Author Archives: Lambert Varias

Sagesone Custom Woven Geeky Sweatshirts: Jujutsu Fashion

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Along with video games, manga and anime are the latest geeky pursuits to hit the mainstream. You see YouTubers racking up millions of views from analyzing and reacting to them, rappers name-dropping and quoting them in songs, and even high profile brands collaborating with some of the most popular franchises. But if you want to keep it low-key while still fire bending, there’s always a custom shop that can cater to your tastes. Shops like the dope Sagesone. I keep missing their drops, but I can’t hide their skills from the world forever, so here we go.

Sagesone modifies sweatshirts and hoodies with woven patches featuring scenes from manga and anime. All your favorites are here, from OGs like Akira and Neon Genesis Evangelion to new kings like Jujutsu Kaisen and Kimetsu no Yaiba. However, as with custom products, these are very limited and sell out very quickly.

Thankfully, you can commission Sagesone to make an item just for you. In fact, your patch doesn’t have to be from a manga. It can be any picture, as long as it’s not too dark. Sagesone also recommends images with lots of contrasting colors for the best effect. Finally, this being a patch, expect that the finish will have this pixelated comic book look. That’s part of the appeal anyway.

Sagesone’s custom sweatshirts and hoodies start at $70 (USD), while the limited drops they release vary in price. Head to their store for commissions and keep an eye on their Instagram for their next drop.

Lucas Pereira’s Traditional Japanese X-Men: Krakoa no Sato

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Marvel has been taking the X-Men in all sorts of crazy directions in its comic books ever since it got the movie rights back from Fox. Freelance illustrator Lucas Pereira has a cool idea for the beloved and feared mutants with his ongoing Instagram series, which sees the X-Men and other Marvel characters dressed in clothing and accessories inspired by traditional Japanese culture.

Lucas started the series with Wolverine about a year ago and hasn’t stopped cranking out ideas. His work has seen enough demand that he’s now selling prints of some of his first creations.

Head to Inprnt to order Lucas’ giclee prints, which go from $20 to $40 (USD) based on the size, and follow him on Instagram to see his latest work. Man, that Storm art is special.

Framework Repair-friendly Laptop: Fixing Obsolescence

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Computers and other gadgets are becoming increasingly affordable, but they’re also getting harder if not outright impossible to repair. We’re warned that our warranty will be voided if we open up our gadgets, licensed repair shops are nearly extinct, and reputable sources of components are also hard to find. That’s why it’s so refreshing to see a company like Framework. Its debut product looks and works mostly like a regular laptop, but it was designed from the ground up to be opened, customized, and repaired.


Even from the outside, you will immediately notice something unique about the Framework Laptop: its modular ports. It has four recessed USB-C ports in which you can stick a variety of modules: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, a microSD card reader, SSDs, and even a full-sized DisplayPort output. Swapping between the modules is easy, and Framework says it will release more types of modules in the future. But to truly appreciate the beauty and power of this machine, you have to check out what its interior looks like:

All of the laptop’s major components – from the battery to the speakers – are clearly labeled. Each one also has a link for more info and a QR code that takes you directly to Framework’s components store. Even the display bezel is easily removable. And did I mention that the bottom of the laptop is held in place by only five captive screws? Framework is so confident with their machine’s user-friendliness that they’re also selling a DIY kit that costs a crazy $250 (USD) less than the fully-assembled version.

Of course, none of this matters if the laptop doesn’t perform well. Based on the impressions and reviews it’s gotten from major media outlets such as Linus Tech Tips, CNET, and of course iFixit, it seems that the Framework Laptop is up to the task. It’s powered by an 11th gen Core i5 or i7 CPU, has a 13.5″ 3:2 2256 x 1504 display, and has a backlit keyboard with a fingerprint reader.  It even has a 1080p 60fps webcam, which even most high-end laptops don’t have. Here’s iFixit’s teardown of the laptop:

Amazingly, Framework is an astonishingly small company, with only 16 team members as of this writing. I hope they’re ready to build on their work and overcome any challenges. Major PC makers obviously do not want to see a company like Framework succeed. You can pre-order the laptop directly from Framework. The fully assembled version starts at $999, while the DIY Edition starts at $749.

The Ultimate Final Fantasy XIV Cookbook: Chowderbringers

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After years of playing second fiddle, Final Fantasy XIV seems poised to finally take the crown from World of Warcraft as the premiere MMORPG. Discussing the many reasons behind WoW’s fall from grace will leave a bad taste in our mouths, so let’s talk about something that could put great food in our bellies instead. The Ultimate Final Fantasy XIV Cookbook features over 70 recipes for dishes and drinks from FF XIV, waiting for real-world Culinarians to craft them in real life.

The hardcover book was created by Victoria Rosenthal, whom you may know from her geeky cooking blog Pixelated Provisions. You can read more about how she wrote this book – including creating characters in FF XIV for the book’s narrators – in one of her posts. Naturally, she has Square Enix’s blessing, complete with a foreword from the game’s beloved director, Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida.

Okay now make an alchemy book, Square Enix. You can pre-order the cookbook from Square Enix for $35 (USD). It’s also available on Amazon (affiliate link).

[via Siliconera]

MelGeek Mojo68 Transparent Mechanical Keyboard: I See Value

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If you’re looking for a great entry point to the colorful, thoccy, and expensive world of mechanical keyboards, keep an eye out for MelGeek’s upcoming Mojo68. It’s a stylish and fully assembled 60% mechanical keyboard with a transparent plastic chassis, gasket-mounted components, RGB backlighting, and wired and wireless connectivity options.

