I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If you’re not elevating your laptop, iPad and displays on mounts and arms, you’re limiting your computer setup. Today’s feature MacBook Pro and iPad setup illustrates the point well by putting those devices and dual displays on four separate mounts, some with moveable arms.
That makes all of those devices more flexible, and much easier to move around than they would be on stationary stands. It also frees up space on the desk.
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Setup’s M1 MacBook Pro and iPad Air float on mounts along with dual displays
Redditor SQU1DZ (“Squid”) showcased the well-mounted setup in a post entitled, “Cozy Home Office.”
“You need one more monitor at least,” came an immediate and probably sarcastic comment. But really, is four too many? We recently featured a great setup using devices to up its display count to six. Now that’s cool.
All mounted all the time
Squid runs an M1 MacBook Pro driving dual 27-inch Dell 1080p monitors, one in landscape (horizontal) orientation and one in portrait (vertical). They also keep an iPad Air in the mix. And it, like the laptop and the two external monitors, is mounted so it can be raised, lowered and moved around at least to some extent. The ones on arms have more mobility. And some of Squid’s aren’t as mobile as they could be, sounds like.
“The iPad mount is Jusmo LS31 and the monitor/VESA mounts are Mount Pro,” he said. “Both are very economical options, so don’t expect milky smooth movement. They work well for my main purpose, which is to get the devices off the desk’s surface.”
A commenter asked for more information on the iPad setup and gave advice.
“I would love to have more info on the iPad setup that’s so clean. I would go with an ultrawide for main monitor and a 4K or higher res if you are doing any photo editing for a secondary monitor,” a commenter said, responding to Squid’s request for advice on next steps with the setup.
Wishes for even more device mobility
Squid offered a link to the iPad mount (see the links in the gear list below). The iPad mount rotates up to 360 degrees and sits on an articulating arm, yet Squid doesn’t seem to find it moves well enough.
“It’s pretty limited if you want something that’s easy to manipulate or adjust on the fly, but works really well if you just want it to stay put,” they said. They added that they use Universal Control.
“I love that mount for the iPad but I hate that those things never let you attach the pencil,” another commenter lamented.
Here’s Squid’s reply:
For what it’s worth, I leave it in my Speck Balance Folio when I mount it, and it appears to leave room for an Apple Pencil (photo). I don’t have a Pencil, so I can’t say 100% for sure. It feels super solid mounted in this case, so I’m not the least bit concerned it will fall out of the mount or the case.
Squid, who rocks a plain steel desk and a “clearance desk chair from a big-box office store,” noted “higher resolution displays are an obvious next step” for the setup.
Shop these items now:
Photo: SQU1DZ@Reddit.com
Computers and stands:
- 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro
- Height-adjustable laptop stand
- iPad Air
- Speck Balance Folio for iPad
- jusmo LS31 iPad/tablet desk mount
Displays and mounts:
Input devices:
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.
This aluminum angle- and height-adjustable arm fits iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad mini, plus most other tablets and even iPhones.
