Updated 11/27/11

Once in a while I get asked what kind of computers and devices I use at work or home or what kind of software and services are good or not worth using. I can judge only by what I use and provide some comments and reviews, but cannot say specifically that some particular product will be a great match for you.

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I use wakoopa to track my software usage, this is a great and light tool and I suggest it to everyone.

While the hardware I use is changing rapidly, I will list as many details as possible with suggestions and explanations. This should give a general idea about the computers and gadgets I use.

Computer

In the past:

• 2000 HP Omnibook XE3 – got old
• 2005 HP Pavilion DV2000 – died
• 2007 HP Pavilion DV2500 – died
• 2008 Dell Studio XPS1340 – got old
• 2010 Dell Studio 1458 – DOA
• 2010 Apple Macbook Pro 15″ (high res display, i7, 8GB, 500GB Hybrid) – current

I do not use any desktop computers since around year 2000.

Printer

Just like with HP laptops, I did not have any luck with HP printers. I’ve always thought HP printers were the best, but I was wrong. I’ve had many HP printers and scanners over the last 10 years. They all were unreliable. Many of them I had to restart a few times a day and after a few hours of work they appeared as ‘offline’ on the network. I use network printers over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. My last printer was a $499 HP OfficeJet 8500. It was ‘blue-screening’ many times and getting lost on the network. I do not recommend buying HP printers. So I did a research of other brands and end up going with a Canon MX340. I purchased it for $79 at a local Best Buy. It was the first time in my life when I chose not the best and not the most expensive model. I’m happy with my new Canon printer and would recommend it to anyone.

Phone

I’ve been always pro-Microsoft and loyal to their products. I have tried MANY different Windows Phone smartphones in the past 4-5 years. I found myself spending more time configuring them, updating, installing and reinstalling applications on a Windows Phone than actually using the phone. So I finally gave up and got an iPhone. While I was playing with Windows Phones, luckily Apple has released 3 versions of iPhone and I got the iPhone 3GS 32GB in June of 2009. In May 2010 I have upgraded to iPhone 4 and very satisfied with the phone. Will upgrade to iPhone 5 skipping 4S version.

I like that everything ‘just works’ and I don’t have to waste time on configurations, customizations etc. If Microsoft will ever release an easy to use Windows Phone I will purchase it. Ideally it would be a Zune Phone, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen any time soon. Just see what happened to the latest Microsoft Kin.

I do not have any iPods or other music player because my iPhone works for that purpose just fine.

Camera

• 2000 Panasonic NV-DS65
• 2003 Nikon E4300
• 2005 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01
• 2008 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
• 2011 Nikon D3100 (D-SLR) – current

Headphones

I’m one of the lucky owners of Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Headphones. Many people prefer Bose, but I don’t like design of Bose headphones and they just don’t feel right. Once I tried Dr. Dre Studio headphones, I could not wear anything else. You virtually don’t get tired, ears are always relaxed and the sound quality is fantastic.

I will also add a list of software that I use.

If you have any suggestions or comments on one of the ‘gear’ that I’m using please let me know and explain why I should be using something else.