Computer

I’ve put together a full overview of all my computing devices, including the ones I use for work and play. I’ve also included the technical specifications for each setup.
I need my hardware to be powerful but also portable. I don’t do many things in the cloud, but I need a powerful computer to do the things I want. I’m always looking for ways to improve my setup, so I can be portable yet have enough processing power.
MacBook Pro with M1 Pro (2021)
The 2021 MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip is my main workstation these days, handling both work and play seamlessly. This edition features the M1 Pro with an 8-core CPU and a 14-core GPU, making it fast enough for demanding tasks without sacrificing battery life or portability. With 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, it strikes a great balance between power and storage for everyday workflows.
One of my favorite updates is the return of MagSafe charging, which makes connecting and charging easier and safer. The laptop also includes a full suite of ports, including three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and an SD card slot, allowing you to connect everything you need without dongles. The Space Gray finish adds a sleek touch, and the Liquid Retina XDR display, with up to 1,600 nits peak brightness, brings visuals to life, whether I’m working or just enjoying some downtime.
Specifications
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Processor | Apple M1 Pro chip (8-core CPU, 14-core GPU) |
Memory | 16 GB unified memory |
Storage | 512 GB SSD |
Display | 14.2" Liquid Retina XDR, 3024 x 1964 resolution |
Brightness | Up to 1,000 nits sustained, 1,600 nits peak |
Ports | 3 x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3 |
Battery Life | Up to 17 hours video playback |
Operating System | macOS (latest version compatible) |
Audio | Six-speaker system, wide stereo sound, three studio-quality mics |
Keyboard and Trackpad | Backlit Magic Keyboard, Force Touch trackpad |
Dimensions | 31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55 cm |
Weight | 1.6 kg |
Color | Space Gray |
This setup has been ideal for everything I need, with enough power and efficiency to support work and downtime alike.
Software
Most of my software is managed through brew. If I need something that is not avaiable through brew. As I am not doing so much development these days, I have only a handful of coding tools installed.
- Bitwarden
- brew.sh
- Cryptomator
- darktable
- Factorio
- Firefox
- Fish
- LibreWolf
- OBS Studio
- Syncthing
- Ungoogle Chromium
- VLC
- VSCodium (de-microsofted-vscode)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th Generation)
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th Generation) is a versatile device, offering the power and flexibility to handle everything from creative work to everyday tasks. Equipped with the Apple M1 chip, it’s designed to be incredibly fast, supporting multitasking and resource-intensive apps effortlessly. Paired with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2, it feels like a true laptop replacement when I need it to be, and it’s also perfect for creative projects like drawing and note-taking.
The Liquid Retina XDR display on this iPad Pro is especially impressive, with stunning contrast and brightness, making it ideal for photo editing, watching videos, and gaming. With 5G support and compatibility with a wide range of accessories, it’s easy to take this setup anywhere and stay connected, making it as portable as it is powerful.
Specifications
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Processor | Apple M1 chip |
Display | 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 2732 x 2048 resolution |
Brightness | Up to 1,000 nits sustained, 1,600 nits peak |
Storage | Configurable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB |
Camera | 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide rear cameras, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage |
Connectivity | 5G (optional), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
Ports | USB-C with Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours of web surfing or video playback |
Operating System | iPadOS (latest version compatible) |
Apple Pencil | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) compatible |
Magic Keyboard | Compatible |
Weight | 682 grams (Wi-Fi model), 684 grams (Wi-Fi + Cellular model) |
Color | Space Gray and Silver |
This iPad setup is a powerful addition for on-the-go productivity, offering the versatility of a tablet with the functionality of a full workstation when paired with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.
Apps on the iPad
I tend to stick to the standard Apple apps most of the time but I do of course have more in use than just those.
- a-Shell
- Aeromatic
- AudioBookShelf
- Bitwarden
- CoffeeBook
- Cryptomator
- Documents
- Element X
- Files (iPadOS)
- Mail (iPadOS)
- Messages (iPadOS)
- Möbius Sync
- Mona
- Mullvad VPN
- myNoise
- Nextcloud
- Notes (iPadOS)
- OnionShare
- Photos (iPadOS)
- Podcasts (iPadOS)
- Signal
- Tailscale
- Termius
- Twingate
Lenovo Legion T5
This is my windows gaming machine with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX2070.
Specifications
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Processor | Intel Core i5 (Hexa-Core) |
Memory | 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) |
Storage | 512 GB SSD |
Storage | 1 TB HDD |
Video Card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 (6 GB) |
Display | LG 32GK650F, 2560x1440, 144 Hz, 1ms |
Operating System | Windows 10 |
Keyboard and Mouse | Logitech G213 and Logitech G203 |
Color | Black |
Software
ASUSTOR AS6702T NAS Device
The ASUSTOR AS6702T is a solid choice for small businesses, tech enthusiasts, and home users who need a dependable, efficient NAS. Powered by an Intel Celeron N5105 Quad-Core processor, it handles tasks like file storage, backups, and media streaming smoothly and reliably.
