What’s almost as popular as a dual-display computer setup? A 3-display setup, of course. Today’s Mac Studio workstation has rocked the same external display configuration for more than a decade, but with newer monitors swapped in multiple times. Check it and its gear out below.
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See a 3-display setup’s 11-year evolution
This 4K resolution IPS display features HDR 10 compatibility and AMD FreeSync.
- Spacious screen
- 4K resolution
- HDR 10
- 5K displays becoming more common
Redditor kenshin27 showcased the triple-display Mac Studio setup in a post entitled, “Three Year Desk Update.”
“Been awhile since my last update,” they said. “TIE display layout still going strong.” That sounds like a reference to Star Wars TIE fighters, which I brought up about a similarly configured three-display setup on Monday. And remarkably, Ken has been rocking that configuration — landscape (horizontal) display in the middle flanked by two landscape (vertical) ones — for 11 years.
He established a setup in 2014, then heavily modified it in 2022 and now refreshes it again. Back in 2014, the M1 Mac Studio replaced a 2009 Mac Pro. The big ol’ Mac Pro still worked fine, but Ken said he loved being able to use the latest macOS with the then-amazing (and still good) M1 Mac Studio.
M1 Mac Studio still going strong
And the Mac Studio is itself a bit long in the tooth, but still going strong.
“Almost 3 years since my last desk shot. Overall layout has pretty much stayed the same since my first desk shot back in 2014,” they said. “Main computer hasn’t changed since my 2022 shot. Still the M1 Mac Studio. Have been considering an upgrade to the latest though. But since 2022, most of the changes have been to the peripherals and accessories.”
First off, they updated all three displays. The central 27-inch screen from 2022 is now a 32-inch LG UltraFine 4K monitor. The flanking displays remain 24-inches a piece, but they are now newer 1080p Dell monitors, which feature much thinner bezels than their predecessors, Ken said. He also saved some space by putting the central display on a monitor arm clamped to the back of the desk.
2022 setup looks very similar
Photo: [email protected]
Other new peripherals, lighting and iPad Pro mount
In addition to the displays, other peripherals saw upgrades, too.
“Then I picked up an Epomaker P75 mechanical keyboard with their Zebra switches which works pretty well for the most part,” they said. “There are some issues every now and then that can be chalked up to the low price point but otherwise I like it quite a bit. I also swapped out the keycaps with one who’s color scheme I like better (Red Samurai doubleshots) and overall I love the clickety-clackety of the Zebra switches. It’s not overly loud but still sounds very satisfying.”
The Lighting saw a refresh, as well. Now an architect desk lamp clamps to the back of the desk and overarches the displays, shining down on the desktop.
“Try as I might, I couldn’t find an actual light bar that was big enough for a 32-inch display,” Ken said. “But this lamp was the perfect size and works absolutely great. You can also see that I have a Lume Cube desk lamp clamped to the right side of the desk. It doesn’t get much use now that I have the architect lamp but it’s too nice to get rid of and I don’t really need it anywhere else so I keep it there for now.”
Ken’s other main change was putting their 12.9-inch iPad Pro on an adjustable arm mount clamped to the left side of the desk.
“Took a bit to figure out an easy way to get my 12.9-inch iPad Pro in and out of it, but it’s all good now,” they said. “Very convenient for when I need to refer to something on my iPad (or play games on it).”
2014 setup looks somewhat different
Photo: [email protected]
And one interesting element came up in Ken’s post’s comments.
“LOL, I too use the “A-” playlist naming scheme to make up for one of the many shameful limitations of the MacOS Music app,” one person said, apparently referring to Apple Music. You can see it open on Ken’s left-hand display.
“Ha, I didn’t think anyone would actually pick up on that,” Ken replied. “But yeah, it’s a pretty annoying way of doing things that I wish they’d do something about.”
The other person agreed, but said they kind of like the method and all of its items labeled starting with “A,” “AA 2025,” “AAA,” etc., to keep them at top.
Shop these items now:
This multi-angle adjustable tablet stand holds iPads and other devices with 4.7-inch to 13-inch screens.
- Makes tablet an adjustable computer setup screen
- Fits iPads up to 13 inches
- Easily clamps to desk
- Some people prefer stands
Computers and stands:
Display and light bar:
Input devices:
- Epomaker P75 wireless mechanical keyboard with Zebra switches and Red Damurai Doubleshot Keycaps
- Logitech M575 Ergonomic Trackball Mouse
- Magic Trackpad
Lighting:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected] (iPhone pics usually work fine). 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.
