Bear with me. It’s kinda return to 20 years ago. But I admit, I still have this “Gadgets Itch”. A feeling whereby I have a crave to buy stuffs, which might not be essential, but to satisfy my pleasure. There’s a joyful feeling to browse and look at the options of the stuffs I’m eyeing, whether in Tokopedia or what I recently love: Facebook Marketplace.
Sometimes, after buying a gadget, my joy fades, especially when I realize I didn’t really need it (like the Sony PS Portal). However, there are times I’m glad about my purchase. My latest laptop, the MacBook Air M3, was a good buy because I need it for work and my Doctoral studies.
Having said all of that, I’m still eyeing some other gadgets. Time will tell, if I, either buy all of these. Buy some of them, and being happy. Or remorse. Without further due, here are my updated gadget wish list, 2025 edition:
Gadgets Wishlist (recently bought):
Playstation Portal
I thought I will be using this quite extensively. As the premise to play games leisurely on the couch was attractive. Alas, my old eyes couldn’t stand playing for long time in such smaller screen. And the inability to use it outside home network really limit the usage of this gagdet.
Usefulness Rating: 2/5
DJI Mini 3
Bought this drone specifically to document our trip to New Zealand last year. The small drone is a replacement of my more powerful, and professional quality DJI Mavic. But with its weight less than 268 gr, it doesn’t need official registration and license, which is great escape from those hassles. Managed to use it quite nicely in NZ, but the new drone does not see many flying hours upon return from that trip.
Usefulness rating: 3/5
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
A great vlogging device, I bought this second hand from a seller in Facebook Marketplace. I didn’t regret my purchase, as the device had plenty of use. Whether it’s to record my golf swing videos, our @GemblungGolfers golf reels, or my recent trip to Umroh and Australia. The much improved quality of the sensor and lenses from my original DJI Osmo Pocket really pleases me.
Usefulness rating: 5/5
Macbook Air M3
I was a bit hesitating buying the new laptop, as it needs quite a lot of money, whereas I thought I could maximize the use of my iPad Pro as laptop replacement.
But then I realized that I could make use of the Gold gift from my previous employer, while the price of gold is raising. And voila! I have a new laptop, which is an excellent purchase, as I use it extensively for my current work and Doctoral degree study.
Usefulness Rating: 5/5
Gadgets Wishlist
Garmin Approach S70
I’ve been playing golf quite a lot lately. While my old Garmin watch (Forerunner 945) still does the job to record the score, and assist me for the GPS yardages on the course, but I can’t help but to wonder how delightful it is to play golf with a golf-dedicated GPS watch such as Garmin Approach S70. Add it with bright, colorful OLED screen and crisp graphics, I’m drooling.
Marshall Emberton III
My home working station needs an upgrade on the sound department. The current speaker: Siren X30 is a cheap speaker bought in Tokopedia. Of course, it works. But this wishlist is not only about functionality. It’s about temptation. LOL. But I’m telling you, this portable speaker sounds big (great to bring over in golf course), has built-in microphone for a VC session, and cool retro-looking of Marshall amp, which really suit with my taste of rock music.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
My current iPhone is iPhone 12 Pro. I bought it 4 years ago. In the past, normally I replaced my phone after 2 new phone model launch. This already the fourth. But honestly, I don’t feel the need to upgrade, as phone technology has been plateauing in recent years. But with weaken battery, and inferior camera and video capability, I might need to upgrade if the time and price are right. Let’s see.
Apple Airpod 4 (or Airpod Pro 3)
As user of Apple Airpod Pro for the past four years, I think the Anti-Noise-Cancelling earphone is one of the best product released by Apple. I used it extensively. For meetings, sport companion, or listening to podcast or Tiktok videos (yeah!) during commute. But recently my Airpod Pro suffers from hissing noise defect when its ANC is turned on. The battery is also getting weaker. I think it’s about time to upgrade. But I somehow not convinced to “downgrade” to Airpod 4, while the Airpod Pro 3 is still yet to be released (perhaps Q3 2025). Maybe should try it first to judge the audio quality of this new earphones.
I’m continuing my study to Doctoral degree. And I need to do A LOT of readings. I’m kinda thinking I need a bit of incentives to push me to read. And buying a Kindle is one. Yes I know, I have an iPad, but the non-intrusive character of Kindle should help me to focus more on reading. And the paperwhite screen should be easier on the eyes. All of these just an excuses to get another gadget to satisfy my curiosity and pleasure? Maybe. Haha.
That’s it. Such a pleasure to write this. Almost as the same as browsing them over marketplace. Hahaha. Let’s see what happens in the next few months.