★★★★☆
Anyone who constantly moves around with multiple devices knows finding a reliable power bank for laptop charging can be a challenge. After more than a week of using the new Alogic Roam 21,000mAh Power Bank, I’m ready to share my hands-on experience with the premium charger. Is it worth the investment? Yes. Let’s dive in, and I’ll tell you why.
For people who have only used membrane keyboards in office and at home, whether Magic Keyboard or similar wares from the likes of Logitech, mechanical keyboards can be a tempting world to check out — especially for gamers (because mechanical keystrokes hit at the same time won’t cancel each other out). And mech-keeb customization can be fun. But where to start? Today’s MacBook Pro and gaming PC setup puts forward an excellent candidate for an affordable mechanical keyboard.
In my setups coverage across social media, I see plenty more man caves and she sheds for solitary dwelling than dual setups meant for spouses working side by side. No surprise there, right? And yet dual setups for couples pop up occasionally, like today’s double workstation with 2 MacBooks.
In a world where people love their Macs for some uses and their PCs for others — especially gaming — a setup KVM switch comes in mighty handy. That’s because it lets you easily switch between Mac and PC using the same peripherals, like keyboard, video (displays) and mouse. That spells K-V-M.
After finally incorporating a proper pair of speakers into my evolving MacBook Pro setup in late 2024 — following years of writing Cult of Mac setups articles, often with a focus on high-quality audio gear I shamelessly envied — I just upped my rig’s audio ante again. And this time it’s mainly from the input perspective. I added a new Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, a condenser microphone mounted on an arm and, ridiculously, two more pairs of over-ear headphones (I already have too many cans and earbuds).
The only thing standing between most people and their first MacBook Pro (or a much-needed upgrade) is the price. But have you ever thought about grabbing a refurbished MacBook? We only sell ones verified to be in like-new, fully working condition. Take, for instance, this 16-inch refurbished MacBook Pro from 2019 that features the now-discontinued Touch Bar.
While it originally retailed for $2,399, you can get a refurbished one here for $539.99 — while supplies last.
A physically beautiful computer setup is a wonder to behold. And one loaded with primo audio gear truly turns me green with envy. So today’s PC setup with desktop and laptop machines got my attention both for its aesthetic and the fact that it sports a raft of cool components. They include a very useful item I’ve never seen before: a WiiM Ultra Music Streamer and Digital Preamp.
When does a computer setup have everything? Never, really. Each one is a perpetual work in progress. But today’s fine example claims to have everything and it actually comes pretty close in some ways. It features MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Beelink Mini PC with external touchscreen, gaming PC, big smart TV external display and an original iPad used as an HDMI display. And the other gaming-centric peripherals and knickknacks in the picture are pretty cool, too.
In the world of computer setups, I see lots of people with two displays, loads of people with one ultra-wide display and tons of people arguing over which is best. Today’s M4 Mac mini user loves his Samsung ultra-wide monitor, which is one I haven’t seen often. But it looks like a keeper for both Mac and PC setups. And it’s deeply discounted right now.
Refurbished M4 MacBook Pro and M4 Mac mini units in a wide range of configurations can now be purchased at considerable savings directly from Apple.
These computers launched only a few months ago, and refurbished units cost as much as 15% less than new ones.
In a face-off like wireless earbuds vs. wired earbuds and headphones, most self-described audiophiles will insist wired wins. But Bluetooth headphones and earbuds have come a long way in recent years in terms of solid audio quality and reliable connectivity. That’s a big part of the reason why today’s featured MacBook Pro setup user chooses AirPods Pro 2 almost all of the time, despite owning excellent wired headphones and in-ear monitors. It really just comes down to convenience.
Everybody loves a big, beautiful external display in a computer setup — and this LG OLED TV monitor is a great way to go. Today’s setup is built around a 42-inch LG OLED TV plugged into a MacBook Pro.
Also: See if you can guess what the cool-looking desktop wallpaper showing on the display pictures. Answer below.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Our first glimpse at Apple’s AI-powered robotic lamp makes us giddy with hope for the secret iPad-on-a-stick project we’ve been skeptical about in the past. The surprisingly lifelike Apple robo-lamp looks just like Pixar’s Luxo Jr. How cute is that?!?
