0 Introduction#
A lot of unhappy things happened in 2023, but I recorded the joy I gained from digital products and shared it with everyone through photos!
My favorite digital products:
- MacBook M1 Air
- Xiaomi 13
- Mountain bike received for signing up for a credit card
January#
Second happiest: Xiaomi 13 phone#
The second happiest thing this year was the launch - I bought the Xiaomi 13 phone in January (the first was buying an Apple laptop in April). I had been thinking about it for a long time, and finally placed the order, it was my first time buying such an expensive phone, costing 4500 yuan.
The model is 12+256, in blue leather. The size is very compact, particularly comfortable to hold, and because it has a small screen, it feels quite nice to use. Moreover, this generation of Xiaomi 13 has an excellent reputation for photography, achieving top-level performance for daily photos. Many times, just taking casual photos brings me joy, training myself to discover beauty and record life, resulting in so many pictures.
This year, I fell in love with photography, and it was truly rewarding; I felt happy no matter how I took pictures.
Xiaomi Photo Printer 2s#
Strictly speaking, I bought the Xiaomi Photo Printer 2s at the end of last year. I purchased it on a second-hand platform for 350 yuan, and 80 photo albums for 96 yuan, which later increased to 120 yuan for 80 photos, totaling about 1.5 yuan per photo, which isn't too expensive considering its real-time printing capability. Of course, for a large number of photos, printing on Taobao is still cheaper.
I achieved the freedom to print 6-inch photos, and I can print interesting photos from my phone anytime. I took it home during the New Year, took a family photo, and printed it right after, which was particularly joyful.
The picture below is the first photo I printed after receiving it. It's a wallpaper from my favorite game "Onmyoji": the three major SSR stars at the launch. Seeing this wallpaper and the three game characters brought me back to those happy times.
Later, combined with a 65W power bank, I could carry it around without needing to find a power strip; I could print on the go, which was fantastic.
Indoor Pull-Up Bar#
I bought it on Pinduoduo for a little over a hundred yuan. I got an indoor pull-up bar to train my upper body core using my body weight. Here’s a screenshot showing my progress from not being able to pull up at all to being able to do five or six, and with resistance bands, I could do even more.
I haven't used it recently; I just hang clothes on it now. Occasionally, I remember to stretch a bit, which is nice, and it doesn't take up much space. Those types that stretch across the door frame are very unsafe; this one is much more stable.
Wireless Video Transmitter#
I bought it for 230 yuan on PDD. At the time, while playing games, I found it a bit limiting to connect my monitor via HDMI at my desk, so I wanted to play wirelessly on a portable monitor or tablet, allowing me to play anytime, even in bed with my PS4/Switch.
After some searching, I bought a wireless video transmitter. I was excited for a while, but the latency was quite significant. There are related videos on Bilibili, and it wasn't suitable for games like "Zelda" that require real-time feedback; it was more suitable for RPGs like "P5R," and now it’s pretty much unused.
February#
Repaired PS4#
My PS4, which I bought last year, broke but has now been repaired. So I started playing games on the PS4 again, playing for 16 hours a day during the New Year, especially "P5R," which I mentioned several times; I played over a hundred hours in the first playthrough, particularly enjoying the character of the schoolgirl. I was incredibly happy, completely immersed in the storyline.
Mobile Game Controller x2#
I discovered this while watching videos and bought a mobile controller for 230 yuan on Pinduoduo. It allows me to play Switch emulators and controller-supported games on the Xiaomi 13.
At that time, I was particularly excited about various Switch games and wanted to find a way to play them on my computer, but handheld devices are the most comfortable. I took it out during commutes and became very engrossed, consuming a lot of time. The Xiaomi 13's hardware is quite good, and many games run well. Recently, I played the mobile game "Kankou Kishi" with it, and it felt great. The tactile feedback is excellent, and I’m quite satisfied.
4G Hotspot Portable WIFI + Camera#
An IoT 4G hotspot, just find a USB power source to get online. I bought several and also got a few Xiaomi cameras to install in my family's yard. The data consumption is very low; the most basic plan is sufficient. The hardware itself costs about 40 yuan, and then I bought a plan to activate it. My family just plugs it in, and there’s internet. In rural areas, where space is large and WiFi is scarce, this is very convenient.
