We recently talked about what a boon to computer setups stands and mounts usually are — but not when they cause problems. Today’s featured M1 MacBook Pro setup is an interesting example. The bass player who runs it said the gas-powered arm of the mount where the laptop sits is so hair-trigger it can “randomly launch it into the air.”
That’s not ideal when you have $2,000 laptop not designed for flight. The user also has a PC laptop for work, a massive 4K display and a compact mechanical keyboard and badass speakers we haven’t seen elsewhere.
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M1 MacBook Pro mounted on overpowered gas arm
Bass player and Redditor stephotosthings (“SPT”) showcased the setup in a post simply entitled, “New Setup.” He runs a 2021 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro sitting on the rocket-launcher mount, identified only as “some no-name brand from Amazon” when we asked.
While mounts and arms open up a setup, creating space on the desk and giving you more display options, none of that may matter in SPT’s case if his MacBook shoots across the room.
“MacBook is on a gas arm which needs to get changed as even its weakest setting can randomly launch it into the air,” he said with a pair of laughing emoji.
Yeah, it’s funny until someone cracks a display.
“Primarily supposed to be for minors up to 8kgs [17.6 pounds],” SPT added. “As long as I don’t touch it it usually stays lowered fine. But is a bit tetchy!”
Massive monitor and capable dock
The MacBook and a work-provided Lenovo ThinkBook 15 laptop share the screen, which is a monster. It’s a 43-inch Auros FV43U Super Speed VA Display. As a 4K screen, it manages 3820 x 2160 pixel resolution and hits a zippy 144Hz refresh rate for gaming. And it’s huge, of course, truly TV-sized.
To run both laptops with the display, SPT uses an Anker TB4 PowerExpand Dock. In the nine-port version, the Thunderbolt 4 dock supports dual 4K monitors running at 30Hz refresh rate.
The display features two USB-C Power Delivery ports, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, three USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5 mm AUX input. It supports up to 60W charging for a laptop via the USB-C upstream port and 20W of charging for gadgets via the USB-C PD port.
But regarding the capable dock, he ran across one problem with the MacBook.
“[Swapping] between the two [laptops] easy was the primary reason for the dock, but the MacBook can sometimes not recognize if you don’t turn it off first before unplugging!” he noted.
He also mentioned his setup occupies a small room mainly dedicated to bass playing. So space was tight for the computer stuff. You know, priorities.
“Recently sorted a proper desk out and always hated being against a wall or facing the window and the room is so silly shaped the only real option is it having it down the middle,” he said. “The other side is populated by my Bass Equipment [note the unnecessary capitalization]. Room is fairly small but not lost a great amount of space with it like this.”
Unfamiliar, visually striking speakers
Photo: Razer
SPT’s setup caught our attention in part because it sports interesting speakers we don’t recall seeing in Setups.
They look a little like boom microphones, the sort of thing you’d point to pick up and isolate sound at a distance. Or maybe radar guns that cops use to bust speeders. But they’re actually Razer Nommo Chroma gaming speakers.
The speakers feature custom 3-inch woven glass fiber drivers, which Razer said produce a “tighter sound with higher frequencies, allowing you to hear disinct layers and audio details.” They also have rear-facing bass ports and a bass knob with automatic gain control. They’re easy to use with both Macs and PCs.
This mechanical keyboard goes to … 12?
The mechanical keyboard on the desk also caught our eye. It’s a Keychron — they’re about as common as dirt — but it’s a Keychron K12. We didn’t realize they’d reached that high a number in the K line (and we’re surprised they need that many, frankly).
This one is a 60% layout, hot-swappable board, so you can swap out switches and key caps for whatever you want. It comes with the company’s take on optical Brown switches. The keep’s other common features, shared with other Keychron boards, include RGB backlighting and connectivity with up to three devices.
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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, challenges and plans for new additions.