Join us for the conversation about the future of Apple robotics. (We really want the lamp.)
Also on The CultCast:
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
If you don’t have big bucks to spend on high-end, audiophile-worthy speakers and headphones to use in your computer setup, you can’t really go wrong with uber-affordable Edifier audio gear. Today’s featured M2 MacBook Pro setup — an exotic entry from Nepal, no less — keeps the tunes flowing through a nice set of Edifier bookshelf speakers and a comfortable pair of over-ear noise-canceling headphones. They simply get the job done well — without breaking the bank.
Apple is now selling DIY repair parts for its M4-equipped Macs, including the MacBook Pro and Mac mini.
You can purchase the repair parts from Apple’s Self Service Repair Store in the US and Europe.
This deal on the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip lets you buy one of the most powerful laptops available for less. While the Apple laptop’s $2,499 price tag places it on the premium side, a 10% discount on Amazon makes it a bit more accessible.
Thanks to the deal, the M4 Pro MacBook Pro is available for $2,239.
While plenty of people find Apple’s Studio Display a bit too expensive, many owners of Mac setups love it. Today’s MacBook Pro user justifies the expense because they use Studio Display for photo editing. But others disagreed that the $1,600 monitor is all that great a display for photo editing, with one person calling it “less than ideal” and backing that up with several technical points, below. They might not worry casual users much, but could be worth considering for pros like graphic designers.
Apple is undoubtedly working to upgrade the LCD in its MacBook Pro line with a beautiful OLED display. Rumors differ on exactly what that’ll happen though, and the wait stretches out years.
As someone who already uses another Apple computer with a large OLED, I have to say there’s no reason for Apple to hurry. MacBook Pro users really should not feel impatient.
What do you think, does today’s featured setup photograph, above, look the product of artificial intelligence? Something too neat and maybe a little off about it? Lots of people thought so. But the user insists only the desktop wallpaper showing on the Thunderbolt monitor is AI-generated. And the MacBook Pro user finds BetterDisplay sharpens text on his external display, a 32-inch BenQ 4K screen.
Good thing come to those who wait for lower-priced Apple gear — this time in the form of M3 Pro and Max MacBook Pro models for hundreds off normal prices. B&H Photo marked down prices a mile — even up to $1,200 off a high-spec model. So unless you feel like you simply must have the latest M4, here’s your chance to bag a blazing-fast, highly useful MacBook at a great price.
For Apple users seeking a high-capacity portable power solution for all their gear, the new CukTech 30 Power Bank packs a massive 40,000mAh battery, combined charging power of up to 300 watts for up to five devices at once and some useful features, the company said Wednesday.
Ah, the age-old debate: mouse or trackpad? Well, how about both? Many setups choose that more-inclusive path when adding input devices to use along with their chosen keyboard. And it’s typically for good reason. A mouse for many cursor movements and a Magic Trackpad 3 for gestures really does the trick for most users (even if some prefer one or the other, not both).
Need faster cables in your Mac setup? Amazon just put up a limited-time sale on Anker’s various sizes of certified ultra-high-speed HDMI 2.1 cables, which are great for connecting high-resolution displays, or almost any gear where you want to transmit high-quality audio and video. The cable size with the biggest discount reaches a staggering 46% off.
You’ve got to love a computer, gaming and TV setup with a big external display that’s so efficiently arranged it barely even takes up any desk space. Today’s featured MacBook Pro workstation manages the feat by mounting a big smart TV as a display on the wall, along with a pegboard for peripherals storage. But the MacBook setup with wall-mounted display took some pretty serious DIY skills, described below.
Wouldn’t you love to have half a dozen M-series MacBooks in your computer setup? One second thought, maybe that’s too much of a good thing. And it might only come up if you had to use most of them for work, like in today’s featured setup. A mobile device management (MDM) engineer does a lot of MDM testing on MacBooks for his job. If you use a Mac for work, he’s the guy who makes sure it keeps working efficiently and securely.