Reviews Archives | Tim Geelen

Review of Pakt One: The Ultimate Travel Bag

August 22, 2018 by Tim Geelen Leave a Comment

Have you been looking for a good travel bag? Do you like the structured organization of a suitcase? The convenience of a duffel bag? Are you tired of owning numerous backpacks and bags – each for a different purpose? Then look no further: the Pakt One can be the solution for you.

Bag Bonanza

Like many, I acquired a variety of gym bags, messenger bags, backpacks, duffel bags and suitcases throughout the years. And of course I always had a “valid” excuse for each one. When I went on a business trip, I used a professional looking suitcase. But this suitcase was either too formal for going on vacation or too big for short weekend trips. So it felt justified to buy a more casual duffel bag as well. I also had a cheap gym bag, which of course could hardly be used for anything else. And then I still needed a messenger bag or backpack for my daily commute, as well as a suitable bag for the gun range.

So I ended up owning many bags and wasted a lot of money in the process. Most of them collected dust in a corner as they were only rarely used.

After I adopted minimalism in my life, I noticed how much space these things were taking up in my closet. What a waste! So I donated them all and started looking for a suitable all-in-one alternative. I just needed one bag to use in a variety of situations:

A daily commute bag for my laptop, chargers, lunch, water bottle, spare change of clothes…
A quality gym bag.
A gun range bag.
A professional looking travel bag for business trips.
A casual travel bag for vacations.

Enter the Pakt One

When watching the award-winning documentary Minimalism I noticed a very peculiar bag. It was the Getaway, a travel bag designed by environmentalist and entrepreneur Malcolm Fontier. Popular authors and bloggers Colin Wright and Joshua Fields Millburn – both featured in the documentary – were avid users of the Getaway. The bag got a lot of attention and many inquired where they could purchase it. Sadly, the Getaway was no longer available as production ended in 2012.

As a result of this renewed interest, Malcolm partnered with Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists and founded Pakt Bags. This endeavor quickly led to a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. The company quickly acquired over 2400% of the requested funds and production could begin. The Pakt One bag is the result of this new venture, and is the direct successor of the Getaway.

Features

So what is the Pakt One? Malcolm Fontier describes his product as follows:

The Pakt One is an innovative carry-on travel bag that combines the portability of a duffel with the organization and structure of a suitcase.

And that description is spot-on. After several weeks of dedicated use, I can safely say that this bag lives up to the hype and that it fits all my criteria. The Pakt One is the perfect combination of a suitcase and a duffel bag.

When opening the main zipper, the Pakt One folds open in half, allowing access to the two main compartments of the bag. One is closed off with a mesh divider (so you can easily see the contents) while the other is covered by the quilted laptop compartment. Zip each one open to access the storage area. Each of these compartments also contains two mesh pockets, allowing the storage of small, loose items. When the bag is closed, the interior of each side can also be accessed through the top-access zippers to easily retrieve some items while on the go.

Externally, the Pakt One features two zippered pockets on the front – one including a key clip and card slots – while on the back there is a magnetic magazine sleeve. The back also contains another side storage compartment with a very handy TSA pocket.

The Pakt One is available in 3 colors: a rugged black, a stylish grey with pewter hardware, and a beautiful navy blue with bronze interior compartments and brass metal fittings. All bags have the same dimensions:

Length of 20″ (50.8 cm); width of 10″ (25.4 cm); and height of 11″ (27.9 cm)
Empty weight of 3.25 lbs (1.74 kg)
35 liter capacity

The Pakt One also comes with a small separate laundry bag, which can easily be folded up and stored within. More accessories are reportedly in development.

Build Quality

Not only is the Pakt One a stylish and good looking bag, it is also sturdy and well-built. I bought the grey version, which is constructed of a coated polyester canvas exterior. The metal fittings are also of good quality and – contrary to other brands – have not failed me yet. The black version is reportedly constructed with even more durable materials and is the most rugged option, with premium water-resistant zippers and using 420D nylon dobby.

A downside for me are the internal zippers. They frequently snag or are not always as easy to open or close the inner compartments when packing/unpacking. I’m not sure if this is caused by the form factor of the bag, the quality of the zippers themselves, or a combination of both.

Additionally, the zipper of the Pakt One‘s inner laptop compartment caused some minor scuff marks on my 2016 15″ MacBook Pro during travel. As the zipper does not contain a protective strip, it can make direct contact with the chassis of your computer. I recommend you use a sleeve for your computer, although some laptops will then just barely fit in the bag’s designated compartment.

The zippers are the only negative issue I’ve found with this bag so far. It’s not the end of the world, but it is just a bit of a downer for what is otherwise a quality product.

Environmentally Friendly

True to his ethos, Malcolm only used durable and sustainable materials in the Pakt One. As he is also the founder and CEO of SeaHive, he takes the environment at heart. SeaHive aims to fight plastic pollution in our oceans through intelligent design and awareness. Quite a commendable initiative – one I can only support.

As a result, the Pakt One bag is delivered without any plastic packaging but in a stylish paper wrap instead.

Conclusion

Pros: Suitcase/duffel hybrid; extremely versatile; sustainable materials; good build quality…
Cons: … expect for the internal zippers.

