2025-05-28 22:06:31
Skyline: A wallpaper collection inspired by clouds.
Skyline is a brand-new collection of gradient wallpapers shaped by the calm, colour, and movement of clouds. It's a small wallpaper pack of five wallpapers for your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. They're simple gradients with a gentle cloud-based texture that will look terrific across all your devices. Enjoy!
The collection of Skyline wallpapers is available below, free of charge and in full resolution, but if you can support the work I do, I am also making the collection available for $2.99.
The Skyline collection includes five wallpapers: The Blue One, Partly Cloudy, Golden Hour Storm, Sunflare, and Deep Twilight for your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Thank you so much for your continued support.
Once purchased, a download link will be emailed to you to download the .zip file (56.7MB) containing all 5 versions for Mac (6016 × 3900), iPad (2752 × 2064), and iPhone (1320 × 2868).
The digital download link will expire 24 hours after the first download. If your link expires and you need to redownload the files, please send me an email with your order number and I can send along a new link for you.
☁️ Fun (but also terrifying fact): According to the American Chemical Society, the average cumulus cloud (2 km wide by 2.5 km long by .2 km tall) weighs 1.1 million pounds! Look up, and that thing effortlessly and lazily drifting above you is equivalent to the weight of 40 double-decker buses, 90 African Elephants (or 275 Asian Elephants), a 747 jumbo jet, or, to put it in Apple parlance, the weight of about 880,000 Mac Pro wheels. And that’s just your basic small, slightly puffy cloud!
I’m a one-person operation, working in healthcare by day & running this site as a passion project in my off time.
If you enjoy what I do, the articles, the wallpapers, or just the overall vibe, consider leaving a tip to support the site. Your generosity helps keep everything I create ad-free and freely available. I’ve also started offering the option to purchase wallpaper packs as another means to support my work when and if you can. Every bit is truly appreciated!
☕️ Tips2025-05-21 10:30:45
The WinRAR Approach: a small tweak in how I distribute content to keep the site free, sustainable, & ad-free.
For the past five years, I have offered the site for free. The wallpapers are free, and the site doesn't feature any popups, paywalls, or ads. This has been and will always be my intention, even as the site has grown from 50 visitors a month to as many as 400,000 a month.
And as the site has continued to grow, so have the operating expenses. Until now, I have financed the site myself, helped along by some much-appreciated tips from readers. The site has grown to essentially qualify as a part-time job as I pour hundreds and hundreds of hours into it each year.
You may have recently noticed a new approach I've started using with some of my wallpapers, beginning with the Gradients of April collection and continuing with the Commander 2025 and MacBook Pro: 2025 Update wallpapers: the option to purchase the collection. Much like leaving a tip, you can now make a one-click purchase and instantly download an entire wallpaper collection. By purchasing any collection, you get the good aura of supporting this site and a much faster and easier way of downloading the collection: a single click versus opening and saving all the images. And if you're unable or prefer not to purchase a collection, no worries, all the wallpapers are still available to download, completely free, with no ads or gimmicks. They're the same images offered in the paid bundle.
I thought long and hard about whether or not I should include exclusive wallpapers behind this paywall but ultimately decided against it. I want anyone who visits my site to have access to everything, even though I believe it could improve sales to offer exclusive works.
WinRAR trial expired dialogue from the late 20th century.
So what I'm introducing to the site is something I'm calling the WinRAR approach. If you're familiar with WinRAR, the Windows file compression tool, you'll know where this is going. WinRAR became infamous for offering a "30-day trial" that never actually expired. Instead of cutting off access or locking features, it simply asked users to consider purchasing it if they found it useful. It ran on goodwill, and that model worked.
That's the spirit behind the WinRAR approach. Everything I share remains free and fully accessible, but if you've found value in my work and want to support it, there's an easy way to do so. No pressure, just appreciation.
I think this approach strikes the best balance of ensuring the work remains free and fully accessible to everyone and that the site remains, to quote Nilay Patel from The Verge, "Unsponsored for Flavour." I appreciate all your support over the years.
