As an Apple tech-obsessed GenZer with adult money, I wanted to share my setup with you guys and give an honest ranking after using everything daily as a young professional.
Disclaimer obviously: I'm not a tech reviewer lol, and I'm definitely not going to pretend like I am. I'm just someone who really loves Apple products (and really loves to yap), use them every day for work, and figured I'd share what I think is actually worth buying.
But if you’re a tech pro or bro, your advice is always welcome.
Disclaimer #2: The photos are not AI-generated. I just used the Clean Up feature on the iPhone 17 Pro Max to remove the text from my textbook because I’d rather keep my profession and overall profile a bit more private.
Not pictured: my Iphone 17 Pro Max since I used it to take the pictures, and my magic pencil.
TL;DR:
Would buy again immediately
- AirPods Pro
- MacBook
- iPhone
Luxury but worth it
- iPad + Magic Keyboard and Pencil
- AirPods Max 2
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
- Magic Trackpad
Wouldn't buy again and wouldn't recommend
- Studio Display (unless money isn't really a consideration...but even then)
- Magic Mouse
- Apple Watch
- iPod Touch
Must haves if you're an Apple fan
AirPods Pro
Literally everyone recommends them and there's a reason for that. If I was going to buy one Apple accessory, I'd probably get these.
I honestly don't even know which version I have, possibly the 2 ? But I've had them for years and they're still going strong.
They're probably my most-used Apple product after my phone and Mac. Perfect for the gym, running, traveling, and meetings thanks to how small and minimalist they are. The ANC is great, and they pair well with all my devices. I honestly forget I'm wearing them half of the time.
The MacBook
Personally, I have a 15" MacBook Air with an M5 chip. I previously had the 14" MacBook Pro (M3), but the Pro really wasn't worth the extra money for what I do (mostly reading, researching, and writing), so I decided to invest in more RAM and storage instead.
I absolutely loved the 14" size, but it was noticeably bulkier than the MBA, which ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the Air when it came time to choose my next laptop.
Yes, it is an expensive for a laptop (granted I chose the 32GB, 2TB version), but it's probably the best Apple product I've ever owned.
I originally bought the 13", but exchanged it for the 15" after switching to a single Studio Display and buying an Ipad for portability.
I travel a lot for work, and having a larger screen means it can realistically replace my desktop monitor in hotels or when I'm away.
My advice: if portability is your #1 priority, get the 13". If you spend most of your day at a desk reading, writing and multitasking, I believe the extra screen real estate on the 15" makes a noticeable difference.
I'm well aware that it may not be the best laptop in the market, but hey, we're also here because we love Apple products lol.
The iPhone
I still think the iPhone offers the best overall smartphone experience in terms of UI/UX.
The phone in the picture is my old iPhone 13, since my current iPhone 17 Pro Max is the one taking the photo.
I also think the iPhone 13 is one of Apple's best designs. It was the perfect size, felt great in the hand, and somehow never seemed to heat up.
As much as I love the battery life and performance of the 17 Pro Max, it's simply too big for me. I have pretty small hands lol, and I've realized I much prefer a phone that I can comfortably use with one hand. I've also noticed that my 17 Pro Max gets noticeably warmer than my old 13 ever did.
I'm planning to switch to the regular iPhone 18 Pro as soon as it's released.... Not gonna lie, but I'm already obsessed with that Dark Cherry color.
Luxury but worth it
iPad + Magic Keyboard and Pencil
I have an iPad Air 11" (M4) and it is probably the Apple product that surprised me the most.
I'll be honest, and don't hate me, but I used to think iPads were kind of a scam. I just couldn't understand why anyone would spend almost as much, or sometimes even more, than a MacBook on a device that was less powerful and couldn't run macOS. In my head, they were the kind of things people bought because they had money to burn, used for a week, and then left in a drawer to collect dust.
Turns out... I was completely wrong. I use this thing all the time now and there are days when I reach for it before my MacBook.
It's become my go-to device for flights, trains, coffee shops, or just sitting outside on my terrace. I use it for reading documents, answering emails, watching YouTube, listening to music, browsing Reddit... basically everything that doesn't require me to pull out my laptop.
It's truly perfect when I'm traveling for work. I pair it with my 15" MBA as a second display, and having a dual-screen setup that still fits in a backpack is honestly amazing. Working from hotels is so much more comfortable now, especially with the extra screen of the 15''.
Important note though: the Magic Keyboard is what completely changed my opinion of the iPad. Without it, I wouldn't recommend an iPad to most people. With it, though, it feels like the perfect middle ground between an iPhone and a MacBook. It doesn't (and isn't trying to) replace the MacBook, but it's way more than a big iPhone.
If you're thinking about getting an iPad, my advice is this: if your budget allows it, get the Magic Keyboard too. I genuinely think it's what makes the iPad worth owning.
AirPods Max 2
I love them. Maybe I'm biased because I'm a sucker for aesthetic and good design, but I think they're one of the coolest-looking headphones on the market. They look futuristic as hell.
Do they sound better than my Sennheiser HDB 630? Not really. But do I use them more? Absolutely. I use them even more than my AirPods Pro, and that's saying a lot as someone who is constantly listening to music.
The seamless switching between my Mac, iPad, and iPhone is incredibly convenient, the build quality is excellent, and they're very comfortable to wear for long periods.They're perfect for long rides, listening to movies, and I also love the lossless audio.
They are bulkier than a lot of other headphones but you get used quite rapidly and it's like they're not even there after a certain period of time.
If you're an audiophile, there are definitely better-sounding headphones for the price. But if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem, they're a luxury that are genuinely enjoyable.