I am absolutely aware of the irony of recommending the purchase of yet another product as a minimalist. But the Pakt One has already provided much added value to my life. And just like Joshua Fields-Millburn states: “minimalism is about only possessing those items that provide great value to your life. To intentionally own stuff. And to live more with less.”

This bag goes everywhere with me. And with some extra packing cubes, it is an incredibly versatile item to use. In just minutes, I transform the Pakt One into my daily commute bag, a gym kit, a gun range bag, or a travel bag for either a vacation or business trip.

It’s just a shame about the internal zippers; they could use an upgrade and a bit more thought. Adding a protective strip to the zipper for the laptop compartment would prevent potential damage to your devices.

If you want this bag, you will need to hurry. You can still pre-order through the Indiegogo campaign with a 15% discount, although it is scheduled to end soon. Afterwards you will pay the full price of $325 (approximately 280.61€). Yes, that’s a bit pricey, but the Pakt One is definitely worth it. And you will likely use this bag daily for years to come, its price-per-use will diminish over time – making the Pakt One a worthwhile investment.

Take care and until next time.

Review of Gab.ai: Free Speech Social Network

April 1, 2018 by Tim Geelen Leave a Comment

We’re at war. You might have not realized it yet, but you are a pawn in a culture war. On this specific battlefield, conservatives and libertarians are fighting leftist “progressives,” socialists, and neo-Marxist communists. This leftist collective wants to destroy one of the West’s most critical democratic values: your freedom of speech. They want to silence any dissident voice and make George Orwell’s 1984 dystopia a reality. This is not an exaggeration. The free flow of information online is in danger, as leftist-dominated tech companies are now actively censoring conservatives and libertarians. Luckily, dissenting rebels can again speak freely on a new community platform that truly respects freedom of speech. Welcome to Gab.

The War on Free Speech

The political left in the West – supported by leftist Big Tech companies – has been continuously eroding your rights, and especially your freedom of speech.

We are at the point where daring to question the massive, uncontrolled immigration of the third world into Europe and North America leads to being labeled a “xenophobe.” You are concerned about the factual overrepresentation of certain demographics in violent crime statistics? Congratulations, you’re a “racist!” If you oppose the leftist narrative, you’re automatically a “Nazi.” If someone even feels slightly offended by your words, you have committed “violence in the form of hate speech.”

In every case, leftists will go out of their way to vilify, harass, and even physically attack you in retaliation.

Of late, this assault on free speech is also rampant in the digital world. Major tech companies in Silicon Valley have been purging conservative and libertarian voices from their platforms in a massive censorship campaign.

The Digital Stasi

For instance, Facebook has been censoring conservative websites for some time now, while its CEO Mark Zuckerberg conspires with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to actively suppress posts and accounts critical of the European refugee crisis. And let’s not even discuss Facebook’s complete disregard for your privacy.

YouTube employs the Southern Poverty Law Center – a known far-left extremist organization – in its Trusted Flagger program in order to police content on their website. The SPLC has routinely labeled multiple conservative organizations as “hate groups.” If you consider yourself to the right of Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and their ilk on the political spectrum, this extremist group will not hesitate to dox, harass and slander you. YouTube also just recently started another censorship campaign by banning a lot of gun-related content and creators. Second Amendment supporters, hunters and competitive sport shooters are therefore no longer allowed to use YouTube to create and share content on this subject.

Twitter is the worst of them all. Its employees have been caught admitting that they actively ban conservative accounts, read all your direct messages and also look at all the “private” photos you send. If you expose pedophiles that use Twitter to share child pornography, you get banned while the pedophiles themselves are left alone. At the same time, ISIS terrorist supporters, anti-white racists, and leftist comedians on a homophobic rant are all tolerated on Twitter, but if you are even a tiny bit right-wing you have got to go.

Many people are fed up with the hypocritical double standard by these digital Stasi. They are leaving Facebook and Twitter in search for better alternatives.

Say Hello to Gab.com!

Gab can fill this void. Previously known as Gab.ai, this social network was created in 2016 by a small, dedicated team as an alternative to Twitter. Here’s how the creators of Gab describe their product:

Gab is an ad-free social network dedicated to preserving individual liberty, the freedom of speech, and the free flow of information on the internet. A free and open internet is essential to the future of a free world. Freedom is creative. It produces. It generates. From freedom flows truth, beauty, wisdom, and growth.

I’m proud to be one of Gab’s original members – joined in August 2016 – while the website was still in beta and only accessible upon invitation. I’ve seen it grow from a buggy website to a professional community platform with a lot of interesting features. I’m truly impressed what Gab’s CEO Andrew Torba and his team have achieved in such a short time.

Minor bugs still pop up here and there, but are getting rarer with each major update.

Gab Features

Unlike Twitter, you have a longer character count (i.e. 300 characters). Gab also has an edit function – gone are the days where you had to delete a post because of that one minor grammatical error. You like certain content creators and want to support their work? On Gab, you can directly tip them and throw a couple of bucks their way. Like Reddit, you can upvote or downvote posts. Gab also features user-controlled chat rooms and private messaging.

There are also no ads on Gab. In the early days, volunteer members gave donations to the Gab team in order to fund the project. Now that its user base has grown, other options have become available.

