A Bit of My Tech Gear
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Amber's tech kit includes an iMac, a MacBook Air, an iPad Air — and one very, very expensive laser cutter. Here’s how it all fits together, and how it makes things happen for AppleInsider.
At this point, I’m pretty sure I’ve earned a reputation as the most tech-critical member of the AppleInsider team with the countless other articles I’ve written. I’m sure that will be reflected here, too.
When Mike asked me to write an article about my setup, I chuckled. Sure, my setup would be far less impressive than my peers’ — and I still stand by that opinion.
However, I think what I’ve decided to keep as I’ve slowly pared down my tech arsenal could be pretty interesting. If nothing else, I’m sure it’ll be a big contrast to everyone else’s setups.
Low tech, but not no tech
If you’ve ever worked in fast food, chances are you went through a phase where you were disgusted by everything you made. In the early aughts, I worked at a small bagel shop in Virginia Beach, Virginia. That short-lived stint as a baker meant that for about a decade after I stopped working there, I hated bagels and cream cheese.
Oddly enough, I think working in tech journalism has done the same thing. It’s hard to get excited about things when you encounter them every day, and after a while, you even start to resent some of them.
That’s not to say I hate all technology, or that I’m suggesting you throw your iPhone in the nearest dumpster. It's not that simple — but it has changed the way I interact with my technology on a deep level.
So here's what my setup as a modern-day Luddite looks like, if you're into that sort of thing.
2021 M1 iMac
Even though I’ve cut back on tech in recent years, I still love the feel of a desktop computer. If I had a choice, I’d probably have gotten rid of my iPhone and iPad long before my iMac, which I probably wouldn’t have said a year ago.
In fact, I used to have an Intel MacBook Pro that I traded in for an iMac. What can I say, I’ve always been a desktop user.
My M1 iMac is a workhorse, though it’s not particularly impressive by current-gen Apple Silicon standards (check out discounted M4 iMac prices). It has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB hard drive, which is more than enough for everything I need.
My iMac a few days after I received it
It handles Photoshop and Premiere with ease, runs all the software I need for my laser cutter and Cricut, and is far more aesthetically pleasing than any PC I’ve ever owned. That last point is even more important when you realize you’ll be staring at your computer for at least a few hours every day.
Its huge screen gives me plenty of room to keep my word processor next to whatever I’m researching without having to press my face against the screen to read anything.
I replaced the included Magic Keyboard with a Lofree Flow, but this time with a number pad, and the Magic Mouse with a Logitech M340. I’m still using my color HyperDrive iMac Hub.
Replaced the Magic Keyboard with the Lofree Flow and have no regrets
A couple of eagle-eyed viewers also noticed the now tech-obsolete BenQ Screen Bar that's been living at the top of my screen since February 2020. There's also the Satechi USB-C Slim Dock that I use, though it mostly just gives me a couple extra USB-A ports.
But that’s all I have when it comes to my main work machine. Pretty simple.
Eventually, I’ll probably ditch the iMac and maybe get my M2 MacBook Air as my main computer, if only I can find a monitor that’s as nice as my iMac’s screen. And when that day comes, I imagine I’ll probably feel a twinge of sadness.
But for now, I love it. I love its sunny yellow color, its 24-inch Retina display, and the fact that I haven’t had a single issue with it in the three years I’ve owned it. As someone who only seemed to have issues with PCs, I’ve learned to love the reliability Apple offers.
M2 MacBook Air
One of the nice things about working from home is that you can theoretically work from anywhere. I'm not exactly a world traveler, but being able to take your work with you on the road means fewer hiccups when something comes up.
This became apparent in 2022 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Taking my iMac to my parents' house or on long doctor's appointments wasn't an option, so I ended up working on my iPad Air, which I haven't been very happy with.
Amber's M2 MacBook Air
So this year I finally added a new computer to my setup, which I wasn't too excited about at the time, but I'm genuinely glad I did.
My M2 MacBook Air (check prices) isn't particularly impressive in terms of specs. I went with the 8GB version because I don't usually do anything particularly resource-intensive on it. I went with the 256GB hard drive; my biggest regret is not doubling it. I don't tend to store a lot of stuff on my hard drive, but the operating system alone takes up 25GB, which doesn't leave much room after Photoshop is installed.
