. Smart Watch - I use Huawei Watch GT2e as I received the same during the 2021 Christmas gift they sent me. I have covered 1000 km in 2022 using the same device. 

13. Water bottles - I have multiple water bottles that I received from various brands but my mom also likes them so I generally give them away to her. My Telkom Music waterbottle I kept it in case so that I can give it to her. I have received a water bottle from YouTube Shorts that is going to be my daily drinking partner. 

14. Lip Balms and Lotions - These are from the travel kits that they give you when you travel in business class or when you go to any hotel. I use those ones till they are finished and keep other ones if required thereafter. 

15. MP3 Player - The only Apple item in my backpack is iPod Shuffle which has been with me since the start and is now around 12 years. I won one in London from McDonald's contest in 2011. 

Let me know if you liked my video and if any items I have missed packing and showing you in my backpack. Let me know if you are building your backpack as well and what all times form part of the same. 

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate on your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #10YearsofTheLifesWay. Support me with $3.34 only per month - https://www.patreon.com/TheLifesWay Namaste! https://t.co/gUHjo8DQ7h 

#TheLifesWayReviews - @Sandisk SSD Plus 480GB #SSDPlus #SolidStateDrive

Hi Friends, 

My association with Sandisk goes a long way when I first bought my first pen drive around 2005 when it was around 128MB or 256MB capacity and the very first time I saw the pen drive when one of my uncles went to Austria to attend a conference and received one of 16MB capacity and at that time my desktop's USB port could not even recognize the same. 

When the brand asked me to check an SSD for review for 2 weeks, I was never thinking that this is going to be in such a small package in which I used to buy pen drives earlier. The package is very much similar in the Red colour as you see in all the SD cards, micro-SD cards and various kind of pen drives. I think I will still be having mint condition SanDisk 4GB Pendrives in my Technolgy Suitcase which I have kept unopened. 

Let's see how we can use this particular Sandisk SSD Plus 480GB and the various ways we can use it are - 

Upgrading the laptop or your desktop with this fast and reliable SSD which will definitely improve the overall performance of the device. I observed it when I replaced my 1TB HDD from my Asus Vivobook and replaced it with 500GB SSD, it not only reduced the boot-up time but also shutdowns are really fast and even all the office apps are just booting in less than a second or so. Even the Wondershare's Filmora on the laptop does it works fast which is more dependent on RAM rather than the memory disk but any which way there is a significant improvement in speed there also. 

Coming to the read and write speeds for which SSD are known for and this version of Sandisk SSD Plus offers a high sequential read speeds of up to 535MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 445MB/s which is way higher than the hard disk drive in whatever device you are using. I have always wondered about how the Apple Macbook's work so great and that is only because of the 128GB SSD or 256GB SSD that they install in their devices along with the RAM and of course the operating system is also powerful. But after I installed the SSD in my ASUS laptop I felt the same kind of power in my Microsoft Windows 10 Asus Vivobook using Intel i5 8th Generation processor. 

Moreover, the best part is the weight of this Sandisk SSD Plus which is just less than 50 grams, I didn't even have something to measure the exact weight of this small plasticky device which you can easily carry in your backpack or even pocket too using an external casing. Also, the Sandisk SSD Plus is shock and vibration resistant so even if it falls, it might actually work and protect your data. 

As there are no moving parts so there is no sound that comes from your device when you boot the same and also there are no heating issues that you generally experience with the HDDs. My laptop left-hand side was getting so hot as the 1TB 2.5inch HDD was placed right under the palm rest so when I replaced the same with HDD, the problem vanished in a second. This also reduces laptop battery consumption as SSD is more power-efficient. Also, it's plug and play is as easy as just sliding the SSD card in the SATA port connectors. 

If you are aware of the SLC caching which basically means that the data is stored as one bit in every cell inside this NAND flash making it significantly faster to help boost burst write performance which is ideal for our day to day use.  

