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Setups - page 8

Sweet ultra-wide display deserves great dual-monitor stand [Setups]

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BenQ Creator Ultrawide Display
This 34-inch BenQ Creator Ultrawide Display features 1440p resolution and color-matching technology.
Photo: BenQ

Not everybody needs, wants or can afford an Apple display. Luckily, many good options abound for use with a Mac, including the 34-inch BenQ Ultrawide Creator Monitor featured in today’s exceptionally nice M3 Pro MacBook Pro setup. And it’s ideally situated on a handsome Oakywood dual-monitor stand.

Crown this mechanical keyboard ‘customization king’ [Setups]

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Keychron custom mechanical keyboard
This shot from Keychron shows the Q2 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard.
Photo: Keychron

Some people are happy typing away on quiet membrane keyboards like Apple’s Magic Keyboard. Others are obsessed with pimping out their clickity-clackety mechanical keebs with the exact key caps, switches and design flourishes they prefer. Today’s M3 Pro MacBook Pro setup goes for the latter style with a Keychron Q2 custom mechanical keyboard.

It’s an excellent, moderately affordable option in a crowded market.

New MacBook Pro powers perfect workstation [Setups]

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M3 MacBook Pro setup
Everything is well-situated on stands in this M3 MacBook Pro setup.
Photo: [email protected]

Some computer setups just seem to have it all. Today’s featured workstation sports a new M3 Pro MacBook Pro with hefty amounts of memory and storage, plus a speedy Thunderbolt 4 dock connected to a well-curated selection of peripherals. Even the gear stands and furniture are especially nice.

This might be the perfect space-saving speaker [Setups]

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Gallo Acoustics Micro Speaker in matte white
Gallo Acoustics Micro Speaker is small, but it packs a sonic punch.
Photo: Gallo Acoustics

Some people don’t amp up the sound in their computer setups simply because they lack room for the speakers. So they just use their computer or monitor speakers. But what if somebody made tiny but powerful speakers that could fit almost anywhere? Somebody did — Gallo Acoustics Micro Speakers. And today’s Mac Studio setup uses them for rich sound.

A setup so clean it looks AI-generated [Setups]

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Dough gaming display setup
A user joked that this setup is so clean it looks like artificial intelligence generated the image.
Photo: [email protected]

When one commenter saw today’s Mac Studio workstation, they said “Setup so clean it looks AI generated. I like it.” Well, we also like the Mac Studio and custom PC setup, especially for its innovative use of a portable display alongside its main external display, which is a killer gaming monitor we’ve never seen before.

This microphone boom arm is ‘in a class of its own’ [Setups]

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Logitech G Compass microphone boom arm
If you need a reliable boom arm to swing your mic around, look no further.
Photo: [email protected]

If you use your computer setup for podcasting, streaming, gaming or just a whole bunch of video calls, you may have a microphone in your face a lot. It’s great to easily move it out of the way when you’re not speaking into it, of course. And for that you need a reliable boom arm. Today’s M1 Max MacBook Pro user swears by his Logitech G Compass microphone boom arm.

Flagship Bose headphones make surprisingly rare appearance [Setups]

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones setup
You'd think we'd see top Bose headphones, like the QuietComfort Ultras shown on the right, in setups more often.
Photo: [email protected]

When it comes to fantastic and popular over-ear noise-canceling headphones that don’t stray too far from the realm of affordability, certain brands typically leap to mind. Apple. Beats. Sony. Sennheiser. Audio-Technica. Bose. And yet we noticed how seldomly flagship cans from Bose, one of the most famous and well-regarded brands in the United States, crop up in our computer setups coverage. Take the brand’s current top dog, for example — Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.

Today’s M2 Max MacBook Pro setup brings in a set of Bose Ultras alongside AirPods Pro 2, for when the user needs bigger audio guns with greater comfort than Apple’s top earbuds.

Here’s the key to expanding MacBook connectivity [Setups]

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OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock setup
One of these turns your MacBook into quite the well-connected beast.
Photo: OWC

Today’s MacBook Pro setup boasts a secret weapon many laptop-based computer setups should have — a multiport adapter like a USB-C or Thunderbolt dock. In this case, an iOS and macOS developer runs his M1 Max MacBook Pro through an OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock, connecting the laptop to various peripherals.

A multiport USB-C hub or docking station greatly expands connectivity with peripherals like monitors and storage drives. And it often provides fast data-transfer speeds and even powers devices. In short, for not too much money it enables your setup to do much more.

