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, 64GB 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 I put it through with our various launch simulations.

  • 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.

  • Herman Miller Aeron Chair

    If I’m going to slouch in the worst ergonomic position imaginable all day, I might as well do it in an expensive chair.

Development tools

  • Clion

    My go-to for C++ development, providing powerful features for managing complex projects.

  • WebStorm

    The ultimate tool for JavaScript and front-end work, making web development a breeze.

  • IntelliJ IDEA

    Ideal for larger projects, especially when working with Java and complex codebases.

  • Anaconda

    Essential for managing Python environments and libraries in data science projects. .

  • Google Colab

    Perfect for quick prototyping and running code in the cloud, especially for machine learning and AI experiments.

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

  • AirPods Max

    I put on my AirPods Max with some low music to stay focused and keep the momentum going during work.