For starters, members can upgrade their free basic accounts to a Gab Pro account for $5.99 per month. This grants access to more features like extended character counts and the ability to make premium content. You can also purchase merchandise on the official Gab Store. Serious supporters of Gab’s mission can even directly invest in Gab shares via their Regulation A+ Security Token Offering. To date, the company has already raised over $5 million.

Gab also has an alternative for YouTube. Enter Gab Videos, where every member can share video content. Standard Gab accounts receive 500 MB per video for free. Gab Pro creators get an upgrade to 1 GB per video and the ability to livestream.

But most importantly, Andrew Torba and his crew firmly commit themselves to protect your freedom of speech. In fact, he insisted that all are welcome on Gab, no matter your ideology or viewpoint. Nobody will silence or censor you. You are truly free to speak your mind.

There are just 3 simple rules:

Illegal pornographic material is forbidden.
Do not threaten anyone with violence or terrorism.
Do not expose anyone’s private information.

A negative point? The lack of a dedicated iOS app. Yet Gab is not to blame for this. The Gab team did create an iOS app, but Apple repeatedly refused to allow the Gab app on their App Store for spurious reasons. Torba thought ahead and made a Progressive Web App (PWA) for its platform. Now you just add the Gab website to your iOS home screen and voila – a fully functional PWA. You won’t notice the difference. Google also rejected the Gab app from its Google Play store for “hate speech.” But you can still directly download the Android app on your phone.

I also miss the feature to directly embed my Gab posts in my blog articles.

Wear your support of Free Speech with Gab merchandising.

The “Nazi Problem”

“But what about all those evil Nazis on Gab?”

Oh, cut it out. You can find morons everywhere you go. Yes, you can encounter some retarded Neo-Nazis on Gab. You will however find hordes more anti-white racists, supporters of Islamic terrorism, violent communists, and other vile scum on Twitter and Facebook. Clearly you don’t have a problem with them. So why do a handful members of an extreme political fringe movement on the right suddenly concern you?

I hate National Socialists. But I don’t want them banned from Gab or any other social media network. No matter how despicable anyone’s viewpoints may be, everyone still has a right to speak. As Evelyn Beatrice Hall once wrote:

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

So suck it up, buttercup. You are treated like an adult on this social network. And you control your own experience. Gab will not act as a moderator – you will.

Think of it this way: you are in a discussion with a group of people in a public square. Do you think it is acceptable to prevent any person from speaking? Do you forbid that person from listening and criticizing your point of view? No. Only authoritarian scum would do that.

It is better to persuade your opponent with facts and logic. Or in the worst case scenario, you remove yourself from the discussion and stop listening. After all, my right to speak does not imply that you are obligated to listen.

This is a fundamental principle on Gab: you cannot block anyone from seeing your content or prevent them commenting on it. You can however mute another member, so that this individual’s posts will not be visible to you – but they are still visible to others. You can also apply a keyword filter, so certain posts will never show up in your feed.

Conclusion

Pros: Resolute support to your freedom of speech; no ads; control your own experience.
Cons: Minor bugs; no embedded Gab posts; lack of dedicated iOS app.

Gab.com is swiftly becoming one of the rare places online where freedom of speech still means something. On top of that, the social network has several interesting features to offer. How you control your own experience is truly unique. It is really refreshing to be treated like an adult on Gab and to be your own moderator. The lack of annoying ads is also another testament to the greater vision of Andrew Torba.

However, one of the biggest concerns is the lack of a dedicated iOS app. Apple’s continued banning of the Gab app on its App Store hampers the social network’s expansion. Gab’s PWA partly solves this issue, but the importance of having a dedicated app on the most popular app store cannot be discounted.

Nonetheless, if you respect freedom of speech and are mature enough to handle different viewpoints, Gab.com is the place for you. If not, Twitter and Facebook will be better suited. You can always join the adults later when you grow up.

Take care and until next time.

Update on 27 Sep 2018: Gab has changed its URL from Gab.ai to Gab.com. I have changed all links in this article and updated some content where needed.

Review of Walther PPQ M2 Pistol

December 12, 2017 by Tim Geelen Leave a Comment

After firing over 1.000 rounds through this pistol and owning it for over a year, it was time to write a comprehensive review of the Walther PPQ M2.

Having carried and fired several pistols throughout my professional career – ranging from the classic FN Browning Hi-Power to the more modern Glock 19 and FN Five-seveN – I was interested in my own polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol for personal training and home defense. After reading many great reviews, I finally decided to buy the PPQ M2 made by Walther Arms.

Variants

Released in 2013, the base Police Pistol Quick Defense Model 2 (PPQ M2) is available in 6 variants (i.e. either chambered in 9mm or .40 S&W, and with a 4 or 5 inch barrel length). The special Navy version of the PPQ M2 (chambered in 9mm) has a threaded barrel which allows a sound suppressor. Additionally, the preceding PPQ Classic, the PPQ .22 (chambered in .22 LR), and the PPQ 45 (chambered in .45 ACP) are also sold and are based on the same platform.

I chose the basic PPQ M2 9mm with the 4-inch barrel. But even this basic variant came with a high price tag. I payed 889.75€ in Belgium – thanks to the higher taxes. Steep, but it turned out to be worth every penny.

