New Studio Display prompts cable cleanup in killer workstation [Setups]

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Once he added a Studio Display to the 5K LG screen, Mann decided to clean up the cable clutter.
Once he added a Studio Display to the 5K LG screen, Mann decided to clean up the cable clutter.
Photo: dominicmannphoto@Reddit.com

Getting great new gear for your computer setup has more than just the obvious benefit of awesomeness. Sometimes it’s the perfect reason to improve your setup in ways most people put off, like the dreaded cleaning up of cable clutter.

That’s what happened with today’s featured dual-display-and-M1 Max MacBook Pro setup. The user finally got his new Studio Display, and good things followed in the terms of taming the cable monster.

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MacBook Pro and Studio Display setup sees major cable cleanup

Photographer and Redditor dominicmannphoto showcased the formidable setup in a post entitled, “Added a Studio display to my work setup and decided to reorganise my wiring a little. Should now be a little easier to add/remove equipment in future.”

“That cable management is … er wipes sweat from brow pretty neat,” said an admiring commenter.

We featured a previous version of Mann’s setup back when he was planning for the new Studio Display’s arrival and asked which one his monitors he should replace with it. The Dell Full HD display lost. The LG 5K display won.

You can read more about elements of Mann’s setup, like the Wacom drawing tablet, the Logitech Craft keyboard and other gear in the list below in the previous post.

New Studio Display added

This photo sheds some more light on the subject.
This photo sheds some more light on the subject.
Photo: dominicmannphoto@Reddit.com

So the Studio Display joined a 27-inch LG UltraFine 5K IPS display with 5120 x 2880 pixel resolution, 99% color gamut, 500 nits of brightness, three USB-C ports and 94 watts of PD charging for his 16-inch M1 MacBook Pro, seen at left on a mount. A second MacBook sits on a Jarlink Vertical Laptop Stand behind the LG display.

Anker hub bristles with 13 ports

The Anker hub is a key element in the setup, connecting the laptop, the displays and more.
The Anker hub to the right of the Apple Watch charger is a key element in the setup, connecting the laptop, the displays and more.
Photo: dominicmannphoto@Reddit.com

The formidable laptop hooks up to the two impressive display via an Anker Thunderbolt 3 dock with 13 ports.

Here’s how Mann described using the dock, which he very much appreciates:

For me, it’s been the best addition to my setup. I have a lot of peripherals, so it’s been great for that, but I mostly wanted the ability to switch between two MBPs (personal and work) and not have the hassle of disconnecting/reconnecting everything each time. Not to mention, I didn’t have enough ports in the MBP alone. Now, I have two cables running from the laptop to a bunch of equipment/both monitors and can switch it out in seconds.

It’s set up so that one cable goes to the hub which includes the main monitor, power to the laptop, and all the equipment I need for work. The other cable goes to the second monitor (which also powers some non-essential things like my kindle charging cable, earbud charger).

Here's a nifty way to wrangle cables and keep them within reach.
On the edge of the desk you see a nifty way to wrangle cables and keep them within reach rather than splayed all over the floor. The other device is a controller for the monitor light.
Photo: dominicmannphoto@Reddit.com
Here's a view of the back of the Studio Display and Anker dock. Cable sleeves and ties keep things tidy.
Here’s a view of the back of the Studio Display and Anker dock. Cable sleeves and ties keep things tidy.
Photo: dominicmannphoto@Reddit.com
Dongles connect cables to the back of the Studio Display.
USB-C dongles connect cables to the back of the Studio Display.
Photo: dominicmannphoto@Reddit.com

 

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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.

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