2025-05-16 22:09:02
The 2025 update to the MacBook Pro 14- & 16-inch internals wallpaper.
Three and a half years ago, I released my first MacBook Pro internal wallpapers. With 3,485 & 3,624 parts, they were some of the most ambitious and tediously built projects I've ever done. A year later, they got a significant update with the release of the M2 Pro & M2 Max chips, and over the years, I've periodically opened the files and made a tweak here and an update there. These wallpapers have grown with me, memorializing years of evolution and development in creating these designs.
Since the MacBook Pro's redesign in late 2021, its internal layout has remained largely consistent. This updated version blends elements across generations, creating a hybrid design that closely reflects the internals from the M1 Pro to the M4 Max. What's new for 2025 is a range of updated components across the motherboard, refined details on hundreds of parts, and some tidying of pieces throughout.
The collection of MacBook Pro Internals: 2025 Update is available below, free of charge and in full resolution, but if you can support the work I do, I am also making the collection available for $3.99.
The MacBook Pro Internals: 2025 Update includes the 14- and 16-inch models in all five colour options: Space Black, Aubergine, Marine, Pine, and Titanium. This release also features dynamic versions that automatically adjust to match your MacBook's Light or Dark Mode. Thank you so much for your continued support.
MacBook Pro: 2025 Update CA$3.99Five color options are available at launch: Space Black, Aubergine, Marine, Pine, and Titanium. All except Space Black include both light and dark versions, plus special .HEIC files that automatically adjust to match your MacBook Pro’s Light or Dark Mode. Enjoy!
MacBook Pro 14-inch: Light | Dark | Dynamic
MacBook Pro 16-inch: Light | Dark | Dynamic
MacBook Pro 14-inch: Light | Dark | Dynamic
MacBook Pro 16-inch: Light | Dark | Dynamic
MacBook Pro 14-inch: Light | Dark | Dynamic
MacBook Pro 16-inch: Light | Dark | Dynamic
MacBook Pro 14-inch: Light | Dark | Dynamic
MacBook Pro 16-inch: Light | Dark | Dynamic
MacBook Pro 14-inch: Space Black
MacBook Pro 16-inch: Space Black
I’m a one-person operation, working in healthcare by day & running this site as a passion project in my off time.
If you enjoy what I do, the articles, the wallpapers, or just the overall vibe, consider leaving a tip to support the site. Your generosity helps keep everything I create ad-free and freely available. I’ve also started offering the option to purchase wallpaper packs as another means to support my work when and if you can. Every bit is truly appreciated!
☕️ Tips2025-05-12 22:02:26
A review of the Shinjuku Backpack from WaterField Designs.
I've amassed my share of slings and messenger bags, but a tech backpack was the one thing missing from my setup. For the past few years of travel, I've been using a Fjällräven Kånken. It's practical and minimalist, but its utilitarian design offers little to no padding or protection for tech. And so earlier this month, I contacted Waterfield Designs to ask about their Shinjuku Backpack. Having previously purchased and loved their Shinjuku Messenger and Sling, I reached out to ask about their newly released backpack, hoping to use it and write a review. They kindly agreed, and for the past several weeks, I've been using the bag as my everyday carry (EDC), commuting to work and heading out on weekends. Here's that review.
Out on the town. Photo taken May 10, 2025.
I've usually steered clear of backpacks because they often feel bulky. Unlike messenger bags, which expand sideways and keep items within easy reach, backpacks add space by getting broader and deeper, so everything piles up, and you end up pawing around to find what you need. Yuck. Part of what appealed to me about this backpack was its design focus on remaining relatively slim and compressed against your back. The Shinjuku bag measures just 5 inches against the back but can flex to expand when you need to stuff in a few more items. That slim profile also means it comfortably stows underneath airline seats, making it a great personal item for air travel as well.
To solve the organizational issue, the Shinjuku Backpack has two vertically stacked pockets on the exterior of the bag, a deep interior main cavity pocket, two separated padded areas dedicated to stowing both an iPad and up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro (they know their audience), an interior water bottle sleeve (which I use to hold my small cable organizer), and finally, two side pockets for water or item storage.
