Thord D. Hedengren

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Setup (March 2018)

My setup is always in flux, and so will this page be. I’ll try to keep up here, as well as keep a log of older setups. I’ve decided to divvy up my gear in what I’m doing, such as writing or traveling, rather than breaking it down to hardware and software.

As always, if you have a cool workflow or a gadget that you just have to have, please tweet to @tdh on Twitter and let me know. I love that stuff.

Updated March 2018 (removed Magic Keyboard in the Canopy stand/sleeve, added a screen for the gaming rig, B&W PX replaced the Bose QC35 II, removed the TV Mac mini, Sublime Text 3 replaced Brackets, Paws was removed, bags for travel completely updated, added Pilot VBall and condensed the daily carry a bit).

Overall setup

I’ve broken down my setup a bit, because it gets a bit silly otherwise. This is not an exhaustive list unfortunately, I have way too many gadgets. Some would say it’s a problem.

  • Mobile devices and their accessories:
  • Computers:
    • 15” MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (3.3GHz i7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in somber space gray), sometimes with Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and propped on a Rain mStand.
    • 12” MacBook (1.2GHz Core M5, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in gorgeous gold), which I planned on getting rid of but just couldn’t.
    • Asus ROG G20 (3.6GHz i7-7700, 1 TB SATA, 512 GB M.2 SSD, 16 GB RAM, GTX 1080 8 GB running Windows 10) with Razer BlackWidow TE, Razer Mamba, and Xbox One Elite controller. This thing kicks gaming ass and is connected to an Asus ROG G-Sync 26″ screen that I forget the model number for.
  • Entertainment devices:
    • Apple TV (4th gen, 64 GB) for TV.
    • Nintendo Switch with Pro controller, also known as the Zelda and Skyrim machine.
    • PlayStation 4, Wii U, PS Vita, and a bunch of older and mostly forgotten video game consoles.
    • Dual CS 5000 turntable, connected to Denon PMA1510AE receiver, with two B&W floor speakers, and a B&W subwoofer. I have a bunch of records too.
  • Various gear, tools, and other things that’s worth mentioning:

Apps I’m currently using

This list only contains the primary apps that I use fairly regularly. That means that you won’t find Adobe Premiere CC here, even though I fire it up every now and then.

  • Writing and taking notes:
    • Notes (stock app, macOS and iOS) for quick notes, longer ones go in iA Writer (macOS and iOS) for notes and longform writing.
    • GoodNotes (iOS) for serious note taking.
    • Pages (macOS and iOS) when needed.
    • Google Docs (web and iOS) for project documents at the office.
    • reMarkable is a nice e-ink note-taking tablet that actually fits in my workflow, for now.
  • Development:
  • Design:
    • Adobe Illustrator CC (macOS) for logos.
    • Pixelmator (macOS and iOS) is mostly used to fix blemishes, cropping, and resizing.
    • Sketch (macOS) as little as possible.
    • Adobe Comp CC (iOS) for design.
    • MindNode (iOS) to mindmap something.
  • Various:
    • Keynote (macOS and iOS) for my presentations.
    • Numbers (macOS, rarely iOS) houses all my budgets.
    • Google Sheets (web, rarely iOS) for company-wide numbering needs.
    • iTunes (macOS) plays Apple Music on the Macs.
    • Music (iOS) plays Apple Music on the iOS devices.
    • Storytel (iOS) for my audio book needs.
    • Instapaper (iOS) is where I read all longform pieces, and then some.
    • Reeder 3 (iOS) for RSS.
    • Comixology (iOS) has all my comics.
    • Korg Gadget (iOS) is glorious.

Travel kit

Depending on the trip, I’ll use different bags. I’m currently in love with the Hunters Satchel from Peg and Awl, but I also use the North Face Base Camp backpack. I never check luggage, so either I’ll stick with the Base Camp, or use the Rimova Classic Flight Cabin Multiwheel (there’s a mouthful).

The contents inside the bags rarely changes however, not counting whatever clothing I’d need for the climate.

  • iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil, in the sleeve.
  • B&W PX headphones, because of noise cancellation.
  • Kindle Oasis.
  • Exelium Qi battery for iPhone X and USB charging. I’ll add the Kanex GoPower USB C (which charges other things too, not just USB C) if I’m unsure of access to power.
  • Notebook (various sorts, by Field Notes) and Pilot G2 pens (blue or red, or both). I also carry a Pilot VBall 0.5 in black, which I like a lot.
  • Klean Kanteen water bottle (and sometimes it’s thermos equivalent).
  • Miscellaneous:
    • 29W charger and USB C to Lightning cable.
    • Micro USB to USB cable.
    • USB to USB C adapter.
    • Cleaning cloth.
    • Local currency, hand sanitizer, chewing gum.
    • If I’m traveling overnight, I’ll add the Kanex GoPower Watch battery.

Older setups