Work-related Hardware and Software. Moved by the usesthis and uses.tech folks. If this helps someone find tools, nice. Please feel free to write in with/for recommendations.

Main Devices

Mac Mini M1 (2021) with 16GB RAM
This is my main machine where most moneymaking work happens. Super-capable despite the nice pricing. Will buy again in a heartbeat.

13-inch MacBook AIr M2 (2023) with 8 GB RAM
This is my ‘lightweight portable’ computer for on-the-go work and typing-from-an-easychair. Not super-capable because of the RAM bottleneck, so I have invented ways to reduce reliance on memory when working on large format print files. Almost-magical battery life.

12.9-inch iPad Pro M2 (2022) with 2nd Generation Apple Pencil
This machine has made teaching and sharing work to a small group effortless beyond what I’d imagined. Had major expectations of moving most work to the iPad but the software limitations (looking at Adobe) have let me down. I use it to annotate work, sketch and plan stuff, and watch films/videos. In class, the iPad mirrored to a Mac connected to a projector is my go-to setup for discussing digital work. Tried reading on it with moderate success. No buyer’s remorse. (B says I never have buyer’s remorse.)

iPhone 12
Bought used, after the 6S stopped receiving updates. My first large-sized phone. Distraction-machine. Double back-tap sends it into greyscale mode to deal with that. (Works with caveats.)

Input Tools

Keychron K2 V2 with Blue Switches (Hotswappable)
The aluminium framed version. A gift from my brother. Works like a dream. Dual connectivity options. Replaced the space bar switch with a black one for silence. Satisfyingly clicky otherwise. Memorising the backlight setting is the one thing I wish it did better. Fn+L+Backlight longpress fixed it. Documentation here: link.

HUION RTM 500
I use this with the laptop when travelling or at home. Nicer than the old Wacom One in some ways (one of them being a USB-C connection). The touchstrips and keys remain disabled. Needed a portable USB-C pen-tablet that fit within the laptop’s real-estate. The Bamboo One and Intuos 3 still work but there is no software support for newer Mac OSes.

Logitech Lift
One of the best investments in the hardware department. (Maybe after the Keychron.) Solved my elbow-strain issue almost overnight even though it took me some days to get used to this. Never going back to regular mice. I want to get an MX Vertical once the price comes down from space.

BinePad BNK9 White
A 9-key + dial macropad programmable into 4 layers via VIA. Has black switches (and that one blue from the keychron). I haven’t used it 100% yet. Waiting to buy some labelled keys or figure out a way to make layer-based LED backlighting work. I think I should’ve gotten the HUION or the XP-Pen macropad instead.

Monitors

DELL P2419H
This stays home now, connected to the MBAir only when watching some videos/movies or when there is significant amount of work. Intuitive OSD for all four buttons. The USB uplink works amazingly well. Such nice VFM I’m going to find another used one for the MacMini.

Cintiq Pro 16 on a LUMI Arm
The Cintiq Pro is 4K at 16 inches for some sweet, sweet clarity. Built in etched glass surface feels like paper. There was no VESA mount for the thing so stuck to a custom cut VESA plate with some 3M command strips. The arm is sturdy beyond necessity and helps so much with working ergonomics. The Mac Mini is permanently tethered to this monitor.

Audio

AKG Lyra Microphone
Gift from Mishal. Makes me want to start a podcast.

Airpods
Convenient. Chellam chewed through the first pair. This pair used to be my brother’s till he got an AT M50.

AKG K52
Bought this for how large the cups are. I put these on when I need to signal ‘donotdisturb’ at the workplace. I do that often with no music playing. Works well.

CoLoud Boom from 2015
Resilient like the NOKIAs it used to be shipped with. Nicely basic with some lovely product design detailing.

TinAudio T2s
Not used much because the MMCX connectors are temperamental. Suchnice sound etcetera.

Telling Time

G 5600 E1
Tough Solar. (So it recharges you while charging itself.) 5 Alarms, automatic backlight. Large numbers and commendable information-hierarchy.

GA 2100 in Red
Pointless and fun.

IKEA KUPONGs
Affordable, simple, fun shape. One at home and one at the HQ. Reminds me the sun has risen/set.

Software

Apart from the obvious/common stuff like CC (Ai, Id, Ps, Bridge, Acrobat), Figma, and Mac utilities, here are the ones in my dock.

iA Writer
Decidedly opinionated developers. Distraction-free. Their Quattro typeface (a derivative of IBM Plex) is quite a nice way to deal with ‘monospaced’ text!

Paper
Distraction-free writing. More customisable than iA writer.

iA Presenter
No-nonsense presentation-maker. Love how the focus is on writing well.

MonitorControl
Lets me deal with multimonitor brightness settings.

Firefox
With an array of Privacy tools.

Clear
Fun to-do lists. Nothing more/less.

NetNewsWire
All my RSS feeds in one place. One of the most used apps on the phone.

MYRenault
Awkwardly named. Well-detailed user-manual.

SublimeText and CyberDuck
For writing and uploading to keyaar.in

Telegram
For everything. Everything.

Bags

LowePro Urbex BP 20L
Typical useful LowePro styling and features. Nice side-access for a camera. Molle loops. Really nice tech-pouch that fits in the optional bottom compartment or hangs out from the Molle loops.

Victorinox Altmont Active Rolltop
On loan to R. Lovely details and the rolltop doubles as an open tote for unplanned acquisitions.

DailyObjects Slim Caddy Crossbody Bag
Mustard yellow. The right size for EDC. Makes the randomest of t-shirt-trouser pairings look deliberate. Or so I tell myself.

Forclaz Compact Messenger Bag
For when the other two are overkill. Makes you want to downsize for weight and space. Not meant to be a laptop bag but that hasn’t stopped me. Folds back into a pouch. No padding/protection. I’ll upgrade/sideways to a DO messenger bag someday.

Stationery

Longer list later. This is the EDC version.

Pilot Parallel Pens
1.5, 3.8, and 6.0 mm. All filled with various inks.

Pilot V SignPens
Black, refilled.

Figo Fine
Black, Violet, Orange.

Uni Kuru-toga M5 450T
The cheapest Kuru-toga. Gateway drug, I think.

Staedtler Mars Technico 2mm
Got this 8 years after first-sight-love in my Analytical Drawing faculty’s pocket.

Parker Jotter (Blue and Stainless Steel)
The best-feeling ballpens south of 300 Rs.

Camlin Techno
Uniball green leads from RaRa. Stuck eraser.

MUJI White Plastic Ruler + Kristeel Stainless Steel Ruler
One for drawing, the other for cutting.

Stainless Steel Loupe
From second-year. Fun at airports.

5mm Stencil Letters
All caps. I don’t know why this is EDC.

All of this in a LIHIT Lab Zipper Case
A fine replacement for the MUJI pencil box. Loved the catalog/tag that came with it.

Stanley 5m Tape
Now that we work often on large-sized outdoor signs. Bought 2 of these.