Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.
I get asked a lot about the things I use to build software, stay productive, or buy to fool myself into thinking I’m being productive when I’m really just procrastinating. Here’s a big list of all of my favorite stuff.
Workstation
13” MacBook Pro, M1, 16GB RAM (2021)
I upgraded to this M1 MacBook Pro as soon as it was available and I love it. It’s got plenty of power for everything I need to do and the battery life is incredible.
16” MacBook Pro, 6-core i7, 16GB RAM (2019)
I was using an Intel-based 13” MacBook Pro for a while but I recently upgraded to this 16” MacBook Pro and I love it. The screen is great, the keyboard is great, and it’s got plenty of power for everything I need to do.
Samsung Odyssey G9 49” Ultrawide Monitor - 240Hz
I’ve been using ultrawide monitors for years and I’ll never go back to a single monitor. I’ve tried a bunch of different ones but this is the best one I’ve found so far. It’s huge, it’s curved, and it’s got a high refresh rate.
Razer Keyboard
I’ve tried a bunch of different mechanical keyboards and this is the one I keep coming back to. I love the feel of the keys and the sound they make when I’m typing.
Apple Magic Trackpad
The trackpad on the MacBook Pro is great but I like having a separate trackpad when I’m using my external monitor and keyboard. It's also great for when I’m using my iPad as a second screen.
Razer Gaming Chair
If I’m going to slouch in the worst ergonomic position possible, I might as well be comfortable doing it. The lumbar support and incline on this chair are great.
Development tools
VS Code
I’ve tried to switch to other editors but I always come back to VS Code. It’s just too good. I’ve got a whole bunch of extensions installed. I’ll try to remember to list them out here at some point.
iTerm2
I’m honestly not even sure what features I get with this that aren’t just part of the macOS Terminal but it’s what I use and sometimes mix it up with the built-in Terminal.
TablePlus
Great software for working with databases. Has saved me from building about a thousand admin interfaces for my various projects over the years.
Design
Figma
We started using Figma as just a design tool but now it’s become our virtual whiteboard. Never would have expected the collaboration features to be the real hook.
Miro
Miro is the closest thing I’ve found to a virtual whiteboard. It’s great for brainstorming, planning, and collaborating with the team. I also use it to draw out my ideas for new features and designs.
Productivity
Notion
Putting all of my notes, tasks, and documents in Notion has been a game-changer for me. I’ve tried a bunch of different tools over the
Apple Notes
When it comes to quick notes, I still haven’t found anything that beats Apple Notes. I’ve tried a bunch of different tools over the years but I always come back to this one.
Calendly
Great tool for scheduling meetings while protecting my calendar and making sure I still have lots of time for deep work during the week.
Focus
Simple tool for blocking distracting websites when I need to just do the work and get some momentum going.