Walther PPQ M2 Technical Details


Model Number	2796066
Finish	Black
Caliber	9 x 19mm Parabellum
Capacity	15 rounds
Overall Length	18.03 cm \| 7.1 in
Barrel Length	10.16 cm \| 4 in
Height	13.46 cm \| 5.3 in
Width	3.30 cm \| 1.3 in
Weight	694.56 g \| 24.5 oz (empty)
Trigger Travel	1.02 cm \| 0.4 in
Trigger Pull	2.54 kg \| 5.6 lb
Safety	3 auto

Now what comes in the box? The actual pistol, obviously, but also 2 double-stack metal magazines (holding 15 rounds each), a speed loader, 3 removable back-straps, the user manual, and a test target. A chamber flag and cable lock were also included, but I seem to have misplaced them somewhere – likely in the trash can.

Pistol Frame & Slide

So what is the main difference between the Walther PPQ M2 and its predecessor, the PPQ Classic? One main thing: the magazine release mechanism. The PPQ Classic uses the European paddle-style magazine release at the trigger guard, while the PPQ M2 uses the more traditional (and reversible) thumb release button. Personally, I prefer the push-button instead of the ambidextrous levers, so the M2 was a good choice for me.

The PPQ M2 also comes equipped with a picatinny rail on its frame (for mounting a flashlight or laser), a loaded chamber indicator, front and rear slide serrations, a long slide stop, and 3-dot, low-profile polymer sights. The slide also features a Tenifer coating in a matte finish, providing good protection against corrosion and scuff marks.

This gun also comes with a typical 3 white-dot sight system. The front sight can easily be removed and replaced in order to adjust for elevation. The rear sights can be adjusted for windage with a click-system screw. Instructions are explained in detail in the user manual.

Of note is that magazines for the PPQ Classic are not compatible with the PPQ M2. So buyer beware! A magazine with extended base plate – holding 17 rounds – is also available.

Grip

I’m sure some of you are wondering why I didn’t go for Glock. It is a valid question. Glock offers ultra-reliable pistols at a very decent price. I tried both the Glock 17 and Glock 19, and they are are great pistols. Glock is certainly a reputable brand and I would recommend it to many – especially as a starter pistol. However, I just didn’t like how the Glock 19 felt in my hand. Something was just… off. It was not as comfortable when compared to the Walther PPQ M2.

This is exactly where Walther Arms makes the difference. The ergonomics of the PPQ M2’s grip – named the Cross-Directional Textured Tactical Grip – is amazing. It fit my hand perfectly. This grip was actually the deciding factor which made me purchase the Walther PPQ M2 and not the Glock 19. The non-slippery texture also allows for a firm hold and counters sweaty hands.

An added bonus is that the PPQ M2 comes with 3 removable back-straps in different sizes: small, medium and large. This allows shooters to easily modify the pistol grip according to their preferences. You just remove a small pin, swap the back-strap and re-insert the pin. Done in a matter of minutes!

Trigger & Safety

View on the trigger guard and safety trigger.

Walther Arms has an excellent reputation when it comes to its triggers, and it is well deserved! The single-action mode trigger on the Walther PPQ M2 is the best and smoothest I’ve ever fired. Walther reports a 1.02 cm (0.4 in) travel before reaching the firing point, and after each shot the trigger provides a short and very crisp reset. This trigger definitely allows for fast shooting combined with great accuracy.

Similar to other modern pistols, the PPQ M2 uses a safety trigger mechanism. This means that a lever in the middle of the trigger needs to be pressed before the trigger can be fully activated. Additionally, this pistol comes equipped with 3 built-in safeties to avoid accidental discharges: 2 drop safeties and an internal firing pin block allowing safer carry.

Shooting the Walther PPQ M2

As I was used to heavier, steel-framed pistols, it took some time to get used to the harsher recoil of the lighter Walther PPQ M2. But once I did, the pistol functioned admirably and is a very accurate shooter. Rest assured: you will have a lot of fun with this pistol on the range, and with proper technique you will fire awesome groupings. This pistol is also very comfortable to shoot, thanks to the aforementioned grip ergonomics.

I find the PPQ M2 to be very reliable too. After owning this gun for more than a year now, it has only malfunctioned once (when a round did not properly chamber).

Concealed Carry

Even with the shorter 4-inch barrel, the PPQ M2 is still a large and relatively bulky weapon. After all, it is designed as a duty pistol for Law Enforcement and Armed Forces personnel. For a person of average height, the PPQ M2 is therefore going to be uncomfortable to wear concealed – especially when carried inside the waistband.

I would recommend looking at other Walther Arms products for concealed carry, and in particular the new Walther PPS M2. This pistol is the PPQ M2’s little brother. It offers the same great features and functionality of the PPQ M2, but comes in a small and easily concealable package. In fact, I have this particular pistol on my purchase list and will add it to my personal arsenal soon.

Conclusion

Pros: Great reputation & build quality; superb grip ergonomics; exceptional trigger…
Cons: … but it all comes at premium price.

If you’re looking for a reliable and stunning striker-fired pistol, the Walther PPQ M2 will not disappoint you. However, the downside is that such quality comes at a high price – especially here in Belgium due to the high added taxes. Nonetheless, save up some more and buy it anyway; this pistol is definitely worth the money. It provides superior, off-the-shelf quality and reliability, while requiring little-to-no further modifications or fixes.

