Hardware I code on, software I code with, and other fancy things I use.
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, M1 Max, 64GB RAM (2021)
I was using an Intel-based 16” MacBook Pro prior to this and the difference is night and day. The M1 is so efficient that the fans hardly ever turn on and my battery lasts forever. Even when I get the low battery warning, I know I have plenty of time before I need to plug in.
Apple Pro Display XDR (Nano-texture Glass)
Everyone jokes about how much the stand costs, but this display slaps. Best monitor I have ever used, hands down. The nano-texture glass is amazing and it feels like you could reach out and touch the pixels.
Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
This keyboard does a good job at being slightly more ergonomic, while still feeling mostly like a traditional typing experience. It is a quick way to reduce some wrist strain, without the steep learning curve of something like a Kinesis Advantage.
Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse
Like many developers, or any humans who use computers all day, I have a lot of wrist pain. This Logitech MX vertical mouse helps mitigate some of the pain and I’ll take all the help I can get.
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
This is the gold standard of desk chairs for a reason. It’s both ergonomic and actually comfortable in various positions. This allows you to have as good or as bad posture as you’d like, while still remaining comfortable all day. It is endlessly adjustable, so it is comfortable for just about anyone.
Development tools
VSCode
VSCode is nothing new or flashy these days, but it’s still the best code editor out there right now. It has extensions for every language you can think of and is extremely customizable to allow for whatever coding experience you prefer.
Warp
Warp has been my terminal of choice for awhile now. It has a lot of great features, like saving your history in the cloud, so you always know what commands to run, grouping your commands and their output and making them shareable, and new fancy AI features.
Podcasting
Electro-Voice RE20 Dynamic Broadcast Announcer Microphone
The Shure SM7B might be the gold standard for podcast microphones, but, if so, the Electro-Voice RE20 must be platinum. This thing makes everyone sound good effortlessly and gives you that signature podcaster sound you are looking for.
RØDECaster Duo
RØDE is the gold standard in podcast equipment and the RØDECaster Duo is no exception. After previously using the RØDECaster Pro, I switched to the RØDECaster Duo to have something with a smaller footprint on my desk and updated audio processing capabilities. It also has a built in preamp, which is great, so I do not need to use a CloudLifter with my microphone anymore.
Sony a7 III
This is a good option for a camera because it is renewed and not quite as expensive as a brand new one, but is still a super amazing camera, in my opinion.
Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM
I don’t know a lot about camera lenses, but this one has worked great for me. I use it a couple feet away from where I sit, and it looks great and has some really nice background blur.
Productivity
Arc Browser
It’s been a long time since a new browser came out that really changed the game. Arc has a ton of great features, like a command palette, spaces, and best of all, auto closing tabs.