A curated catalogue of field-tested hardware and software, selected through practical evaluation and sustained real-world use.
Each piece of kit here has survived thorough evaluation and real-world testing, often in the most demanding situations. These aren't just purchases made on a whim - consider them trusted companions that enable both professional work and personal projects.
Categories
Hardware
Essential computing and networking gear that forms the backbone of daily work - workstations, peripherals, and infrastructure tools tested in demanding conditions.
19 items
16" MacBook Pro
This MacBook Pro laptop handles demanding development workflows with processing power that never struggles. Complex builds, locally running servers, multiple Docker containers, and heavy IDE sessions run simultaneously without the fans even noticing. The display's colour…
Workstation
BenQ Dual Ergo Arm BDH01
This dual monitor arm fixes the part of a desk setup most people tolerate for far too long: badly positioned screens. The BDH01 holds a pair of substantial monitors without sagging, drifting, or turning every adjustment into an engineering project. Once dialled in, it frees up…
Display
BenQ PD2725U
This 27-inch 4K monitor earned its place by doing exactly what work displays are supposed to do: stay sharp, stay consistent, and never become the problem. Running two PD2725Us creates a desk with enough space for code, terminals, browser windows, and the inevitable pile of…
Display
BenQ ScreenBar Halo
These monitor lamps are absurdly good and very likely the best desk lights I've ever used. Running one above each display creates proper task lighting without the glare, reflections, or awkward shadows that traditional desk lamps seem determined to produce. The asymmetrical…
Display
12.9" iPad Pro
This iPad Pro tablet transforms into an invaluable second screen, eliminating the need for external monitors. The 12.9-inch display shows photographs beautifully, while there's plenty of real estate for documentation, terminals, or simply observing metrics. Sidecar integration…
Sidecar
CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Pro Dock
This Thunderbolt 4 dock transforms desk setups from cable chaos into organised efficiency with a single connection. The abundance of ports handles everything - additional displays, external storage, different input devices such as tablets, printers, and everything else you can…
I/O Expansion
ASUS ZenWiFi BT8
This mesh WiFi system delivers enterprise-grade networking without the subscription nonsense plaguing modern routers. After years of reliable service from Velop that eventually struggled with growing device demands, the ZenWiFi proved refreshingly straightforward to configure…
Network
Synology DiskStation DS920+
This NAS storage solution operates so transparently you forget it's even there unless you explicitly need it. The DS920+ handles the 3-2-1 backup strategy brilliantly - local copies, network redundancy, plus automated cloud sync for complete protection. Beyond basic storage, it…
NAS
OWC Express 1M2 4TB
This external SSD has become a permanent part of the desk rather than a drive that appears only when needed. The Express 1M2 combines serious speed with the kind of thermal stability and physical solidity that makes leaving it connected feel entirely reasonable. Large file…
Storage
SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD 2TB
Backup media should be dependable, fast, and physically separate from the drives doing daily work - and this portable SSD fills that role without fuss. The Extreme PRO is compact enough to keep nearby, robust enough that carrying it around doesn't feel reckless, and quick enough…
Storage
OWC Envoy Express 500GB
Every setup benefits from a drive that exists purely for experiments and disposable work - the kind of testing that should never happen on primary storage. The Envoy Express is compact, responsive enough to feel natural, and small enough that leaving it connected doesn't clutter…
Storage
Brother DS-940DW
This compact document scanner handles the administrative drudgery that inevitably piles up around modern life without demanding permanent desk real estate. The DS-940DW disappears into a drawer between jobs, yet it's capable enough that receipts, signed forms, and assorted…
Input
Xencelabs Pen Tablet & Quick Keys
This pen tablet transforms photo editing from frustrating pixel hunting into natural, precise adjustments that actually feel intuitive. The pen pressure sensitivity captures subtle strokes while the Quick Keys handle shortcuts without reaching for the keyboard. Build quality…
Input
Canon PRO-200S
This photo printer delivers gallery-quality prints that transform digital photos into proper wall-worthy art. The PRO-200S handles everything from standard 6x4s to impressive A3+ prints with colour accuracy that matches what's on screen. Eight individual ink cartridges mean…
Output
Apple AirPods Pro
These earbuds have become the unquestioned daily driver simply because they remove friction from every part of the day. AirPods Pro slip in quickly, connect without fuss, and handle calls, podcasts, and background music with the kind of reliability that matters more than…
Audio
Apple AirPods Max
These headphones exist for one reason: listening to music properly. AirPods Max deliver a fuller, more spacious sound than any in-ear alternative, turning casual background listening into something far more intentional. The tuning stays controlled and detailed without veering…
Audio
Kindle Oasis
This e-reader serves one purpose brilliantly - providing distraction-free fiction escapes without the weight of physical books. The Oasis handles my growing collection of hundreds of sci-fi novels that would otherwise dominate entire bookshelves. Page-turn buttons feel more…
Reading
reMarkable 2
This digital writing tablet captures the paper experience without killing trees or losing notes in random notebooks. The reMarkable 2's e-ink display feels remarkably close to actual paper under the stylus, with just enough texture resistance for natural writing. No…
Writing
Nintendo Switch OLED
This gaming console brilliantly balances portable and home gaming without compromising either experience. The Switch OLED's screen transforms handheld play - colours pop properly, blacks look actually black, making games genuinely enjoyable on the smaller display. Docking to the…