Personally, the Walther PPQ M2 is the best pistol I’ve ever shot and owned. Where Glock has set the standard for the modern polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol, Walther Arms has raised the bar with its PPQ M2 and brought the platform to perfection. This pistol truly provides great accuracy, ergonomics and an exceptional trigger!

I’m confident this gun will remain a favorite in my collection for years to come. I have no doubt it will serve its purpose well: an excellent range gun and home defense pistol, and also a reliable sidearm for when shit hits the fan.

Take care and until next time.

Review of Apple’s 2016 MacBook Pro

January 19, 2017 by Tim Geelen 1 Comment

It’s high time I finally write down my review of the 2016 MacBook Pro, Apple‘s latest iteration of mobile computers.

I fully transitioned to Apple’s computing ecosystem in 2009 when I purchased my first Macintosh computer-a fully specced MacBook Pro. It was fast, sturdy, upgradeable and highly reliable, and the synergy between hardware and software made it an absolute joy to use. I took great care of the device, and even after extensive daily use and a couple of deployments abroad, the laptop still looked like new until the day of its demise.

In late 2015, I started to notice multiple graphical glitches and frequent green lines on my screen. After taking it to the Apple Store, the verdict was grim – the GPU was near death. My machine was also too old to be still eligible for repair.

So a new MacBook Pro was the logical choice. However, at that time, Apple was not on par with its competitors. Their 2015 MacBook Pro’s still used a 3-year old processor architecture. And not wanting to spend my hard earned cash on outdated hardware, I decided to wait.

In late 2016 – nearly a year after my old one broke – the upgraded 2016 MacBook Pro was finally released. I wasn’t incredibly impressed with the new features, but decided to order a fully specced build-to-order machine.

2016 MacBook Pro Quality Control Issues?

Once the device arrived on my doorstep, my initial excitement quickly turned into great disappointment.

When I opened the lid for the first time after unboxing, I immediately detected an ugly scuff mark underneath the left speaker. It was not a scratch as the surface of the aluminium body was smooth. Whatever it was, it was distracting and noticeable from different angles under day light conditions.

Scuff mark damage on the 2016 MacBook Pro aluminium body.

Already in a foul mood, I continued my thorough inspection and tests of the device. On several occasions I encountered minor to severe graphical issues. After the umpteenth glitch, my tolerance reached its boiling point and the computer went back into its box. Clearly I received a faulty, defective product. This was not something I was willing to accept. I promptly returned the MacBook Pro and demanded – and received – a full refund. To be fair, the Apple staff were very forthcoming and helpful.

Graphical glitches on the new 2016 MacBook Pro.

After further online research, it turned out I was far from the only person with these problems. Several people already complained about identical cosmetic damage on their 2016 MacBook Pro on a MacRumors forum thread. I also noticed many reports on similar graphical glitches.

Despite my doubt and increasing reluctance, I placed a new order for another MacBook Pro with the same specifications. Upon delivery, the replacement went through a new inspection. This time the machine passed the test. It’s this 2016 MacBook Pro I’ve been working on these past weeks and the subject of this review.

System Specifications

Generally I opt for the highest tier MacBook versions. Together with my OCD-level of care, this ensures that most of my electronic devices will last me for several years. This time, I chose a 2016 MacBook Pro with the following build-to-order configuration:


Version	15-inch MBP with Touch Bar
Finish	Silver
Processor	2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (6th Generation Skylake)
Storage	1 TB PCIe-based onboard SSD
Memory	16 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Graphics	Radeon Pro 460 with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory
Ports	4 Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) ports
Battery	Up to 10 hours of standard use

Coming from a 2009 computer, the 2016 MacBook Pro is a major upgrade for me in the hardware department. It’s a solid combination of good portability and decent performance. For a mobile computer, it is quite powerful and should handle everything I throw at it. So far, the quad-core Skylake processor is a definite improvement.

The Radeon Pro 460 GPU with 4 GB of memory should also be enough to drive my more graphically intensive tasks for the next couple of years. It isn’t the best and most modern graphics card available, but this GPU is a decent compromise between performance and portability (i.e. battery life).

Despite several online complaints on disappointing battery life, I personally have not had any problems with this. Any battery issues are now reportedly fixed after a software patch. Apple officially advertises up to 10 hours of battery life with normal use. And that’s about what I get, so no complaints there.

Memory & Storage

Surprisingly, the new MacBook Pro only comes equipped with 16 GB of RAM. To be fair, I doubt I will ever fully use 16 GB of RAM. But 32 GB of RAM would at least increase the longevity of my new laptop and prepare it for more advanced software. According to some technology reviews, the RAM restriction was another compromise between adequate performance and battery life. The upcoming Kaby Lake processors are reportedly also limited to 16 GB of LPDDR3 RAM, so don’t expect a 32 GB MacBook Pro anytime soon.

For data storage, you can choose 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB Solid State Drives. My films and music normally fill up my hard drive, but are now stored in the cloud. Therefore, I no longer need large capacity storage drives. The 1 TB SSD is therefore more than sufficient for my needs. The read/write speeds on this SSD are also impressive. It’s a very fast drive which will not disappoint you.

