> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://werd.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # My setup, October 2023 - URL: https://werd.io/my-setup-october-2023/ - Published: 2023-10-19T17:44:34.000Z - Updated: 2023-10-19T17:44:34.000Z - Author: Ben Werdmuller - Tags: #Import 2025-06-13 09:20 *I thought it would be interesting to detail some of my day-to-day setup, [Uses This](https://usesthis.com) style. This week I'm completely independent, so I'm only using my own hardware and software, which feels like a good time to take stock. This is my stack - I'd love to read yours!* [Previously](https://werd.io/2019/my-setup-september-2019); also see [the baby stack](https://werd.io/2023/the-baby-stack-at-9-months). ### Hardware My main computer is [a 2020 Mac Mini](https://support.apple.com/kb/SP823?locale=en%5FUS) with an M1 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB disk. I use an [LG 32" QHD IPS HDR10 monitor](https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-32qn650-b-qhd-monitor), the [Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad](https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK2C3LL/A/magic-keyboard-with-touch-id-and-numeric-keypad-for-mac-models-with-apple-silicon-us-english-white-keys), and [Magic Trackpad](https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK2D3AM/A/magic-trackpad-white-multi-touch-surface). I have zero complaints. My webcam is a [Razer Kiyo Pro](https://www.razer.com/streaming-cameras/razer-kiyo-pro), which is kind of overkill, but far better than the cheap Logitech model I used to use. For traveling, I still use a [13” 2020 MacBook Pro](https://support.apple.com/kb/SP824?locale=en%5FUS) (1TB drive, 16GB RAM). I have an [iPad Pro](https://support.apple.com/kb/SP814?locale=en%5FUS) with [Pencil](https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MU8F2AM/A/apple-pencil-2nd-generation) that’s mostly for reading these days, not for lack of trying: the [Magic Keyboard](https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MXQT2LL/A/magic-keyboard-for-ipad-pro-11-inch-4th-generation-and-ipad-air-5th-generation-us-english-black) feels nice but the lag is incredibly noticeable with many apps. I’d originally intended the iPad to be for creative work but it was not to be. I own a [Fujifilm XT-4 mirrorless camera](https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/products/cameras/x-t4/), which I bought when our son was born, but the truth is that I mostly take photos on my iPhone. I have the [iPhone Pro Max 15 in Titanium](https://www.apple.com/iphone-15-pro/), which I got on [the upgrade program](https://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program). I plan to let that expire this year and stick with this phone for a while. After a bunch of trial and error with headsets (and getting an ear infection from the AirPods Pro), [I use AirPods Max](https://www.apple.com/airpods-max/). The audio quality is incredible, but the microphone is just so-so. I have a [Blue Yeti](https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/products/streaming-gear/yeti-premium-usb-microphone.988-000103.html) mic that I bought for podcasting years ago and have considered hooking that up. I’ve got a [Sonos Five](https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/five) in my office and in various larger rooms in my house (with the microphone function disabled). I’ve augmented with a bunch of [Sonos One SLs](https://www.sonos.com/en/shop/one-sl) (which don’t have a microphone at all). I decided I needed a printer in my office so I bought a [Brother HL-L2350DW wireless duplex laser printer](https://www.brother-usa.com/products/hll2350dw). You can’t go wrong with Brother, but it must be said that wireless printing longer documents doesn’t work perfectly with newer versions of macOS unless you use the slightly awkward desktop application, which only takes PDFs. I have a [Fully Jarvis standing desk](https://store.hermanmiller.com/standing-desks/jarvis-bamboo-standing-desk/2542428.html?lang=en%5FUS) with [the balance board](https://www.workwhilewalking.com/fully-floatdeck-balance-board-reviews) and sit on a [grey SitOnIt Wit task chair](https://www.sitonit.net/productcatalog/wit-home-edition.html). My TV is a [Samsung 65" TU700D 4K Crystal UHD HDR Smart TV](https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/tvs/crystal-uhd-tvs/65--class-tu700d-4k-crystal-uhd-hdr-smart-tv--2020--un65tu700dfxza/) driven by an [AppleTV](https://www.apple.com/tv-home/), which I prefer to any other set top box I’ve tried. I studiously ignore the built-in Samsung OS. I drive a [2021 Tesla Model 3](https://www.tesla.com/model3), which I don’t think there’s an excuse for given Musk’s shenanigans and the company’s cavalier approach. My plan is to trade it in for a [Volkswagen ID. Buzz](https://www.vw.com/en/models/id-buzz.html) as soon as they’re available in the US. I’m hardline about never going back to driving a gas car. ### Software I use [macOS Ventura](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/10/macos-ventura-is-now-available/) on my desktop but have upgraded my laptop to [Sonoma](https://www.apple.com/macos/sonoma/). I’m not going to pretend that I can see much of a difference. My default web browser is [Arc](https://arc.net/), which I completely love. I read email in [Superhuman](https://superhuman.com/), which is too expensive but really does make email easier for me. Lately I’ve taken to using the stock macOS / iOS calendar app with all of my various work and personal calendars aggregated into one interface. I start my day by reading my feeds in [Reeder](https://reeder.app/), connected to my [NewsBlur](https://newsblur.com) account. I still use [Spotify](https://spotify.com) to listen to music, and have it connected to my car and the Sonos system. I use [Brain.fm](https://brain.fm) for binaural music that helps me focus and [Libro.fm](https://libro.fm) for audiobooks. I code using [VSCode](https://code.visualstudio.com/), like almost everyone. I keep my [Jetbrains](https://www.jetbrains.com/) license current, so I can always go back. My code is *almost* all hosted [on GitHub](https://github.com/benwerd), but I have some very old Known-related repositories on [Bitbucket](https://bitbucket.org/). I use [iTerm2](https://iterm2.com/) as my terminal client and depend heavily on [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/). I probably don’t need this many text editors. Blog posts are written in [iA Writer](https://ia.net/writer). Long-form work like my book is written in [Ulysses](https://ulysses.app/). I keep [BBEdit](https://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/index.html) around as a scratchpad and for text manipulation tasks. I’ve got [Notion](https://www.notion.so/) for private notes / bookmarks and [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/) for [public notes](https://werd.cloud). I have [Microsoft Word](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/word) for very boring use cases (legal documents, my resumé). I track time on freelance contracts using [Toggl](https://toggl.com/) and manage my invoices using [Wave](https://www.waveapps.com/). My personal Mastodon instance is hosted with [Masto.host](https://masto.host/) and I use [Ivory](https://tapbots.com/ivory/) as my client. My website (running [Known](https://withknown.com), of course) is hosted on [Digital Ocean](https://www.digitalocean.com/) and sits behind a [Cloudflare](https://www.cloudflare.com/) CDN. It uses [Plausible Analytics](https://plausible.io/).