Scott Jack

Tools

Hardware

MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021, M1) Fantastic laptop, despite the fact the screen needed replaced twice in the first 6 months. The display is stellar, the sound is cosmic (more than one person said sitting in front of it and listening is like being in the studio), battery life is phenomenal. I’m super pleased with it.

iPhone 14 Pro: I was going to keep the XS Max another year but foolishly put it on top of the car when I had to chase the dog. This phone is great: perfect size, great battery, amazing camera. I just wish USB-C had been included. I’ll be keeping this phone until 2027 at least.

iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd gen): I use this for personal Bible study mostly, with the occasional PDF or sheet music mixed in. The hardware is great, the iPad concept just doesn’t fit into my life well.

Headphones: Still rocking Bose QuietComfort II along with first gen AirPods Pro. It’s nice to have a couple options for active noise cancellation when I work at a café.

Kindle: I ditched most of my physical library years ago in favor of eInk. Now that my library offers Kindle books through Libby, I’m loving it even more.

Software

Google Workspace: Gmail, Calendar, Tasks, Docs. This is where I do the bulk of my work.

Sunsama: Early on, I felt like Sunsama helped me to develop better week review and planning habits. But I haven't been consistent with it. Still think it's a great tool when I do use it. (I wish it integrated with Google Tasks, though.)

Spotify: Spotify wins for Connect alone. I hate the addition of podcasts and audiobooks. Discovery has become very unreliable. The audio quality isn't as good as competitors. If I were going to switch, it would be to Tidal because of the super clean interface, focus on music, and that it puts new music front and center (oh and the audio quality is nice, too).

Analog

JetPens Kanso notebooks with Tomoe River paper: The original Tomoe River paper was long regarded as the best for a wide variety of fountain pen inks, but was discontinued. I’m not sure what notebooks I’ll use next after my stock is gone.

Kokuyo Jibun Techo Biz A5 planner: I love the week view in this planner and the ultra-thin pages handle a variety of pen inks. I still rely on digital calendars and planning tools, but sometimes pen and paper is what makes everything click.

Pens

Favorite liquid rollerball: Pilot Precise V5

Assorted fountain pens: In order of what I use most, it's probably Lamy Safari EF, Kaweco Sport EF, Kaweco Sport F, Pilot Vanishing Point (blue carbonesque) F, TWSBI ECO EF, Sheaffer Snorkel M (nib needs repair)

Mechanical pencil: Pentel P205 or P209

Fountain pen inks