For years I’ve showcased cool Apple-centric computer setups for Cult of Mac. I never seem to get tired of drooling over the sweetest of the bunch. Sometimes that’s about the most awesome possible computers and monitors — Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR, anyone? — and sometimes it’s about a whole package, including fabulous audio gear and more. I selected a bunch of drool-worthy setups with stratospheric price tags for you below.
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Top 10 high-end Apple setups you wish you could afford
Many of the computer setups below feature Apple’s finest gear, like Mac Pro and Mac Studio desktop computers, fabulous displays such as Pro Display XDR and Studio Display, and assorted other gear like fine audio products. In each case, you can click on the headline to go to the original Setups article for more information.
Utilitarian paradise
10. Triple Mac Pro rig could serve as camera network command center
Photo: [email protected]
What do you do if you need to operate a network of video cameras and store all the footage? While it looks more utiltarian than fancy, this power user’s setup runs an astounding trio of Mac Pro desktop computers. And he piles up stacks of high-capacity UniFi Network Video Recorders — known as UNVRs — for video recording-storage from multiple cameras, plus routers and switches galore.
Get supercharged Apple silicon with the Apple Mac Pro. Featuring the M2 Ultra 24-Core CPU, Mac Pro allows creative professionals to tackle the most demanding workflows with speed and efficiency.
- Apple M2 Ultra 24-Core CPU
- 60-Core GPU, 32-Core Neural Engine
- 8 x Thunderbolt 4 Ports
- Choice of memory and storage capacity
- Expensive
Displays worthy of mission control
9. High-end MacBook Pro sits in a forest of tall 5K displays
Photo: [email protected]
At Cult of Mac, we’re no strangers to looking at computer setups loaded with displays — even as many as six. But we’re less used to seeing certain orientations, like in this MacBook Pro and custom PC setup. The workstation seems to reach for the ceiling with four 5K displays. Two stack horizontally in landscape mode and two stand tall, shoulder-to-shoulder in portrait mode.
The 27-inch Apple Studio Display packs an impressive panel coupled with a six-speaker system and studio-quality microphones.
It’s not as beautiful as Apple's Pro Display XDR, but the Studio Display costs thousands less.
- Crystal clear 5K resolution
- Excellent color accuracy
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Expensive
- Lacks HDR
- Height-adjustable stand costs extra
LG's IPS display with 5K (5120 x 2880p) resolution pairs well with Macs as well as the similar Studio Display. Features DCI-P3 99% color gamut and Thunderbolt 3 port.
- Crisp 5K (5120 x 2880p) resolution
- Pairs well with Macs and Studio Display
- DCI-P3 99% color gamut
- Costs less than Studio Display, but still pricey
8. How much is too much screen space? This, maybe.
Photo: [email protected]
This featured Mac Studio setup may win the external display arms race — for bigger monitors and for more of them. A 4-display setup displayed on social media is not super rare, but one sporting such large screens is. This one pushes the limit of too much screen space with two stacked 57-inch curved ultra-wide Samsung displays bookended by two 32-inch Samsungs in portrait (vertical) orientation. Yikes, that’s a lot of screen.
This big display is equivalent to dual 27-inch 4K UHD monitors. The 1000R curved gaming monitor features a 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, DisplayPort 2.1 support, Quantum Mini-LED, DisplayHDR 1000 and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro (LS57CG952NNXZA, 2023).
- Massive screen real estate
- Great for gaming
- Fast refresh rate and response time
- Pretty pricey
This monitor and smart TV features mobile connectivity, 4K UHD, remote access, Office 365 and more (LS32AM702UNXZA).
PC-to-Mac conversion on steroids
7. Apple-hating programmer now swears by Mac Studio, Pro Display XDR
Photo: [email protected]
Some folks insist people never change, others say they often do. And proof of the latter shows up in this Mac Studio computer setup featuring Apple’s magnificent 6K Pro Display XDR. It belongs to a Linux-loving software programmer who used to be strongly anti-Apple, according to her husband.
The M3 Ultra chip inside this Mac Studio delivers astonishing performance.
- Gorgeous Apple design
- M3 Ultra chip for extreme performance
- Lots of I/O capabilities
- High-performance computing comes at a high price
There's no better monitor for your Mac than Apple's 32-inch Pro Display XDR. Apple even sells a variant with a nano-texture glass that helps cut down on unwanted glare.
- Incredible 6K resolution
- Generous screen space
- Nano-texture glass option
- Expensive, and options add more cost
6. Drool-worthy gear: Former PC gamer goes all-in on Mac conversion
Photo: [email protected]
When a software engineering manager who works from home decided to leave PC gaming behind, he went all-in on his Mac conversion. In part he did it for work. He slings a lot of native code for macOS in building HR recruitment software. But, working and playing from home full time, in part he did it for himself. So why wouldn’t he buy a super-tricked out 16-inch M1 Max MacBook Pro, not one but two Apple Pro Display XDRs and pretty much top-shelf everything else?
The M3 Ultra chip inside this Mac Studio delivers astonishing performance.
