Mobile Devices

I finally took the risk of getting a Google phone ignoring the service-related concerns in India. So far it has served me well.

Google Pixel 4a: Amazon

The main device I use for my studies is the 2018 iPad (6th generation). The 9.7 inch display offers a fantastic reading experience. While reading PDF text books, I use the Apple Pencil to annotate i.e. add my own notes or underline and highlight the text. The increased screen real estate of the iPad also makes it my favourite device to study multiple choice questions from apps like Pastest.

2018 iPad (6th gen) WiFi, 32 GB: Amazon ₹28,000

I also have a 2012 5th generation WiFi Kindle Paperwhite for distraction-free e-book reading. I store it in an original Amazon Kindle black cover. While there has been newer Kindle models available, this old one serves me very well and I haven’t felt the need to upgrade. The font of my choice on the Kindle is Palatino.

Computer

I have built my own computer setup in 2014, which is meant to last more ten years. I use a revolving chair with adequate support for the back and armrests. An LG LED 20″ display and a WiFi-enabled HP Deskjet 3545 all-in-one printer complete my computer setup.

When on the go, I have a Dell Vostro laptop by my side.

Dell Vostro 3405, Ryzen 5 / 14″ / 8 GB: Flipkart ₹38751

Misc.

An old point-and-shoot camera from the last decade

Creative Sound BlasterX Kratos S3 2.1 speaker (Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XbqWju)

ADSL modem with WiFi router

Finally, I use three Western Digital Elements external hard drives for offline storage.

Connectivity

I am on a postpaid plan from Vodafone which comes with a generous 4G data plan. At home, after using the robust BSNL broadband for more than a decade now, I have upgraded to BSNL fiber internet in recent years.

Software

Medical

I find the India Drug Index app an indispensable tool to look up brand names of drugs. The best app to this date is of course the QxCalculate app which lets you calculate all kinds of scores – be it Child-Pugh score in a hepatocellular carcinoma or Canadian C-spine rule in a suspected cervical spine injury. Tip for Indian doctors: after installing QxCalculate, go to settings and select US units.

Productivity

I use Evernote as a repository of notes, reference material and logs. I have been on the lookout for an Evernote alternative for some years now but yet to find a good cross-platform alternative. Pocket is a very good web reading tool that lets me save web articles and read them later in a clutter-free interface.

Web Development

WordPress is the script of my choice for running blogs since 2005. Not just blogs, over the years, WordPress has evolved to be a CMS and I have created non-blog websites based on it. I use Notepad++, Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Google Chrome developer tools to hand-code my own WordPress themes from scratch.

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Sports Gear

Stiga Prestige table tennis racket – comes with WRB system and Stiga Triumph rubber.
Cup Stiga balls.

A pair of dumbbells – I do five different types of free hand exercises with them
A pair of hand grippers
Treadmill – A motorised one from Fitking

Car

I drive the 2014 New Alto K10 VXI AMT, which is perhaps the easiest car to drive in the congested Kolkata roads. I use a battery of detailing products to keep the car shining. I have installed a few nifty gadgets to turn the Alto K10 into a smart car.