Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.
A list of things I use when I'm developing software, gaming online, or just studying technology, general infrastructure (DevOps), or history.
Workstations
13” MacBook Pro (2021), M1 Max, 32GB RAM
This MacBook is my travel buddy and my go-to for coffee shop work sessions. It's super fast and handles most development tasks like a champ—the only exception being those old Windows-only softwares, like the older .NET Frameworks. Since .NET Core came out, cross-platform development got way easier, which is why I decided to grab this laptop. I really dig it and don't see a reason to swap it out anytime soon, as it still has plenty of life left. I mainly use it for web projects.
13” Lenovo, Intel i7 12th, 64GB RAM - Pop!_OS and Parrot OS
This Lenovo is my station for all things Linux. I've got Pop!_OS on one partition for everyday stuff, and Parrot OS on another for when I need to perform or review pentests for the companies I work with. It makes fixing vulnerabilities a lot easier when I can replicate the issues pointed out by the security team. It's beefy enough to handle these tasks well, so it's reserved for my Linux environment.
Intel i9 14th generation, 98GB RAM, 4TB SSD M.2, GTX 4080 SUPER - Windows 11 with WSL and Hyper-V
This is my main desktop, where I spend most of my time. I use it for both gaming and development. In 2024, I bought the components separately and built it at home—it packs a 14th-gen i9, so it's got power to spare. I'm running Windows 11 here, with WSL set up with Ubuntu, and I've got several VMs with various Windows Servers (2012+) and Linux distros, which really helps with testing and learning new environments. With two monitors, I can manage everything smoothly and keep my workflow organized.
Development tools
Rider
Unlike most developers I know, I prefer a robust IDE over simple text editors any day. Rider is a JetBrains IDE geared towards .NET development that brings a ton of advanced features without the bloat you find in Visual Studio. For those who like a full-featured tool but can't stand slowness, Rider is perfect—especially now that it's free for non-commercial use. I used to use Visual Studio with Resharper, but the sluggishness made me switch to Rider, and I never looked back.
DataGrip
DataGrip is a powerful database management tool from JetBrains, supporting various databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle. It offers a rich interface with smart auto-completion and SQL refactoring tools.
SQL Server Management Studio
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is the go-to client for managing SQL Server and Azure SQL. It simplifies administration, configuration, and monitoring of SQL servers and databases, with an intuitive interface for developers and admins.
WebStorm
WebStorm is a JetBrains IDE specialized in front-end development and JavaScript, with advanced support for modern frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js. It has debugging and refactoring tools that speed up your workflow.
Visual Studio
Visual Studio is Microsoft's widely used IDE for development in various languages, especially in the .NET ecosystem. It offers a robust interface and tons of integrated features for the full development cycle.
Sublime Text 4
Sublime Text 4 is a lightweight and fast text editor, ideal for quick tasks and code editing in various languages. It offers a clean interface with a vast range of plugins for customization.
PHPStorm
PHPStorm is a JetBrains IDE focused on PHP, supporting frameworks like Laravel and Symfony. It offers advanced debugging features and integration with web development tools.
RubyMine
RubyMine is a JetBrains IDE specifically for Ruby and Ruby on Rails, offering support for debugging, testing, and refactoring tools. It's ideal for developers who want an integrated and optimized experience for Ruby.