Fast Charger for Android Smartphones

I have noticed that not all chargers are made the same. Some charge phones quickly; some do not. There was even one time when my friend's battery drained while charging (funny, huh). So I was wondering, what makes a charger good and reliable? I asked around and have learned that there are two parts to this matter.

First is the adapter. I was told that an adapter with an output of 2A charges faster than one with 1A (or 1000mA). I have found this to be true, based on experience. Here are some photos of adapters with 2A output:

Second is the cable, cord or connector. A thicker cord charges faster due to bigger gauge/size of the wire inside. Typical size is 28 gauge, but a better choice would be 24 gauge (the smaller the gauge, the bigger the size). A lot of cords do not usually indicate the size, but there are some that do, like this:

The combination of 2A adapter and 24 gauge cable for me charges a gadget at the rate of 1% per minute.

You can also just buy a ready-made fast charger set if you don't have the time/energy to create your own. Samsung is the brand that I commonly see being sold. You can get this online from OLX or Lazada at around P600-P800.

On a side note, take care of your battery by avoiding overcharging/overdraining. I have read that it is better to keep your battery at the 20%-80% range. Charge once it reaches 20%; stop charging once it reaches 80%. This would prolong battery life (unless you plan to change phones every two years, in which case, go ahead and do whatever you want with your battery).

Hope this info helps. Feel free to share your experience.

What to Check When Buying a Laptop

Since the laptop that I am using has been performing poorly (laggy processes and poor battery life), I have been dying to get a new one. I had to some research as to what type of computer I wanted to buy since there are too many models available out in the market. I would like to share what I have learned.

These are the things that I would consider:

1) Budget
This is probably the most significant consideration of them all. After all, if the sky's the limit, then why don't you just buy the model with the latest specs, right? Ha. I was honestly surprised to learn that there are actually laptops that cost more than P100,000! So, set your budget range. Then, from there, consider what specs are truly important to you, and what specs you are willing to compromise. Obviously, the better the specs, the higher the price.

2) Purpose
What do you need the laptop for? Is it for basic web browsing and document creation? Or do you plan to do use it for gaming? How about some heavy video editing?

2A) Processor
For me, this determines the kind of processor that your computer would need. For just basic computer functions, then perhaps AMD or Celeron would be sufficient. Though I honestly think that Core i3 should be the minimum standard for this. For gaming or heavy usage, perhaps Core i5 or i7 would be the processor of choice. I imagine that the more advanced the processor, the faster it can complete tasks.

2B) RAM
The higher the RAM, the better a computer's multitasking functions can be (alongside the processor). 2-4 GB is pretty decent already.

2C) Mobility
If you need to be able to bring the computer anywhere you go, then a laptop would be more suitable than a desktop. If you don't, then try considering a desktop instead. (But most of what I would be referring to in this post would be about a laptop.)

3) Screen size and weight
A bigger screen size usually equates to a heavier weight, but a more pleasant/readable visual. Look for the perfect balance for your needs. For me, a laptop weighing more than 2.1 kg is already too heavy since I have a small upper body. 13"-14" is the perfect screen size that is not too straining to the eyes, but with an equivalent weight that is not too heavy for the body to carry. On a side note, it seems like anything smaller than 14" contains AMD or Celeron processor. Core i3 typically begins at 14".

4) Graphics card
Intel's integrated graphics would usually suffice for the typical user. But for gamers, a dedicated graphics card (like NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon) would make for smoother gameplay.

5) Battery life
The higher the mAh, the longer the battery life. You may also want to consider if you want a battery that can be removed (easily replaceable) or one that is internal (less bulky).

6) Others

6A) Hard disk memory
Typically ranging from 500 GB - 1 TB, this is honestly not as a big deal as the other specs. You can easily buy an external hard disk for additional memory. A bigger factor might be if you want to get an solid-state drive (SSD) type, which costs more but functions faster than the typical hard disk drive (HDD).

6B) Optical disk drive (ODD)
Similar to the hard disk, this is not that big of a deal. If you get a laptop without an ODD, you can easily buy an external one. Besides, I honestly think that CDs are no longer a necessity in today's technology. Usually, flash disks are more convenient to use.

