My Essential Toolkit: Software, Gadgets, and More

In the tech marketing world, the right tools can make all the difference. Colleagues and friends often ask about the software and gadgets that keep me productive (and occasionally help with my creative procrastination). Here’s a quick rundown of my favorite picks that enhance both work and play.

Workstation

  • 14” MacBook Pro, M3 Pro, 36GB RAM (Nov 2023)

    I transitioned from an M1 MacBook Air, previously an Intel-based MacBook Pro 16”. The contrast is like night and day. Remarkably, I’ve never heard the fans turn on, even with the heavy loads from our applications. And the best part? The battery life—it lasts an entire workday, a full 8-10 hours, or sometimes even a 16-hour “normal” workday.

  • Monitor: Dell 27” IPS

    This is a solid choice, especially for its price – not too expensive but certainly not bottom-tier. It offers a good color gamut, making it suitable even for design work. However, the speaker quality leaves something to be desired, and the borders tend to flash occasionally if touched while the display is on.

  • Keychron K6 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard - Brown Switches

    A versatile keyboard that’s comfortable to type on, offering pleasant clicky feedback. While it doesn’t quite match the original Apple Keyboard, this one stands out with its ability to connect to multiple devices via Bluetooth and USB-C. Its only downside is its bulkiness, making it less suitable for travel.

  • Logitech MX Master 3S

    It’s an exceptional all-rounder. The clicking sound is satisfying, and the scroll wheel, featuring an infinite scroll, is super pleasant, though it can be annoying if not managed properly. It’s still the best mouse I’ve ever used, surpassing any Apple mouse in my experience. Plus, it’s more ergonomic, causing less strain on the hands during longer sessions.

Development tools

  • Visual Studio Code

    Yes, it seems like everyone is using it now. But its features, especially virtualization through Codespaces and the new addition of Copilot, have made the quality of life so much better. It’s just really good.

  • iTerm2/Terminal

    I’ve been using iTerm2 without fully exploring all its unique features beyond what the macOS Terminal offers. It’s been my go-to, but I’m open to switching back to the standard Terminal if iTerm2 doesn’t prove to be significantly better.

Design

  • Figma

    We started using Figma as just a design tool, but now it’s become our virtual whiteboard for the entire company. The collaboration features have turned out to be the real game-changer.

Productivity

  • Alfred

    It’s not the newest tool out there, but it’s still the fastest. It just looks and feels more intuitive than Spotlight, and I bet it’s faster looking-into files.

  • Unclutter

    Unclutter is my go-to for daily text-dumping. Not note’s app alone. Also, it almost flawlessly simplifies file management and clipboard copying, making it easy to use. Its all-in-one functionality makes it a tough tool to replace.

  • Note App #1: Apple Notes

    Yes, I have plenty of note apps, but the original, free, default Apple Notes app is my go-to when I’m on the go. It’s always there, reliably synced, and always free.

  • Note App #2: Notion

    Notion is essential for organizing and presenting work-related materials to my team. Its database support is particularly useful. While it’s slow and requires time to learn and configure, its ubiquity and sharing ease make it superior to competitors like Craft, Google Docs, Microsoft Notes, etc.

  • Note App #3: iA Writer

    iA Writer has a unique charm that makes typing a pleasure. It excels at creating high-quality PDFs through markdown. It’s likely the only app that will leave a usable file in my directory even if I stop subscribing to the others.

  • Note App #4: Reflect (new)

    Reflect is a significant new addition to my toolkit. It promises a seamless transition to a daily notes system, aiming to keep everything organized by topic, despite all writing being in daily notes. Its AI and CRM-like features, which sync with my calendar and contacts, make it a compelling choice. The only drawback? The cost – $10 a month.

  • Apple Calendar (back)

    I previously used FantastiCal, which was great, but not worth the ongoing subscription cost. Apple’s basic Calendar app has proved to be an excellent alternative for scheduling meetings. It helps me protect my time on both iOS and macOS, ensuring I allocate ample time for deep work throughout the week.

  • Arc Browser (new)

    Arc Browser is another recent addition to my arsenal. It’s quite sophisticated, and to truly appreciate its impact on productivity, you really need to experience it firsthand.

  • Honorable mentions

    • Spark Mail (The 2nd, the third? - the new one with AI): It’s strikingly beautiful with AI integration – it’s slow, but oh so beautiful. Then again, it’s slow... but can’t overlook that beauty (enter the infinite loop of beauty and slowness).
    • Microsoft Outlook (for work mail): It allows quick referencing of colleagues as it integrates seamlessly with the company directory.
    • Microsoft Teams: Similar to Meet or Zoom, but tailored for my current company work meetings. It also doubles as a Power BI visualizer.
    • Apple Mail: Fast and reliable, it gets the job done efficiently.
    • WhatsApp App: Handy for quick CMD + Tab access, rather than switching between browser tabs. It also simplifies quitting and managing local files.
    • Adobe Photoshop 2024: It’s just required now a days.
    • Adobe Illustrator 2024: Same logic but with originals.