One of the things I like most about the AS6702T is its flexibility. You can install different operating systems if you want to experiment, with options like TrueNAS or Unraid available. Initially, I tried TrueNAS, but after getting a dedicated minisforum Mini PC for more demanding tasks, I returned to the original ASUSTOR ADM OS. Now, I use the AS6702T exclusively as a dedicated NAS, keeping it straightforward for network file-sharing.
Docker support is another handy feature, and with Portainer, it’s easy to run lightweight apps that can directly access storage without stressing the system. I use apps like TubeArchivist and Navidrome to download and manage media files efficiently, with minimal resource demands on the NAS.
The AS6702T is also well-equipped with dual 2.5GbE network ports, which allow for fast data transfers and Link Aggregation if you need extra bandwidth. It supports up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and has two drive bays that can take either 3.5” or 2.5” drives, so expanding storage is straightforward. The compact, energy-efficient design makes it ideal for continuous use in a home or office setting.
Specifications
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Processor | Intel Celeron N5105 Quad-Core 2.0GHz (up to 2.9GHz) |
Memory | 4GB DDR4 SO-DIMM (upgraded to 16GB) |
Drive Bays | 2 x 3.5" or 2.5" SATA HDD/SSD |
Network | 2 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports with Link Aggregation |
USB Ports | 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A) |
HDMI Output | HDMI 2.0a, 4K @ 60Hz |
Operating System | ASUSTOR Data Manager (ADM) (used Unraid and TrueNas before) |
Cooling | 1 x 70mm fan |
Power Consumption | 9.6W (idle), 16.6W (operation) |
Dimensions | 230 x 108 x 230 mm |
Weight | 1.85 kg |
Supported RAID | RAID 0, RAID 1, Single, JBOD |
Security | AES-NI hardware encryption, IP blocking, antivirus, two-step verification |
App Ecosystem | Multimedia, backup, cloud integration, file management, Docker support |
Minisforum TL-50 i5-1135G7
This was my latest purchase as I was looking for a small computer to host some services locally. The Asustor is good, but after I installed to many services it became quite slow, so I am running the more resource hungry services on this little machine.
- Intel Core i5-1135G7 @ 4.2GHz
- 16 GB RAM
- 512 GB PCle SSD
- Iris XE on chip graphics card
- 2 x 2 TB SSD RAID1 for storage
- 1 x HDMI and 1 x DisplayPort
- 2 X RJ45 2.5G
- 6 X USB and 1 USB Type-C
The TL50 runs Proxmox as host. Inside I have a couple of LXC containers, mainly Nextcloud, which uses most of the 16 GB RAM. Some other smaller services like remote fabric test container, and other stuff.
Unifi Gateway Ultra
The UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra (UCG-Ultra) is a compact, multi-WAN networking device that combines advanced routing and security features, making it ideal for small to medium-sized networks.
Performance: Delivers 1 Gbps routing throughput with Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) enabled, ensuring secure and efficient data handling.
Device Management: Capable of managing over 30 UniFi devices and 300 clients, providing centralized control through the UniFi Network application.
Multi-WAN Support: Offers redundant WAN connections with failover and load balancing, enhancing network reliability and uptime.
Compact Design: Features a sleek form factor measuring 141.8 x 127.6 x 30 mm and weighing 520 grams, with a 0.96" status display for real-time monitoring.
Connectivity: Equipped with four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet WAN port, ensuring high-speed connections for multiple devices.
Energy Efficiency: Consumes a maximum of 6.2W and is powered via USB Type-C, offering energy efficiency and ease of installation.
The UCG-Ultra integrates advanced networking capabilities into a compact design, making it a versatile solution for users seeking reliable and efficient network management.
Unifi Switch Lite 8 PoE
In my homelab and home network, the UniFi Switch Lite 8 PoE has proven to be an invaluable asset. Its key features include:
Eight Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Four of these ports are auto-sensing 802.3at PoE+ capable, each providing up to 30W, with a total PoE budget of 52W. This setup is ideal for powering devices like access points and IP cameras.
Silent Operation: The fanless design ensures quiet performance, which is perfect for my home environment.
Flexible Mounting: Its compact form factor and the included wall-mounting kit offer versatile installation options, allowing me to place it conveniently within my setup.
Comprehensive Management: Managed through the UniFi Network Controller and supported by the UniFi mobile app, it provides robust configuration and monitoring capabilities via an intuitive interface.
These features have made the UniFi Switch Lite 8 PoE an excellent choice for expanding my network capacity while simplifying device connectivity and power management.
Unifi U6+ Access Point
In my homelab and home network, the UniFi U6+ Access Point has significantly enhanced my wireless connectivity. Its key features include:
Dual-Band WiFi 6 Support: It operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, delivering combined speeds up to 3.0 Gbps. This ensures fast and reliable connections for all my devices.
Compact Design: With its sleek, ceiling-mounted form factor, it fits unobtrusively into my home environment.
Power over Ethernet (PoE): Utilizing a single Gigabit Ethernet port with PoE support, the installation was simplified by reducing the need for additional power cables.
Advanced Security: It supports WPA-PSK and WPA-Enterprise (WPA/WPA2/WPA3) protocols, providing robust security for my home network.
These features make the UniFi U6+ Access Point a perfect addition to my homelab, improving wireless network performance and security throughout my home.