When it comes to Mac-centric computer setups, not every external display is Apple’s 6K Pro Display XDR or 5K Studio Display — far from it. And users’ choices come in various shapes and sizes. Today’s M1 Max MacBook Pro-using developer settled on a 34-inch Alienware curved ultra-wide monitor that hits his “sweet spot.” Find out why below. And don’t miss that nostalgia-inducing iPod Classic!
34-inch Alienware curved ultra-wide monitor suits dev and his M1 Max MacBook Pro perfectly
Developer, music hobbyist and Redditor EpicSyntax (“Syn”) showcased the productive-looking setup in a post entitled, “Current MacBook Pro Setup for Software Development, Music Production & Doom Scrolling.”
“lol at doomscrolling,” jotted a commenter.
“Gotta do what you don’t gotta do _^,” Syn replied.
“Yessir! Hail to the interwebz,” shot back the commenter.
We’ve covered Syn setup in the past, as it’s loaded with great gear. Namely: a still-speedy M1 Max MacBook Pro, a “punchy” set of KRK Rokit 5 speakers and a many-ported OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock. But it’s the setup that keeps on giving. Today we’ll look at its nostalgia factor and the display that Syn says hits the “sweet spot,” a 34-inch Alienware model.
iPod nostalgia
“iPod!” cried an eagle-eyed commenter, seeing the iPod Classic in the photograph above.
“A still-working remnant from better times,” Syn replied.
“Just yesterday I was measuring a client’s house, an older couple in their early 60s, and they had a speaker with an iPod dock and one of these widescreen iPod Nanos stuck into it,” noted another person. “I resisted the urge to pick it up and start playing with it, I miss everything about the old iPod days.”
“Haha I get it,” Syn replied. “I miss just about everything from the 2000s. Not everything was perfect, but it was slower, simpler and more chillaxed.”
34-inch Alienware curved ultra-wide monitor
“How are you finding the resolution of the ultra-wide [display]? Any annoying blur?” asked a commenter, referring to Syn’s 34-inch Alienware AW3420DW 1440p curved ultra-wide monitor as an external display for the MacBook.
“I love [ultra-wide] monitors,” Syn replied. “Been using them since 2018 and it’s kinda hard to go back. IMO the 34-inch with 3440×1440 [resolution] is the sweet spot. Mine also happens to be also running at 120Hz to match the MacBook Pros. I had blur and ghostings on a previous VA panel Samsung UW, but I moved to this IPS Alienware in 2021 and it’s been amazing.”
Reminders or Notes app on the screen
And if you’re wondering what’s showing on Syn’s display, you’re not alone.
“Is it reminders app or the notes?” someone asked. “The interface looks different.”
“It’s the stock Reminders app,” Syn replied. “It has a feature since macOS 14 and iOS 17 to view a list as columns. Very useful!”
Shop these items now:
Display:
Computer and dock:
Input devices:
- Magic Keyboard (mini)
- Magic Mouse 2
Audio:
- KRK Rokit 5 4G studio monitor speakers
- iPod Classic
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface
- Massdrop X Sennheiser HD 58ZX Jubilee Headphones
Furniture, lighting and decor:
- Wooden desktop on electric standing desk
- LED light strip
- Funko Pop Pain toy figure
- Funko Pop Madara toy figure
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected] (iPhone photos 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.
