Why the ASUS V16 Is My New DaVinci Resolve Machine

Why I Finally Switched from the Surface Pro 4 to Asus V16

After years of relying on the Surface Pro 4 as my portable editing and productivity companion, it died on me all of a sudden. It served me only 4 years, but as its 4K editing, higher bitrates, and more demanding software became part of my daily routine, the Surface 4’s limitations became impossible to ignore.

The Surface Pro 4 was never designed for heavy video editing. With no dedicated GPU and an aging CPU architecture, it struggled with everything from timeline playback to rendering. Despite having 32GB of RAM, the system simply lacked the hardware acceleration Resolve depends on. Eventually, the device failed completely, forcing me to make a decision I had been delaying for too long: it was time to upgrade.

Choosing the right replacement wasn’t easy. I had to think about performance, practicality, and value. I needed a machine that could handle DaVinci Resolve efficiently without costing the same as a high‑end workstation. After comparing multiple options, the ASUS Vivobook Pro (V16) stood out immediately. It offered exactly what the Surface 4 lacked: a dedicated NVIDIA GPU, a modern high‑performance CPU, and a fast NVMe SSD. These three components alone transform the editing experience.

The ASUS V16 also provides a large, high‑quality display, solid thermals, and enough power to handle 4K timelines smoothly. Even with 16GB of RAM, it outperforms the Surface Pro 4’s 32GB configuration because the Resolve prioritizes GPU and CPU power far more than memory for standard editing tasks. The difference is night and day — exports that once took half an hour now finish in minutes.

Switching from the Surface 4 to the ASUS V16 wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a necessary step forward for modern content creation—and the performance gains speak for themselves. My regret is that I spent $3200 for my Surface 4 and it didn't even last very long. On the contrary, I spent only $1000 for my Asus V16 and couldn't be happier with its performance.

My Surface 4 Fried After Just 4 Years

My Surface Pro 4 Finally Died — What Happened and What’s Next

After years of dependable service, my Surface Pro 4 has finally reached the end of its life. The device didn’t fail gradually or give me months of warning; it went from working normally to completely unusable in a single moment. One day it powered on, froze at the Windows logo, and never recovered. No matter how many resets, troubleshooting steps, or recovery attempts I tried, it refused to boot.

I took it to a professional repair shop to rule out software issues. They attempted a full Windows reinstall, hardware diagnostics, and every recovery method available. The verdict was clear: theThe Surface Pro 4 had suffered a deep hardware failure. The technician described it as “not worth repairing,” and after seeing the results myself, I agreed. The device had effectively burned out internally, and the cost of repair would exceed the value of the machine.

I spent $3200 CAD on this laptop and didn't expect it to die this early! Now I feel like it was an enormous waste of money! I lost some YouTube backup files and other documents that I can never recover. It all happened so fast.

And then I had to spend a week searching for new laptops. In this process, I looked at various models and makes to replace my Surface 4, but they were all too pricey. I consulted a lot with AI to reach my final conclusion – which I will talk about next week.

Your Travel eSIMs Found Routing Data Through China (Holafly)

  Your Travel eSIMs Found Routing Data Through China (Holafly)

Security Alert: Travel eSIMs Secretly Use Foreign Networks

When I came across this news, I was telling myself, “Oh no, not my eSIM!” A recent study has uncovered alarming privacy and security risks associated with travel eSIMs, revealing that many providers route user data through foreign telecommunications networks — including Chinese infrastructure — without informing customers. Conducted by researchers from Northeastern University and presented at the USENIX Security Symposium, the investigation analyzed eSIM profiles from 25 providers such as Holafly, Airalo, and eSIM Access.

The researchers found that in most cases, the public IP address assigned to a device did not match its physical location. Instead, traffic was routed through third-party countries. One notable example involved Ireland-based Holafly, whose eSIM service routed connections through China Mobile’s network. In that test case, the device received an IP address allocated to China Mobile International Limited in Hong Kong, making it appear as though the device was physically located in China. Disabling GPS on the test device further reinforced this illusion.

