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 Pro, 16GB RAM (2021)

    Switching from an Intel-based MacBook to the 2021 M1 Pro model was a game changer—the performance boost is massive and, amazingly, I've yet to hear the fans kick in, even during the intense launch simulations we run.
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  • electriQ 49 inch VA QLED UWHD SuperWide 120Hz

    Switching from a traditional monitor to a SuperWide like the electriQ 49 inch is a game-changer. The expansive screen real estate allows you to have multiple windows open side by side, which is a massive boost for productivity. Plus, the immersion factor for gaming and watching movies is just incredible—you really get pulled into the action with that wide, cinematic view.
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  • Apple Magic Keyboard

    To be honest, when I bought my Mac, the Apple Magic Keyboard was half off, so I figured, why not? I might lean towards preferring a mechanical keyboard, but the Magic Keyboard is undeniably high quality. Plus, it really does look sleek next to my Mac.
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  • Apple Magic Trackpad

    When I picked up my Mac, I also snagged the Apple Magic Trackpad—it just made sense with the discount. I've toyed with the idea of getting a gaming mouse, but honestly, decision fatigue set in. For now, the Magic Trackpad's smooth gesture control and sleek design are doing just fine next to my setup.
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Development tools

  • Visual Studio

    I finally took the plunge and switched to Visual Studio, and honestly, it’s like I’ve discovered coding nirvana. The debugging tools are top-notch, and the integration capabilities have streamlined my workflow more than I ever imagined. It's a solid upgrade that's made a world of difference in my dev life.
    Check it out

  • Platform.sh

    Built for developers, by developers. The efficient, reliable, and secure Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) that gives development teams control and peace of mind while accelerating the time it takes to build and deploy applications.
    Check it out

Design

  • Figma

    I've started using Figma for my design projects, and it's been a total game-changer. The collaborative features are a dream, allowing real-time teamwork that just wasn’t possible before. It's streamlined the entire design process, making everything from prototyping to final revisions smoother and faster.
    Check it out

  • Photoshop

    Photoshop really is where it all began for me—I started out with Photoshop 6 back in the early 2000s, and I’m still using it today. It’s amazing to think how it's evolved, yet it remains my go-to for anything from quick edits to deep, complex designs. Truly, it’s the backbone of my digital toolkit.
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  • Midjourney

    I've been diving into Midjourney recently, and it's been an exhilarating experience. This AI tool opens up new realms of creativity, allowing me to explore visual ideas that used to be just out of reach. It's not just a tool; it's like having a creative partner that constantly inspires new directions in my projects.
    Check it out

  • ideogram

    Ideogram’s got a neat trick up its sleeve: it nails the text in your images exactly as you type it, no misspellings or mix-ups. It’s perfect for when you need your visuals to communicate just right, without any fuss.
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  • Dall e

    DALL-E is like a creativity supercharger; you just type in what you want, and it paints it up for you—anything from the realistic to the downright fantastical. It’s completely transformed how I approach visual content, making the impossible suddenly possible.
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Frameworks

  • Tailwind

    Tailwind CSS has been a total game-changer for my web projects; it lets me style my sites super quickly without wrestling with CSS. Its utility-first approach means I can build responsive designs almost intuitively—it's like having a cheat code for front-end development!
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  • Headless UI

    Headless UI has streamlined how I build interactive components for my web projects. It’s like a hidden gem that lets me focus purely on the functionality, without worrying about the underlying UI logic—it’s all about making things work seamlessly and look great with minimal fuss.
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AI

  • Github copilot

    GitHub Copilot has been like having a coding partner that's there 24/7. It suggests whole lines or blocks of code as I type, making it feel like I’m pair programming with a super smart colleague who really speeds up the process.
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  • ChatGPT/Gemini/Claude

    These LLM's have been like having a brainstorming buddy that’s always on call. It helps me flesh out ideas, troubleshoot coding issues, or just chat about anything under the sun—super handy for when I need a quick info boost or a bit of inspiration.
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  • Mind Studio

    Mind studio is my go to custom chatbot creator. Very extendable, very flexible.
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  • Claude

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

  • Octopus.do

    Octopus.do has made mapping out website structures and planning UI a breeze. It's like having a visual sketchpad that streamlines the design process, helping me lay out pages and navigation in an intuitive, user-friendly way—definitely a must-have for keeping projects organized and on track.
    Check it out

  • Figma

    Figma has revolutionized the way I handle UX design by making collaboration seamless and intuitive. It's like a digital studio where the entire team can see and tweak designs in real time, ensuring a cohesive user experience from the first wireframe to the final prototype.
    Check it out