Thin, light and with a great build quality.

Thinner and Lighter…

This MacBook Pro is a beautiful engineering marvel. It truly is a thin and light machine, and pictures really don’t do it any justice. Despite its slim chassis, the notebook still feels very sturdy and solid. The plastic screen hinge from older versions is removed. The top screen and hinge are now made out of one solid piece of aluminium. It’s top notch and I know of no other computer manifacturer that comes close to Apple’s level of build quality.

The laptop’s retina screen is exceptional and definitely one of the more redeeming qualities of the 2016 MacBook Pro. Photos and video will show with deep and vivid colors on a great IPS-technology screen, supporting a resolution up 2880 x 1800 pixels.

The air vents are moved to the side of the chassis, allowing for better air circulation. This provides better cooling of the MacBook’s internal components. This is needed during high performance tasks, as MacBook Pro notebooks tend to get hot. This MacBook Pro is no different, although not as bad as earlier versions. The fans still spin like crazy, but are also noticeably quieter when compared to my 2009 MacBook Pro. During average use (i.e. writing, surfing, watching video, etc.), the 2016 version is very silent.

Two of 4 Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) ports on the new 2016 MacBook Pro.

… But With Less Options

Apple replaced all older USB Type-A ports with the newer USB Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity. These 4 new generation ports provide faster data transfer, while the Thunderbolt 3 controller allows you to connect a wide variety of peripherals to your device. All with one single port.

This understandable but unpopular decision will drive third party manufacturers forward to natively include USB Type-C connections on their devices. I have no problem to use an external dongle until that time. Another interesting point is that the Thunderbolt 3 controller will allow the use of external GPUs in the future, providing some extra longevity to my computer.

The beloved MagSafe connector is no longer present. This simple yet brilliant technology saved my previous MacBook Pro from death in many crowded situations. The magnetic charging connector prevented your computer to fly off your table when you (or someone else) tripped over the charging cable. It still don’t understand why Apple decided to remove one of its greatest features. You charge the 2016 MacBook Pro via any USB Type-C port of your choice.

View on the keyboard, trackpad and Touch Bar of the 2016 MacBook Pro.

The Touch Bar

The Touch Bar is the main feature advertised for the 2016 MacBook Pro. Instead of the traditional function keys, you have a digital OLED screen which displays app contextual menu options. It works okay. I have to occasionally press it multiple times before it properly registers my input.

Overall, the Touch Bar is a useless gimmick to me. It seems specifically designed for teenage girls for quick emoji selection. There’s no added value for normal and professional users at this time. Perhaps this will change as more apps integrate its functionality. Nonetheless, most computer-savvy people use actual keyboard shortcuts for a fast workflow. With the Touch Bar, you have to interrupt your focus by looking down to the bar and then back up to the main screen. Quite annoying.

Built into the power button is the Touch ID sensor. Similar to the recent generations of iPhone and iPad, this sensor allows you to unlock your computer with your fingerprint(s). Works great and fast. Sadly, it only works when you wake up your Mac from sleep or lock mode. Touch ID is not functional at all when you attempt to log on after booting your machine and will always require your password. Quite the disappointment. Especially since Windows computers have been able to do this for years. Yet another example of good intentions but sloppy execution.

Keyboard & Trackpad

Similar to the 12″ MacBook, Apple also used the new butterfly key mechanism in the 2016 MacBook Pro. I tried it on the MacBook and did not like the lack of key travel. And although the key travel improved slightly on the new MacBook Pro, I’m still not a fan. And the damn thing is loud. So fucking annoying. It will take time to get used to this keyboard.

Apple’s trackpads also have a well deserved reputation. No other computer brand has ever done them right. But in this new MacBook Pro, Apple took it too far. It’s absolutely massive. Too big even. My hands rest on the trackpad’s surface area while using the notebook, but that hardly gives me any issues. The palm rejection technology is quite good.

The non-tactile feedback is not on par, though. The trackpad frequently refuses to recognize my click and drag efforts. Moving files tends to become quite frustrating as a result. It is at times also difficult to determine the boundaries for my right clicks.

Conclusion

Pros: Quality build and design; solid performance in a portable package; amazing screen.
Cons: Ridiculously expensive; lack of real innovation; limited memory options; shitty keyboard.

Am I satisfied with the 2016 MacBook Pro? Mildly. Am I ecstatic about it? Hell no.

Don’t get me wrong, the laptop is doing its job. It is a good compromise between performance and portability, but comes at a high cost. I simply can’t shake the feeling that I paid way too much. Yes, I know Apple always charged a premium price for its products. And they used to be worth the high price. But now Apple is pushing it too far. The company seems to forget that its competitors are catching up. Based on online reactions, the increased price has put off many potential customers. If Apple continues this trend, it further risks alienating a big portion of its customer base.

Apple has become complacent. After the longest wait between upgrades, the only real new feature of the 2016 MacBook Pro is the Touch Bar. In times where Microsoft brings the impressive Surface Studio, the HoloLens, and easy 3D design/printing to the table, Apple only replaces the keyboard’s function keys with a useless touchscreen. Where’s the innovation? It seems like we’re now at the tipping point where Microsoft becomes the new innovator while Apple morphs into… the old Microsoft. Such a shame. With the old “think different”slogan in mind, Apple once used to stand for the creative rebels. That era is over. After all, CEO Tim Cook is more concerned about virtue signaling and social justice nonsense than actually building great products.