KRK Rokit 5 speakers excel in music production [Setups]

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KRK Rokit 5 speakers setup
The developer loves his KRK Rokit 5 speakers when he works on music production. And that's a Madara Funko Pop figure standing guard, by the way.
Photo: [email protected]

KRK Rokit 5 speakers are the crown jewel among the audio gear in today’s M1 Max MacBook Pro setup. The rig belongs to an iOS and macOS developer who only counts music production as a hobby. But we’ll take his vote of confidence in a fine audio product.

We’ve seen the Rokit 5 boxes in setups a few times, not often, but we have no doubt they sound great and look good doing it.

Developer’s M1 Max MacBook Pro cranks out the work [Setups]

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M1 Max MacBook Pro setup
A 16-inch M1 Max MacBook Pro drives this developer's setup.
Photo: [email protected]

Our setups coverage often reveals clues to Apple hardware’s functional longevity. An iOS and macOS developer uses today’s setup. Even though two new generations of powerful Apple silicon chips have supercharged more recent MacBooks, he’s still cranking away on an M1 Max MacBook Pro run through an OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock.

In fact, he just updated his setup. But that turned out to have nothing to do with the computer. It was all about adding decorative toy figures, an LED light strip and a new wooden countertop as a desk.

This is a top microphone arm for good reason [Setups]

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Elgato Wave Microphone Arm
In this shot from Elgato, you get a clear view of its popular suspension boom arm supporting a microphone, as in today's setup.
Photo: Elgato

Streamers and podcasters often worry over their choices of microphones and audio interfaces for sound quality. But they shouldn’t forget to select great co-stars for that gear like the Elgato Wave Microphone Arm.

A good microphone boom arm makes working with the mic easy, especially in a computer setup where you need to move it aside to do other tasks. Today’s MacBook Pro and Studio Display setup makes great use of the extremely popular Elgato Wave Microphone Arm supporting an Audio-Technica mic.

And right now you can get one version of the suspension boom microphone arm for 20% off at Amazon ($99.99 $79.99), and it’s the one our user deploys.

Overhead LED lamp lights up hot M3 Max MacBook Pro rig [Setups]

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Pzloz LED Desk Lamp in M3 Max MacBook Pro and Studio display setup
Sometimes an overarching LED lamp is even better than a monitor light bar.
Photo: Pzloz

Something as simple as the right lamp can make a huge difference in a computer setup. Today’s sexy M3 Max MacBook Pro and Studio Display workstation benefits from a big, wide, clamp-on double-headed Pzloz LED Desk Lamp to brilliantly light the scene.

So it seems sometimes an overhead lamp can beat a monitor light bar, especially on a big, wide desk.

A top microphone needs a great audio interface [Setups]

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Shure SM7B microphone setup
The Shure SM7B microphone and Focusrite Vocaster Two audio interface are crucial to the user's work on YouTube.
Photo: [email protected]

A prolific YouTuber runs today’s featured MacBook Pro setup. And you can tell it’s the pride and joy of a streamer or podcaster just by some of the crucial equipment. Namely, an excellent Shure SM7DB microphone run through a Focusrite Vocaster Two audio interface to ensure high-quality audio recording.

Edifier speakers rock slick MacBook Pro rig [Setups]

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Edifier R1280T speakers setup
The Edifier R1280T powered bookshelf speakers pump up this MacBook Pro setup's sound.
Photo: [email protected]

If you’ve read much of Cult of Mac’s computer setups coverage, you know we love good audio. And we love it more when it’s high-value, where the sound is great despite affordable pricing. Edifier R1280T speakers meet that mark.

Edifier is a brand that has long lived in that space. And today’s MacBook Pro and PC laptop setup makes good use of a pair of powered Edifier bookshelf speakers that even MacBook Pro’s fine set of six can’t really compete with (outside of portability).

Killer dock keeps MacBook Pro and PC in play [Setups]

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Orico Thunderbolt 3 dock setup
A 15-in-one Thunderbolt 3 dock handles a MacBook Pro, a PC laptop and a bunch of peripherals.
Photo: [email protected]

Another Mac and PC computer setup stands in the spotlight today — this time a MacBook Pro and PC laptop driving a 4K display and an array of peripherals through an Orico Thunderbolt 3 dock bristling with 15 ports.