My parents are very happy; they can remotely view and control the cameras through the Xiaomi app anytime, which I feel is a very good investment.
Time Spent on Consoles#
I spent a lot of time on the PS4/Switch. Special mentions go to "P5R," "Dragon Quest Builders 2," and "Fire Emblem."
March#
AI Drawing#
In March, I was playing with AI drawing, using local SD, remote MJ, Baidu's, and also checking out others' shared GPT code interpreters; this software-related information is worth mentioning.
Developer Ecosystem Offline Event#
I attended quite a few offline events last year, and this was the first one, completely opening up a long-sealed journey of offline events, where I gained a lot of interesting knowledge. Plus, this event provided meals with the ticket, and I enjoyed the self-service food, which was a dual satisfaction of physical and mental fulfillment.
No Regrets for Not Buying the Shadow Spirit 9 at Launch#
At that time, I didn't have a particularly powerful machine, especially after AI became popular; I was envious without a graphics card. The 13th generation Intel CPUs were extremely popular, and HP's machine had particularly good hardware parameters and high cost-performance ratio, which I liked a lot but didn't buy.
I had been eyeing the parameters for a long time and initially decided to purchase it, but the launch was very popular, and I couldn't get it. I didn't want to pay scalpers' prices, so I regretfully gave up. My mindset was quite obsessed at that time, haha; looking back now, it’s quite amusing.
Second-Hand iPad Mini 4#
I have an iPad 9.7 inches and a 12-inch Xiaomi tablet at home. I had been wanting to buy an 8-inch tablet; the iPad Mini 6 was quite expensive and heavy, and the only Android option was a Lenovo one, which I didn't want to buy as a Xiaomi fan and found it expensive. I considered a domestic 8-inch tablet, but later thought of getting an iPad Mini 4, and after a long wait on the second-hand market, I finally got this one.
After getting it, I was a bit disappointed and regretted it; this model was quite laggy, and the first few seconds of watching videos on Bilibili would stutter. I don't know how other machines perform. The system upgraded to the latest version, and I couldn't downgrade.
Later, I carried it with me during commutes, and it was quite good for reading WeChat articles and comics, plus it’s very light and doesn’t feel heavy in my pocket. Now I feel it was worth it; I just use it as a media player and reading tool.
April#
Bluetooth Earphones#
At that time, I thought I lost my Bluetooth earphones, so I bought a pair of fake AirPods from Huaqiangbei, which were very cheap. They worked fine with Android and were very convenient. They weren't expensive, and I bought quite a few Bluetooth earphones this year, and this was one of them.
First of the Year: MacBook Air M1#
The happiest thing of the year, first place. The second is the Xiaomi 13. I previously mentioned wanting to buy a machine with strong graphics performance, and later found that Apple's M1 chip also performs well in AI. Plus, I really like macOS, and I was using a Mac for work, so I thought about getting an M1 computer. I had a budget of 6k, and I needed 16G of memory, so I waited for a while and bought the M1 Air for 7k, 16+2T.
The machine works perfectly, no issues, and it's still under warranty. However, I suspect the 2T is modified from Huaqiangbei, but the read/write speed is strong, so it doesn't matter.
This year, I happened to be unemployed for a while and looking for a place to study; having a super energy-efficient computer was really nice. The more I used it, the happier I became; I didn't have to find a place to charge during the day, and I could write code with a fully charged screen. Intel chip Macs just don't compare, and it doesn't heat up at all; this Air has a fanless design, making it particularly quiet. I'm really happy; I won't need to upgrade for a while.
Also, the M1 runs SD very smoothly; although it's a bit slow, it works effectively. I downloaded models from the community and researched prompts, which was quite good. At that time, I was excited to see AI-generated beauties, but after seeing too many, my threshold increased, which is a good thing. I just didn't understand it well; I was just an ordinary novice user.
Anytime, Anywhere Photography Mood#
On my way home from work, I could just take out my phone and take pictures. It still makes me happy; having a comfortable phone for photography brings me a lot of joy.
Pre-order for Tears of the Kingdom#
The annual gaming blockbuster, Tears of the Kingdom, can be pre-ordered! I pre-ordered it on PDD right away and was particularly excited when I took the screenshot. Initially priced at 330 yuan, it should be much cheaper now.
