CDALVARO_isotipoCarlos Álvaro

    Stuff I use

    Stuff I use | Carlos Álvaro

    This is a "uses" page, which lists my favorite gear and software.
    Check out uses.tech to see the surprising number of other people who also publish one.

    Gear

    • Apple Mac Studio M1 Ultra
      Powered by Apple's mighty M1 Ultra chip, the Mac Studio combines exceptional performance with unparalleled energy efficiency, pushing the limits of what a compact device can achieve. Its small, desktop-friendly design delivers professional-grade computing power in a surprisingly compact form. Apple Silicon represents a groundbreaking advancement in high-performance and energy-efficient computing.
    • Apple Pro Display XDR
      The Apple Pro Display XDR is a game-changer for developers. Its massive 6K resolution and crystal-clear color accuracy make every detail pop, while the expansive screen gives you all the room you need for coding, debugging, and multitasking. Plus, its sleek design fits perfectly into any modern setup.
    • NuPhy Gem 80 Keyboard
      The NuPhy Gem80 is a sleek, high-quality keyboard that looks great on any desk. With full QMK / VIA support, you can easily customize it to your liking. I chose the Baby Kangaroo switches for a smooth, responsive feel, making it perfect for typing.
    More Apple gear I use daily.
    • Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
      Blue Titanium, cool! As an iPhone user from day one, I've always loved the Apple ecosystem, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max takes it to the next level. With incredible power and performance, this phone handles everything effortlessly. The camera is outstanding, delivering exceptional quality for photos and videos.
    • Apple Watch Ultra
      The Apple Watch Ultra has a great tough, premium design. It's incredibly versatile for all kinds of sports, whether I'm running, doing calisthenics, or swimming – it keeps up with me no matter what.
    • Apple HomePod mini Stereo Pair
      I love my HomePod mini speakers – setting them up is a breeze, and the sound quality is incredible for their size. They fill the room with rich, clear sound and integrate seamlessly with my Apple devices.
    • Apple AirPods Max
      I was hesitant for a while before buying these headphones, but in the end, I have no regrets at all! The sound quality is amazing, and the noise cancellation makes workdays at the office much more manageable. Plus, the blue color looks awesome!

    Software

    • macOS
      I've been using macOS for years and absolutely love its clean, intuitive interface. The quality of its apps is outstanding, and the system is rock-solid, rarely experiencing any issues. I switched from Windows to macOS — exploring Fedora along the way — years ago, and I've never looked back.
    • Mac apps
      • 1Password
        I've been using 1Password for several years, but with Apple's new Passwords app, I'm migrating many of my passwords to this assistant. However, I still use 1Password because, for now, it offers the ability to store more types of secrets, like server keys, credit cards, or identity documents.
      • Final Cut Pro
        I've been using Final Cut Pro for many years. Since I was little, I've always had fun editing and putting together the videos from my summer vacations. With the arrival of drones, I opened up new horizons, and I enjoy both flying my drone and editing the footage afterward. Final Cut is a very powerful yet easy-to-use tool. Plus, it makes the most of my Mac Studio's power, making the editing process super fast with no delays.
      • Obsidian
        I use Obsidian as my note-taking app with the second brain philosophy. I love the variety of plugins that let me customize it and the way notes are interconnected.
      • Pixelmator Pro
        I love this image editing app. I've been using Pixelmator since day one, over 17 years! Its performance is outstanding, and it has all the features I need for my projects.
    • Dev stack
      • Ghostty
        For years I've used iTerm as my terminal app for years, but recently I switched to this terminal app because it's simpler and offers better GPU acceleration than iTerm.
      • RubyMine
        I usually use Visual Studio Code as my default generic editor. However, I have to admit that JetBrains IDEs are better when working with the specific language they're designed for. Specifically, RubyMine is my favorite tool for programming in Ruby.
      • Visual Studio Code
        I love Visual Studio Code; it has amazing plugins and is an excellent multipurpose editor. It features a very user-friendly and customizable interface.
      • Xcode
        I've been using Xcode since I started programming in C++ at university. I've loved this IDE ever since, and the only one I've found that rivals it is CLion. Although I miss integration with CMake and other frameworks, I still use Xcode for C++ and Swift because it's robust and very powerful.
      • CLI Tools
        You can find my dot files at cdalvaro/dotfiles. You can significantly boost your productivity with the right tools and setup. Here are some of my favorites:
        • Homebrew — My preferred package manager for macOS. I maintain my custom tap for formulas and casks that are not suitable for the official repository.
        • zsh — Zsh is a powerful, customizable shell that offers advanced features like improved autocompletion, better scripting capabilities, and seamless plugin support, making it a favorite among developers.
        • tmux — Tmux is a versatile terminal multiplexer that allows you to manage multiple sessions, split windows, and enhance productivity by keeping tasks organized within a single terminal.
        • neovim — Neovim is a highly extensible and modernized version of Vim, offering improved performance, better plugin support, and an enhanced user experience for developers who value efficiency and customization.
        • fzf — Fuzzy finder. fzf is a fast, interactive command-line fuzzy finder that helps you quickly search and navigate through files, history, processes, and more, enhancing productivity in the terminal.
        • ripgrep — ripgrep is a fast, line-oriented search tool that recursively searches your current directory for a regex pattern, making it a powerful alternative to tools like grep with better performance.
        • fd — fd is a simple, fast, and user-friendly alternative to find, designed to search and list files with enhanced features like color output and intuitive syntax.
        • eza — eza is a modern, feature-rich alternative to ls, offering enhanced file listings with color coding, Git integration, and customizable themes for a more informative and visually appealing command-line experience.