The SanDisk SSD Plus comes with step-by-step instructions and cloning software to help you set up your new drive in case you are replacing your HDD with this one. You can also install the same as a secondary or primary booting device if you have a desktop or so. It also has the screw sockets to nicely attach the SSD drive inside your laptop or desktop in whatever way you want. 

Moreover, I was thinking that I will use the same in one of my HDD casings from Astrum or Orico but that didn't work out so I may need to find some other alternative solution. But as the device will be going back to the Western Digital's offices so I am not going to purchase an SSD casing for my day to day use. But I am sure, if your old laptop or desktop needs a magic touch to transform into a 2020 powerful device for kids to do online classes or using it for entertainment, SSD is the way to go and Sandisk SSD Plus comes with 3 years warranty too and is priced around R1075 for 480GB variant and is available at all the online and retails electronics and computer stores.  

Cheers!!!

Contact Aashish Rai Jain at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to send your products, launch event invites, and services to be consumed. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra #7YearsofTheLifesWay. Follow me on www.instagram.com/thelifesway for all travel-related photo posts and subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel too. Namaste!

Western Digital Strengthens its Presence with a More Diversified Offering for #SouthAfrica

Hi Friends, 

Western Digital Corporation, a global leader in data technology, is reaffirming its presence in South Africa with a more diversified portfolio of data storage devices. This allows local consumers to access a wide range of WD®- and SanDisk®-brand products.

Western Digital’s product line includes the SanDisk mobile storage solutions portfolio, with storage devices such as the iXpand™ flash drive, SanDisk Ultra™ Dual Drive m3.0, microSD™ and SD™ cards (SanDisk Extreme™ and SanDisk Extreme PRO™); SanDisk external SSDs; and WD internal SSDs. With after-sales service being a key driver locally, Western Digital will continue to assert its efforts in this regard.

Speaking on the diversification, Ghassan Azzi, Senior Sales Manager for Africa Western Digital said, “The amount of data that people generate is growing exponentially year on year, highlighting a shift in storage habits that is currently underway not just globally but also locally. Storing data is not just about unlimited space, but it is also about security. Western Digital offers secure, high-performance, high-capacity and high-quality storage solutions to cater to the growing needs and lifestyles of consumers in South Africa”. 

SanDisk Mobile Storage Solutions

iXpand – The iXpand flash drive is the ideal companion for your iPhone or iPad that enables you to free up space, back up your camera roll and even watch videos straight from the drive.1 The iXpand flash drives are equipped with a Lightning connector and a USB 3.0 connector so users can move files between iPhone, iPad, and Mac or PC computers. Users can also set the iXpand mobile app to automatically back up their iPhone or iPad camera roll anytime the product is connected.2 It comes in 32|64|128|256 GB capacities.*

Dual Drive – The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive m3.0 is for Android™ devices and enables the movement of content from your OTG-enabled Android smartphones to your computer.3 Quickly free up space on your Android smartphone or tablet so you can take more pictures and videos. It comes in 16 |32|64|128|256 GB capacities.*

400GB micro SD card – The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card is perfect for recording and watching Full HD video, with room for hours of video.4 Ideal for Android-based smartphones and tablets, this card’s A1 rating means that you can load apps faster too.5 This card racks up transfer speeds of 100MB/s** and can move 1,200 photos per minute.6With a capacity of up to 400GB*, you can store even more hours of Full HD video on the card without worrying about running out of room for the videos, photos, music, movies and other files you want to shoot, save and share.

SanDisk external SSDs

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD – This ruggedized portable SSD delivers high-speed transfers of up to 550MB/s** making it perfect for saving and editing hi-res photos and videos. With an IP55 rating and a solid-state core, it also stands up to rain, spills, dust and drops.7 It comes in 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB capacities.*

WD Internal SSDs

WD internal SSDs – A wide range of Western Digital internal SSDs which bolster your PC with upgraded speed and reliability.

WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD

The WD BLACK™ SN750 NVMe™ SSD delivers top-tier performance for gaming and hardware enthusiasts who are looking to build or upgrade their PC. The WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD rivals some of the best performings drives on the market to help give gamers that competitive edge.

