Software and Hardware I use
Updated July, 2025
I'm currently stuck in decision paralysis because I care greatly about free open source software and privacy. However, some proprietary software just works better without as much setup. I want to focus more on creating than just configuring my systems.
I'm also starting to care more about data portability and using the best tool for the job than strictly having access to source code. Reflections on Trusting Trust has influenced this because my main takeaway was that we need to eventually trust someone.
I'm also thinking that I might care about some features over repairability. For example, I like the idea of using Framework or ThinkPads, but I generally haven't needed to repair a computer beyond fixing used ThinkPads I've gotten from eBay (currently using an X1 Carbon 7th gen I repaired). I think the potential of needing a repair might be less of a priority to me than having the battery life and features of a MacBook running macOS, namely battery life and having proper UNIX utilities while allowing me to use some proprietary software I've come to prefer.
Basically, I think I'm willing to sacrifice some theoretical benefits of software freedom and repairability for some tangible benefits.
What I'm using
Laptop
All that to say, I'm currently using my ThinkPad X1 Carbon running Windows 11 because I want to be able to use iA Writer and Fantastical. Windows also allows me to be able to use my fingerprint reader because for some reason it's inconsistent under Linux. Microsoft doesn't make stable, secure software though, so I'd only stick with this if I was planning on getting a Mac. If I decide not to, I'll just go back to Fedora.
I'm currently using Todoist and Obsidian for task management and my digital garden respectively. Those are cross platform.
Phone
For my phone, I'm currently using a Pixel 7a with the stock OS from Google. I'm concerned about the privacy implications, but I have needed the convenience of tap-to-pay and some other features of stock.
If I go MacBook like I'm considering whenever I can afford it, I'd likely go iPhone, especially because iPhone has USB-C now.
Closing Thoughts
All this to say, I am a weird person that constantly re-evaluates what they use. I know most people in my life may re-evaluate when they need a new phone or computer, but even then most stick with what they have. Part of the appeal of switching to Apple stuff is removing the choice so I don't even have the temptation to change my mind yet again. Who knows? People who I'm close to know I've had the whole gamut of Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Linux products over the years. I just seem to always switch.