My 2026 Dev Setup After 1000+ Hours Coding

Key takeaways

• The Lenovo Legion 5 i9-14900HX with 32GB RAM handles VMs, builds, and AI workloads as a desktop-replacement laptop, but it lives plugged in because battery life is mediocre.
• WSL2 with Ubuntu 22.04 and Windows Terminal gives you real Linux tools without dual-booting, which matters when hardware work requires Windows drivers.
• Cursor has replaced VS Code as the daily coding environment; the $20/month cost is justified for anyone coding daily, primarily for the inline context-aware completion and built-in codebase chat.
• For hardware: the ESP32-S3 DevKit covers WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB-C natively. The Pinecil V2 handles portable soldering with USB-C power. A logic analyzer with PulseView debugs SPI, I2C, and UART.

People ask what I use. Here it is. My actual dev setup for software and hardware work.

Some links are affiliate links. Everything listed is what I actually own and use.

The Main Machine

Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX9

My daily driver. Desktop replacement laptop.

Specs:

• Intel Core i9-14900HX
• 32GB RAM
• Windows 11 Home
• 16" display, 2560x1600

Why this:

• Enough power for VMs, builds, and AI workloads.
• Good keyboard for a laptop.
• Stays cool under sustained load.
• Not a "gamer aesthetic" nightmare.

What I'd change:

• Would prefer Linux but too many hardware things need Windows.
• Battery life is mediocre. It lives plugged in.

Lenovo Legion 5 on Amazon

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Peripherals

Keychron K8 Pro (Mechanical Keyboard)

Tenkeyless, hot-swappable, wireless.

Why this:

• Mac and Windows compatible.
• Hot-swap means I can change switches without soldering.
• Bluetooth + wired. Use it with multiple machines.

Switches: Gateron Brown. Tactile, not too loud.

Keychron K8 Pro on Amazon

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Logitech MX Master 3S

The productivity mouse everyone recommends. They're right.

Why this:

• Scroll wheel is incredible.
• Connects to 3 devices.
• Ergonomics are solid.

Logitech MX Master 3S on Amazon

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Dell U2723QE (4K Monitor)

27" 4K IPS. USB-C hub built in.

Why this:

• 4K at 27" is the right pixel density for code.
• USB-C single cable setup.
• Color accuracy is good enough for web work.

Dell U2723QE on Amazon

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Software Stack

VS Code

Still the best general-purpose editor.

Extensions I use:

• GitLens
• Prettier
• ESLint
• Remote SSH
• Thunder Client (API testing)

Free. Just install it.

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Windows Terminal + WSL2

Windows but with real Linux underneath.

Setup:

• Ubuntu 22.04 in WSL2.
• zsh with oh-my-zsh.
• Windows Terminal as the frontend.

This gives me Linux tools without dual-booting.

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Cursor

AI code editor. Forked from VS Code.

Covered in Jerry's post. Worth the $20/month.

Cursor

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Figma (Free tier)

For quick mockups and diagrams. Free tier is enough.

Figma

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Hardware Development

ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1

Main dev board for RatelRF and other projects.

Why this:

• WiFi + Bluetooth.
• USB-C native (finally).
• Cheap enough to embed in prototypes.

ESP32-S3-DevKitC on Amazon

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Pinecil V2

Soldering iron. USB-C powered. RISC-V brain.

Why this:

• Heats up in seconds.
• Open source firmware.
• Portable.

Pinecil V2 on Amazon

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Logic Analyzer (24MHz, 8-channel)

The cheap Saleae clone. Works fine with PulseView.

Why this:

• $15 and does the job.
• Sigrok/PulseView support is solid.
• Good enough for SPI, I2C, UART debugging.

Logic Analyzer on Amazon

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What I Don't Use

• MacBook: Windows is better for my hardware work.
• Standing desk: Tried it. Didn't stick.
• Ultrawide monitor: 4K 27" is enough.
• RGB everything: No thanks.

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Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Everything listed is gear I actually own and use.

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The Summary

Nothing revolutionary. Just solid tools that don't get in the way.