More than ever these days, computer setups flaunted on social media tend to show off compact keyboards with as low as 60% layouts. So it’s almost a surprise to come across today’s featured MacBook Pro setup, which relies on a tenkeyless keyboard. It’s almost, but not quite, full sized. And the excellent Keychron mechanical keeb is customizable, too.
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Clean setup boasts killer Keychron tenkeyless keyboard
In a post entitled, “Cleaned up setup a little,” Redditor subbuguru2 (“Guru”) showed off the neat and tidy MacBook Pro setup. It’s not overly complicated — quite spare, actually — but the gear is great.
A MacBook Pro in clamshell mode (aka closed display mode) drives a 27-inch LG 27UP600 4K monitor through a many-ported OWC Thunderbolt 3 dock. The display sits on a nice monitor desk shelf that goes well with the wooden desktop.
For input devices, you can see the super-popular Logitech MX Master 3S wireless mouse alongside the very cool Keychron Q3 Pro wireless mechanical keyboard. The keychron is a tenkeyless (TKL) model, nearly full-sized but not quite. TKL keebs typically feature an 80% layout, lacking the full number pad on the right side.
“Love the Keychron!” a commenter enthused. “I’m not sure why no one else wants to put macro buttons on the left edge of the keyboard, because it’s the perfect place for them.” So another commenter chimed in that the RK Royal Kludge M70 mechanical keeb puts the macro keys in the same place (perhaps it’s the exception that proves the rule).
Tenkeyless keyboard: Keychron Q3 Pro SE mechanical keeb
The Pro version of Keychron's Q3 mechanical keyboard features a full aluminum QMK programmable TKL layout. Connectivity is Bluetooth or wired. Includes RGB backlighting and hot-swappable Keychron K Pro Red Switches. Compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux.
- Customizable control knob and macro keys
- Wireless or wired operation
- Hot-swappable switches
- 80% may seem too large (or too small) for some
Keychron makes a handful of Q3 customizable mechanical keyboards, including some with those macro button on the left. The company sells Guru’s Q3 Pro SE, plus the wired regular Q3 model, an HE (hall effect) version and the swankier Q3 Max model.
Q3 Pro SE features:
- The Keychron Q3 Pro SE is full metal QMK/VIA wireless custom mechanical keyboard. The tenkeyless layout with upgraded designs on an aluminum knob plus extra special-size keys on the left.
- You can customize the four macro keys and knob on the left. Assign them different key combinations via the VIA software and simplify your input. The aluminum rotary encoder allows you to easily customize your desired key, like zooming in/out, brush size, volume, selecting video clips or photos or backlight hue, etc.
- Connects with up to three devices wirelessly via Broadcom Bluetooth 5.1 for multitasking across your laptop, phone and tablet.
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows.
- Double-gasket design helps maintain the gasket structure’s flexibility and improves typing sound.
- Battery life lasts up to 100 hours (at lowest brightness).
- Wired mode with USB-C connection features a 1000Hz polling rate.
- Remap with Keychron web app: Connect Q3 Pro to your device with a cable, open the Keychron Launcher web app, drag and drop your favorite keys or macro commands to remap any key on any system (macOS, Windows or Linux) for a fluid workflow. Or create your key map with open-sourced QMK firmware.
- Keychron spherical-angle (KSA profile) double-shot keycap set with premium non-backlight shine-through PBT material is oil-resistant and durable. South-facing RGB is designed to better illuminate backlight on typist angle.
- Pre-lubed K Pro mechanical linear red switches provide tactile responsiveness with up to 50 million keystroke lifespan. You can also hot-swap switches with almost all of the 3pin and 5pin MX mechanical switches — Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Panda, etc. — without soldering. And you can customize the PCB-mounted screw-in stabilizer with 3rd parties alternatives.
Sound by Audioengine
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
Another cool aspect of the setup? Its sound system. Guru places Audioengine A2+ speakers on the company’s wedge-shaped DS2 Desktop Speaker Stands. That lets Guru angle the speakers to direct their sound toward the ears, so they can hear every detail in the music.
And if you like the wallpaper showing on the external LG display, it’s one of Basic Apple Guy Gradients styles.
Shop these items now:
Computers, stand and dock:
Display, light bar and desk shelf:
Input devices:
Audio:
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.
