When it comes to favorite technology, Apple gets a double win from me. My MacBook Pro is my single most important piece of tech, and the Apple ecosystem is absolutely core to my approach to a whole range of things, across both work and leisure.
But I also have a number of non-Apple devices that either serve as important accessories or standalone devices in their own right …
My favorite Apple devices
When it comes to Apple tech, there are very few devices that don’t make my top ten list.
1. 16-inch MacBook Pro
My 16-inch MacBook Pro is effectively the device from which I run my entire life, both professional and personal. If I could only own one Apple product, this would be it.
I’m a big screen kind of guy. For me, there’s no substitute for plenty of screen real estate and a full-sized keyboard. When I’m at home, a MacBook is the first thing I’ll pick up for anything which is going to take more than a few minutes.
2. iPhone 16 Pro Max
My iPhone 16 Pro Max has become my primary camera for both still and video usage. Effectively, this is the camera I’ll use unless there is a specific reason to use a more capable one. Even for travel, for most trips this is the only camera I’ll carry with me now.
3. Original HomePods
My original HomePods are also very high up the list. The audio quality is absolutely astonishing for their size, and I love the fact that I can issue a Siri command from anywhere in my home and one of the speakers will pick it up and respond.
4. M1 MacBook Air
The final Apple slot would be taken by my M1 MacBook Air, which has completely taken over the role once performed by an iPad.
My favorite non-Apple tech
5. 49-inch Dell UltraSharp monitor
I know some MacBook owners shudder at the thought of giving up a display quality indistinguishable from print. Others wouldn’t dream of doing any photo or video work on anything less than a professional calibrated monitor.
For my level of photo and video use, a reasonably high-end professional but non-calibrated monitor is sufficient. When it comes to writing, I am very quickly lost in the content and completely fail to notice any pixelation in the text.
The thing that makes the biggest difference to me is screen width. I love being able to have a number of large windows side by side. My 49-inch curved ultra-wide Dell monitor is absolutely one of my favorite pieces of tech. It’s also one piece of technology you can absolutely guarantee people will comment on when visiting my home.
6. Ikea sit-stand desk
I was a late adopter of a sit-stand desk, initially thinking that the novelty would very quickly wear off and I would spend most of my time sitting. However, since taking the plunge almost a year ago to the day, it’s become one of my favorite pieces of tech.
I really love the ability to switch back and forth between sitting and standing just by pressing one of the memory buttons, with the bonus of also being able to adjust the sitting height to the absolute best position.
I expected to stand for relatively short periods of time and spend most of my time sitting, but in practice it’s turned out to be pretty much 50/50, alternating at intervals of 60 to 90 minutes. I begin my work day by standing, and there have even been days when I’ve completely forgotten about it and found myself standing for the full day.
I have quite a lot of modified IKEA furniture. I find the build quality of the mechanisms is extremely good, but I’m not always a fan of the finishes. When I got the Mittzon desk, I fully expected to replace the black ash desktop with a more solid hunk of wood, but so far it’s held up extremely well.
7. Kindle
I love books. I used to have more than 2,000 of them on my bookshelves, but while I still love the presence of physical books, I’m just as happy to read them on a Kindle as I am the paper versions.
Switching to a Kindle has not only enabled me to have a much more minimalist home, but also gives me the freedom to have literally hundreds of books available when I’m traveling. The backlight also enables me to read in bed without disturbing my partner.
My Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is one of my all-time favorite devices, this model specifically because it added the convenience of wireless charging.
8. Viture Luma Pro XR glasses
Continuing the personal entertainment theme, my Viture Luma Pro XR glasses are my favorite way to watch video when it’s just me.
Viture claims the image you see from the latest Luma Pro model is equivalent to a 150-inch TV. That comparison obviously depends on how close you sit to the TV in question, but using it to mimic a projector on my living room wall, I found that it was equivalent to at least 100 inches. The cheaper Viture Pro is the equivalent of about 80 inches.
It’s a fantastic way to watch a movie or TV show in bed or on a plane or train.
In principle, you can also use them as a poor man’s Vision Pro in terms of virtual multiple monitors. However, if that’s your intended usage, I recommend waiting a while – which is as much as I can say for now.
9. Philips Hue lighting
If I went really broad, it would be smart home tech in general, but if I had to pick one slice of it, then it would have to be Philips Hue Lighting.
There are viable alternatives now, but for a long time the company’s light strips were the best available, so I have a bunch of these. I know the topic of colourful lighting is a polarizing one, if you’ll excuse the semi-pun, but personally I’m a big fan.
I find blue or purple lighting gives a nice high-tech vibe without reflecting too much in floor-to-ceiling windows. In winter, switching to orange can give a warm and cozy feeling. Hue bulbs also support Apple’s Adaptive Lighting, which I find works well in terms of giving the right kind of feel as the day progresses into the evening.
10. Swytch ebike conversion kit
I was an early adopter of Brompton folding bikes and have had one since the days when folding or unfolding one attracted a small crowd. These days they are the default London bike.
I always said I wouldn’t get an electric bike until I was 97 years old. However, trying a few of them changed my mind. I wouldn’t want a full-time electric bike as I view them as essentially different types of vehicle, and don’t have space for one of each. The Swytch kit allows me to switch freely between unpowered and powered use.
While the hub motor of course adds weight, and a tiny amount of drag (around 4%), it’s not really a big deal. When I want to use it as a conventional bike, I just leave the battery at home. But if I need to get somewhere reasonably briskly and don’t want to arrive sweaty, then I can adjust the level of power assistance as required.
I use a Max battery as standard, which has a range of around 20 miles when used mostly on level one, and an Air battery when I fly with my Brompton. The latter has half the range but is permitted on board airliners and offers enough mileage to explore whichever city I’m visiting.
What’s your top 10 tech?
That would be my current picks for my favorite tech devices. What about you? Please share your own lists in the comments.
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