Nonetheless, I hope this MacBook Pro will serve me well enough for a couple of years. I’m moderately content with this new computer. However, if Apple doesn’t catch up with its competitors soon, this MacBook Pro may very well be the last Macintosh computer I own.

For now, I will predominantly use this machine to write my blog. If you want to start a blog as well, go check out the Bold & Determined BADNET service.

Take care of yourself and until next time.

Update on 1 March 2018: I lowered the score a bit more. I just can’t get used to this piece-of-shit keyboard.

Review of Nubian Heritage African Black Soap

July 31, 2016 by Tim Geelen Leave a Comment

Today I’ll tell you about a new favorite product of mine: Nubian Heritage’s African Black Soap. Yes, you read that right, I will review a bar of soap. But this is kick-ass soap. So read on and learn why.

Nubian Heritage

Starting out in Harlem, USA, in 1991, Nubian Heritage brought the healing properties of African black soap to the wider community. The company prides itself on using authentic cultural recipes and natural, fair trade ingredients.

For example, shea butter is a central key ingredient in their products. This substance can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where it was popular for hair and skin protection. The company gets its shea butter from women’s co-ops in Northern Ghana, cutting out the big corporations and thus ensure fair wages for these enterprising women. An initiative which I can only applaud.

Throughout the years, Nubian Heritage expanded and designed a wide range of wellness, skin and hair care products and collections. But their African Black Soap remained a central component and best seller, and turned the company into an entrepreneurial success.

African Black Soap

My first bar of African Black Soap. Certainly not the last!

African Black Soap originates from West Africa where it is known to reduce skin imperfections, irritations, and minor blemishes. Using natural ingredients, the African Black Soap provides good cleansing while still being gentle for the skin. The soap has been used to treat eczema, psoriasis, and other skin ailments in Africa for centuries.

I learned about African Black Soap when I found out it was the preferred soap of Bold & Determined‘s Victor Pride and Chris from Good Looking Loser. Victor even buys it in bulk. Both spoke highly of this product, so several weeks ago I decided to give the soap a chance. Ordered via Amazon, it arrived on my doorstep a week later.

I opened the boxes and retrieved several bars of black soap, all containing small particles. I’ve always used the typical white soap bar, so this was quite a peculiar change for me.

These are the organic ingredients of the soap:

African black soap base, coconut oil and/or palm oil, shea butter, oat kernel meal, Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice, plantain extract, vitamin E, vegetable glycerin, mineral pigment or vegetable color, natural fragrance and/or essential oil.

I immediately jumped in the shower to give it a try. The soap lathers easy and is a joy to use in the shower for both your face and body. Be warned: the soapy residue turns your tub and washcloth black. This is a result of the palm ash ingredient. It is normal, but unusual for a first time user. Just rinse properly afterwards – which you should’ve been doing anyway.

However, true appreciation for this soap will come after a few weeks of continued use, when your skin will look and feel better.

The Scent

It is pretty difficult to describe how this soap smells.

Chris from Good Looking Loser describes the scent of this African Black Soap as follows:

It’s hard to communicate how it smells, but I’d say that it is close to the just-got-off-the-beach smell. Not sweaty. Not completely like suntan lotion-just “beachy.”

That is actually a fairly accurate description of the soap’s scent. I couldn’t have said it better. I like that it’s not an overpowering smell, contrary to those chemically enhanced soaps which make me smell like a typical perfume store. The scent is present but faint. And above all, it just smells clean. Just the way I like it. And so does my girlfriend.

Conclusion

Pros: Nice scent; all natural ingredients.
Cons: Steep price; not for sale locally in Belgium.

When something comes highly recommend by both Victor Pride and Chris, I just knew I had to try it for myself. And I haven’t regretted that decision for a single second. I like that this African Black Soap is made up of natural products instead of a bunch of potentially harming chemicals.

After a couple of weeks of use, any minor skin blemishes disappeared or became less noticeable. I also love that the soap’s scent is not overly strong, but still makes me feel and smell clean. You can use this soap on both your body and face without any issues. Shea butter also acts as a moisturizer and leaves my skin feeling supple and less dry.

The small oats flakes in the soap bar supposedly help to exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells. However, the African Black Soap did not give a true scrubbing effect like a dedicated body scrub would. Luckily, I use a loofah while washing, getting my body the proper exfoliating it needs. Although, using a loofah has its risks, according to some sources.

Using this soap has made my shower routine much more enjoyable. Nubian Heritage African Black Soap is now my favorite soap, and I would definitely encourage everyone to give it a try. And I’d like to thank Victor and Chris in the process for the excellent recommendation!

Sadly, I have not found this soap in local stores here in Belgium. So like Victor Pride, I have to order it online. And that’s where the negative point comes in. It’s pretty expensive, costing at around 4.00€ (approximately $4.99) for one bar of soap. I would still pay that, as it is that good. But there’s also the very steep shipping costs to take into consideration, and that often triples the total cost. I can get decent soap for a just couple of cents here in local stores, so as a minimalist, purchasing African Black Soap online makes no economic sense to me. It’s no problem for certain particular items, but it’s too idiotic for a simple bar of soap.

