My 2025 EDC Tech Stack

My 2025 EDC Tech Stack

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Kevin Koperski
Mar 02, 2025 • 6 min read

I haven't written about technology on this site in a while, and I'd like to do so more in 2025. To begin, I thought I'd offer a "State of the Backpack", or, as the YouTubers like to say, "My Everyday Carry" but without knives and pens and compasses and cool little stuff I would never use. Instead, here's the technology keeping me connected, creative, and (hopefully) a bit healthier on a daily basis.

My day revolves around my primary desktop computer. It's a hybrid-self-built machine. I ordered the basics (case, motherboard, chip, etc.) in 2021, because it was the only way to get the latest NVidia graphics card. It's an AMD system with 128GB of RAM. I upgraded to the RTX 4090. I function best at a desktop computer with a mouse, keyboard, and many monitors. But you can't easily take a desktop computer with you, which is why everything else comes into play.

The Brains of the Operation: Pixel 9 Pro & Surface Laptop 7

The core of my digital nomadic life revolves around two powerhouses: my Google Pixel 9 Pro and a Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

The Pixel 9 Pro is, without a doubt, the best phone I've ever used. Google's design language has matured beautifully, and the camera system is simply unmatched. It's my go-to for capturing life's moments, big and small, and staying up to date on news and conversations.

On the productivity side, my 15" Surface Laptop 7 has been a revelation. I've been a Surface fan for years – the Surface Book 2 remains a beloved favorite – and this latest iteration strikes the perfect balance of power and portability. The 3:2 aspect ratio is hard to give up once you try it. I've had a few compatibility issues with the ARM architecture (namely Google Drive), but nothing I couldn't work through. Davinci Resolve works great for my remote video editing. The only missing piece (for my needs) is Unreal Engine power, but few easily portable laptops are truly built for that.

Wearables: Tracking Steps, Sleep, Sound, and the World

My wrists, ears, and face are home to all sorts of technology:

  • Pixel Watch 3: Google finally delivered the larger size I'd been craving, and the slimmer bezels are a welcome improvement. The Pixel Watch 3 is my daily driver for notifications, quick interactions, and general activity tracking.
  • Whoop Band 4: For sleep tracking, I turn to the Whoop Band 4. I can't sleep wearing a watch, but the Whoop's slim profile doesn't bother me at all. I was a big fan of the Oura Ring, but Whoop's data analysis – particularly its focus on "Heart Strain" instead of just movement – resonates with me. It feels like a more accurate way to measure my overall physical exertion.
  • Pixel Buds Pro 2: We all have our preferred earbuds. I'm in the Google ecosystem, and I love the Pixel Buds for music, podcasts, audiobooks, phone calls, and AI chats. Plus they get extra points for coming with one of the most satisfying cases I've ever owned.
  • META RayBan Smart Glasses: I picked up my first pair of smart glasses just before the holidays. The progressive prescription lenses required by my old man eyes balloon the cost, but I had to give them a try. For the most part, I love them. It's wild having a quality video camera available at the push of a button, and I'm growing increasingly fond of the open ear audio. The Meta AI has been hit or miss, often failing to answer a question accurately or successfully performing the requested action. I'm eager for Google's entry into the market, but for now these are a fun start to what is inevitably the future.
  • NOTE: I also wear traditional watches for fancy occasions, and those mechanical movements are a technological feat of their own, but we'll save that discussion for another time.

Reading & Note-Taking: A Tale of Two (or Three) E-Ink Devices

My reading and note-taking habits are a bit more complicated. I've recently made the switch from a Kindle Oasis to a Kobo Libra Colour 2. Amazon's decision to abandon page-turn buttons was a dealbreaker for me, and I'll explore my thoughts on the Kobo in another post. For now, I'm enjoying the change.

When it comes to digital note-taking, I'm in the midst of a head-to-head battle between the Supernote Nomad and the Remarkable Paper Pro. I was an early adopter of the Remarkable 2 and loved it. I initially picked up the Supernote because of its Kindle app support, hoping to consolidate reading and notes on one device. However, the lack of a frontlight on the Supernote proved to be a fatal flaw – my aging eyes need that extra bit of contrast.

So, I bought the Remarkable Paper Pro, which does have a frontlight but lacks Kindle/Kobo support. I'm torn. The Supernote has a superior writing experience and some unique features for creating headers, links, and outlines that I find very useful. But the Nomad's smaller size doesn't work for my messy handwriting, and it lacks that frontlight. If the Remarkable (or the Kindle Scribe) could adopt Supernote's note-taking innovations, we'd have a clear winner. The larger size of the Remarkable is working much better for me though, and it has that light, even though the Kindle's light is better.

Capturing the World: Pocket-Sized Power, Small Cinema Magic, and a Leica

Finally, my EDC wouldn't be complete without a few cameras:

  • DJI Osmo Pocket 3: This little marvel continues to impress me. I've been a fan of the Osmo line since the beginning, and the Pocket 3 is a fantastic tool for capturing high-quality video on the go. Its wide angle isn't always ideal, but it remains a go to device for capturing moments where I need smooth movement. If I ever get around to vlogging more, it'll be invaluable.
  • Leica Q3: I've recently started carrying a Leica Q3, and it's been a fascinating learning experience. The image quality is phenomenal, but I'm finding myself wishing for a longer lens option. I'm not a fan of swapping lenses in the field – that bit of friction often deters me from taking photos. The Q3 eliminates that problem, but its fixed focal length also limits its versatility, especially since I'm not comfortable getting too close to subjects in public. Hopefully, I'll improve over time and find more creative uses for it. Sizewise, it's a perfect solution.
  • Sony FX30: While I have an assortment of cinema cameras, the one I carry with me most often is the Sony FX30 with zoom lens. It's small and nimble and creates gorgeous video. I took it to Europe last year and it served double duty as a device for video and still photography. It's not perfect for still photography, and most still photography cameras are not perfect for video. Haven't yet found the singular device that makes everything better, but I haven't stopped looking.

BONUS ITEMS:

DJI Mic 2 - I always carry these lav mics in my backpack. If you need to record good audio on the fly with no setup, they're hard to beat. And their case ensures they're always charged.

DJI Mini Pro 3 - When I can, I take a drone with me, and the Mini Pro 3 is my goto. I love my Avata 2 for FPV droning, but it's bulkier and harder to use legally. I've started taking a course for my Part 107 drone piloting license in the hopes I can shoot higher quality footage with bigger and badder drones in the future. Stay tuned.

Oculus Quest 3 - VR is increasingly important in my world. I'm learning to build stuff in VR. I'm experimenting with workspaces in VR. It's wild to sit on my couch with a laptop and have three or four monitors floating in front of me, with passthrough turned on so I can still see my partner in the room. Passthrough changes the game from that perspective, because it eliminates (or at least greatly reduces) the sense of isolation. I've recently embarked on an ambitious (for me) VR project, and you'll hear more about that in the futrue.

Final Thoughts

My 2025 EDC tech stack is a reflection of my evolving needs and preferences. It's a blend of cutting-edge technology and personal quirks, all aimed at helping me stay productive, creative, and connected.

What are your must-have tech items for the new year? Let me know in the comments!