The non-Apple product that I couldn’t have done without in 2023
While most of the tech writing I do is focused on Apple products, I’m not entirely in the Apple ecosystem.
True, I do my work on an iPad and iMac and own an iPhone, but there are some excellent products available on the market that aren’t made by Apple and, in my opinion, offer a better solution.
This article is designed to celebrate the non-Apple products that have become an essential way of life for me in 2023.
Honourable mentions
Before we get to the overall winner, let’s take a moment to focus on some of the other non-Apple products that have become hugely important for me this year.
Logitech MX Master 3S Mouse
I’d previously been using an Apple Magic Mouse and, like most people, got incredibly frustrated when it was time for a recharge. I’d have to stop my work for half an hour, while I turned the mouse over and plugged in a lightening cable.
I was constantly hearing good things about the Logitech MX Master 3S. And managed to find a good deal for it on Black Friday in 2022. I bit the bullet and don’t regret it for a moment.
Aside from it having a much longer battery life than the Magic Mouse, the charging port is in a more sensible place meaning that, when it does need charging, I can continue to work.
The mouse is also programmable meaning that I can decide on the actions assigned to the two scroll wheels, three buttons and thumb rest. As such, I no longer need to move the mouse cursor to switch between browser tags or move down a page.
On top of that, the device is designed so ergonomically that it fits into the natural shape of my hand perfectly.
A lot has been written about how this is the perfect mouse and, having finally invested in one, I’d have to agree. I don’t see myself moving away from it any time soon.
More info: Logitech MX Master 3s on Amazon
Keychron K7 Keyboard
I’ve written a lot about keyboards this year. If you’re just getting into them (i.e. you don’t feel ready to build your own yet), then Keychron is an excellent brand to start with.
While I’ve bought two this year, my overall favourite is still the K7 which I bought in 2022.
You can read about it in more detail in an article I wrote here, but the quick summary is that it’s a low profile 65% keyboard which can connect to three different devices via Bluetooth.
The result is a fantastically portable keyboard that I can use with my Mac mini while sitting at my desk or my iPad while out in a coffee shop.
The keycaps and switches can be configured to your own requirements, which makes the board sound and feel different while you’re working. I went with the Gateron Mechanical Red switches, which means that the keys go straight down and back up, and there is very little sound when I work — perfect for when I’m out and about or on Zoom calls.
I’d say about 80% of my writing is done with the K7 and over the last 12 months, I’ve really appreciated being able to do work away from my desk. That wouldn’t be as easy without the K7 — there is no doubt that it’s the best keyboard for all-round use that I have!
More info: Keychron website
Sonos Era 100
I’ve been using Sonos speakers for over ten years, now. The recently released Era 100 is an upgrade on the Sonos One and, in my opinion, is the best small speaker that Sonos produces.
They’re bulkier and of a more round shape than the Sonos One and, while I’m no audiophile, I would say that the range is much bigger too. The bass seems lower and I’m hearing stuff in songs that I’ve only heard in high-quality headphones before.
While the app gets a lot of stick, it has improved a lot over the last twelve months to the extent that it is incredibly easy to ‘throw’ music across multiple different rooms or tie speakers together for a stereo sound.
In addition, Sonos integrates incredibly well with Spotify via the Spotify Connect function which means speakers can be chosen within the Spotify app and that you don’t even have to open the Sonos if you don’t want to.
I often underestimate just how important Sonos speakers have become in the house, but I’d really miss them if they were to suddenly disappear. We use them when watching TV, playing with the children and for white noise when going to sleep in the evening.
More info: Sonos website
But the winner is …
Sony WH-1000XM5
I’ve increased my writing output substantially in 2023, and that wouldn’t be possible without my Sony XM5s — these headphones rock in every sense of the word!
They’re half the price of Apple’s AirPods Max (and going even cheaper on eBay), arguably have the best noise-cancelling on the market and offer a comfort that often means I forget I’m wearing them.
In addition, the sound is unparalleled. As a result, when I couple them with an instrumental playlist or some white noise, I’m instantly able to cancel out the world around me and just focus on what I’m writing.
My current favourite thing to do is pair them with the Portal app which provides high-quality white noise from various parts of the world. That means that I can be writing from a tropical beach somewhere in the Caribbean while sitting in my box office at home.
In short, they have really helped to increase my output which has, in turn, generated me more revenue — so they have to be my favourite accessory of 2023.
More info: Sony WH1000-XM5 on Amazon
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