Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.
Nobody asked but here are 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, M1 Pro, 32GB RAM (2021)
Despite being released back in 2021, this machine is still a powerhouse! The fans are practically silent, it stays cool on my lap, and I’ve never experienced any stuttering or lag, even when tackling large TypeScript projects. Compiling is lightning-fast compared to the work laptop, which has its own set of challenges.
15” Lenovo LOQ, i7 13650HX, RTX 4060, 32GB RAM (2024)
This company-provided laptop has good specs on paper, but it occasionally lags and stutters. The fans become extremely loud under heavy workloads, which can be distracting and uncomfortable. Despite these issues, it serves its purpose for my work.
Ugreen Hyper-Fast Mouse
A Logitech MX Master rip-off, but it gets the job done without breaking the bank. I bought it because it’s very affordable, and I’m surprisingly okay with it. It features horizontal scrolling and infinite scrolling, just like the MX Master, making it a decent alternative for everyday tasks.
Maono PM461TR
This microphone is a decent choice for anyone looking to improve their audio quality. While it delivers clear sound out of the box, I use OBS and a virtual audio cable to apply additional filters for better sound quality. It’s an affordable option that serves its purpose well.
Standing Desk
Investing in a standing desk has been a game changer for my productivity and comfort. It allows me to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day, which helps reduce fatigue and keeps me energized. If you’re considering one, I highly recommend it!
Development tools
Cursor
I’ve been using Cursor since the first time I tried it. It offers excellent code completions and AI features that enhance my workflow. While there’s a paid subscription available, the free tier has been sufficient for my needs so far.
Warp
A modern terminal with awesome UI/UX. I recently just started using it and I freakin enjoy it. This will probably be my terminal of choice.
Brave
I primarily use Brave for its robust built-in ad blocker. While it offers web3 features, I don’t use any of them. Since it’s still based on Chromium, this allows me to utilize familiar dev tools for web development.
Others
Raycast
Raycast is a lot more than just better spotlight app. I enjoy using it for it’s amazing extensions and shortcuts. I haven’t used it for any AI tools yet but I enjoy the productivity aspect of it.
Hand Mirror
An awesome menu item to check how you’re looking quickly. (macOS only)
Cal.com
Amazing open source tool for scheduling meetings while protecting my calendar and making sure I still have lots of time for deep work during the week.