6C) Extras
If the laptop is just for the average Joe's use, then I would consider things like a good camera, USB 3.0 ports and multi-card reader as mere bonuses.

So far, that makes up most of my list to consider when buying a laptop. Of course, there's no such thing as the ultimate perfect laptop for all. Each person has a unique need, which is probably why there's a gazillion models out there, just waiting to be bought and used.

As to where to buy, there are plenty of sellers (both legit and not-so-legit) everywhere. The safest bet would be to buy in stores (like Silicon Valley, Octagon, Asianic, Electroworld, etc.) at the malls. (Sadly, I've noticed that these shops only display the laptops, but they do not allow customers to turn on and get a feel of how fast the laptop would run.) Most of these stores offer installment plans for credit card payments, or a P1,000-P2,000 discount for outright cash payments.

There are also shops in Gilmore that offer the same models for a slightly cheaper price. Just make sure that the shop is not too shady. Otherwise, you might be getting a refurbished/reconditioned laptop (without knowing it) instead of a brand new one. Perhaps, a clue would be the warranty included in the deal. Make sure that it is manufacturer's warranty, not just the shop's.

Or if the prices are still too high for your budget, you might want to consider getting a second-hand laptop on sites like OLX. But make sure to transact in a safe place and test the unit before paying for it.

Disclaimer: I am no computer expert. Just wanted to share what I have researched.

Hope my info helps. Feel free to share you experience.

Renewing Driver's License (5-year Validity) at SM Manila

I would like to share my experience about renewing driver's license at SM Manila's DLRC (Driver's License Renewal Center), which is located at the 5th floor, last October 17, 2016. Sorry, no photos, though.

I arrived at SM Manila at around 9:45am since I wanted to get ahead of the long line and finish early. Unfortunately, the mall opens at exactly 10am and by the time I got to the entrance, there was already a long line outside the building. There is a separate line for males and females, while there is a special line for senior citizens.

After the mall opened, I immediately went to the DLRC. Since it was still early, the number of other applicants was tolerable (there were probably around 10-20 people already ahead of me). The office is not so big and the number of chairs were limited, so a lot of the applicants had to remain standing. Make sure to bring a pen since you will be filling out some forms. These are the steps that I undertook in order to renew my non-professional license: (Note that these steps may vary, depending on the branch.)

1) Surrender the old license to the front/receiving desk and get a copy of the ADL (Application for Driver's License) form.
2) Fill out the ADL form or you can also download and print from LTO's website) and submit to Evaluator Window.
3) Wait for your name to be called for the medical exam (vision test) in one corner of the office. You would just be required to read a bunch of letters from a certain distance. This cost P200.
4) Wait for your name to be called again for your photo and signature to be taken.
5) Wait for your name to be called again to pay at the Cashier. Since the day of my renewal was the start of the 5-year validity period, the cost was P652 (P585 license fee + P67 computer fee) instead of the usual P417 (3-year validity). I didn't mind the additional payment in exchange for the extra two years.
6) Wait for your name to be called again. Since there were no available ID cards, I only got my official receipt, which would serve as my proof of license. It would also be what I would present to claim my ID card when they become available.

In total, I spent around an hour to finish the process. The later you arrive, the longer the line ahead of you, and the more time it would take to complete your renewal, so my advice would be to go there early (unless you're a senior citizen, in which case you might get special treatment, hehe).

For inquiries, you may contact SM Manila's DLRC at (02) 525-2646.

Hope my info helps. Feel free to share your experience.

Using the new LRT/MRT Card System

I'm writing this to amend my previous post about maximizing LRT's Stored Value card since the system has been totally revamped, making the contents of that post pretty much useless *sigh*.

Note (for clarity's sake):
Stored Value - SV
Single Journey - SJ

The new card system was finally implemented in 2016 after months of painful waiting (SV cards could not be used during the waiting period, so everybody HAD to wait in line to get a ticket). The change also brought about replacement of the old turnstiles. The new ones can read cards in two ways: 1) by tapping (for SV cards), and 2) by inserting (for SJ cards).

