In the world of computer setups flaunted on social media, we run across lots of folks who have their cake and eat it, too — in that they’re avid PC gamers who love their Macs, as well. Macs are rarely, if ever, the darlings of hardcore gamers.
Today’s featured setup plays hardball with a PC and Sony PlayStation, but it also covers the Apple bases. In addition to a powerful Mac Studio sharing time on the ultra-wide 4K display with the PC, the workstation boasts a MacBook Pro and an iPad Pro.
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Hybrid PC/Mac setup sports Mac Studio, MacBook Pro and LG 4K ultra-wide display
Photographer and Redditor Sam_Chicago showcased the setup in a post entitled “Hybrid PC/Mac setup.”
You can’t see the PC in the photo — unless it’s that item tucked away on a shelf on the Grovemade monitor riser — but the PlayStation 5 gear hangs on a pegboard on the right. The setup proper, situated on a rather lovely Ikea Barkaboda desktop — contains a Mac Studio, a MacBook Pro on a vertical stand and an iPad Pro in the center.
The ultra-wide display is a 34-inch LG 4K IPS HDR display (3440 x 1440 pixel resolution) mounted on an Ergo stand that comes with the monitor.
Mac Studio is ‘overkill’ and that’s OK
“It’s overkill for what I really use it for but it should last a while,” Sam said when a fellow photographer asked how he likes the Mac Studio. “Def recommend it for editing.”
And as you often see with dual-OS setups, people wondered how Sam navigates between computers.
“How do you switch between PC and Mac?” a commenter asked.
“I thought of a KVM switch but just manually change the outlet on the monitor for now,” Sam replied. Along the lines of KVM switches, some HDMI splitters would work, too.
A second setup lurks out of frame
Another commenter dug a little deeper into what connects to what and managed to uncover a second setup.
“Do you have the PS5 connected to the ultra-wide, too, or is there a second setup off screen?” asked a commenter. “Been debating getting an UW for a while but not sure how it’d work out.”
“I haven’t tested PS5 on my monitor yet, I have a separate setup on the side for PS, but I’m sure PS5 support ultra-wide displays now,” Sam replied.
Powerful speakers
Though Sam focuses on photography (see below), his audio gear is nothing to sneeze at. In addition to the AirPods (3rd generation) you can see in the photo, he fits a pair of Edifier R2000DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers on either side of a monitor riser that perfectly matches the desktop below it.
We’re often impressed by Edifier, which has been making affordable audio gear like speakers, headphones and earbuds for more than two decades.
The user reviews for the speakers on Amazon are mostly stellar, noting the solid build, articulate sound and sheer power of these particular near-field studio monitors.
The speakers pump out a powerful 120 watts of sound — kind of a lot for something pointed right at your head, no?
And they come with a remote control to make using them easy. They pair via Bluetooth to any iOS, macOS, Android or Windows device, but also feature two AUX inputs and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Cool mechanical keyboard
Another neat feature in the setup is the NuPhy Halo75 mechanical gaming keyboard. It sports a robust 75% layout, a 4000mAh battery for up to 240 hours of wireless use (or you can use it with a cable) and RGB lighting, the company said.
The cool keeb also features hot-swap functionality, meaning you can change out the keycaps and switches without needing a soldering iron. Sam uses WOB Cherry keycaps and Baby Kangaroo switches (if you’re curious about those, you can follow the links in the gear list below).
Quite the fancy camera
We noted above Sam’s a photographer. He doesn’t go on about it in his post or anything, but when someone casually places a $2,000 camera in their setup photo — and that’s just the cost of the camera body, lenses will set you back further — you can bet they’re a pretty serious photographer.
Sam owns a Sony A7III mirrorless digital camera with what looks like formidable ultra-wide zoom lens on it. You can see the rig on the left in the photo. And if you can afford it, good for you. Here’s a version with a lovely lens bundle for $3,200 and change.
And if you like the Firewatch desktop wallpaper showing on the display, you can find it here.
Shop these items now:
Computer gear:
Display:
Input devices:
Audio and video:
- AirPods (3rd generation)
- Sony A7III mirrorless digital camera
- Edifier R2000DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
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.