The Mojo68’s biggest appeal is obviously its look. Its chassis comes in six colors, each with a matching set of keycaps. I like that the keycaps aren’t palette-swaps and actually have varied designs. There’s something for almost everyone.  As expected, the keyboard is programmable and has a hot-swap PCB. Inside you’ll find silicon and poron dampening pads as well as a plate, so you’ve got plenty of ways to tune its sound. The keyboard can be connected via USB, Bluetooth 5.1, and what I’m assuming will be a USB dongle as the third option.

MelGeek says it will soon launch a Kickstarter fundraiser for the Mojo68. You can leave your email at the company’s website to get notified when the fundraiser goes live. You can also put down a $1 (USD) deposit to avail of the limited pledge tier that will get you the Mojo68 as a reward for only $149, a $99 discount from its final retail price.

Gundam Narikiri RX-78 and Zaku Boxer Briefs and Socks: Roleplay You Say?

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The never-ending post-apocalyptic nightmare has started to affect even the supply of gunpla. So what do you do if you can’t get your hands on a Gundam model? Be a Gundam model. Bandai Namco’s silly Narikiri (“roleplay”) line features boxer briefs and socks based on Amuro Ray’s RX-78 Gundam, Char’s MS-06S Zaku, and the mass production MS-06F Zaku from the first Mobile Suit Gundam show.

There are also matching tees for each design, but they’re not as funny as the boxer briefs or as awesome as the socks.

Head to Yoyakunow to protect your beam saber and feet. The boxer briefs cost about $43 (USD) each, while the socks go for about $25 per pair.

[via GunplaBandai]

Dasung Paperlike 253 3K HDMI E-ink Monitor: Stock Footage

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Chinese company Dasung has been working to make larger and more responsive E-ink displays for seven years. They made waves online in 2015 with their 13.3″ E-ink reader, and now they’re back with a product that is almost twice that size. The Paperlike 253 is a 25.3″ 3200 x 1800 16:9 monitor that can connect to devices via HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C, making it just as easy to use as other monitors.

Although I doubt that anyone will buy the Paperlike 253 for anything other than viewing text and other static elements, the monitor does have a high enough refresh rate to play video at a decent clip. Dasung hasn’t revealed the exact refresh rate of the monitor, but looking at its demos it’s responsive enough for daily use.

Here’s a longer video about Dasung’s journey and the tech behind the Paperlike 253. The demo starts at around 2:52, with video playback at 4:08.

The Paperlike 253 retails for $2, 300 (USD). That’s a ton of money, but I’d argue that preserving your eyes is worth way more than that. Dasung recently completed an Indiegogo crowdfunding program for the Paperlike 253 and claims that it will deliver the first batch of orders in August 2021. The pre-order for the device is closed as of this writing, but you can enter your email on Dasung’s online store to be notified when it’s available again.

Iron Studios Dungeons & Dragons Tiamat Demi Statue: Literal Fivehead

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Iron Studios has a treat for die-hard and deep-pocketed Dungeons & Dragons fans. The figure maker’s 1/20-scale Tiamat Demi statue features the legendary tabletop RPG monster as it was depicted in the franchise’s 1980s cartoon. Naturally, the statue also includes figurines of the cartoon’s six protagonists: Hank, Diana, Shiela, Eric, Presto, and Bobby (and Bobby’s pet Uni).

Each statue is primarily made of polystone that’s been handpainted. It stands at a towering 22″ tall and weighs 40 freaking pounds.

My only gripe with the figure is that you can see the gaps between the pieces if you look closely. But this is probably going on a shelf to be admired far from greasy fingers, that shouldn’t be a big concern. You can pre-order the statue from Iron Studios for $1,400 (USD).

Icy Dock ToughArmor MB872MP-B Can Fit 12 SATA SSDs in a 5.25″ Drive Bay: Super Saiyan Drive Super Saiyan

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The M.2 storage drive specification has been one of the best new additions to PCs in recent years, allowing for extremely compact and easy-to-install SSDs. These days it’s often used by incredibly fast NVMe SSDs, giving you the best of both worlds – small footprint and lightning speeds – at reasonable prices. But if you’re all-in on storage, Icy Dock has an enclosure that can hold up to 12 SATA M.2 SSDs in the now archaic 5.25″ drive bay.

The ToughArmor MB872MP-B enclosure has an all-metal construction and a 3-speed 4omm fan for durability. Its drive lockers feature a tool-less mechanism, allowing you to install drives in as little as 10s. It’s compatible with M.2 SATA SSDs from 2230 all the way up to 22110.

The enclosure connects to your motherboard via three SFF-8612 data connectors and two SATA 15-pin power connectors. That may sound like a lot, but considering you can pack up to 12 drives, that’s still very efficient and saves you a lot of time and cable management.

This being a high-end product, it does come with a fitting price tag. You can order the ToughArmor MB872MP-B from Buywee for about $970 (USD). It’s also on Amazon (affiliate link).

[via Toms Hardware]

Chibson Placebo Pedal Does Nothing: Air Guitar Essential

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Give the guitar nerd in your life the gift of nothing with Chibson USA and Daredevil Pedals’ Placebo Pedal. All of its parts are legit – the knobs, the footswitch, the power indicator light, and the I/O jacks. It’s just that it doesn’t do anything besides give you something to step on.

But the legitimately cool thing about the Placebo Pedal is that you can pay extra to get a DIY PCB kit that will let you turn this useless trinket into an actual fuzz pedal.

Daredevil Pedals sells the Placebo Pedal for $99 (USD), and the pedal plus the DIY PCB kit for $125.

[via Boing Boing]