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
I don't think the Magic Keyboard is a must-have, but if you're trying to recreate the MacBook experience, it's the obvious choice.
As for Touch ID, I initially bought the version without it because I couldn't justify paying extra for one additional button.
Turns out, I was constantly reaching over to my MacBook to unlock it. It's one of those tiny annoyances that really adds up over time, and since I spend 10–12 hours a day at my desk, anything that makes my workflow a little smoother and optimizes my setup is worth it.
So naturally, having Touch ID built into the keyboard ended up being one of those small quality-of-life upgrades that I now use dozens of times a day. I didn't think I'd care about it, but I definitely do.
Now as for the numeric keypad: I was actually gifted the Magic Keyboard with it before buying my current one, and I absolutely hated it. It just added unnecessary width to my desk for a bunch of keys I never used. My hands were always positioned on the left side of the keyboard anyway, so it felt like wasted space. Unless you work with numbers all day, I'd personally skip the numeric keypad.
Magic Trackpad
I love it. I know it's not for everyone, especially if you've always used a mouse or don't own a MacBook. But before I bought an external monitor, I worked exclusively on my MacBook, and I still do whenever I travel, so using a trackpad just feels second nature to me.
Once you get used to it, the gestures become hard to live without. Swiping between desktops, navigating tabs, zooming, etc...everything just feels incredibly fluid and intuitive.
Also, if you're trying to decide between the Magic Mouse and the Magic Trackpad, I'd get the Trackpad without hesitation. I think it's one of Apple's most underrated accessories.
Wouldn't buy again and wouldn't recommend
Studio Display (unless money isn't really a consideration...but even then)
My Studio Display (2026) underwhelmed me as soon as I got it. That said, it is genuinely a beautiful monitor. The 5K display is stunning, the speakers are incredible, the webcam is excellent, and the build quality is exactly what you'd expect from Apple.
I actually bought the Nano-texture version first because I was worried about reflections. I spend 10–12 hours a day in front of my monitor (and I have ADHD), so I really didn't want glare affecting my productivity. In the end, though, I just couldn't get past the slightly grainy look of the Nano-texture display. I exchanged it for the standard glass version and honestly haven't looked back.
One design choice I still don't understand, though, is having all the ports on the same side. For a monitor that costs this much, I really think Apple should've put Thunderbolt/USB-C ports on both sides. I actually had to rearrange my whole desk and move my MacBook from the left side to the right just to make the cable management work. It did end up working because I realized I naturally glance over at my Mac more when it's on the right. But for a monitor at this price, I really don't think I should've had to redesign my setup around where Apple decided to put the ports.
Also, yes, it's glossy, and yes, you'll notice reflections under certain lighting conditions (especially on dark backgrounds if you have bright lights behind you). But honestly, it has never affected my workflow. My apartment is actually pretty bright during the day, and once I'm focused on work, I barely notice the reflections.
Ironically, my previous monitor, the BenQ MA270U, was actually less reflective than the Studio Display. It was also designed for Macs, looked great, and cost significantly less. The only real downside was that the display wasn't quite as sharp as the Studio Display's 5K panel, and every now and then it would act up when waking my MacBook Air from sleep. Nothing major, just an occasional annoyance.
The Studio Display is objectively the better monitor BUT I just don't think it's worth paying more than twice as much.
If someone asked me what monitor to buy, I'd recommend an LG UltraFine or a BenQ without hesitation. My BenQ MA270U paired beautifully with my MacBook, was noticeably less reflective than the Studio Display, and delivered an excellent experience for a fraction of the price.
And honestly, even if you can comfortably afford the Studio Display, I'm still not convinced that that's where I'd spend the extra money. I'd probably invest it instead. Or buy a Herman Miller chair lol.
Magic Mouse
Mine was actually a gift, I'd never buy one myself. Compared to the Magic Trackpad (or even something like the Logitech MX Master) it just doesn't improve my workflow.
It's also very different from a traditional mouse, and not in a good way, in my opinion. If you're going to spend time getting used to a new input device, I'd much rather recommend the Trackpad.
I've also never been a fan of the design, and the charging port on the bottom still makes absolutely no sense to me. Having to flip the mouse upside down to charge it means you can't use it while it's charging, which seems like a pretty bizarre design choice for such an expensive accessory. I don’t think Apple has any other items that become unusable while charging.
Apple Watch
Probably my biggest disappointment, but maybe I'm just not the target audience.
I always have my phone with me anyway, so getting notifications on my wrist never really added much.
I bought the cellular model because I wanted to leave my phone at home when I went for runs, but in reality I always forget to charge it. I've also had enough issues with it connecting to my AirPods that I've ended up halfway through a run with no music. I'd rather just bring my iPod.
I also prefer wearing traditional watches, so my Apple Watch ends up sitting at my desk most of the time.
If you love yours, though, I'd genuinely be interested to hear what makes it indispensable for you. I feel like I'm probably just not using it to its full potential.
iPod Touch (6th generation)
It was a birthday gift. It's so damn cute though.
I use it occasionally when I want to go for a walk or a run without bringing my phone, and it's a nice way to disconnect from the internet for a bit. That said, I probably wouldn't buy one myself. I already have more than enough gadgets as it is.
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Edit: made a small mistake at the beginning.I listed the iPad Air under "Luxury but worth it," but I really meant the iPad in general. Whether you should get the Air or the Pro depends on your use case, but in my opinion, they both serve the same purpose aka being perfect middle ground between an iPhone and a MacBook.
Edit #2: Added a second disclaimer after someone thought the photos were AI-generated. I just realized the blurred text on the books could definitely give that impression.