The setup emphasizes gaming, too, with a PlayStation 5 mounted under the desk. We’ll take a look at that, too.

Not all monitor light bars are created equal [Setups]

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BenQ ScreenBar Monitor Light setup
BenQ's ScreenBar monitor light isn't cheap, but it's a good investment.
Photo: BenQ

You can buy a monitor light bar pretty cheap, even as low as about $20. But will it be a great piece of gear, illuminating your desk from atop your display, with a nice array of features? Probably not. Today’s M3 MacBook Pro and PC setup laid out a little more cash for a keeper — the BenQ Screenbar Monitor Light.

Powerful MacBook Pro plays nice with PC [Setups]

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MacBook Pro and PC setup
This IT manager has a heck of a nice M3 MacBook Pro setup. And note the big gaming PC on the right.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s beautiful MacBook Pro and PC setup lets the two “frenemy” computers work easily in the same setup through a 4K external display’s built-in KVM switch. That means no messing around with cables, and no swapping out or re-pairing peripherals.

Handsome desk shelf brings calm to chaos [Setups]

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Fenge monitor stand setup
The white Fenge monitor stand, or desk shelf, is one of the coolest choices we've seen lately.
Photo: [email protected]

Monitor stands, aka monitor risers or desk shelves, are often unsung heroes of computer setups. Even just a single shelf can add so much in terms of organization and ergonomics. In today’s colorful and artistic Mac mini workstation, the Fenge monitor riser is crucial. Without it, the desktop would devolve into chaos. 

Artist loves his iPad Pro stand for good reason [Setups]

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Lab22 Infinity Adjust iPad stand
This M1 Mac mini setup features a lot to look at, but don't miss that cool iPad Pro stand on the right.
Photo: [email protected]

Sometimes what stands out in a computer setup isn’t a major piece, like a computer or display, but a cool accessory. Today’s colorful M1 Mac mini workstation with dual displays and loads of artwork features a cool accessory one could easily miss — a Lab22 Infinity Adjust iPad stand.

KEF speakers drive MacBook Pro outfit’s crystal-clear sound [Setups]

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KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers
The setup's M3 Pro MacBook Pro has six speakers. But who cares when there are also KEF speakers.
Photo: KEF

A more than capable M3 Pro MacBook Pro powers today’s computer setup, but its six-speaker sound system won’t be needed. That’s because the medical student who own the rig has the good taste to include fantastic KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers.

He’ll just have to keep the powerful speakers’ volume in check to avoid having to see an ear doctor.

M3 MacBook Pro serves as charming rig’s third display [Setups]

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M3 MacBook Pro setup
The space black M3 MacBook Pro sits open on a stand rather than in clamshell mode.
Photo: [email protected]

A medical school student’s charming dual-display setup adds an M3 MacBook Pro as a third display by keeping it open on a stand. And the three displays form a pleasingly staggered formation, with one in portrait on the left, one in landscape at center and then the laptop’s screen.

Modern MacBook Pro drives vintage displays [Setups]

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Modern MacBook and vintage displays setup
In the old version of the setup, the vintage displays were far apart.
Photo: [email protected]

Multi-display computer setups with asymmetrical placements — aka, screens oriented in landscape and portrait orientations — are so popular that even vintage Apple displays are getting in the action. Today’s featured rig uses a modern MacBook and vintage displays. A M1 Pro MacBook Pro from 2021 drives a Cinema Display and Thunderbolt Display from many years earlier.

Big curved Dell 4K display serves MacBook duo [Setups]

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Dell 4K curved monitor
This 40-inch Dell 4K curved monitor makes a great external display.
Photo: [email protected]

A Dell curved 4K monitor — especially a big 40-incher — can make an excellent external display, if today’s featured MacBook Air and MacBook Pro setup is any indication. The user put the dramatic display together with a 27-inch 4K monitor after trying two other configurations. 

You wish you had this MacBook workstation’s killer keyboard [Setups]

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Keychron Q3 Pro mechanical keyboard setup
This setups has two MacBooks, but the external keyboard is a Keychron Q3 Pro custom mechanical keeb.
Photo: [email protected]

Today’s featured computer setup runs on two powerful MacBooks, which of course have their own keyboards. But the user doesn’t settle for those, except maybe when he’s away. Instead, he chooses to use a mechanical external keyboard with his dual laptops and dual displays. It’s a Keychron Q3 Pro custom keyboard, and it’s a beauty.