This generous compartmentalization means I can have my Mac, an iPad, my keys, iPhone, cables & chargers, e-reader, notebook, pen, water bottle, AirTag, and glasses all stored and organized without even making a dent in the main central cavity of the bag. This provides a ton of storage for extra items I could take on a flight or pick up while shopping. At 17 x 10 to 12.5 x 5 inches, with a 16-litre capacity (same as the Kånken), the Shinjuku Backpack is a more compact offering to many commuter backpacks, which range from 18-25 litres, so factor in the places you plan on utilizing the bag 95% of the time to help decide if it's size will comport to your needs.
Got caught in a surprise storm back in April, but the waxed canvas and waterproof zippers kept all my gear completely dry.
I chose the Navy Waxed Canvas version with leather accents—the same finish I've gone with for other Shinjuku pieces. I love the colour, the waxed texture, the durability, and how it develops character over time. There's also a black or olive X-Pac® option that's water-resistant, tough, and canvas-like in feel, but I keep coming back to the rugged, weathered look of canvas and leather. Both versions will handle light rain thanks to waterproof zippers and water-resistant materials, but I'm not sure how they'd hold up in a long, heavy downpour.
The interior features 2 padded compartments for storing a laptop & a tablet, a main compartment for storing books, headphones, cameras, etc., and a generously sized zippered pocket.
I've been using the backpack as my everyday carry for work and weekends. During the week, it mostly holds my laptop, iPad, AirPods Max, a few cables, a notebook, glasses, keys, and occasionally a water bottle or coffee. Since I drive to and from work, it doesn't get full backpack use until the weekends.
During the weekends, it gets far more used, as a favourite activity of mine is parking somewhere and wandering around town for hours. The padded shoulder straps and back offer decent comfort, though if you're carrying a lot of heavy gear for extended periods, it can start to wear on you (or maybe I'm just a bit soft). I usually like to carry around an iPad or MacBook Air, my e-reader, water, snacks, glasses, and, most recently acquired, a digital camera - I decided I needed more hobbies to juggle. The bag carries everything above without feeling crowded, bulky, or weighed down. I'm never left wanting more space, but if you carry larger or more stuff (Vision Pro, larger headphones, books, etc.), the smaller form factor of this bag may become a limiting factor.
After a month of daily use, I wish this bag had a second interior pocket with built-in organization. The vertically stacked exterior pockets are spacious and well laid out, but I'd hesitate to store valuables there in a dense urban area. In that case, I'd use a folio or internal organizer to keep those items secure inside the main compartment. And Since the exterior pockets only have single zippers, they can't be locked like the main one, but honestly, that's only a concern if you're somewhere sketchy.
While it might not be the ideal bag if you mainly plan to carry an Apple Vision Pro, especially with Apple's first-party case, though it can work if you opt for a more compact case from brands like Waterfield or Belkin.
Even with all my gear the backpack maintains a relatively slim profile.
The Shinjuku backpack is an attractive option for those looking on the smaller end of the backpack market. It's generous organization priorities and protects tech like your Mac and/or iPad, with extra external storage for storing keys, cables, and other documentation. The material choices, particularly the waxed canvas, give the back a rugged look that wears well but might not be everyone's aesthetic.
This is a bag I wouldn't use as an overnight bag given its smaller size, but it handles a modest amount of tech and accessories perfectly as a daily carry or personal item for travel. It's an ideal home-to-work/school commuter bag, too, with storage for water, snacks, books and other miscellaneous things.
Consider a bag like this an investment. At $329, the bag isn't cheap, though I can attest that these bags are build to last; you'll get bored of this bag long before it breaks on you. I've had Waterfield bags for over a decade that still hold up and function like they did the day I got them, and they've always provided me with solid consumer service whenever I had any issues.
2025-05-06 22:03:18
The 2025 Commander (aka my annual WWDC tee) has dropped!
Introducing the 2025 Commander. For the past five years I have introduced a new design featuring the iconic Mac Command Key just ahead of WWDC.
History of the Commander design over the years.
