Resources

Software

Chrome

My go-to browser, even though it still saps the RAM! I can't live without the Developer Tools and JavaScript Console, and going back to the built-in browser (Safari) always seems like a step backwards, although I still use it on iOS.

Mail

I have tried so many alternatives to Mail, but still keep coming back to the built-in macOS app. I think the main problem alternative apps have here is that, reading and replying to email is such a big part of our day-to-day lives, that even the smallest change to our routine seems huge.

Dropbox

Dropbox is one of the best non-Apple examples of "it just works". I put nearly everything into my Dropbox folder now, and I have recently upgraded to Pro so that I can use it properly with clients. Love it!

Atom

I learned to code—like many others, I'm sure—in SublimeText, but quickly moved to Atom for its Git integration and easily-customisable syntax colours. I used the Batman Syntax by ifcanduela for a while!

Terminal

I haven't even tried to find an alternative. It works just fine for my purposes.

Git + GitHub

For backing up and sharing my code directly from Terminal, Git is perfect for my needs. It also integrates nicely with Heroku, which I use exclusively now for hosting Rails applications.

Heroku

Heroku is brilliant for hosting more complex web applications. It integrates with Git (i.e. you can push code live with just one more command after 'git push'), it's free for developers to get started, and it has some excellent add-ons.

Wunderlist

My go-to GTD app. Again, I've tried so many other apps and always come back to Wunderlist. It's simple, efficient and reliable... most of the time. I was worried when it was acquired by Microsoft, and new features seem to have slowed somewhat since the takeover, but I'll persevere! I'm planning a blog post on how I use Wunderlist to best effect.

Sketch 3

I have experience with Photoshop and Illustrator, but for me and my needs, Sketch is far simpler, easier and less buggy than either of them. I do still have issues with assets sent to me in .eps format, which is frustrating now that I've ditched Adobe products from my Mac, but this is small niggle really.

iWork

I have to admit to still having Office on my system, but I've now almost completely switched to iWork—Pages, Numbers and Keynote. They are still severely lacking in some areas, especially Numbers, but I have faith that Apple will get there.

Fantastical

This app is worth buying for the natural language, quick entry feature in the menu bar alone. I rarely open the built-in Calendar apps of iOS or macOS anymore.

Tweetbot (iOS and Mac)

The only social media account I actively enjoy using is Twitter, even with all its issues... and these issues are significantly lessened when you use Tweetbot! Brilliantly simple and simply brilliant.

iTunes (Apple Music)

The app everyone loves to hate, and for good reason: it's overly-complicated, bloated and sometimes unusable. But by keeping it in the background and only interacting with it using Siri ("Play some Ed Sheeran"), it's fine.

Podcasts (iOS)

I love me some podcasts! At the moment, it's The Talk Show (with John Gruber) and The West Wing Weekly (with Hrishikesh Hirway and Joshua "Hot Pants" Malina).

Hardware

MacBook Pro

A retina, 15-inch, mid-2014 MacBook Pro running macOS Sierra, to be precise. It just keeps chugging on; in fact, I would say it's just as quick and reliable now as it was when it was bought. Update: The Staingate issue is fixed. I took it to the Genius Bar; they booked it in for repair the same day; and they replaced the whole screen unit for free (under the Extended Replacement Program).

iPhone

An iPhone 6, at the moment. I've had an iPhone since the 3G—I held out on the first one because of the lack of 3G—and I don't see me switching anytime soon. I'm so invested in the Apple eco-system now, it would be difficult to switch, and (frankly) I've never liked Android, which is the only real alternative.

Magic Mouse

Again, I hate the name, but it's quick, reliable and ergonomic enough for my liking. I only really use it when I'm doing design work; everything else I do from the keyboard anyway. I have the previous version too, not the one with the charging point on the bottom...

Notebook + Pen

Old-school, cheap, and still easier than getting my Mac out to take notes in meetings. I used to have an iPad, but I found that—in the end—I was only using it to take notes... Not a particularly good use of resources! I buy notebooks and pens from Wilkos, though I do love Field Notes!

Wishlist

Just for fun—and hopefully so that, one day, I can start ticking a few off...

iMac Pro + MacBook

To be precise: a spec'd out iMac Pro (due out in December) and a Space Grey MacBook (not Pro). I don't think I could ever be without a notebook, but my perfect setup is an iMac Pro in the office and a MacBook for travel.

iPhone "Pro"

All signs point to Apple releasing "an even higher end" iPhone in 2017. My money is going on it being called the iPhone Pro to differentiate it from the current line. (I'm going to write a blog post on this.) If it's not what I expect it to be, a new (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 will do just fine!

Tesla Model 3

Tesla are already big, but they're going to be one of the biggest car companies in the world by 2020, mark my words. Don't get me wrong: I'd love to own a Model S or X, but the Model 3 would be perfect for me and my family. Again, I'm going to write a blog post on this.

Field Notes, The Kit

I wouldn't mind updating my current Wilkos notepad and pen with one of these. I love the Field Notes brand, and the products they make are really high quality.