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Finding the ‘perfect’ dock or KVM switch [Setups]

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This Mac mini user has a Dell laptop and wants to run them both with peripherals.
This Mac mini user has a Dell laptop and wants to run them both with peripherals.
Photo: Chrysothemis@Reddit.com

Anyone looking to run different peripherals with both Mac and PC might take a look at today’s setup advice-fest. The user runs a Mac mini with dual displays and typical Apple input devices, but wants to add a Dell laptop from work into the mix.

They got plenty of advice on doing just that with the right kind of dock or KVM switch, below.

Could this be a top Apple-display alternative for gamers? [Setups]

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This Mac mini setup's user is over the moon about his new Samsung Odyssey G8 series curved gaming display.
This Mac mini setup's user is over the moon about his new Samsung Odyssey G8 series curved gaming display.
Photo: joe13r@Reddit.com

Quite a few excellent alternatives to Apple’s pricey Pro Display XDR and Studio Display exist for those in need a good external monitor to go with their Mac. Today’s featured Mac mini setup brings up another one — the 34-inch Samsung Odyssey G8 series curved gaming display.

If you like curves and especially if you like gaming, read on the see if the display might be a good choice for you.

Two powerhouse MacBooks drive dual Studio Displays [Setups]

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Not everyone can say they have two late model MacBooks Pro and two Studio Displays, but the employer helped out in this case.
Not everyone can say they have two late model MacBooks Pro and two Studio Displays, but the employer helped out in this case.
Photo: Leorivero@Reddit.com

Not many folks get to flaunt two late-model, powerhouse MacBook Pro laptops along with two Studio Displays in their computer setup — but it certainly becomes more likely when an employer contributes gear. Today’s featured setup comes from an art director in just that situation.

His Apple-all-the-way setup won much praise, but some commenters on social media had fits over a backward-facing MacBook Pro — and provided a fix for the flagrant flub.

Try the cheap way to get an Apple display [Setups]

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You won't believe how little the user paid for those monitors.
You won't believe how little the user paid for those monitors.
Photo: Thousand_Hands_4032@Reddit.com

The No. 1 complaint about Apple displays? They’re too expensive. People love them, but not everyone will pony up the cash to grab a $1,600 Studio Display or, heaven help us, a $5,000 Studio Display XDR.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup provides a much-cheaper alternative that might work for some people. It uses a pair of old-but-beautiful Cinema Displays that cost a grand total of $74.

Mac Studio hides under Studio Display-laden desk [Setups]

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Where's the Mac Studio to go with those Studio Displays? Under the desk.
Where's the Mac Studio to go with those Studio Displays? Under the desk.
Photo: MrBone66@Reddit.com

On Friday we mentioned dual-Studio Display setups seem relatively rare, but now we can hardly glance at social media without seeing one, or even several.

Today’s featured Mac Studio setup fits the bill with two Studio Display perched on 3D-printed stands. You can’t see the computer in the photo above. That’s because it’s mounted under the standing desk.

Why does this MacBook Pro rig need a dock with 14 ports? [Setups]

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Some setups just look nicely
Some setups just look nicely "lived in."
Photo: Infinite_Somewhere58@Reddit.com

In a world where advancing computer technology often seems like an arms race, with ever-more-powerful processors and compact chargers that pump out hundreds of watts, it’s no surprise docking stations keep boosting their port arrays.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup almost seems like it doesn’t have enough gear to merit its Plugable dock’s whopping 14 ports. But it supports multiple external displays for M1 Macs, and that’s why the user loves it.

Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac drops to a new low price

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Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and numeric keypad in black
Apple's Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Mac hits a new low price.
Photo: Apple

Looking to buy a new keyboard for your Mac? Look no further than Apple’s own Magic Keyboard, which is down to its lowest price ever.

While the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad retails for $199 in black, Amazon has currently discounted it to $149.99.

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When it’s time to swap MacBook Pro for Mac Studio [Setups]

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When you work in 3D, you need a lot of computing power. And four screens, apparently.
When you work in 3D, you need a lot of computing power. And four screens, apparently.
Photo: b19ddw@Reddit.com

Today’s featured setup sports a powerful M2 Ultra Mac Studio desktop computer and four screens, three of them with sparkling 4K resolution. But until recently it was an M2 Max MacBook Pro setup upgraded from an M1 MacBook Pro.

Why the switch to Mac Studio? Hey, sometimes you just need a more badass computer. Especially when you work in 3D rendering and you rarely take the laptop off its dock anyway.

Slash up to $60 off Magic Keyboards for iPad

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It's not easy to find deals at $50 to $60 off Apple's Magic Keyboard cases for iPad.
It's not easy to find deals at $50 to $60 off Apple's Magic Keyboard cases for iPad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Amazon is currently offering great discounts on Magic Keyboards for iPad Pro (11-inch and 12.9-inch models) and 10.9-inch iPad Air.

While there are many alternative keyboards and cases for iPad models out there, the time to pay Apple prices is now, when Apple prices are slashed!

Why buy a Touch ID keyboard when you can do this? [Setups]

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This user is considering a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, but alternative came up.
This user of this setup was considering a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, but an alternative came up.
Photo: Ajseps@Reddit.com

Social media is a great place to get ideas for gear to include in your computer setup — or to skip in favor of doing things another way. There are usually other ways to do things, as today’s M2 MacBook Pro user found out regarding password entry and any “need” for a keyboard with Touch ID.

And if you’re into video editing, check out the user’s cool gear — a PlusTek AI film scanner and a Loupedeck+ photo and video editing console with massive programmability.