Hardware & Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.

I was using an Intel-based 16” MacBook Pro prior to this and the difference is night and day. I’ve never heard the fans turn on a single time, even under the incredibly heavy loads I put it through with our various launch simulations. I love this as both a development and content creation machine. If you would like my new machine setup process check out this [repository](https://github.com/danvega/new-macbook-setup/blob/master/2024/README.md).

This 27-inch 4K USB-C monitor has become my daily driver for both work and content creation. Its crisp UHD display with 1.07 billion colors delivers stunning visuals, while the ultra-thin bezels provide an immersive viewing experience. What I particularly love is the versatile USB-C connectivity that reduces cable clutter - a single cable handles power delivery, video, audio, and data transfer. The fully adjustable stand with tilt, swivel, and pivot options helps maintain perfect ergonomics during long work sessions.

The Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad is an essential tool in my daily workflow. Its sleek design, seamless wireless connection, and rechargeable battery make it a convenient and stylish addition to my workspace. The inclusion of a numeric keypad enhances productivity, and the familiar Apple quality ensures a delightful typing experience every time.

The Logitech MX Master 3 Advanced Wireless Mouse has become an indispensable part of my daily computing setup. Its ergonomic design and precision tracking make it exceptionally comfortable and efficient for long hours of work. The customizable buttons and hyper-fast scrolling wheel have transformed the way I navigate and multitask, making it a must-have tool for anyone seeking a smoother and more productive computing experience.

The FusionDock Max 1 is my go-to docking station for the MacBook Pro. With dual Thunderbolt 4 chips and support for quad 6K@60Hz displays, it provides incredible connectivity through its 20 ports. The 96W charging keeps my MacBook powered while handling multiple displays, peripherals, and high-speed data transfers through its 2.5GbE ethernet port. The build quality is excellent, and its sleek midnight blue design complements my setup perfectly.

I keep all my important files backed up on a 6TB WD My Passport external drive. It's incredibly compact for the storage capacity, and the USB-C compatibility makes it perfect for my Mac setup. The built-in hardware encryption helps keep my data secure, and the included backup software with ransomware protection adds an extra layer of security. The Navy color matches my workspace aesthetic nicely.

I recently upgraded to the UPLIFT V2 Standing Desk with a walnut laminate top. The dual-motor design makes height adjustments whisper-quiet, and the stability braces eliminate any wobble. It's transformed how I work, letting me easily switch between sitting and standing throughout the day. The premium build quality and 15-year warranty make it a worthwhile investment for my workspace.

IntelliJ Ultimate Edition

I'm a huge fan of IntelliJ and use it for my day to development in pretty much any language. If you want to see how I have customized it for Java / Spring development you can check out this video.

The Sony A6100 has become my go-to gear for creating stunning YouTube videos. Its ability to shoot in sharp 4K resolution ensures that every detail is captured crisply, making my content visually engaging. Moreover, the ease of use and reliable autofocus system lets me focus more on the content creation rather than fiddling with camera settings, making my filming process smooth and efficient.

The Sigma 16mm f1.4 lens has truly elevated my YouTube videos, delivering that sought-after blurry background which adds a professional depth to my shots. The wide aperture of f1.4 not only allows for beautiful bokeh but also performs exceptionally in low light conditions, ensuring my videos are always vibrant and clear. Its sharp and precise focus adds a level of polish to my content, making each video a visual delight for my viewers.

The Shure MV7 USB Microphone has been a game changer in the audio quality of both my YouTube videos and podcast episodes. Its plug-and-play simplicity, coupled with the superior sound clarity, ensures my voice comes across as natural and professional, enhancing the overall auditory experience for my audience. Additionally, the MV7's sleek design and robust build not only look great on camera but also promise longevity, making it a worthy investment for any content creator.

The Elgato Cam Link 4K has seamlessly integrated into my YouTube video creation process, enabling me to capture high-quality video swiftly and efficiently directly into my computer. Its plug-and-play functionality eliminates any hassle, allowing me to focus solely on producing engaging content. The crisp 4K resolution capture ensures that every detail is impeccably recorded, significantly elevating the visual appeal and professionalism of my videos.