Cards can be bought from the staff inside the ticket booth or a self-service machine. Take note that self-service machines are located in selected stations only, which means that not all stations have them. On a side note, I personally feel that these are NOT user-friendly because they lack instructions on how to be used. There was one time when I had merely wanted to reload my SV card but had ended up paying for a new SV card (which costs an extra P20). Yup, so now I have two SV cards. What the heck am I supposed to do with two cards? (-__-)

Anyway, there are three types of cards that can be bought:
1) SV card - This costs an initial P20, on top of the amount you want to load in it, but is valid for around 4 years.

 This is what the front of the new SV card looks like.

This is what the back of the new SV card looks like. Notice the validity date at the top right corner.

2) Senior citizen's SV card - This discounted card is for the use of senior citizens only. All contents can be bought with 20% discount. This looks similar to the SV card, except it is color white (instead of blue).

3) SJ card - This costs the amount of the journey and is valid for 1 day. Please note that, unlike the old system, where you can buy round-trip tickets in one station, you can only use the ticket at the station from where you bought it. Confused? Example: Going from Pedro Gil to Bambang station costs P15. The trip back from Bambang to Pedro Gil also costs P15. In the past, you could just buy two tickets at Pedro Gil station (to save time) and use the second ticket on the way home. In the new system, this is not allowed. If you buy the ticket at Pedro Gil, you can only use it in this station (entry point). This card has a white body and a colored top part (green for LRT1, blue for LRT2, and yellow for MRT).

Just like before, using the SV card gives the rider more value for their money compared to the SJ card. Here are the adjusted fare matrices for the train lines (taken from LRT/MRT websites):

LRT1 SJ Fare Matrix.

LRT1 SV Fare Matrix.

LRT2 SJ Fare Matrix.

 LRT2 SV Fare Matrix.

 MRT Fare Matrix. (I'm not sure if SJ and SV have the same cost since I don't ride this line often.)

The best thing about the new SV card system is that you only need one card to ride any of the three trains (as long as you have adequate load). The bad thing is that they no longer allow you to skip the long entry line during rush hour, even if you already have a card (-__-).

So far, I have been satisfied with the new card system.

Hope my info helps. Feel free to share you experience.

How to Maximize the Value in Your Stored Value Card

Edit (2/27/2017): Since the LRT/MRT card system has been totally revamped, some of the contents of this post might not be valid anymore. I will be creating a new post regarding the new card system.

Due to the recent fare hike from LRT1 and LRT2, the cost of the Stored Value card has also been increased from P100 to P150. If you are a regular commuter, then buying a Stored Value card is a must. Not only do you not have to fall in the long line of people buying cards, you also get a discount for each ride you make (see fare matrix below).

LRT1 New Stored Value Fare Matrix (from LRT website).

LRT2 New Stored Value Fare Matrix (from LRT website).

Here is a neat little trick (well, it's not really a trick) for people to be able to make the most of what they pay for. Always check the amount of money left in your card. As much as possible, try to leave only P1-P5 so that your last ride will be as good as free.

If you are a regular LRT commuter, doing this feat will depend on your route. For example, I usually ride the LRT1 spanning 5 stations, which would cost me P15 per ride. In a typical P150 card, I only get 10 rides. But, I can get 11 rides out of the card if I leave the last P15 in the card and wait for a chance to ride the LRT wherein I will be charged only P12-P14 (spanning 1-4 stations); thus, leaving me with P1-P3 so that I can use the card one last time for my 11th ride. Imagine riding the LRT from end to end with just P1 in your card --- such a happy feeling~!

Take note that a Stored Value card is valid for 6 months from the time it is bought.

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Hope this helped somehow. Feel free to share your LRT experience. :)

OneTouch Ultra VS Accu-chek Active VS FreeStyle Optium

So, the doctor has advised you (or a loved one) to start monitoring your blood sugar levels at home because your FBS (fasting blood sugar) was pretty high during your last check-up?

Or, perhaps you (or a loved one) is about to be discharged from the hospital and the doctor has (yet again) advised you that it would be better to keep a close watch on your blood sugar levels?

The doctor or nurse simply tells you to buy a blood sugar machine, also known as a glucometer. You go to the leading drugstore just to find out that there are numerous brands available in the market. You want to buy the one that will give you your money's worth. But the machines look different; the prices are different. So really, what's the difference?

