Another year of hardware and software upgrades. Here’s a summary of my 2023 pickups.
EZVIZ C6C Home Security Camera
Purchased in January 2023 for 233 CNY, including a 32GB SD card. I previously tried a Xiaomi camera, but the image quality was poor, and it bricked during a firmware update right out of the box. I returned it and went with EZVIZ.
After a year of use, I’m very satisfied with the C6C. While the app experience could be more polished, it fulfills its purpose perfectly.
Check it out on JD.com: EZVIZ C6C
NIU Electric Scooter (MQiL Urban Edition)
Purchased in July 2023 for 5,699 CNY.
The overall experience has been great. I love being able to use my Apple Watch or iPhone to lock and unlock it, and the aesthetic is top-notch.
Dyson V8 Vacuum Cleaner
Purchased from JD in September 2023 for 1,989 CNY.
Budget constraints led me to the V8, and it’s been fantastic. The suction is powerful, and it doubles as a handheld vacuum for cleaning sofas and mattresses.
Logitech M720 Mouse
Purchased from JD in September 2023 for 169 CNY. I love the multi-device switching feature; it makes managing two Macs simultaneously much easier.
Loctek Electric Standing Desk E5-N
Purchased from JD in September 2023 for 2,071 CNY. It features four height presets and memory function. I love being able to switch to a standing position with a single click after sitting for a long time.
I looked at IKEA options, but Loctek was more affordable and met all my stability and functional requirements.
Apple AirTag
Purchased from JD in June 2023 for 178 CNY. I find it most useful on my keys. Whenever I can’t find them, I just ask Siri or use “Find My” to make them beep—it’s incredibly convenient.
AirPods 3
Purchased from JD in May 2023 for 1,196 CNY. Typical Apple quality. I’ve upgraded from the 1st and 2nd gens and remain a loyal user.
Bull MagSafe Power Bank (10,000 mAh)
Purchased from Pinduoduo in November 2023 for 130 CNY. I really like the build quality. Wireless charging has been a game-changer—no more searching for cables. Compared to Anker, the Bull model is a bit thicker, but given Bull’s reputation for electrical products, I decided to give it a try and I’m happy with it.
ASICS GT-2000 12
Purchased from JD in October 2023 for 519 CNY. This is my fourth pair of the ASICS GT-2000 series. While the newer designs since the 7th gen have improved comfort, they’ve sacrificed some breathability. Still, the overall comfort is excellent.
ChatGPT Plus
$20/month. Absolutely worth it. Being able to access the latest GPT features as they release is fantastic. Compared to pay-as-you-go API costs, the unlimited (fair use) access is a steal.
GitHub Copilot
$10/month. An essential AI coding assistant. It even helps with writing Markdown documentation.
Netflix
Currently using a shared family plan for 40 CNY/quarter. It’s great to have high-quality shows readily available without hunting for resources.