I recently added the Stream Deck + to my setup to streamline my workflow. With its 8 customizable LCD keys and 4 tactile dials, it's perfect for controlling audio, launching apps, and automating repetitive tasks. The touch strip and programmable buttons are incredibly versatile - I can trigger multiple actions with a single tap, and the Wave Link integration makes audio management a breeze. The build quality is excellent, and the intuitive software makes customization simple.

he Wyze Bluetooth Headphones are a delightful find, offering a perfect balance between quality and affordability, which is crucial for my content creation journey. The sound clarity enhances both my editing process and my music listening experience while working, ensuring an enjoyable and productive atmosphere. Moreover, their inexpensive price tag is a sweet bonus, proving that high-quality audio gear doesn't have to break the bank, making them a valuable addition to my toolkit.

The Elgato Key Lights have become an indispensable part of my video creation setup, providing the precise lighting I need to produce high-quality videos. Their slim profile is not only aesthetically pleasing but also space-saving, and the convenient attachment to my desk ensures a stable setup while keeping my workspace uncluttered. The easy adjustability of brightness and color temperature directly from my computer or smartphone allows me to effortlessly create the perfect ambiance for each video, enhancing the visual quality of my content significantly.

Adobe Premiere Pro has become an extension of my creativity, providing a robust platform to edit all my videos with finesse. The plethora of editing tools, coupled with its seamless integration with other Adobe applications, enables me to bring my vision to life in a professional and visually appealing manner. The intuitive interface and the endless possibilities for customization make every editing session a smooth and enjoyable experience, ensuring each of my videos is polished to perfection.

Epidemic Sound has been a treasure trove of high-quality soundtracks that add a unique vibe to each of my videos. Its vast library and user-friendly interface make finding the perfect tune a breeze, ensuring my content is always sonically engaging and complementary to the visual narrative.

Ecamm Live has revolutionized the way I record screencasts and go live on YouTube, offering a seamless, user-friendly interface coupled with robust functionality. The software provides a smooth recording and streaming experience, ensuring high-quality output that engages my audience whether I'm sharing my screen or interacting live, making every session professional and enjoyable.

Notion is a comprehensive organization and productivity tool that combines note-taking, task management, databases, and project tracking into a single, flexible platform. It stands out for its highly customizable interface, allowing users to create and manage content in a variety of formats, from simple to-do lists to complex project boards. Ideal for both personal and collaborative use, Notion is a versatile choice for those seeking an all-in-one solution to streamline their workflow and organize their ideas and projects efficiently.

Are you a content creator who struggles to find enough time to produce written content alongside videos? Do you wish there was an easy way to transform your videos into compelling blog posts? Look no further than VideoTap!

Raycast is a productivity tool for macOS that serves as a powerful alternative to the built-in Spotlight search. It's designed to help users quickly access and control various aspects of their computer and workflow.

Nuxt 3 is a versatile and modern framework for building web applications, offering improved performance, enhanced developer experience, and a range of new features over its predecessor, Nuxt 2. It leverages Vue.js 3, Vite, and Nitro server engine to create fast, server-side rendered applications that are both scalable and maintainable. Ideal for developing both static and dynamic websites, Nuxt 3 simplifies the development process with features like automatic routing, component auto-importing, and improved module compatibility.

Netlify is a popular platform for hosting and automating web projects, renowned for its simplicity and powerful continuous deployment capabilities. It seamlessly integrates with various front-end frameworks and headless CMS options, offering features like serverless functions, form handling, and automatic SSL. Ideal for modern web development, Netlify simplifies the process of deploying, scaling, and maintaining web applications, making it a go-to choice for developers aiming for efficiency and high performance.

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that enables rapid UI development by providing a vast set of pre-defined classes, which can be combined to build custom designs without writing CSS from scratch. It emphasizes responsive design and offers a highly customizable system, making it easy to create unique and responsive interfaces with minimal effort. Tailwind's approach streamlines the development process, leading to cleaner HTML and more maintainable codebases.