Stephan Meijer

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

I get asked a lot about the things I use to build software, stay productive, or buy to fool myself into thinking I’m being productive when I’m really just procrastinating. Here’s a big list of all of my favorite stuff.

Workstation

  • 16” MacBook M1 Pro, 32GB RAM (2021)

    I've always been a Windows/Linux user, and a loyal Dell customer, but I was done with the fan noise, and the constant throttling to keep the CPU cool. I've been using this MacBook since early 2022, and I'm very happy with it. It's quiet, has an amazing battery, and a large 16" screen. The notch is still weird, and the OS ain't perfect, but as long as Intel isn't fixing its heat issues, the Mac is here to stay.

  • 40" UltraWide Monitor (Dell U4021QW)

    I've had an LG 38WN95CP for a while, which had better specs on paper, but after 3 RMAs I gave up on it. I'm very happy with this Dell monitor. It's a bit bigger, has a good resolution, and the colors are great. I'm using it in combination with MacBook, which is connected via a single USB-C cable. The monitor charges the laptop, and acts as a USB hub for my keyboard and mouse. I'm using the monitor's built-in speakers, which are surprisingly good.

  • Dygma Defy

    I needed a split keyboard for my RSI, and this one looked like the popular MoonLander, but wireless. I can’t stand cables on my desk. The thing requires getting used to, but I’m happy with it.

  • Insta360 Link 4K Webcam

    I use this webcam for all of my video calls. It’s a great webcam with a clear image, and a great field of view. I have it directly mounted on and plugged into my monitor.

  • Blue Yeti X USB Microphone

    I use this microphone for all of my video calls. It’s a great mic and I love the built-in mute button. Again, plugged into the monitor. I used to have it on a Blue Compass boom arm, but returned to the desk stand.

  • Sony h.ear (WH-H900N) Bluetooth Headphones

    I use these headphones to cancel out everyone near me. They’re comfortable, have great sound, a good battery life, and great to cancel out the noise around me.

  • JBL Live PRO+ Bluetooth Earbuds

    I use these earbuds when I’m on the go. They’re good for phone calls, and have great noise cancellation. They're not as comfortable as the Sony headphones, but they're much easier to carry around.

  • Garmin vívomove Style

    I love this watch. It’s a hybrid smartwatch, which means it looks like a regular watch, but it has a small screen that shows notifications, and tracks my health. It’s a great watch, and I love their Body Battery feature.

  • Netgear Nighthawk M2

    I use this mobile router when I’m on the go. It’s basically a powerbank that can create a hotspot from a SIM card, existing WiFi, UTP or USB. It should be able to host a network drive as well, though I haven’t tried that yet.

Development tools

  • WebStorm

    I’ve been using WebStorm for years, and I love it. It’s a great IDE for JavaScript / TypeScript. It’s fast, has great refactoring tools, and the built-in debugger is amazing.

  • Wallaby.js

    Wallaby.js is a test runner that runs your tests as you type. It’s a great tool to get immediate feedback on your code. It’s a paid tool, but it’s worth every penny.

  • Quokka.js

    Quokka.js is a great tool to get immediate feedback on your code. It’s a great tool to try out new ideas, or to quickly test a regular expression.

  • Fish shell

    I’ve been using Fish shell for a while now, and I love it. It’s fast, has great auto-completion, and it’s easy to configure. I’m using the Starship prompt, which is a great addition.

  • Figma

    I use Figma for all of my design work. It’s a great tool, and it’s free for personal use.

  • Typora

    I use Typora for all of my (markdown) writing. It's by far the best markdown editor available. I don't want to think about formatting when writing, and Typora makes that possible.

Productivity

  • Raycast

    Raycast is a great tool to quickly access all of your tools. It’s a great alternative to Alfred, and it’s free.

  • Centered.app

    Centered.app helps me to stay focused. By breaking my workday in 25 minute blocks, and forcing me to take breaks, I’m able to get more done in less time.

  • Niagara Launcher

    Niagara Launcher is an Android launcher that helps me to stay focused. Only a few select apps are listed on the homescreen, and allowed to send notifications. All other apps are hidden in an alphabetical list and their notifications are grouped and released at specific times during the day in the form of summaries.