I used to code like a shrimp. 🦐
You know the pose: hunched over a 13-inch laptop screen, sitting on a cheap kitchen chair, straining my neck to see if I missed a semicolon.
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After two years of remote work, my body sent me the bill. My wrists were clicking, my neck was stiff, and honestly, I dreaded sitting down to work.
So, in 2026, I decided to fix it. I didn't want a flashy "Instagram Setup" with useless RGB lights everywhere. I wanted a Battle Station designed for one thing: shipping code without pain.
Here is the gear I bought with my own money, and why I think it's worth every penny.
1. The Mouse: Logitech MX Master 3S
Okay, I know spending $100 on a mouse sounds insane. I thought so too. I used a generic $10 mouse for years.
But the MX Master 3S is different. The hype is real.
The killer feature isn't the battery (which lasts forever) or the shape (which feels like a handshake). It's the MagSpeed Scroll Wheel. You can flick it, and it spins silently for like 10 seconds.
When you need to scroll through 2,000 lines of spaghetti code or a massive log file, this thing is a godsend. Plus, the horizontal wheel near the thumb? Perfect for scrolling huge Trello boards or horizontal timelines.
I can never go back to a normal mouse.
👉 Check price on Amazon: Logitech MX Master 3S
2. The Keyboard: Keychron K2 (Wireless)
I'll be honest: I bought this mainly because it looks cool and sounds nice. But it turned out to be a massive productivity booster.
The Keychron K2 is a mechanical keyboard, meaning every keypress gives you a satisfying physical "bump" and a click. It puts you in a rhythm. It feels like you are building something, not just tapping glass.
It's compact (no useless Numpad taking up mouse space), connects to 3 devices via Bluetooth (switching between my Mac and PC is instant), and fits in my backpack.
Warning: Once you go mechanical, membrane keyboards will feel like mushy potatoes.
👉 Check price on Amazon: Keychron K2 Mechanical Keyboard
3. The Screen: LG 34" UltraWide
I hate dual monitors. There, I said it.
Having a bezel right in the middle of your vision is annoying. You are constantly turning your neck left and right like you're watching a tennis match.
I swapped two screens for one massive LG UltraWide. It changed everything.
Now, I have VS Code on the left (taking up 60% of the screen) and my browser/localhost on the right. I can see the code and the result instantly. No Alt-Tab chaos. It just feels cleaner and keeps me in the "Flow State" longer.
👉 Check price on Amazon: LG 34WN80C-B UltraWide
4. The $20 Life Saver: Aluminum Laptop Stand
If you buy nothing else from this list, buy this cheap piece of metal.
Looking down at your laptop is killing your posture. It's called "Tech Neck," and it leads to permanent damage.
I use this Besign Stand to lift my laptop screen to eye level. I use the laptop screen for Slack, Spotify, or Terminal windows, while the main work happens on the monitor.
It's sturdy, cheap, and does the job. Best ROI on the list.
👉 Check price on Amazon: Besign Laptop Stand
5. The Mental Upgrade: The Pragmatic Programmer
Gear matters, but mindset matters more.
I try to re-read The Pragmatic Programmer every year. It’s not a tutorial on React or Python. It’s a book about how to be a professional.
It teaches you concepts like "The Broken Window Theory" in code, how to communicate with bosses, and how to avoid burnout. It’s the difference between a "coder" and a "Software Engineer."
If you haven't read the 20th Anniversary Edition yet, do yourself a favor.
👉 Grab the Book: The Pragmatic Programmer
Was it worth it?
Look, this setup isn't cheap. It took me a while to save up for the monitor and the mouse.
But think about it: You are a professional athlete of the keyboard. Just like a runner needs good shoes to avoid injury, you need good gear to avoid RSI and burnout.
Treat your body with respect, and your code will get better.
Disclaimer: Yes, these are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I get a beer money commission at no extra cost to you. But I actually own and use all this stuff every single day.