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

  • 16” MacBook Pro, M4 Max, 128GB RAM (2024)

    I used a Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition (Linux) prior to this and the difference is night and day. I've always been a fan on the terminal but a laptop with linux just felt limiting and on windows the terminal experience isn't quite there for me yet. The MacBook has been a delight to code on and the extra power is an added bonus.

  • LG UltraGear 34GN850 (QHD)

    I usually have a lot of windows open and this display is perfect to manage them. The 34” size is great for productivity and the QHD resolution is sharp enough. I did debate getting a 4k display but I didn't really need it plus I wanted my games to run at 60fps.

  • Logitech MX Mechanical Mini Keyboard

    I've used a lot of keyboards over the years but this is by far the best. The mechanical switches feel great and the compact size is perfect for my desk. I also like the fact that I can connect up to 3 devices to it and switch between them with ease. You can consider me a bit of a power user and I often have to switch between my machines so this is perfect for me.

  • Logitech MX Master 2S

    I have always used a gaming mouse until now, like the Logitech G502 which is a great mouse, super light and very responsive. But this is the best mouse I've ever used. Build quality is top notch and it incredibly comfortable to use. And again, I like the fact that I can connect upto 3 devices to it and switch between them with ease. I do plan to upgrade to the MX Master 3S in the future.

  • Herman Miller Aeron Chair

    Due to the nature of my work, I spend a lot of time sitting down. So I consider this a great investment. I pretty much live in this chair. It's super comfortable and has great back support. I also added in a headrest, which is optional, since sometimes I just like to kick back and relax in it.

Development tools

  • Cursor AI

    I've been using it for a while now and it's a great tool. Is it better than the other AI-assisted IDEs? Hard to say, I haven't tried them all. I'm familiar with this one and it works great so I use it.

  • Intellij IDEA

    I do code in Java and Kotlin a lot and this is the best IDE for it. I haven't found another IDE that can compare to it. Though I am considering moving completely to Cursor AI (TBD).

  • 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.

Design

  • Figma

    I use it not just as a design tool but also as my virtual whiteboard. I can draw and plan out my ideas and thoughts.

  • Canva

    I use it to create all my social media graphics and banners. It's a great tool and I can do most of the things I need to do.

Productivity

  • Obsidian

    I use it primarily as my note taking app. It's super simple and easy to use. And I love the fact that it just regular text files in markdown.

  • Todoist

    I use it to manage my tasks. It's a simple yet effective tool. I can assign tasks to my time blocks and it's a great way to stay on top of my work. A power tip, I use labels for my tasks so I can tunnel in during my time blocks.

  • Notion Calendar

    I always plan my week in advance, so a calendar is an essential tool in my workflow. It's a great tool and I love planning my time blocks with it. Fun fact, it was previously called Cron Calendar but was then acquired by Notion.