Aside from the storage issue, I absolutely love this little machine. It's always completely silent; it's extremely portable, and like my iMac, I haven't had any issues with it yet.
iPad Air 4th Generation
I've said at least three or four times now that my favorite Apple product is the iPad. I'm not entirely sure if I still stand by that opinion or not, although I still think it's the best product Apple makes.
My iPad Air is ancient by iPad standards, but it's still great for everything I need it for.
My iPad accessories are pretty standard. When I use it to browse the web, hang out on Discord, or watch YouTube, I pair it with the optional Magic Keyboard. Honestly, this setup is fantastic, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a laptop-like experience but doesn’t necessarily need macOS.
When I use my iPad to read, take notes, or use Procreate, I typically remove the Magic Keyboard and just use it with my Apple Pencil. I’ve also installed a Rock Paper Pencil screen protector and an Apple Pencil tip on it, two accessories I consider essential if you write or draw on your iPad.
Used with Astropad’s Rock Paper Pencil
I used to do a lot more on my iPad, but lately I’ve mostly moved to the device where I play Hearthstone. Part of it is because I got a MacBook Air and knew this would happen.
The other part is that I don’t have time to use my iPad as much as I’d like. I tend to spend a decent portion of my day away from screens, which means that after work, all the extra devices kind of fall by the wayside.
When it comes time to retire the iPad Air, I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do. I used to think I’d just buy another iPad Air to replace it, but that’s not something I’m interested in right now.
I’ve been toying with the idea of going back to the iPad mini (check prices), which was my first iPad, back in 2014. I like the size of the iPad mini, and its light weight makes it comfortable to hold in one hand when I want to read.
But for now, I’ll stick with my iPad Air.
iPhone 13 mini
I'm not much of a smartphone user. I think I've said this many times before, but it's worth repeating.
I get frustrated pretty easily when I'm hunkered down in Focus Mode, and a smartphone seems designed solely to interrupt whatever thoughts you're having at the time.
Even as I write this, three notifications have lit up my iPhone. And while I haven't checked them properly, my gaze darted across my desk to the MagSafe charger that keeps my iPhone running while I work.
That's not my iPhone 13 mini, but it looks just like it
And yes, there are arguments where you could easily adjust the different Focus modes to deal with this. Trust me, I know my limits. But many of these notifications are things I can't actually turn off: Slack notifications, messages from friends and family, smart doorbell alerts, notifications reminding me to take my medication, etc.
The thing is, if you have a smartphone and want to engage with society, you’re still going to have to deal with a non-zero amount of notifications. For a lot of people, this isn’t a problem, but I’m not alone in my tech exhaustion.
It also taught me that social media isn’t for me. I found that, like everyone else on the planet, I wasted a lot of time scrolling in a destructive way. First, it was through Twitter, which led to me deleting my personal Twitter in 2020.
Then there was Instagram, which I eventually got rid of about a month ago. Reels was eating up a significant portion of my day and wasn’t really giving me anything in return other than a weird need to check Instagram 50+ times a day.
That being said, the iPhone 13 mini is basically what I want in a phone, smart features aside. I love that it fits in all my pockets, which is something most women can't say about their smartphones.
I love the battery life, which is still good despite being three generations behind. I love that it integrates beautifully with all my other Apple products.
And as someone who spends at least two hours a day talking on the phone, I like that it's pretty reliable. It was starting to show some age-related silliness, but even that was relatively minimal.
Eventually, I'll have to upgrade my iPhone to a newer generation. Unfortunately, that will probably be sooner than I'd like.
I'm already dreading the upgrade because I don't really like having a smartphone to begin with, and spending hundreds of dollars to replace a device I've been paying for for years is especially frustrating.
Blink Doorbell
Let me go on record as saying that I don't like video doorbells at all. I acknowledge their usefulness, but there's something unsettling about knowing that almost everyone will have a camera hanging on the side of their front door.
I have a complicated relationship with my Blink doorbell. A big part of it is the motion detection feature.
For some reason, the motion detection seems to be particularly bad on this model. I get mail delivered to my doorstep almost every day, and I think it’s managed to catch a US Postal worker twice in the two years I’ve had the camera.
On the other hand, I can tell you if a city bus is running on schedule, because I’m not sure it’s ever missed recording a cute little clip of a bus going by. It also catches stray cats and cobwebs, and often goes off if the sun disappears behind a cloud too quickly.
But if someone comes to my house and leaves a package that I was expecting for work, most likely the camera won't even pretend to work.
