Stuff I use

Things I use day to day.

Devices

  • Phones
    • Google Pixel 7: 128 GB | Obsidian
    • Xiaomi QIN F22
    • My weekend phone, which I’m using more and more frequently these days, is lightweight and distraction-free. I just wish it had NFC for mobile payments. Oh well.
  • Carrier: Public Mobile
    • Plan: 20 GBs (US / CAN / MEX) — $29.00/month + tax
    • Reliable network with good coverage, 5G, and an affordable cost. I'd like to see them offer WiFi calling, but that'll probably never happen.

Computers

  • Minisforums UM790 Pro (Desktop)
    • Specs: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS + Radeon 780M, 32 GB RAM, 2 × 512 GB NVMe SSDs
    • OS: Fedora 43 w/Gnome & Windows 11 Pro via dual boot
    • This machine packs significant power into a small footprint. If I were buying a Mini PC today, I’d likely opt for a Mac Mini with an M-Series CPU, but that wasn't an option when I originally purchased this. While I now need more space, the high cost of storage remains the limiting factor. That said, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the experience of Fedora with Gnome.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad T470s (Laptop)
    • Specs: Intel Core i7-7600U, 24 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
    • OS: Fedora 43 w/Gnome
    • I’ve used this machine for years and have no complaints. While the 7th-Generation Intel CPU means the integrated graphics are limited, it handles Fedora without issue. The keyboard is finally starting to show its age, so a replacement laptop might be on the horizon.
  • Monitor: LG DualUp (28MQ780-B)
    • The display quality is exceptional, but the Firmware has several quirks that LG will likely never address. Most notably, turning off the monitor cuts all power, making USB-C Passthrough impossible. It’s a strange design choice; my previous Dell Ultrawide supported power delivery regardless of whether the screen was active.
  • Printer: Brother HL-2240 Monochrome Laser Printer
    • The GOAT. I’ve owned this printer for nearly 15 years, and it’s still going strong. Since it lacks native networking, I’ve used a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ with CUPS to add wireless printing.

Peripherals

  • Keyboards:
    • Cherry Stream Keyboard TKL
    • It isn’t mechanical—and after a decade of fatiguing my fingers on mechanical boards, that’s a win. It’s my reliable, low-profile daily driver.
    • Keydous NJ68
    • I rarely reach for this 65% board anymore, but it remains a decent backup. It features Hot-Swappable switches and Double-Shot PBT keycaps, though it feels a bit dated by today’s standards. It’s functional for now, but I’ll likely replace it eventually.
  • Mouse: Logitch M275
    • I didn’t expect to like this mouse as much as I do. It’s small, reliable, and uses a solid 2.4 GHz connection—potentially the only Logitech mouse I’ve genuinely enjoyed.
  • Desk:
    • Fully Jarvis Standing Desk (24"x30")
    • I love this desk so much I bought two. Finding a high-quality WFH setup for a small space is difficult, and these are the perfect dimensions. I was disappointed when Herman Miller acquired Fully, as they were one of the few manufacturers prioritizing compact standing desks. I sourced both of mine via Craigslist in the US—one from Portland and another from Seattle. Even if I move into a larger space, these are permanent fixtures in my setup.
    • Ergonofis Standing Desk (60"x30")
    • This served me well in Toronto, but its footprint is a bit large for my current space; it’s currently disassembled and in storage. Owning three standing desks for one person is admittedly excessive—it seems I’ve unintentionally become a collector.

Audio

  • Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 45 & Audio-Technica ATH-M50s
  • Headset: Logitech Vibe 125
    • These are functional, but definitely overpriced. While the build quality is mediocre, the primary issue is the software: toggling the hardware mute plays a confirmation chime that overrides all incoming audio. It’s a frustrating UX oversight that has caused me to miss parts of conversations every time I go on or off mute.

Hosting & Cloud Services

  • Hosting: Web Hosting Canada
    • Web Hosting Canada has, so far, provided a great experience. They're priced fair, they offer cPanel, and they're Canadian.
    • For years, I hosted my personal site on a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B running Debian and Apache. While living with my parents, I took advantage of their static IP—technically a terms-of-service violation, though my low traffic kept it under the radar. Eventually, frequent ISP outages forced a move to a more stable solution.
  • Cloud Storage: OneDrive
    • I moved to OneDrive because it offered an attractive storage plan that felt like a better value than the competition. It syncs reliably across Windows and Android, and on Fedora, I use the abraunegg/onedrive client. It’s a robust solution that provides the stability I missed with Google Drive, which frequently suffered from sync issues in the past.
  • Media Server: Plex Media Server
    • Plex serves its purpose well for now. While I’ve considered switching to a FOSS alternative, my current configuration is stable, and I’m not in a rush to rebuild the system from scratch.

Networking

  • Smart Home: Philips Hue
  • Wireless Printing: CUPS via Pi 3 Model B+
  • Media Streaming:
    • Chromecast with Google TV
    • Chromecast Audio
  • Internet Service Provider: Novus
    • Plan: 1 Gbps ↑/↓ with ∞ Bandwidth — $50.00/month + tax

eReaders

  • Xteink X4 with CrossPoint
    • I love this eReader. Its small size makes it perfect for transit or anytime I can sneak in a few pages. I usually only have one book on the go when using it.
  • Kobo Libra 2
    • No comments at this time.

Flashlights

  • Wurkkos FC11C
  • Acebeam Rider RX 2.0
  • Wuben G5