After working remotely as a digital marketer for a startup for more than a year, EU-based Redditor WMR2 decided it was time to upgrade the ol’ MacBook Pro-based work/podcasting/gaming setup. Enter new desk, chair and external display.
What, you were expecting a new computer? That’s not always necessary.
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Work-podcasting-and-gaming setup: What’s new?
The new bits in WMR2’s setup are a Skarsta Desk and a Jarvfjallet Chair, both from Ikea, plus a Samsung 32-inch TU87F Monitor.
Those are major upgrades to a setup’s look and feel as well as its capability, even though other hardware components — CPU, storage, audio gear — weren’t touched. They were already in place.
That includes not just the 16-inch MacBook Pro and several peripherals, but the podcasting rig. It’s made up of an Audient Evo 4 audio interface, a Samson Q2U microphone and Beats Solo Pro wireless noise-canceling headphones.
Ikea furniture: More-or-less ‘all assembly required’
What can you say about Ikea furniture? You have to put it together, and then it all matches and usually gets the job done. You know you’ve (probably) done it right when you don’t have 12 screws leftover after assembly.
WMR2 noted the new chair is comfortable and the new desk compartmentalizes a workstation’s little bits and pieces well. The desk and chair go nicely with the Ikea Tertial work lamp on the desk.
The new furniture also works well with the new Samsung monitor, which swings on a Huano monitor arm rather than sitting on the stand that came in the box. That allows WMR2 to sit a proper distance from it, a bit more than an arm’s length away, and adjust the distance as needed.
New display’s capability
The 32-inch ultra-high-definition Samsung monitor features pixel resolution up to 3840 x 2160 and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. WMR2 sets it to 3360 x 1890-pixel resolution to match his MacBook Pro screen’s default scaling.
The new display packs Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort, HDMI and USB 3.0 ports. Thunderbolt 3 functionality means WMR2 can connect his laptop, peripherals and power source with just one cable that can transmit a digital display signal, data (USB) and Ethernet (LAN) while charging devices.
WMR2 is happy with it, for the most part.
“It allows to use the screen as a USB and Ethernet hub,” they said of the Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, in response to questions. “The picture quality is great, but it can be a bit blurry in the corners if you sit too close to the screen. The ports are not loose for me.”
Mouse + Magic Trackpad + MagicBridge = what?
When asked why they use both a mouse and a Magic Trackpad, WRM2 had a pretty typical answer.
“I use the trackpad with macOS (gestures) and the mouse with Windows (gaming). That’s pretty much it in my case,” they said.
Using the Mac laptop, WRM2 likes to keep a Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad in a Twelve South MagicBridge, which allows the peripherals to be moved out of the way easily as one unit.
That comes in handy when it’s time for gaming, which is where the SteelSeries Rival 3 Gaming Mouse, its mouse pad and a Samsung T7 SSD storing the Windows OS come in handy.
Because WRM2 doesn’t just do digital marketing. They’ve got to play their Borderlands 3 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, too.
Shop these items now:
Computer and peripherals:
- 16-inch MacBook Pro
- TwelveSouth Curve Laptop Stand
- Samsung 32-inch TU87F Monitor with Thunderbolt 3
- Huano Single Monitor Arm
- Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad in Twelve South MagicBridge
- Samsung T7 SSD
- SteelSeries Rival 3 Gaming Mouse
- SteelSeries Mouse Pad
Audio and podcasting:
- Audient Evo 4 Audio Interface
- Samson Q2U Microphone
- Beats Solo Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Ikea furniture:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches or challenges.
