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Here I share about my current hardware and what I found most helpful and/or interesting.
1) Current Hardware
2) Alternatives: Computers / Tablets
2.1) Commentary on Operating Systems
3) Phones
3.1) Phone apps
3.2) Alternatives
4) Wearables
1) My current Hardware
Maybe thinkpads are a bit of a meme in the Linux community, but it's working well for me. The one I went with is a x200. Mine is also corebooted because I was experimenting with a more libre and privacy respecting laptop. So far, so good.
2) Alternatives: Computers / Tablets
I haven't used those machines personally, but those are alternatives I find interesting, in case you are looking for one. There are other (more popular) linux machines, but here I wish to promote some alternatives. They are more experimental, so, please, do you own research.
EOMA68 - Computer card. I want this one to work, but it's not ready yet for purchase.
HiFive Unmatched - I know less about this one, but a trusted friend recommended it.
JingPad A1 - ARM-based Linux tablet.
MNT Reform - Laptop in early development, but ready for purchase.
Pinebook - Cheaper laptop (many reviews available online).
Raspberry Pi - very known single-board computers.
2.1) Commentary on Operating Systems
It may seem a harder choice, but allow yourself to experiment, and take people's advice with a grain of salt. Only you know what works best for your needs and preferences. In general, I can confidently suggest GNU/Linux as a great option for many people. I do believe Linux to be a more ethical option in terms of privacy and security; and I also appreciate its community based approach.
When it comes to distributions, you can choose the one that works best for you. Some people wish for 100% free software, while others don't mind using proprietary programs. Similarly, some may or may not avoid systemd. Please do your own research with the freedom of experimentation. Up to now, I've had a good experiences with:
BSD’s also seem interesting, but I don’t have much experience with it. If that tickles your fancy, I would suggest:
3) Phones
I don't use phones as much. I find them to be too distracting, as well as not being a good option in regards to privacy. I bought a simple Nokia 3310 (a feature phone) and it works fine.
Some friends got worried about me not having a smartphone and gave me an older one that they weren’t using anymore (thank you, the gesture was very kind). I installed LineageOS on it, and chose apps in the F-droid library.
You could also check some privacy focused alternatives, such as:
3.1) Phone apps
Even if you don’t want a custom rom (OS), you could still use F-droid to download the apps you wish (as long as you are using an android phone). My preferred apps are:
Antennapod - podcast manager and player.
AnySoftKeyboard - android keyboard.
Bromite - web browser (*avoid browsers if possible*).
F-droid - a free and open-source app library.
K9 Mail - mail client (if you really need email on your phone).
Netguard - block access to the internet per application.
Organic maps - maps (also, only if you really need it).
Simple Mobile Tools - a bundle of basic tools (*they are offered for free via F-droid*).
3.2) Alternatives
If you wish to experiment with alternative smartphones, you could consider checking:
Pinephone - affordable open-source phone.
Librem5 - expensive open-source phone.
Wiphone - hackable, modular phone which makes voice calls over WiFi (newer project).
Keep in mind that open-source phones are still new and experimental, so they won't always work as well as regular phones do. But it is good that we can find alternatives being developed.
There is also an interesting project using radio mesh network for communication with text called Meshtastic. They present the project as a secure GPS mesh communicator to use in hiking, skiing, and more. It is worth checking it out, as an alternative off grid way of communication.
4) Wearables
I am not aware of many interesting projects with wearables, such as fitness trackers and watches. I did find the Pinetime, which is an fun and cheap device to play with. I also found about Lilygo, which has a few devices, such as watches and LoRa mesh network boards for off grid communication. It is worth taking a look. Wearables are becoming more common now, so it is great to support open-source projects that help us with our sports activities and so on. I hope we can find more projects like these.
Pinetime - open-source smartwatch.
Lilygo - store that sells programable wearables, modules, e-paper, LoRa, GPS and more.