With all the computer setups out there with two, three and even five displays, sometimes you’ll see them stacked. But a dual-Studio Display setup that stacks one on top of the other is a rarity.
Today’s Mac Studio user, who is also an avid PlayStation 5 and Ninendo Switch gamer, said the stacked displays work well and don’t cause any neck pain from looking up all the time.
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Setup’s vertical mount holds two stacked Studio Displays for productivity and gaming
Redditor sound214, based in Östersund, Sweden, showcased the charming, vertically oriented setup in a post entitled, “New desk setup. What to improve?” His Mac Studio desktop computer, visible under the desk shelf at right in the photo above, drives a pair of Studio Displays stacked on a vertical dual-monitor mount with arms.
We’ve come across many a dual-monitor setup, but only a few of them have been stacked rather than set side-by-side and angled for comfortable viewing. Clearly, with stacked displays on a desk, the user will have to look up at the top one. Over time, that could cause discomfort and maybe even chronic neck pain.
Stacked Studio Displays: No neck pain and no more ‘squinting’
“Super cozy,” said a commenter, one of several to use that term to describe the Swedish workstation. “Can I ask about the monitors and whether you get any neck pain from stacked setup?”
“Those are two Apple Studio Displays. I don’t get any neck pains, but I will say I use the top monitor with mostly reference windows,” sound214 replied.
And it’s worth noting, they’re not just stacked — they start off atop a Balolo desk shelf, which raises them higher off the desk. So that top monitor is really getting up there.
“I do play video games on the top monitor though, in which case I just lean back a bit,” he explained. “I think the combined brightness and sharpness from the Studio Displays helps a lot. I had two cheaper 4K LG monitors before, but since getting these I no longer need to squint.”
Connecting gaming systems to Studio Displays
“What systems do you play on, and how have you connected them to the Studio Displays given the lack of multi input and USB-C video only?” another commenter asked.
Sound214’s reply describing what he uses to play on the Studio Displays went like this:
I play on both PS5 and Switch. I have both the Switch and PS5 hooked up to an HDMI Matrix, which is connected to the NZXT 4K30 video capture card. I then use an app called Vidzik to play them on my Mac. It works quite well, although I do have a Genki ShadowCast 2 Pro ordered as well, to be able to stream in 60Hz at 4K. Quite a messy setup, but I do get the benefit of being able to effortlessly swap between play and work with just a four finger swipe.
They also noted they use a Sony DualSense Charging Station to keep the controllers powered up.
Magic Keyboard strictly for Touch ID
Photo: sound214@Reddit.com
For input devices, sound214 relies on a Magic Mouse and a NuPhy Halo75 mechanical keyboard with Boba U4T switches and cool custom keycaps. Check out the keyboard in the photo immediately above.
The keycaps are truly custom, coming from several different sets.
“It’s from multiple parts, all found on Etsy and Amazon I think,” they said. “The Animal Crossing and Ghibli keys are quite easy to find. There’s a bunch of different Mac centered keycaps, as well as Japanese.”
However, as you can see in the photo at the top of this page, they also have a Magic Keyboard sitting on the desk. And it’s for one reason and one reason only.
“I keep the Magic Keyboard there because of the Touch ID sensor,” they said. “Kind of silly, I know!”
And for any like-minded folks out there, sound214 is crazy about fountain pens. You can check out a few in the gear list below.
“The fountain pen lying on the desk is a Pilot Custom 823,” they noted. “In one of the cups is a bunch of Sailor pens and a single TWSBI. My exact Sailor collection is a Pro Gear Slim in black/gold, a FIKA Hallongrotta (PG Slim), Christmas Spice Tea (Pro Gear), Blue Green Nebula (PG Slim).”
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Computers:
Gaming:
- PlayStation 5
- Nintendo Switch
- Sony DualSense Charging Station
- HDMI matrix switch
- NZXT 4K30 video capture card
Displays, stands and desk shelf:
Input devices:
- Nuphy Halo75 mechanical keyboard with Boba U4T switches and custom keycaps
- Acrylic tranparent wrist rest
- Magic Mouse 2
- Magic Trackpad 2
Audio:
Accessories and fountain pens:
- Felt desk mat
- Pilot Custom 823 Fountain Pen
- Sailor Professional Gear slim fountain pen
- TWSBI fountain pen
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.
Not as good as Apple's Pro Display XDR, but the 27-inch Apple Studio Display packs an impressive panel coupled with a six-speaker system and studio-quality microphones.