May#
Tears of the Kingdom#
Tears of the Kingdom is really fun; it was around mid-May when the overseas pirated version leaked. I ran it on my M1; it was a bit laggy, and I was afraid of spoilers, so I didn't play much. The shipping was slow, and customs clearance was also slow; I only received the physical cartridge at the end of the month.
This is a screenshot from the emulator; the graphics were stunning: the color scheme, the level of detail, and the dragons flying in the sky were so vivid. I carefully switched perspectives, afraid to move too much, and closely observed what this world had become.
I vividly remember one time going underground, and suddenly a huge monster lunged at me and ate me, which scared me to death. At first, I was terrified of going underground; even small bugs scared me. Indeed, the fear of darkness and the unknown is the most terrifying; after getting familiar with it, it became much better, just like the centaur teacher in Breath of the Wild. But that naive and learning mindset was particularly joyful.
Later, I watched tutorials on building vehicles with puzzle blocks, and I was particularly happy navigating mazes. After that, I got busy and put it down; I’ll play again when I have the chance. I also took a break before finishing Breath of the Wild.
Type-C to HDMI Adapter Cable#
It works well; my Apple computer doesn't have an HDMI port, so I always need to use an adapter. I searched on PDD and found a Type-C to HDMI adapter, which is very convenient for connecting to a monitor. I don’t have many devices to use daily; one for charging and one for an external monitor is enough.
My desktop looks cleaner now, with a white cable that seems to cost around 20 yuan.
Moving#
I moved while working in Beijing, and it was still the Blue Rhino.
June#
Immersed in Tears of the Kingdom#
Here’s a screenshot of the maze location in Tears of the Kingdom, showing how engrossed I was at the time.
July#
Beautiful AI QR Code#
I didn’t quite understand the popular net control at the time, but I used a tool developed by someone else to generate interesting QR codes. Below is the podcast website I created, which can be scanned directly with WeChat.
One-to-Two Microphone#
I bought a cheap microphone on PDD for 100 yuan. It’s a Shenzhen brand. This is a wireless microphone, one plugs into the phone, and the other two can clip onto clothes. I intended to use it for offline interviews. Later, the Vue Conf 2023 in China was canceled. I ended up using it myself, but I didn’t record any offline podcasts. It’s been idle, waiting for when I can use it again.
August#
Third of the Year: Mountain Bike from Credit Card Signup#
Self-rated as the third happiest of the year! Costing 0 yuan, there was an event at a mall near my community where signing up for a credit card got you a mountain bike. I had always wanted a cool bike with gears when I was a kid, but they were either not sold or too expensive; now my dream has come true.
In the cool afternoons of summer, I could ride a bit further, exploring nearby parks and attractions, despite sweating a lot. At first, I particularly disliked the hard seat and even bought cycling shorts, but I never wore them since I didn’t ride that far, and I got used to it relatively quickly.
Moreover, I had just become unemployed, giving me plenty of time to enjoy riding, which likely greatly increased my happiness while cycling.
Mountain Bike Trainer#
I bought this on a second-hand platform; I ride it in the community square at night, which is relatively safer. I haven’t used it much; once I started working, I stopped playing. Indeed, working is the biggest obstacle to enjoying life.
September#
Portable LED Light#
I bought this while watching a live stream on PDD for less than ten yuan. It’s very bright when turned on, has a magnetic back, and is rechargeable. Now it’s kept with my keychain; no matter how dark it is, it gives me a sense of security. I wish I had one for the underground areas in Tears of the Kingdom.
Bluetooth Earphones for Cycling#
I found this very cheap on PDD, around fifty yuan? Regular Bluetooth earphones can get sweaty and uncomfortable while cycling, so concepts like ear hooks and bone conduction are quite suitable. I saw this one, which is small and clips onto the ear, staying stable even when shaking my head. I’ve used it a few times, and it feels pretty good; it’s nice to listen to some music while cycling.
Second-Hand Blackberry 9930#
I bought this on a second-hand platform; I remember it cost over a thousand yuan when I bought it second-hand ten years ago, and now it’s down to a tenth of that. I particularly liked this phone; its feel and design were very cool. If I were to buy a more modern Blackberry, the price would be higher, and it wouldn’t be very useful. The Key2 was previously priced over a thousand, which isn’t worth it. When I changed phones, the first thing I did was set the Blackberry ringtone to the same one as the president in "House of Cards," which was very satisfying. I bought it but left it idle, just as a display piece. I have too many phones; this one doesn’t even count as a backup.
