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, M1 Max, 32GB RAM (2021)

    I was using an Intel-based 16” 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 of Docker, IntelliJ, and Chrome. The M1 Max is a beast.

  • Dual Dell UltraSharp monitors

    A set of standard 27" 4K monitor. They're nothing special, but get's the job done.

  • Gunnar Optics Razer RPG Computer Glasses

    To prevent strain on my eyes, I'm often rocking some amber tinted computer glasses. They're great if you have a tendency to feel fatigue or headaches after staring at a screen for a while.

  • Apple Magic Keyboard

    I've been through a lot of keyboards, yet I always return to the classic Apple Magic Keyboard. Its compact size and low profile, just makes it perfect, as it is super transportable and easy to quickly throw into a bag and bring along.

  • Apple Magic Trackpad

    Something about all the gestures makes me feel like a wizard with special powers. I really like feeling like a wizard with special powers.

Development tools

  • IntelliJ PHPstorm

    I recently made the switch from VS Code to IntelliJ. Before the M1 chip, IntelliJ was a bit of a resource hog, and would often hang; Now it's a breeze and it won't even get the fans spinning!

  • Warp

    Warp is a relatively new terminal emulator. I've been using it for a little while and I am really enjoying it. It's super fast, and has a lot of nice features.

  • TablePlus

    Great software for working with databases. Has saved me from building about a thousand admin interfaces for my various projects over the years.

Productivity

  • Raycast

    Raycast is like Alfred, but better.

  • Cron

    Keeping a clear and concise calendar is a must for me. I use my calendar both to keep track of my own schedule, but also as a todo list.