Here is a list of tools and services I love and use (last updated in December 2025). Note that some of the links are affiliate.
Computing
- MacBook Pro (the original M1 2021).
- iPhone 11 (3rd battery) and looking to upgrade to iPhone 17.
- Apple Watch Series 8 for tracking sleep, gym, walks and bike rides.
- QNAP TS-435XeU (Amazon) home-lab server for Home Assistant and Scrypted along with Time Machine backups and local file sharing.
- Beelink U59 Pro (Amazon) for dual-booting Windows and various Linux distros.
- Beelink EQ14 (Amazon) for NVR and homelab Docker containers.
- Mikrotik RB5009UPr+S+IN (Amazon) router with UniFi U6+ (Amazon) access-point (see the related blog posts).
- Dell UltraSharp 27 inch 4K U2723QE monitor (Amazon) which requires this configuration fix.
Hardware
- Carhartt Legacy 14-inch tool bag with 26 pockets (Amazon).
- Makita 18V power tools.
- USB-C Makita 18V battery adapter and charger (AliExpress).
Electronics
- Miniware TS80 USB-C (only 18W QC3.0) soldering iron. Newer versions are TS80P 30W (Amazon, AliExpress) or TS101 60W (Amazon, AliExpress) which support USB-C PD2.0.
- Rigol DS1054Z 4-channel oscilloscope (Amazon). Newer version is Rigol DHO800 series (Amazon, AliExpress).
Development
- Visual Studio Code code editor.
- Tower Git client.
- GitHub personal plan with 130+ public and 40+ private repositories.
- DigitalOcean hosting projects.
- Sketch and Figma for design and prototyping.
Software and Services
- Zen browser (primary) and Chrome for performance work.
- Strongbox for password management (synced over iCloud).
- Portainer for homelab Docker needs.
- WireGuard for secure networking (blog posts) with a DigitalOcean jump-server.
- Home Assistant and Apple Home for home automation.
- Restic for server backup to homelab.
- Backblaze for personal computer backups.
- iCloud Storage for photos, videos, family email and iCloud Drive.
- Google Workspace for email, docs, calendars, etc.
- Apple Notes for writing and notes.
- Spotify family plan.
Reading
- Reeder on iOS and macOS with iCloud sync for following news and blogs.
- Amazon Kindle 2019 and iPad Air (4th gen) (Amazon) for reading.
- Apple Books for buying and reading books on mobile.
- Goodreads for finding and reviewing books. See my bookshelf.
- Subscriptions to Passive House Plus, The Economist and Dwell.
Video & Audio
- Canon 750D.
- Movo PM10 lavalier microphone for iPhone.
Outdoor Gear
Most gear purchased from Trekkinn, Bergfreunde and Decathlon.
- Fjallraven Raven 28 (Amazon) backpack as a daily driver.
- Fjallraven Sten jacket (Amazon) for summer and Skogso Padded (Amazon) jacket for winter which I don’t recommend (sleeves too long and size too small).
- Fjallraven Vidda Pro (Amazon) hiking trousers.
- Seiko Alba Solar analog watch from Japan via eBay.
- Opinel Nomad (Amazon) cooking set.
- Opinel foldable no. 08 pocket knifes (Amazon).
- Airbank D13 Pro portable pump for SUPs and other inflatables.
Other /uses Lists
See uses.tech for other similar lists.