What Brennan Uses

I prioritize open‑source software where possible and try to choose tools that respect privacy and portability.

Development

Why: simple, static-first stack that’s fast, accessible, and cheap to run; fits IndieWeb values.

Why: local-first notes with Obsidian; Bear for capture; Ulysses for focused drafting.

Why: fast iteration for assets; more open‑source tools when possible.

Project management: Trello / Asana / ClickUp
Scheduling: Calendly
CRM: HubSpot (free) / Capsule
Invoicing: Wave; Payments via Stripe
Community: Discord; Membership via Patreon
Commitment & focus: Beeminder, RescueTime
Analytics: Privacy‑focused first: Plausible, Umami; optionally Google Analytics / Netlify Analytics

Why: lean tools with generous free tiers and client-collab friendly workflows.

Main Computer: Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
- 16GB Unified Memory; 256GB SSD; Touch ID
- Sky Blue; French Keyboard; Built for Apple Intelligence
Mouse: HP X3000 G3 Wireless Mouse
- 15‑month battery; side grips; travel‑friendly
- Blue LED; 1600 DPI
Mousepad: EooCoo Ergonomic Mouse Pad
- Memory foam wrist rest; non‑slip base
- Size: 9.64 × 8.26 in
iPad: Apple iPad (A16)
- 11" Liquid Retina; 128 GB; Wi‑Fi 6; 12MP front/12MP back; Touch ID
- Accessories:
  - ESR Keyboard Case — floating stand, backlit keys, trackpad
  - ESR Paper‑Feel Magnetic Screen Protector — anti‑glare
  - Metapen A8 Pencil
Keyboard: Keychron C3 Pro QMK/VIA (TKL)
- 87‑key programmable; red LED backlit
Keycaps: Happy Balls PBT Keycaps
- Side/front print; OEM profile; Gray/White combo
Monitor: HP P224 21.5" Full HD LED LCD
- 1920×1080; HDMI/DisplayPort; Black
Desktop: ACER Nitro 50 N50‑640‑ER11
- Windows 11 Home; Intel Core i5‑12400F (6‑core, 2.5 GHz)
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4 GB; 8 GB DDR4
- Storage: 1 TB HDD + 256 GB SSD

ThinkPads

Lenovo ThinkPad X270
- OS: BunsenLabs
- Display: 12.5" 1920×1080 IPS
- CPU: Intel Core i5‑7200U (2.5–3.1 GHz)
- GPU: Intel HD 620
- Memory: 8 GB DDR4‑2400
- Storage: Toshiba NVMe 512 GB
- Weight: 1.37 kg
Lenovo ThinkPad W520 (15.6")
- OS: Lubuntu
- CPU: Intel Core i7‑2860QM
- GPU: NVIDIA Quadro 1000M (2 GB)
- Memory: 8 GB DDR3
- Storage: 500 GB (7200 rpm)
Lenovo ThinkPad X200t
- Use: WriterDeck — writerDeck.org
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo SL9600 (2.1 GHz)
- GPU: Intel GMA 4500MHD
- Memory: 4 GB DDR3‑1066
- Display: 12.1" 1280×800
- Storage: 320 GB (7200 rpm)
- Notes: classic ports and digitizer pen

For Gaming: Retroid Pocket 2S (details)

Released: Aug 2023 — OS: Android 11 — Screen: 3.5" 640×480 IPS (4:3)

Performance: Best for Saturn, Dreamcast. Compare · Puinguin Main

Specs: UNISOC Tiger T610; 8‑core CPU (A75); Mali‑G52 MP2; 3 GB LPDDR4X; 32 GB storage; 4000 mAh; Wi‑Fi 5; BT 5.0

eReader: Kobo Nia

Small and light; excellent public library integration; no audiobooks or subscription reading services.

Stationery

Field Notes
- Expedition
- Pitch Black
- National Parks — Yellowstone
Blackwing Pencils
- 602 (firm)
- Pearl (balanced)
- Matte (soft)
Midori Traveller's Notebook
- Passport size; Dark Brown
LEUCHTTURM1917
- Black Grid
Bleswin Leather Hardcover Planner
- Sticker tabs; weekly goals; habit tracker
Campus Notebook
- Kokuyo Campus; lined; A5
Zebra Pens
- Sarasa Clip 0.5 — black, blue‑black
- Mildliner highlighters
Sakura Pigma Micron
- Size 03
Pilot Drawing Pen
- Size 02
Stabilo Highlighters
- Pastel set

This page is inspired by uses.tech