Uses

The stuff I use to make stuff.

I'm a firm believer that good tools are investments, not expenses. Buy quality, take care of it, and the cost-per-year math works out beautifully. Some things on this list have been with me for over a decade.

This page gets updated whenever I acquire something worth talking about or finally admit something's gathering dust.

The Command Center

My dedicated workstation @ home

Desky Dual Ergo Edge Sit Stand Desk

Bamboo top, matte black frame, 70.9" × 29.5" of real estate. I love how roomy it is and enough space for all of my things.

HP Z27k G3 4K Monitor (27")

My primary display since May 2021. Color-accurate, sharp, and still going strong. This is where the actual work happens.

KTC 24" QHD Monitor

Portrait mode duties - terminal output, running tests etc.

Staples Hyken Technical Mesh Task Chair

The chair is very comfortable and breathable. I've had it for years and it's held up.

The Brain

64 gigs of "I don't want to think about RAM ever again"

MacBook Pro 14" (2023) - M2 Max, 64GB RAM

This machine is absurd and I love it. The 64GB wasn't showing off - it was a calculated decision. Good hardware lasts years, and the cost evens out. This thing compiles fast, stays cool, and handle occasional video editing without breaking a sweat.

Input Devices

The tactile stuff

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID & Numpad

The daily driver. Touch ID is genuinely life-changing for quickly locking the Mac.

Keychron K3 Ultra-Slim 75%

Beautiful keyboard. Wireless. Mechanical. Not using much though.

Apple Magic Mouse 2 (Space Grey)

Yes, I know. The charging port is on the bottom. I've made peace with it.

Audio Gear

I take my ear health very seriously

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 (Porcelain)

Game. Changer. These became my daily drivers almost immediately. Great ANC, comfortable fit, I love listening to Podcasts on them during morning walks.

Sony WH-1000XM5

I pull these out for flights, deep focus sessions, or when I need to dramatically signal "do not disturb" to everyone in the room.

Code & Craft

My favorite tools for building software

Cursor

My editor at home. The AI features have gotten really good lately.

VS Code + Github Copilot

Work editor. Copilot is paid for by the company, and honestly, it's a solid setup.

Zed + Vim Mode

I usually use Zed for when I don't want to use any AI features. The plain old Vim mode is great for focus and speed.

Hyper Terminal + Zsh

I have fully customized Zsh with Oh My Zsh, custom theme, and a few plugins for git and syntax highlighting. Hyper is just a solid terminal.

Browsers

Internet surfing machines

Chrome

Personal browsing. Yes, I know about the RAM. See: 64GB above.

Edge

Work profile. Microsoft redemption arc is real.

Productivity

An avid follower of personal productivity systems

Obsidian

Where thoughts go to become connected thoughts. Markdown-based, local-first, and doesn't hold my notes hostage in some proprietary cloud.

Todoist

My GTD system. Here's my philosophy: if it goes on the list, it will get done. This simple rule broke me out of the procrastination loop. Highly recommend.

Readwise + Reader

The highlight capture system. Everything I read - articles, books, tweets - gets funneled here and synced to Obsidian.

Photography

Freezing moments in time

Fujifilm X-T5 (Silver) + Fujinon XF 33mm F1.4 R LM WR

My current love affair. The X-T5 is everything I wanted - tactile dials, film simulations that actually look good, and that 33mm f/1.4 is chef's kiss.

Nikon D5300 + AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

The OG. I've had this setup for over a decade. It still shoots. Sometimes the best camera is the one that taught you photography.

Gaming Setup

Work hard, play hard, repeat

Sony PlayStation 5

Currently playing: Ghost of Yotei. The sequel we deserved.

Collector's Editions

I own exactly two: God of War and Ghost of Yotei.

Daily Carry

The mobile loadout

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL (Obsidian, 128GB)

Android loyalist. The camera is ridiculous.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L V2 (Charcoal)

The new acquisition for hauling camera gear.

Nautica Bag

10+ years and counting. This thing refuses to die. I respect that energy.

NIU KQi3 Pro Electric Scooter

700W motor, 31-mile range, 20 MPH top speed. Folds up, fits in corners, and makes short trips genuinely fun. Also, triple braking system because I value my bones.

Accessories

Boring but essential

Canon Pixma TR7620a

I have owned couple of printers in my life, and this is by far the most reliable one. Prints, scans, and copies without fuss.

Logitech C920S Pro Webcam

1080p, reliable, and has a physical privacy shutter. Best investment for video calls.

Subscriptions

The monthly tributes

Spotify

Music and podcasts. The algorithm knows me too well.

ChatGPT Plus & Claude Pro

For when I need a second opinion from a robot. And sometimes a third opinion from a different robot.

Coffee and Chai

The human maintenance stuff

Morning Chai

My wife preps traditional Indian chai before she leaves for work. It's the best part of waking up.

Tim Hortons Coffee

The lunch break ritual.