Hooray for (super-) simple solutions. Today’s MacBook Pro and MacBook Air user runs both laptops with Studio Display. But how does he switch between them? Sure, he could employ cabling and software fixes to run both at once, but in this case simple hardware in the form of a dual vertical laptop stand comes to the rescue.
Dual laptop stand can help with swapping computers with shared external display
In a post entitled “Is it weird how much joy this brings me?,” Redditor Peakwod’s title might refer to their MacBook Pro and MacBook Air setup as a whole. But they seem to reference an easy fix they made recently. It’s a vertical laptop stand that orients the MacBooks so it’s easy to replug one cable from the display into either laptop. That’s an alternative to other methods of sharing a display between two connected computers, like a KVM switch or screen sharing and iCloud sync.
“The dual vertical laptop stand was the most recent addition,” they said. “Amazing to be able to swap the Studio Display between them so easily. I could sit here all day! Oh wait … I do sit here all day.”
And so do we all, right? We practically live in our setups. Naturally, commenters wanted to know about the stand. So Peakwod revealed it’s an Upergo Vertical Laptop Stand. In it sit an M4 MacBook Pro and an M3 MacBook Air. They alternately drive a Studio Display, as Peakwod mentioned. Apple’s display rests on a Kalibri Wood Monitor Stand Riser. But one laptop, the incredibly svelte MacBook Air, needs a little help to fit in the Upergo stand.
“For M3 MacBook Air, it doesn’t get quite thin enough, so I had to add a couple of felt pads (like for chair feet) so that it fits snuggly,” they added. “For MacBook Pro it fits perfectly.”
Upergo Vertical Laptop Stand
Dual-slot wooden laptop holder for MacBook Pro and other laptops. It sits in vertical orientation to save desk space. Width adjustable.
- Stores two laptops vertically
- Visually appealing
- Reduces clutter
- Very slim laptops may not fit well
- No charging
Upergo describes the stand’s features:
- Crafted with black walnut wood and aluminum, this Macbook Pro stand combines the natural charm of walnut with the abundance and allure of aluminum, making it a visually appealing choice.
- The updated dual-slot base allows for two laptops to be positioned upright simultaneously. The adjustable width accommodates a variety of devices, including MacBook Pro, other laptops and iPads, providing a versatile workstation solution and eliminating desk clutter.
- The walnut wood panel features anti-scratch pads, while the aluminum panel is equipped with silicone pads, ensuring optimal protection against scratches and damage for your devices.
- Handcrafted using offcuts and recyclable aluminum, this stand promotes sustainability and minimizes waste, making it an eco-friendly choice.
- 30-day return policy and an 18-month warranty.
And if you like the wallpaper showing on the Studio Display, it shouldn’t be hard to find.
“It’s one of the stock wallpapers in the latest macOS,” said Peakwod. “I have it set to rotate through the landscape pics every 12 hours.” Looks like they shuffle Landscape images from the Screen Saver option in Settings. A similar approach that would include many of the same images would be to shuffle Apple’s delightful Aerials collection.
Shop these items now:
Computers and stand:
Display and stand:
Input devices:
Audio:
Furniture:
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.
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.
