| Cult of Mac

MacBook Pro drives massive 5K2K display plus mini monitor [Setups]

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This setup lost one of the three display in a recent move.
This setup lost one of the three display in a recent move.
Photo: designforthepeople@Redit.com

Today’s featured computer setup isn’t turning heads for its Apple gear — just a 2019 MacBook Pro — but its displays deserve a good look. The Mac goes through a Razer Thunderbolt 3 dock as it drives an “odd couple” of displays — a huge, curved LG 5K2K monitor and a tiny LG portable display.

And don’t miss the audio gear in the gear list below, either. It’s good stuff.

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.

Tricked-out Mac Studio pairs well with curved OLED display [Setups]

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This nicely composed frame shows the M2 Mac Studio as a plant stand.
This nicely composed frame shows the M2 Mac Studio as a plant stand.
Photo: moarcoffeeplzzz@Reddit.com

If you want to see a good example of high-end Mac computing, look no further than today’s elegant featured setup. Its powerful M2 Mac Studio desktop computer works alongside a PC gaming rig as they drive a curved OLED display for maximum contrast.

Throw in a rarely seen mechanical keyboard and a standing desk with a big Grovemade desk shelf, and we’re in business.

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.

All you need to turn a MacBook into a workstation [Setups]

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Not only does it tell time, this setup and its short list of peripherals and accessories turn a laptop into much more.
Not only does it tell time, this setup and its short list of peripherals and accessories turn a laptop into much more.
Photo: esmdg@Reddit.com

These days, MacBook laptops are more than powerful enough to handle most users’ computing needs. So if you don’t need an even brawnier desktop Mac, why not build your laptop into a full workstation with a few peripherals and accessories?

Today’s setup gets by with a 3-year-old MacBook Pro hooked up to a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 dock and a nice LG 4K display, plus Logitech input devices and a few other items. It’s a complete workstation whether or not the user ever takes the MacBook Pro to go.

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.

Bring new life to an old Intel-based iMac or Mac mini [Setups]

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Commenters offered good advice on speeding up this Intel-based iMac setup.
Commenters offered good advice on speeding up this Intel-based iMac setup.
Photo: vmcommo@Reddit.com

If you have an aging Intel-based iMac or Mac mini that’s slowing down like an old codger, today’s featured iMac setup shows a relatively simple way to revitalize your machine and keep using it.

All you need is an external solid state drive (SSD) and the knowledge, below, to make it your computer’s replacement startup disk.

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.

‘So we’re doing dual Studio Display setups?’ [Setups]

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One Studio Display in landscape orientation and one in portrait -- what could be more picture-perfect?
One Studio Display in landscape orientation and one in portrait -- what could be more picture-perfect?
Photo: strangeweather415@Reddit.com

Cult of Mac‘s coverage of user computer setups shows lots and lots of people love Studio Displays. And tons of folks love dual-display setups. But two Studio Displays in a setup? You’d think we’d see more of those.

And today’s featured setup not only boasts dual Studio Displays, it sports two Macs — an M2 Mac mini and an M1 Pro MacBook Pro — in addition to a split mechanical keyboard and some 3D-printed parts.