This unexpected routing allowed access to region-restricted content, such as ViuTV, without the use of a VPN. The study also highlighted how easy it is to become an eSIM reseller, with platforms requiring only an email and payment method. Resellers gain access to sensitive user data, including IMSI numbers and location information accurate to within 800 meters.

Imagine if you are using Holafly eSIM, someone can access your data and track you anywhere in the world as close as 800 meters in accuracy. The eSIM I usually use are Airalo and Saily. Although they are doing the same thing, but in not China. I am on some level comfortable sending my data to other countries (if I have no choice), but sending my info to CHINA is a big NO for me.

The researchers are calling for greater transparency and regulatory oversight to ensure users are informed about how their data is handled. They propose mandatory disclosure of routing practices and clearer accountability among network operators, resellers, and wholesale providers.

This study raises serious questions about the safety of using travel eSIMs and underscores the need for stronger consumer protections in the rapidly-evolving mobile connectivity landscape.

How I Created My First Podcast Using Google NotebookLM

New AI Podcast Tool NotebookLM

I am one of those who thought I would never create a podcast. To tell you the truth, it was a lack of resources needed to create a professional-grade podcast. However, everything changed when AI came to the rescue.

I was seeing a lot of posts online about a new AI research tool called Google NotebookLM that was taking the Internet by storm. I was reluctant to try it out, but at one point I gave in.

I was shocked to find out how easy it was to create a podcast with zero knowledge. It took me like 20 minutes to figure out and I was on my way to generating a professional-grade podcast where 2 people were talking about my travel hack article or video I had created before.

The AI voices and interactions in Google NotebookLM's podcasts are so incredibly lifelike that it's hard to believe they're not real humans. I sent my first podcast to a few friends without telling them it was AI-generated, and they were completely fooled!

The simplicity of creating a podcast was also astounding. First, I had to give my sources on the NotebookLM page. You can also provide notes to add to those sources. I gave the AI my YouTube video link, an article from my website AhmedDawn.com and a few notes on Notepad and that’s it.

Also, NotebookLM generated a FAQ, Table of Contents, Timeline, Briefing, etc. based on what you are feeding it. I am using these summaries for my podcast video description. So everything the AI generated has some uses for my podcast video.

NotebookLM opens up endless opportunities for content creators. This is another example of how AI tech is limitless and there are a lot more mind-blowing crazy things to come in the future.

Unveiling the Fastest eSIM for Travel & Live Streaming in Thailand: It's Not Who You Think!

Thailand's Fastest eSIM or SIM For Travel or Live Streaming: AIS eSIM Takes the Crown

My Thailand and Dubai trip is coming up shortly. As a content creator, staying connected with a reliable and fast internet connection is crucial, especially for live streaming. I was searching for the best travel eSIM or physical SIM, but choosing the right eSIM provider in Thailand can be tricky, especially when companies don't disclose exact speeds.

After a lot of research I found out that AIS, a leading Thai network operator, reigns supreme in terms of internet speed. Their download speed clocks in at an impressive 36.89 Mbps, while the upload speed reaches a staggering 208 Mbps (median speeds). These numbers far surpass competitors like TrueMove H and DTAC, making AIS the clear winner for live streaming bandwidth.

While some providers like Saily and Airalo offer attractive eSIM plans, their actual speeds remain shrouded in secrecy. I contacted both companies directly, but their responses were vague, emphasizing "good speed" and "unlimited maximum speed" without concrete figures.

After digging deeper, I discovered that AIS consistently ranks as the fastest eSIM internet provider in Thailand. Their website proudly displays their position as the 2023 speed champion.

Internet Speed Testing App OoKla confirmed AIS's dominance. Download speeds averaged around 36.89 Mbps, with some users reporting reaching 50 Mbps. Upload speeds, crucial for live streaming, were even more impressive, with a median of 208 Mbps. This blows away the competition, with TrueMove H lagging behind at 20 Mbps and DTAC falling short at 14 Mbps (median speeds).

The good news? AIS offers eSIM plans! This means you can ditch the physical SIM card hassle and enjoy the fastest internet speeds in Thailand for your travels and live streams.

I recommend purchasing your eSIM directly from AIS or other 3rd party providers before your trip to ensure a seamless travel experience.