Maximum mood indigo: Go crazy with the lighting [Setups]

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Feel like you're drowning or freezing to death? It could be the lighting.
Feel like you're drowning or freezing to death? It could be the lighting.
Photo: DannyJohnLaw@Reddit.com

Ever wonder how people get crazy-cool mood lighting in and around their computer setups? You see it all the time in folks’ photos on social media sites. The hardware — computer, displays, peripherals, other gear — may be fabulous in its own right, but the lighting just takes it to another level.

Or not. Sometimes lighting ends up being too flashy — as in, on the verge of fit-inducing. And sometimes it’s just too much of one thing. Today’s featured setup shows a cool blue wash that might just drown productivity. Or maybe it’s just for off-duty hours.

Whatever your preferences, an increasing array of products can help you get your setup light show on.

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Going crazy with the lighting

Redditor DannyJohnLaw showed off his deep-hued setup oasis in a post titled, “My one cable productive happy place.”

‘One-cable’ setup

It’s not hard to see how it’s more-or-less a “one-cable” setup. The iPad Air with 16GB of integrated memory and a 1TB SSD takes power from and sends audio and video signals to the 38-inch Dell curved USB-C monitor, which serves as a hub. It plugs into the wall outlet.

Meanwhile, The Edifier bookshelf speakers work via Bluetooth when they’re charged, as does the Logitech MX Master 3 for Mac wireless mouse.

But the FlexiSpot electric standing desk probably has a cable. And so does the source of that rich lighting — Philips Hue Play Light Bars. They could be in a cable tray under the desk.

Philips Hue Play Light Bars

Philips Hue Play Light Bars come with white and colored lighting options. They can suit the mood however you like — blue, purple or otherwise. You can use them to create ambiance in a space or enhance TV viewing experiences by mounting them behind the screen. That creates splashes of light in the background that apparently enhance viewing.

The Philips Hue Play requires the Hue Smart Hub, sold separately, to use all of the product’s smart-lighting capabilities.

This view tones down the color a bit and gives you view of that track sculpture hanging just above and behind the monitor.
This view tones down the color a bit and gives you a view of that track sculpture hanging just above and behind the monitor.

More lighting options

And Philips Hue Play Light Bars aren’t the only setup lighting out there. You can find related options in the articles below, such as  LED light strips, RGB lighting products, smart bulbs, monitor light bars, key lights, Edison bulbs and more.

Shop these items now:

Computer:

Display:

Input devices:

Audio, lighting and accessories:

Furniture and decor:

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.

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