Uses
I often get asked about the things I use to build software, the tools I rely on to stay productive, my favorite guitars and effects, and the gadgets I love. Here's a big list of all of my favorite stuff.
Workstation
14" MacBook Pro, M3 Max, 36GB RAM (2023)
I have been using a Mac since the 2000s. From the 2010s, I was able to use a Mac for work as well, and now I rely on it in almost every scenario. The MacBook Pro I purchased in 2023 had top-tier performance at the time, and even now, it handles high-load tasks without any issues.
Dell 34 Curved Gaming Monitor(S3422DWG)
The Dell 34 Curved Gaming Monitor (S3422DWG) offers an immersive 3440×1440 ultra-wide resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for both work and gaming. The VA panel delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors, while AMD FreeSync Premium Pro ensures a smooth experience without screen tearing.
Keychron Q60 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard
The Keychron Q60 is a high-quality 60% mechanical keyboard with a premium aluminum build and a gasket-mounted design for a softer typing experience. I’ve customized mine with Gateron Jupiter Banana switches, which provide a smooth yet tactile feel with a medium force. The keyboard’s south-facing RGB lighting and hot-swappable PCB make it highly customizable, perfect for both work and casual use.
PFU HHKB PROFESSHIONAL HYBRID TYPE-S(SNOW)
It is the well-known Happy Hacking Keyboard, which I have been using since the first generation released in 1997. I am so used to it that I cannot work without it. The typing experience is great, it's lightweight to carry around, it's durable, and it's the best keyboard out there.
Development tools
NeoVim powered by LazyVim
The fancy IDE features that everyone relies on just get in the way for me. I used to be an Emacs devotee, but now the venerable but new NeoVim is the best text editor out there.
WezTerm
I'm honestly not even sure what features I get with this that aren't just part of the macOS Terminal but it's what I use.
Design
Pixelmator Pro
I use this software for image processing, which is Mac-specific and fast, reasonably priced compared to Photoshop, and it works well for me.
Productivity
LaunchBar
Not the newest, but the fastest, Alfred seems to be the favorite, but I've been using this launcher for a long time.
Guitars
YAMAHA REVSTAR RSP20
A high-quality YAMAHA guitar made in Japan. While it's sometimes perceived as a budget version of the YAMAHA SG, it features practical specifications like contour body shaping, chamber construction, and a 5-way pickup selector, making it a straightforward and highly playable instrument.
Fender 70th Anniversary American Vintage II 1954 Stratocaster
The 70th anniversary Stratocaster model released in 2024. Not knowing if I'll be around for the 80th anniversary edition, I decided to go for it. It's a faithful recreation of the 1954 original, and this particular one weighs under 3.5kg with a dry, pristine tone that's hard to find.
AriaPro II PE-1500RI
A reissue of AriaPro's flagship PE-1500, designed with their own interpretation in 1970s Japan when Les Paul replicas were popular. With an all-maple body and a 648mm scale—the same as a Stratocaster—it delivers a brighter tone than a typical Les Paul while maintaining its own character.
Epiphone CASINO
A 1983 Epiphone CASINO. Built by Matsumoku Industries in Japan during this period, it's often referred to as "Japan Vintage" and has exceptional build quality that rivals many American-made examples from the same era.
Epiphone USA Texan (FT-79)
Handcrafted by Gibson's luthiers at the Bozeman, Montana factory. While it shares the body design with the Gibson J-45, the Texan uses a regular 25.5" scale, giving it higher string tension and a brighter tone than the J-45.