I would like to share about my experience with three of the leading brands of glucometers available in the Philippine market today. (Prices indicated below are based on Mercury Drugstore's.)

1) OneTouch Ultra

OneTouch Ultra

This is a product of Johnson & Johnson. The starter kit costs around P2,200.

Pros:

-It is one of the most commonly used and trusted brands in the US.

-It takes only 5 seconds to read your blood sugar levels.

-The strips are widely available in most drugstores.

-OneTouch UltraSoft lancets have thinner needles, which make pricking less painful.

Cons:

-A bit costly. 25 strips cost P1,090 while 50 strips cost P2,020. Lancets cost about P125 for 25 pieces.

-Strips are packed in tubes. 25 strips are usually contained in one tube. Once a tube is opened, strips must be used within 3 months.

2) Accu-check Active

Accu-chek Active

This is a product of Roche. The starter kit costs around P1,850.

Pros:

-It takes only 5 seconds to read blood sugar levels.

-The strips are widely available in most drugstores.

-The strips are less expensive compared to OneTouch Ultra. 25 strips cost P800.

Cons:

-Strips are packed in tubes. 25 strips are usually contained in one tube. Once a tube is opened, strips must be used within 3 months.

-The strips, once exposed to air, can be difficult to read for the machine. I've often encountered E-5 error using this machine (but I've discovered a solution for this so that your strip does not go to waste).

-The default lancing device requires flat type lancets, which can be more difficult to find.

-Blood drop needs to be placed on top of the strip instead of sideways (which can be a challenge at times).

3) Optium Freestyle

FreeStyle Optium

This is a product of Abbott. The starter kit costs around P1800.

Pros:

-Strips are individually packaged, which means that you don't have to worry about needing to consume all of the strips within 3 months.

-The strips are widely available in most drugstores.

-The strips are less expensive compared to OneTouch Ultra. 25 strips cost P1,010 while 50 strips cost P1,670.

-The default lancing device uses cross-type lancets, which are easy to find.

Cons:

-It takes 20 seconds to read blood sugar levels. (This is probably the longest waiting time that I have encountered.)

-It needs more drops of blood compared to the other two glucometers above.

WHICH IS THE BEST?

Well, it all depends on what factor you would deem to be most important. You need to consider not only the machine, but the strips as well. The strips are what you will be buying continuously in the long run.

All three glucometers read blood sugar levels with more or less the same accuracy. All come from reputable companies. All are well-supported and well-supplied by leading drugstores nationwide.

Here's my recommendation: 

If money is not a big issue, go with OneTouch Ultra brand. It's definitely user-friendly and the strips are less prone to errors. It can also read high blood sugar levels, which you can record and report to your doctor.

But if you are considering blood sugar level monitoring at home to be a long-term deal, then small savings can go a long way. You can try either Accu-chek Active or FreeStyle Optium.

OTHER WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

Once you have chosen a brand, you can also try looking for other sources to buy the machine and strips from, aside from leading drugstores. There are online sellers that sell legit items at big discounts (maybe 60-75% the price at Mercury Drugstore). You can buy strips in bulk if you will use them regularly. There are also sellers that have near-expiry strips that you can buy at a cheaper price. Don't buy expired strips.

As for the lancets, you don't necessarily need to buy branded lancets. There are generic lancets that sell for as cheap as P1 per piece. However, they are thicker and slightly more painful to use.

You can save money by buying lesser known brands of glucometers (they are way less expensive) BUT ONLY IF you are a diligent person who wouldn't mind making the extra effort to look for the strips. Because there is a chance that the strips might be difficult to find and you would end up having to go from store to store just looking for this particular brand of strips.

EXTRA NOTES:

There are plenty of other brands available out there. Some people receive glucometers as gifts from relatives abroad. This is fine, as long as the strips are available and affordable here in the Philippines (because there are some strip brands/models that are so expensive or difficult to find that it would be wiser just to buy a new glucometer instead). Or you could just ask your relatives to keep supplying you with the strips. (^__^)

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Hope this helped somehow. Feel free to share your experience. :)