So Nubian Heritage, get your bloody soap into local Belgian stores, please. Thanks!

If you are interested, you can order this African Black Soap on Amazon or directly via the Nubian Heritage website. Give it a shot and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Take care of yourself and until next time.

The Art of Manliness Review

May 31, 2016 by Tim Geelen 1 Comment

Do you also feel like modern young men have turned into weak and cowardly crybabies? Have modern men lost the understanding of masculinity, with its values of self-reliance, strength and personal responsibility? Do you regret the destruction of the nuclear family by man-hating feminists, forcing many boys to grow up without a father? Then check out this Art of Manliness review!

Art of Manliness Review

After all, Brett and Kate McKay observed the same with great concern. That’s why they founded the Art of Manliness website back in 2008, so they could help young men to grow up and rediscover the lost virtues of manliness. AOM quickly grew into a successful online men’s interest magazine. The McKays bundled the best tips and advice into a book with the same name, while also hosting a podcast series wherein Brett discusses many interesting topics.

The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man offers pieces of wisdom to motivated young men, instructing the reader on several practical techniques and the importance of self-reliance, discipline and personal responsibility. You know, those typical traditional values and skills that any good father or grandfather would normally pass on to you. Overall, this is an excellent book to give to a teenage boy or even a young twenty-something. And especially for those lacking a father figure who could give them the necessary guidance and direction to succeed in life.

Each chapter describes a distinctive manly role (the gentleman, the father, the lover, the leader, …) and discusses the virtues of each aspect. On top of that, the practical tips on men’s style, grooming, etiquette, dating, and manly values, will help transform you into the best version of yourself – a respected and responsible manly member of society.

The book has a distinct retro style, mimicking the look and feel of the AOM website. Clearly written, each page offers concise advice and contains some tongue-in-cheek humor as well. The Art of Manliness encourages you to behave like a 19th century gentleman and rediscover their concepts of manliness in the process. Sadly, many good values and skills of these older days have been lost. And it would definitely benefit our modern society if these were reintroduced. I like technological advancement, but even I admit some things were just better “in those good old days.” For example, it’s due to the book (and website) that I converted from electric shaving to the traditional wet shave with a safety razor and brush. Try it and feel the difference. I never want to go back to the modern way of shaving.

You can buy The Art of Manliness through the AOM Shop for $18.99. You can also purchase the Art of Manliness Collection Boxed Set (priced at $29.99) which includes this book as well as The Art of Manliness: Manvotionals.

Here are some examples of the content:

Three ways to tie a tie.
Shave like your grandpa.
Band of brothers: making and keeping strong friendships.
Stop hanging out with women and start dating them.
Balance work and family.
Give your son a right of passage.
Five traits of leadership.

Sounds interesting, right? That’s because it is.

There’s just one problem I have with The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man.

The book puts women on a major pedestal, practically encouraging you to treat girls like a goddess. It tells you to play “Mr. Nice Guy,” and cater to a girl’s every whim. I have a distinct problem with that. I certainly do not recommend this cucked behavior to any modern man.

After all, what is the point of being a gentleman, when there hardly are any worthy ladies around who still deserve such a treatment?

The Art of Manliness initiative is useless without its female counterpart, teaching girls to become that very rarest of specimen nowadays – a feminine, well-behaved and worthy woman. If women refuse to be the best version of themselves, they sure as hell don’t deserve the best version of yourself.

Many women nowadays dump their husbands and boyfriends, leech of welfare and alimony, and spend most of their time partying, twerking and drinking. Simply put, they’ve changed into loudmouthed, degenerate feminists. They have forgotten the values of true femininity. Instead of bettering themselves and complementing men, women want to compete with men – and generally fail at it. Once these women become older and finally decide to settle down, they are surprised that men want nothing to do with them.

That’s why I do not agree with much of the dating and love advice in this book. It does not belong in this modern era, where the social dynamics between men and women have fundamentally changed. So the sooner men understand this and adapt to the new reality, the better.

Conclusion

Pros: Good beginner tips for male self-improvement.
Cons: Some tips too outdated for these modern times.

The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man provides many practical tips which every young man should learn and apply. There’s no doubt that any male teenager who applies the book’s advice will set himself upon the path of success. The retro feel and humor is also quite clever and entertaining.

However, other sections and advice in the book felt too outdated, particularly when discussing male-female relationships. I therefore question whether the old fashioned style of gentlemen still has a place in our modern day society.

To conclude my Art of Manliness review: would I recommend this book to others? Yes, I would. And I have already done so in the past. But The Art of Manliness provides the greatest value to teenage boys or young men in their early twenties. Nonetheless, this book still offers useful knowledge to a lost thirty-something who needs to regain some self-discipline and guidance on life. I still re-read a chapter now and then before bed.

Personally, The Art of Manliness was an introduction to conscious self-improvement for me. This book enabled me to discover other mindset, masculinity and self-improvement authors, like Victor Pride. These people have truly helped to open my eyes. But I will never forget that it all began with Brett McKay and his work. For that, I will always be grateful.

What are your thoughts on the declining standard of masculinity in Western society? Let me know in the comments below.

Take care of yourself.