- Gorgeous Apple design
- M3 Ultra chip for extreme performance
- Lots of I/O capabilities
- High-performance computing comes at a high price
Brawny Macs deserve this particular external monitor
5. Pro Display XDR completes powerful MacBook Pro rig
Photo: [email protected]
In the computer setup arms race over bigger and better external displays, one monitor reigns supreme (with a price tag to match) — Apple’s phenomenal Pro Display XDR. This M3 Max MacBook Pro rig just added one to its two other displays, including the oddly square LG DualUp. They also run a loaded 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro in space black with “max specs,” which probably means the M3 Max chip plus 48GB unified memory and at least 1TB of SSD storage, at around $4,000.
✅ Powerful M3 Max chip
✅ Plenty of memory and storage
✅ Big, beautiful display
⚠️ More expensive than desktop options
4. I want everything in this Mac Studio workstation
Photo: [email protected]
This featured computer setup pretty much has it all in terms of enviable gear, though it could use better lighting. Its M1 Max Mac Studio may not be the latest Apple M-series desktop, but it’s still formidable. And it drives a Pro Display XDR, perhaps the ultimate external monitor. And the setup even excels at the little things, including great audio gear from Audioengine and Sony, plus a pair of illuminated pegboard stands I’ve never seen before.
Suitable for music or gaming, Audioengine's compact but powerful desktop computer speakers can operate via wire or wirelessly via Bluetooth. Power level: 60 watts.
- Great for music or gaming
- Wired or wireless Bluetooth connectivity
- Some might prefer higher wattage
- Desk stands sold separately
Sony's flagship over-ear Bluetooth headphones feature class-leading noise cancellation and the comfort of soft synthetic leather earcups. They include the powerful Processor V1, four beamforming microphones and up to 30-hour battery life. Choice of four colors.
- Class-leading noise cancellation
- High-quality audio with LDAC
- Excellent comfort
- Fairly expensive at full price
- Not ideal for Apple integration
Audio-visual fantasia
3. Mac Pro and 3-Pro-Display-XDR workstation is an AV wonderland
Photo: Liam Hudson
We can count the number of times we’ve come across a three-Pro Display XDR workstation in our Setups travels on less than one hand — maybe two or three times. And if you throw in a late-model Mac Pro and a pile of great audio-visual gear for professional-level videoconferencing, well, that’s even more rare. Liam Hudson, CEO of a qualitative electronic trading company, sent his “ultimate computer setup” for at-home work to Cult of Mac. And it’s really something.
There's no better monitor for your Mac than Apple's 32-inch Pro Display XDR. Apple even sells a variant with a nano-texture glass that helps cut down on unwanted glare.
- Incredible 6K resolution
- Generous screen space
- Nano-texture glass option
- Expensive, and options add more cost
2. Mac Studio-wielding designer adores dual Studio Displays
Photo: [email protected]
Two of the common laments among Mac users talking computer setups online? Too bad Studio Displays are so expensive, and when will Apple jack up that 60Hz refresh rate? But of course the monitors have legions of fans, especially among folks like designers. With this featured setup, a designer and video editor loves his pair of Studio Displays and says why. And other commenters get into a little dust-up defending Mac Studio from those who think the small-but-mighty M4 Mac mini is even better.
The 27-inch Apple Studio Display packs an impressive panel with the nano-texture glass helping cut down unwanted reflections. This is backed by a six-speaker system and studio-quality microphones.
While not the best 5K monitor around, the Studio Display delivers deep Apple ecosystem integration, making it stand out from the crowd.
- 5K resolution
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Six-speaker sound system
- Nano-texture glass cuts down reflections
- No HDR support
- Height-adjustable stand costs extra
This 2023 machines features an M2 Ultra chip with 24-core CPU and 60-core GPU, 64GB integrated memory and 1TB SSD.
- Tons of computing power
- Plenty of storage space
- Relatively small footprint
- Want smaller? Try Mac mini
1. In our dreams: Studio Displays flank Pro Display XDR in M2 Ultra Mac Pro rig
Photo: [email protected]
Looking at computer setups proudly flaunted on social media sometimes leads to cases of crippling envy. You may have some top-notch Apple gear, but you probably don’t possess treasures like those of this world-beating user: a high-end M2 Ultra Mac Pro, a Mac Studio, a Pro Display XDR and two Studio Displays. Sheesh. An M2 Ultra Mac Pro with Pro Display XDR is way over the top, but this rig adds another killer desktop machine as backup, plus a pair of Studio Displays!
Get supercharged Apple silicon with the Apple Mac Pro. Featuring the M2 Ultra 24-Core CPU, Mac Pro allows creative professionals to tackle the most demanding workflows with speed and efficiency.
- Apple M2 Ultra 24-Core CPU
- 60-Core GPU, 32-Core Neural Engine
- 8 x Thunderbolt 4 Ports
- Choice of memory and storage capacity
- Expensive
Apple calls the 2025 Mac Studio “the most powerful Mac ever made.” It runs on either an M4 Max or a new M3 Ultra chip. It delivers professional-grade performance, extensive connectivity with Thunderbolt 5, and new capabilities in a compact and quiet design.
- High-end performance
- Loads of ports, including Thunderbolt 5
- Compact chassis
- Way more power than average users need
The 27-inch Apple Studio Display packs an impressive panel with the nano-texture glass helping cut down unwanted reflections. This is backed by a six-speaker system and studio-quality microphones.
While not the best 5K monitor around, the Studio Display delivers deep Apple ecosystem integration, making it stand out from the crowd.
- 5K resolution
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Six-speaker sound system
- Nano-texture glass cuts down reflections
- No HDR support
- Height-adjustable stand costs extra
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