This year, in keeping with the simpler design I introduced in 2024, I took six lines and wove them together, over and under each other, to form the Command Key symbol. I drew from the WWDC25 announcement gradient for my colour palette, which was the same gradient Apple used for their 2021 Spring Loaded Event artwork. I played around with having the lines crisscross or weave under each other, but ultimately, I decided to keep it simple and leave them invisible.
The Commander design is available in its colourful, vibrant style across a range of hoodies and tees, with options for a full-size or pocket design. For a more understated look, there's also a version where the design is colour-matched to the tee, creating a subtle contrast.
You can check out the full range of shirts below, all hosted and fulfilled by Cotton Bureau. I've worked with that company for years and have been impressed with the quality and longevity of their shirts. That said, I recognize that the cost + shipping for those ordering outside of the United States can be prohibitive, and I am exploring adding alternative distributors that might cut down on the higher shipping costs.
Enjoy my WWDC25 tee for 2025! And as always, thanks for the support.
The Rainbow One is available in Black, Indigo, Macchiato, Indigo, Military Green, and Heather White. Click on the image below to be taken to the order page.
The monochrome collection is available in Black, White, Blue, Green, Orange, Purple, Red, and Yellow. Click on the image below to be taken to the order page.
The Commander: Pocket Edition is available in Black and Heather White. A monochrome version is also available on a black tee. Click on the image below to be taken to the order page.
As a bonus, I created two wallpapers featuring the 2025 Commander logo: one with a subtle dark logo on a clean black background, and another with the vibrant, colourful logo centred on the screen. I like the direction of these designs, so you might see more of this design in the near future. Enjoy!
2025-05-05 22:01:51
A trio of gorgeously vibrant radial wallpapers for your Apple Devices.
Introducing the 2025 Commander Wallpaper, a colourful and radiate new design for your Apple devices!
For five years, I’ve created wallpapers and merch inspired by the iconic Mac Command symbol. The tradition started in 2021 and each year I’ve tried to create new designs for merch and corresponding wallpapers. 2024 was the first year I failed to release a new wallpaper, but the design did ultimately find a second life in my Stripes wallpaper collection.
This year’s design was inspired by the vibrant gradient Apple featured in some of its WWDC25 materials. I pictured that burst of colour rippling outward in waves across concentric circles. Each band is a radial gradient that expands through greens, yellows, oranges, reds, purples, and blues (you know, Apple’s six colours). The design was made inside of Sketch with additional tweaks made inside of Pixelmator Pro.
The wallpaper comes in three versions. “Day” is the original design, bright and vibrant. Its counterpart, “Dark,” adds a funky neon tube effect that’s perfect for dark mode time. Then there’s “Mid,” a happy accident discovered during the process & a blend of both styles that might just be my favourite. All three are available as free downloads below, or you can purchase the full collection in a single download to help support my work. Enjoy!
The trio of Commander wallpapers are available below, free of charge and in full resolution, but if you can support the work I do, I am making the bundle available for $2.99.
The 2025 Commander Pack includes three wallpapers: Day, Mid, and Dark for your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. This set also comes bundled with a dynamic Day/Dark version for Mac that automatically switches to match your system’s Light or Dark mode. Thank you for your continued support.
Once purchased, a download link will be emailed to you to download the .zip file (48MB) containing all 3 versions for Mac (6016 × 3900), iPad (2752 × 2064), and iPhone (1320 × 2868).
The digital download link will expire 24 hours after the first download. If your link expires and you need to redownload the files, please send me an email with your order number and I can send along a new link for you.
iPad | Mac | iPhone | Dynamic Mac
Dynamic Mac (Mid/Dark)
Dynamic Mac (Day/Dark) | Dynamic Mac (Mid/Dark)
I’m a one-person operation, working in healthcare by day & running this site as a passion project in my off time.
If you enjoy what I do, the articles, the wallpapers, or just the overall vibe, consider leaving a tip to support the site. Your generosity helps keep everything I create ad-free and freely available. I’ve also started offering the option to purchase wallpaper packs as another means to support my work when and if you can. Every bit is truly appreciated!
☕️ Tips
