In the world of computer setups, sometimes it seems like some sort of display arms race is going on. Even five or six screens isn’t uncommon anymore, with a few external displays added to the devices with built-in screens, and all in play in the workstation.
But how about no external displays? Does that work for you? It does for today’s featured MacBook Pro and iPad Air setup. See why below. And don’t overlook that unassuming but very special desk lamp, either.
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M1 MacBook Pro and iPad Air make the perfect ‘dual display’ setup with Sidecar and, especially, Universal Control
Redditor Schwano exhibited the simple setup in a post entitled, “New iPad was the finishing touch for me.” Part of what makes it simple — and we don’t mean that as a criticism — is its lack of external displays.
The M1 MacBook Pro and M1 iPad Air displays are the setup’s only screens. The computing devices, both mounted on stands to bring their built-in displays up to a healthy eye level on the desk, are paired with a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse in space gray. Pair HomePod minis provide stereo sound.
“Nice! pretty similar to my current setup, but I’m hoping to add a proper monitor as soon as I can decide what I want,” said a commenter.
But the idea of a “proper monitor,” meaning a sizable external screen to display MacBook and iPad content, isn’t necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, despite the temptation of 4K- and 5K-resolution monitors in sizes of 27 inches and up.
“I considered a proper second monitor, but there were a few things which made this setup better for me,” replied Schwano.
Here are his perfectly reasonable justifications to skip the external display:
An iPad keeps the second screen a similar size. I didn’t want my MacBook screen feeling small.
Sidecar lets me have a second monitor that is wireless when needed, and Universal Control lets me have separate devices that can still integrate with each other. I thought I would mainly be using Sidecar, but I’m surprisingly favoring Universal Control.
It’s portable. I can throw both of these in my bag and have a dual monitor setup anywhere I go.
iPad was the big choice, not which external monitor to get
Rather than deciding on which external monitor to add, if any, his big decision concerned which iPad to get.
“The decision for me was which iPad. I told myself for awhile it was going to be the M2 Pro, and waiting until Wednesday when I could check them out,” he said.
“Side-by-side with the Air, for my case use, I just couldn’t justify the extra $200, and could put that towards a stand and Pencil instead,” he added.
So he went with the 10.9-inch M1 iPad Air with an Apple Pencil 2 and a CharJenPro Magflott Stand — fine choices. A vertically oriented stand like that is ideal for using the tablet at the desk.
Of course, he might be tempted by a major iPad upgrade soon enough.
“That beautiful. I’m waiting for the 16-inch iPad next year,” said another commenter. Aren’t we all.
Unassuming desk lamp works with HomeKit
In all the excitement about the lack of external monitors, you might miss the unassuming but highly capable desk lamp tucked in the back left corner of the desk. It’s partially obscured by a coffee mug with a flower in it.
That’s a Meross Smart LED Desk Lamp. The aluminum alloy lamp has touch controls, but it also works with smart home-automation systems like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings. You can remotely control it from anywhere, anytime. For HomeKit control, you just need to install an Apple TV or HomePod as a hub.
The dimmable lamp, which rotates and tilts, features three white color temperature levels and four brightness levels. It remembers the last setting used. It’s designed to last more than 40,000 hours, with 25 years of bulb use, according to the company.
And there’s an app for it, of course. It helps make many of the automation features easy to use.
“You can also use the app to schedule and remotely control the lamp. You can create scenes with your custom brightness level, color temperature and schedule to turn on or off the smart lamp automatically, and you can also create an auto-off timer to save energy and money,” Meross said. “The sunrise and sunset settings are supported in the schedule.”
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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.