Product Highlights

• · Revolutionary 64-layer 3D NAND Technology.
• · Read speeds up to 3470 MB/s** (500GB and 1TB models) for improved load times
• · A sleek design to customize your gaming rig
• · An exclusive WD Black SSD dashboard with gaming mode

WD Green™ SSD - The WD Green SSDs are meant for a quintessential level of performance. These can be best suited for day to day functionality and can reach read and write speeds of up to 540 MB per sec and 405 MB per sec respectively while using ultra-low power draw mode.**

WD Blue™ SSD – It is the best option for those who are looking for a performance that excels in SATA standards and reaches read and write speeds of up to 545 MB per sec and 525 MB per sec respectively.**

Beyond Surveillance

12TB WD Purple Hard Drive

WD Purple drives have been engineered specifically for the extreme demands of high temperature, 24/7 surveillance systems. With a supported workload rate of up to 180 TB/yr8 and support for up to 64 cameras, WD Purple drives are optimized for surveillance systems. It is engineered for quality video playback when you need it most.

256GB WD Purple microSD Card

WD Purple™ microSD™ cards range from 32GB to 256GB* for both motion-triggered and continuous recording, as well as a variety of camera, resolution, and recording implementations. Weather-resistant WD Purple™ microSD cards endure temperatures from -25°C to 85°C to help capture uninterrupted surveillance footage through extreme weather conditions and climates.

14TB Ultrastar Hard Drive

This has up to 14TB* capacity in a standard 3.5-inch form factor. Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) technology works seamlessly in capacity enterprise environments.

WD external SSDs

My Passport™ Wireless SSD: The My Passport Wireless SSD is an all in one portable drive that helps preserve photos and videos captured on your cameras and drones. The one-touch copy button lets you back up photos and videos with the built-in SD™ card reader without a laptop. It comes in 250 GB|500 GB|1 TB|2 TB capacities.*

MY PASSPORT SSD

My Passport SSD: The My Passport SSD is portable storage with blazing-fast transfers. Password protection with hardware encryption helps keep your content secure. Easy to use, it’s shock-resistant, compact storage in a cool, durable design. It comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities.*

WD hard drives

My Passport - My Passport portable drive is trusted to store the massive amounts of photos, videos, and music you love. Available in an array of vibrant, fun colors, the sleek style fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, so you can easily take your treasured content everywhere you go. It comes in 1TB, 2TB, 3TB and 4TB capacities.*

WD internal hard drive

WD Purple – WD Purple drives have been engineered specifically for the extreme demands of high temperature, 24/7 surveillance systems. Built for 24/7, always-on, high-definition security systems. With a supported workload rate of up to 180 TB/yr7 and support for up to 64 cameras, WD Purple drives are optimized for surveillance systems.

WD Red™ - With drives up to 10TB*, WD Red drives offer a wide array of solutions for customers looking to build a high performing NAS storage solution. Built for single-bay to 8-bay NAS systems, WD Red drives pack the power to store your precious data in one powerhouse unit.

WD Blue - Boost your PC storage with WD Blue drives, the brand designed just for desktop and all-in-one PCs with a variety of storage capacities.

Mobile SSD 

G-DRIVE mobile SSD

The ruggedized G-DRIVE mobile SSD features transfer speeds up to 560MB/s** and a backward compatible USB-C™ port to deliver high-performance storage.

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to collaborate on your products, events, and services. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra!

SanDisk Cruzer Pop 4GB

Hi Guys,

In an online contest last year by Sandisk received this amazingly good looking 4gb pendrive. Sandisk is one of the most reliable SD/micro SDcard/mini SD Card/Pen drive maker. I have used many companies pendrives but found Sandisk to be the best. Follow them on facebook

  

My car's inbuilt audio player with USB is only able to play songs using Sandisk pendrives and unable to read the local and cheap pen drives.

Cheers!!!

Contact me for your product's review on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com