Upgraded to the Latest macOS#
I was excited for a while, but there wasn’t much change.
The biggest change was the lock screen wallpaper, which became animated and was a video. Later, I found it troublesome and turned it off.
Capture Card#
I got this on a second-hand platform; it’s a 4K+ capture card with one input and two outputs: one for recording video on a dedicated machine and the other as a monitor. I recorded some gameplay of "Harry Potter" and "God of War" on PS4, but once I started working, I stopped playing. It’s useful and worth it.
October#
Long-Awaited MIUI 14 Update#
After a tumultuous end of the year, I stopped using the developer version and finally awaited MIUI 14, which is more stable and supports better video streaming, allowing me to watch Bilibili on my phone and easily push it to my Xiaomi tablet. Who would have thought that two months later, it would change from MIUI 14 to HyperOS?
Electronic Dictionary Pen#
I discovered this while browsing Xiaomi's store; it felt great to scan and translate. It can also recognize and input text, and the whole process is very smooth. It’s particularly suitable for entering previous text diaries into the computer without needing to connect to the internet and spend extra money.
Later, I bought a similar one on a second-hand platform; it worked well, but once I started working, it became idle.
November#
Physical Printed Heat Transfer Stickers#
This is a very cool item; I found it on PDD for under fifty yuan. You provide some colorful patterns, and the owner prints them for you. You can use a household iron to press the sticker onto clothes, hats, or bags. It’s the cheapest and most basic DIY printing solution, and the printed part is not breathable. If you need better breathability and stability, you can pay extra.
I had this printed on my T-shirt and long-sleeve shirt, and I wore them during events and appearances, feeling very satisfied and professional! Of course, it can also be illustrations, text, or anything.
USB4 Hard Drive Enclosure#
I learned about this from a Bilibili video; the USB4 read/write speed is faster than the built-in one from Apple, reportedly around 3000M per second.
After starting work, the company provided a Mac Mini M2 with 16+256 specs, but the hard drive was too small. Earlier this year, USB4 enclosures were priced around seven to eight hundred, but by the end of the year, due to technological updates, they dropped to under three hundred. In the second half of this year, M2 hard drives plummeted in price after the production cycle, and the price went up again. The USB4 hard drive enclosure, paired with a 2T domestic SSD, was purchased for 630 yuan, and when plugged into the Mac Mini, it flew, even faster than the built-in hard drive.
I use it every day.
Redmi Harry Potter Bluetooth Earphones Redmi Buds 4#
Purchased on PDD for 250 yuan.
The third Bluetooth earphones of the year, bought for my wife. I mainly liked the Harry Potter collaboration, and it came with a small case for the earphones, which is very delicate and compact, along with related skins for controls, full of details. The earphones themselves are decent, with some noise cancellation, and they work well with Xiaomi devices, with smooth pop-ups and controls.
December#
Story Inside the Sword of Lily#
A crazy December, I spent every day pondering the story inside "The Sword of Lily," which features grand and rich character portrayals, and the game's graphics, story, and character traits are all appealing. Although it’s a mobile game, I particularly enjoyed the story.
After a while, I understood the story pretty well, but I couldn’t draw new characters, and I lost patience, so I stopped playing. Watching professional UP owners analyze the story on Bilibili was also great.
In the summer, I watched others play "Octopath Traveler" and "Dragon Quest 11s" on Bilibili, which was very enjoyable, and it’s less stressful than playing myself. I’ve really aged; just watching the story satisfies me.
It’s also a pity; long working hours hinder all time-consuming entertainment.
Upgraded to HyperOS#
The new system for Xiaomi phones; I was excited watching the launch event, eagerly anticipating the new OTA update. That feeling of anticipation was quite nice. After the update, there wasn’t much change; the notification drop-down bar changed significantly, but other aspects weren’t very noticeable.
Conclusion#
This article took quite a bit of time to write, find images, and translate purchase records.
I recalled many different feelings: the anticipation after dreaming, the hesitation after deciding to buy, the excitement of awaiting delivery after placing an order, the joy of unboxing, the pleasure of using it, and finally, the normalization of it all.
Haha, I look forward to 2024 bringing more joy from digital products.