This Mac mini and iPad Pro setup shows off a great cable management effort, complete with “before” and “after” photos. And yet all commenters wanted to know about — and I don’t blame them — are the cool knick-knacks. Mostly mood-lighting-related, they’re functional decor. And maybe everyone should have these three items in their setup!
Mac mini setup’s cable management is great, but look at those mood-lighting knick-knacks
In a post entitled, “Finished cable managing new desk for now. After / Before,” Redditor mateoelgato42 (“Mat”) showed off a busy M4 Mac mini and iPad Pro setup. You can tell by the post’s title he’s all about cleaning up the cable clutter, and you can see the “after” image above and “before” image below. But he’s also one of those people who puts a lot of decorative stuff everywhere, like figurines and such, not to mention Nanoleaf Shapes light panels on the wall behind the setup.
“Can’t handle any more organizing for the day,” he said. “And despite having to work late tonight at least I get to take the new setup for a drive.”
And while the cleaned-up setup looks great, with less cable clutter and other mess, what grabbed people’s attention — including mine — are the nifty functional knick-knacks among the decor.
A commenter bypassed the whole cable management subject and beelined for three specific items in their questions, wanting to know about: “a) glass cylinder on the left, b) vacuum-tube amber Harmon-Kardon sub replica and c) the bulb of magical properties.”
Mat provided links to Amazon for each item so that all could rush to buy them.
A. Auge Light Mini Minimalist Table Lamp
This cordless LED desk and night stand lamp features a moving magnetic filament for ambient lighting. Rechargeable.
- High quality mood lighting
- Just shake to move filament
- Touch control for brightness
- Somewhat small
It’s a cordless rechargeable lamp for desk or nightstand, but it’s far from typical. It brings ambient lighting with adjustable brightness from a flexible magnetic filament under glass (OK, actually plastic). You can just shake it to change the filament positioning. It has a sort of mad-scientist look to it. It’s on sale for $27.99 $25.99 ($2 off).
B. Aekan Candlelight Flame Air Diffuser
This waterless portable essential oil diffuser noiselessly distributes therapeutic essential oils in the air. Includes 120ML aroma diffuser and auto-off functionality.
- Diffuses your choice of essential oil in the air
- Operates silently
- Auto-off feature
- Plastic construction
This one’s not a light, technically, but it gives off a certain glow at its core. Rather than using heat, this cool-looking humidifier uses ultrasonic vibrations to make a healing mist. It atomizes water and oil through ultrasonic vibrations, making vapor with the therapeutic properties of the oils. It goes for $23.99.
“And let me tell you,” said Mat. “Hinoki oil for the diffuser is divine. Absolute favorite scent I’ve tried.”
C. HCNT Levitating Bulb Lamp
This desk lamp's magnetic floating LED light can rotate 360 degrees. When power is cut, it magnetically adheres to the base.
- Great conversation piece
- Did we mention it levitates?
- Won't break even without power (magnetically adheres to stand)
- More decorative than highly functional as lighting
And lastly, here’s the coolest item, in my opinion. The maker, HCNT, describes it this way: “Light meets levitation: The floating bulb uses magnetic levitation technology, and it can float and rotate freely in the air without any contact or support, and without any noise during operation. The magnetic floating led light can automatically rotate 360 degrees, has a unique visual effect, attracts your attention, and allows you to immerse yourself in this soft light.”
But having the coolest lightbulb ever comes at a slightly steep cost. It’s $70.99. That makes it the priciest item of the three.
Cool audio, too
The setup’s audio piques some curiosity, too. A HomePod mini sits under the display, even though a pair of JBL Professional 305PMkII powered studio monitor speakers stand on either side of the monitor. They rest on Kanto SP6HD Desktop Speaker Stands.
And just to the left of the HomePod mini, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB audio interface helps manage input and output for recording and streaming, including from the unidentified microphone on a stand.
Shop these items now:
Photo: [email protected]
Mood-lighting knick-knacks:
- Auge Light Mini Minimalist Table Lamp
- Aekan Candlelight Flame Air Diffuser
- HCNT Levitating Bulb Lamp
- Nanoleaf Shapes light panels
Computers and stand:
Display and light bar:
Input devices:
Audio:
- HomePod mini
- JBL Professional 305PMkII powered speakers
- Kanto SP6HD Desktop Speaker Stands
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB audio interface
- USB condenser microphone
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.
