Software I currently 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, M1 Max, 32GB RAM (2021)

    I was using an Intel-based 14” MacBook Pro prior to this and the difference is night and day. I’ve never heard the fans turn on a single time, even under the incredibly heavy loads.

  • LG 35“ UltraWide QHD 3440 x 1440

    So much more fun working with an ultra wide screen where you can seamlessly have 2 screens in 1. Multi-tasking and debugging becomes much easier.

  • Keychron K10 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

    After buying a sample box of switches, I finally decided on Kailh Box Whites. I just love how easy they are to type with and you can not beat their sound.

  • Steelseries AEROX 3

    Sold as a ‘Wired Ultra Lightweight Super-Fast Mouse with AquaBarrier‘. This is just the lightest and most responsive mouse I ever used. Typically used for gamers so you know they made it for quick reaction time.

Development tools

  • Intellij IDEA or Webstorm

    I never been able to make the switch to another IDE as hard as I have tried. Undoubtedly the top-choice IDE for software developers.

  • Hyper

    Hyper auto-completion on the command line is next-level awesome. I am sure you will be a believer if you try it.

  • 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 for the entire company. Never would have expected the collaboration features to be the real hook.

Productivity

  • Alfred

    It’s not the newest kid on the block but it’s still the fastest. The Sublime Text of the application launcher world.

  • Focus

    Simple tool for blocking distracting websites when I need to just do the work and get some momentum going.