Even prior to being a founder, I have always been obsessive about finding the best tools and technology to power my productivity. I have spent countless hours researching options to build an optimized personal tech stack. In this post, I’ll share my curated setup for 2024, spanning hardware, software, subscriptions, and more. I hope my learnings can help save you time and spark ideas for your own toolkit.
Personal Technology Stack
These devices and accessories are the workhorses that enable me to get things done from anywhere.
Laptop: MacBook Pro(2023)
- Model Specs: M2 Pro / 10 Core CPU / 16 Core GPU / 16GB RAM / 14"
- Why I Chose It: Speedy performance for demanding tasks like running Docker containers, editing in Final Cut Pro, and code compiling. The 14" size is perfect for on-the-go productivity without sacrificing screen real estate. The base MBP Pro has the best price to performance value before it starts to increase like crazy
- Insider Tip: Check out the Apple refurbished site for the best deals on MacBooks. Expect discounts of 15–25% off MSRP, plus a full 1-year warranty and option to add AppleCare.
Tablet: Apple iPad Pro(2016)
- Model Specs: 9.7"
- How I Use It: Primarily as a second screen via Sidecar, which is a game-changer for working in WeWork spaces or on the go.
Smartphone: iPhone 14 Pro(2022)
- Why I Upgraded: Improvements to battery life and the 120Hz display. However, I was quite happy with my previous iPhone XS.
- Personal Take: I actually prefer the less processed look of photos from older iPhone models, but curious to hear other opinions!
Smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 4(2018)
- How I Use It: Keeping tabs on my next meeting, fitness goals, and the time. The Series 4 battery still lasts me a full day.
In-Ear Earbuds: AirPods Pro USB-C(2023)
- Why I Love Them: The seamless device switching is a must-have for my meeting-heavy schedule. Sound quality and noise cancellation are top-notch.
Over-Ear Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM2 (2018)
- Why I Love Them: Incredible noise cancellation that lets me focus anywhere. Still going strong after 6 years!
Backpack: Herschel Kaslo Tech(2024)
- Why I Chose It: Needed a stylish backpack optimized for tech that could hold all my gear for travel. The Kaslo Tech delivers on space, organization, and looks without breaking the bank.
Microphone: Maono PD-400X(2023)
- Why I Chose It: I wanted high-end podcast audio quality without the high-end price tag. The PD-400X is a third of the price of competitors like the Shure MV7 while still delivering excellent sound and build quality.
Subscriptions & SoftwareStack
These are the digital tools and services that power my day-to-day workflows.
Code Editor: CursorAI
- Why I Love It: Cursor is a smarter VS Code fork that lets me integrate AI (from GPT, Claude, or in-house model options) into my coding flow with minimal changes.
Calendar: NotionCalendar
- Why I Love It: Clean UI, ability to link Notion docs to events, and menu bar view of upcoming events. The built-in option to attach meeting video call links is handy too.
AI Writing Assistant: ClaudePro
- What I Use It For: Helping me write and edit code. I was happy with ChatGPT, but Claude has been a game-changer for programming help. The new GPT 4-o is enticing though, so my loyalties may be torn. Stay tuned!
AI Platform: ChatGPTPlus
- Why I Upgraded: Access to custom GPT models, DALL-E integration, and no more rate limits. Excited to see what the new multimodal GPT 4-o unlocks.
Social Media: XPremium
- Why I Subscribed: X is my go-to for staying plugged into the tech community. Premium is a must for power users.
Social Media: LinkedInPremium
- Why I Subscribed: No better platform for networking and outreach to key people in my industry.
Workspace: WeWork All AccessPlus
- Why I Love It: I travel constantly and loathe working from home. This membership gives me on-demand access to beautiful workspaces in most major cities globally. It doesn't matter if I am sleeping on a couch.
- Insider Tip: In India, you can score a heavily discounted All Access Plus membership — just ₹14,000/month (~$170 USD) vs $300+/month in the US.
Streaming: YouTubePremium
- Why I Subscribed: I learn a ton from YouTube content and the time savings from ad-free viewing add up.
- Insider Tip: In India, a YouTube Premium subscription is just ₹1,300/year (~$15 USD). Compare that to $14/month in the US!
Design: CanvaPro
- Why I Subscribed: Canva makes it a breeze to create professional designs for my podcast and events, without needing deep expertise in Photoshop or Figma.
- Insider Tip: In India, Canva Pro is only ₹4,000/year (~$48 USD) compared to $14/month in the US. These regional discounts really add up.
Music: SpotifyPremium
- Why I Love It: Music is essential to my focus and motivation. Spotify’s personalized recommendations, cross-device access, and local file support make it a no-brainer.
Phone Plan: T-MobileGoPlus
- What’s Included: Unlimited data in the US, 15GB across the US and Canada, 5GB worldwide, plus Netflix and Apple TV.
- Why I Chose It: The generous international data allotments are key for my travel-heavy lifestyle.
Cloud Storage: Google One 2TB FamilyPlan
- Why I Love It: As a chronic digital hoarder, having ample storage for device backups, Google Photos, and file sharing is well worth the price.
Credit CardStack
I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time researching the right credit card to get. As an avid traveler, these are the top picks I’ve landed on.
Restaurants & Groceries: American Express GoldCard
- Top Perks: 4x points on dining worldwide and US supermarkets, 3x on flights booked directly with airlines, $10 monthly Uber Cash and $10 monthly dining credit (which makes the annual fee effectively $10).
Everyday Spending: Capital One VentureX
- Top Perks: 2x miles on every purchase, $300 annual travel credit (via Capital One Travel), 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (worth $100+), Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge access (including authorized users). When you crunch the numbers, this premium card is a steal for frequent travelers.
Rent Payments: Bilt World Elite Mastercard
- Why It’s a Must-Have: Earn points on the biggest line item in most people’s budgets — rent! Also snag 3x points on dining and 2x on travel with no annual fee.
Air Canada Flyers: Chase Aeroplan CreditCard
- Why It’s Great: Free first checked bag on Air Canada flights for you and up to 8 companions. Get Aeroplan 25K Elite Status (priority check-in/boarding and upgrades) for the calendar year in which you open the card plus the following year. If you’re an Air Canada regular, this product is gold.
Canadians: American Express Cobalt®Card
- Top Perk: 5x points on dining and groceries. An absolute standout in the Canadian market and my go-to for food purchases.
Well, there you have it — my obsessively-researched personal tech stack for 2024. I’m always keen to hear about other great tools and hacks, so let me know what I’ve missed!
This post merely scratches the surface of my decision-making process. I could go on for days about the alternatives I considered and additional tips for each category. But I hope this overview provides a solid jumping-off point in optimizing your own setup.
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Thanks for reading,
Daivik Goel
