Nicholas Mullins

Developers and tech nerds are notoriously hard to shop for, mostly because they already buy the stuff they want, and they have opinions about everything. This list cuts through the noise and highlights gear, gadgets, and desk upgrades that developers actually love. Whether you’re looking for something practical, fun, premium, or just straight-up nerdy, these gifts hit the sweet spot between “useful” and “wow, this person gets me.”

Working from home can either feel like freedom… or like you’re trapped in a bad laptop commercial from 2009. The difference is the gear you surround yourself with. This list highlights the tools and upgrades that actually make remote work easier, smoother, and more comfortable. The things that reduce friction, improve focus, and help you show up professionally on every call. From lighting and audio to desk essentials and ergonomic upgrades, these are the products that genuinely improve the day-to-day experience of working from home.

Mechanical keyboard switches can completely change the way a board feels, from buttery-smooth linears to crisp tactiles and satisfying clickies. This list highlights my favorite Cherry MX–compatible switches across all three categories, chosen from years of building, testing, and swapping. I’ve included budget standouts, enthusiast favorites, and a few premium heavy-hitters that deliver top-tier sound and feel right out of the box. If you’re trying to dial in your perfect typing experience, these switches are the best place to start.

These are the mechanical keyboards I actually use and recommend after years of trying… well, pretty much everything. This isn’t a list of gamer-looking RGB UFOs with mushy switches and marketing nonsense. These are high-quality boards built for real work, long writing sessions, coding, and daily use. I’ve included everything from full-size tanks to compact 65% layouts (because yes, arrow keys matter), plus wireless picks, budget options, and even a build-your-own recommendation for when you’re ready to level up. Every board on this list is something I’ve owned or personally tried, and they all offer great feel, reliability, and long-term value. If you’re looking for keyboards that deliver actual typing satisfaction without the gamer cringe, you’re in the right place.

Leadership isn’t about fancy titles, endless meetings, or memorizing buzzwords, it’s about building healthy teams, making better decisions, and creating environments where people can actually thrive. This list is my curated stack of leadership books that cut through the noise and give you practical, no-fluff guidance. You’ll find fables from Patrick Lencioni that expose the real dysfunctions and politics that drag teams down, modern guides like Engineering Management for the Rest of Us that speak directly to tech leaders, and timeless lessons like The Checklist Manifesto that prove even simple systems can transform how we work. Whether you’re leading your first dev team, running an org of dozens, or just trying not to get buried in turf wars and bad meetings, these books will help you lead with clarity, confidence, and a little less stress.