And increasing or decreasing the camera's sensitivity only makes things worse. One step down and it stops detecting motion altogether, and one step up and it goes off with every car, person, or stray animal that passes my house.
If you're clutching your mouse or iPad as you read this, asking, “Amber, why do you need a video doorbell if you hate them?” I understand your frustration.
Ultimately, it comes down to this: My house currently does not have a hardwired doorbell. I got a quote to install one for $350, assuming the project goes off without a hitch.
My house is 140 years old, so almost always when I'm told a price for the “best option,” I know to add at least two hours of labor to the total cost.
By comparison, my Blink doorbell was a sale item for $20, and my old plan was $10 a year. At that price, I could get about 32 years of service from my doorbell for the cost of a new one wired to it.
My doorbell won’t be supported for 32 years. I’d be surprised if it was supported for another five years.
But my point remains the same. Even if I have to buy another Blink doorbell, it won’t be as expensive as wired to something hardwired to it — doubly so because these doorbells often go on sale during the holidays and Prime Days.
The only plan I plan to change about the doorbell is to add a third-party chime so I don’t have to rely on my phone for alerts.
Ride1Up Roadster
It’s not something I use specifically for work, but there have been a few instances where it’s been useful for returning rented reviews and the like. Not to mention it’s also improved my life outside of work, which I’m sure is probably useful for my job in one way or another.
This little beauty is my Ride1Up Roadster, and it’s probably one of my favorite things ever.
Having a bike is great, especially when you live in a city with a nascent bike infrastructure. I’ve cycled about 1,200 miles in 2024 alone, and it’s given me a lot of freedom I wouldn’t have had if I just walked.
Biking around the lake has become one of my favorite things to do.
Going to the grocery store is a breeze. Both grocery stores I shop at are about 20 minutes away by bike, and both allow me to bike along the lake, which is a great way to remind myself that where I live can be really beautiful.
This year I also started going to the gym when the weather was nice, which is something I would never have been able to do without my bike. Waking up at 5:30am and riding my bike to the gym before work has become one of my favourite things to do.
My bike is lightweight, only 33 pounds, which means I can easily carry it in and out of the house myself – I don’t have a garage so I have to carry it up a couple of steps.
I was initially concerned about the range, as I could only get about 18 miles (out of a maximum of five) with the pedal assist on the second setting. However, as I’ve gotten a little stronger and lost a little weight, I’ve found myself using the pedal assist less often, even though I have a bad knee.
However, I live in an area with extreme temperature changes. These swings mean that once the weather drops into the 40s and 50s – for example, throughout early spring and late fall – my range is dramatically reduced.
xTool P2 CO2 Laser Cutter
Here it is, folks. My favorite piece of tech in my entire house is the 99-pound CO2 laser that lives in my workshop. It's the xTool P2 CO2 Laser Cutter, or as I call her, Penelope.
I don't use it very often, but every time I do, I'm continually amazed at the quality of the product it puts out. In a perfect world, I'd have enough time and money to use this thing on a daily basis.
xTool P2 55W Desktop CO2 Laser Cutter
My big laser project this year is cutting out Christmas ornaments for friends and family. I also like to cut out 3D models of houses that I hang on a blank wall in my living room for some reason.
A laser cutter is one of those things that almost no one needs, but once you get one, you feel weird about the prospect of not having one.
You know the old saying, “When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail”? Well, when you have a laser cutter, everything looks like a potential project.
My projects over the year have included Christmas ornaments, acrylic LED night lights and signs, keychains, coasters, jewelry, jewelry stands, jewelry boxes, 3D models, plant trellises, and about three dozen engraving projects for friends and family. So it’s really very versatile.
Then again, I’m not sure the average person needs a nearly 100-pound CO2 laser. If you're only planning on making a few small projects, you'll probably want to see if your local makerspace has a laser cutter you can use.
However, it is extremely convenient to use. If you do a lot of crafting, have a small business that needs new types of products, or are willing to look for one-off orders to offset costs, it might be worth getting one.
What I Plan to Add in the Future
My biggest project yet to be accomplished is converting one of my spare bedrooms into a theater room of sorts. This would be a good use of space and a nice place to hang out, especially on rainy or snowy days when you can't get outside.
So, that means at some point I'll need to consider a TV or projector for this space, some seating and storage, and some decorative lighting for the room. This project is still in its very early stages, but I'm sure I'll be sharing more about it on AppleInsider once it gets going.
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