standing desks

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on standing desks:

Some workstations are literally a pain in the neck [Setups]

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Could you look from one display to the other like that?
Could you look from one display to the other like that?
Photo: DougDimmadOme@Reddit.com

With computer setups we often talk about placing gear properly for healthy, ergonomically correct usage to avoid problems like neck pain. But some folks viewing today’s featured MacBook Pro workstation said they suffered neck pain just looking at the photo.

That’s because the setup’s dual Studio Displays sit on a mount that spreads them out, leaving a big gap in the middle unless the displays are pulled far forward toward the user.

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.

For health’s sake, get a standing desk [Setups]

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Even if you have a lot more gear than this, a standing desk can make a world of difference.
Even if you have a lot more gear than this, a standing desk can make a world of difference.
Photo: NiMa@Reddit.com

Maybe you’ve got back pain, or maybe your rear end falls asleep too much when you sit for long periods. Whatever the case, you, like many Apple fans, can benefit from a standing desk in your computer setup.

Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup features an affordable sit-stand desk, but there are many options. We’ll go over some of them below.

M2 Mac mini drives dual displays in rolling rig [Setups]

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This user enabled dock-free dual-display use by adding an M2 Pro Mac mini.
This user enabled dock-free dual-display use by adding an M2 Pro Mac mini. And note the can of Death & Taxes black lager, a serious adult beverage.
Photo: strangeweather415@Reddit.com

“How many external displays can I easily run with my Mac and how” is a common question, and some Macs make it much easier to run more than one external monitor than others.

In today’s featured computer setup, a software developer went out and bought a new M2 Mac mini specifically for its generosity in that regard. It really helped his highly portable setup, which features a Studio Display and an LG 4K screen.

Dual Studio Display workstation prioritizes open space [Setups]

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Two Studio Displays are better than one, don't you think?
Two Studio Displays are better than one, don't you think?
Photo: FreshJs59@Reddit.com

People who show off their computer setups often go for a clean, spare look without much, if any, clutter — from cables or anything else. But few have as clean and spacious a look as today’s featured MacBook Pro setup with two Studio Displays.

There are many ways of making a setup minimalistic without simply leaving out the crucial gear. In this case, it has a lot to do with a very cool desk with some interesting features.

Mac mini rig’s monster monitor pushes standing desk to limit [Setups]

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That 38-inch monitor is almost too much for the standing desk to handle.
That 38-inch monitor is almost too much for the standing desk to handle.
Photo: json12@Reddit.com

In a world of ever-increasing monitor sizes (and weights), you need a pretty tough, supportive desk — especially if it’s a motorized one for sitting or standing. Otherwise, the whole thing might wobble all over the place under the combined, imbalanced weight of your fabulous gear.

Today’s featured Mac mini computer setup copes with an electric desk that struggles under the weight of a behemoth of a curved ultra-wide monitor.

Improve your comfort and productivity in 2021 with this affordable standing desk

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This standing desk is one easy to step in enhancing productivity in 2021
Getting a standing desk is one way to start 2021 with a bang.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There’s plenty of ways you can improve your productivity this year — from sharpening your focus and time-management skills, to changing your workflow with a bunch of time-saving apps.

But have you considered changing your workspace to make sure it’s optimized to help you be efficient and comfortable at the same time? An easy addition might be swapping your traditional desk for this EC1 Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk.

SmartDesk 2 lets you sit or stand at a stellar price [Review]

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SmartDesk 2 full setup with monitor and light
The SmartDesk 2 can turn your boring desk into a versatile workspace.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Until very recently, I never spent a lot of mental energy thinking about the desk I worked at. As long as there was enough space for whatever I was doing, and it wasn’t getting in the way, I was pretty flexible.

As I’ve started spending more time working and taking meetings from home, I have started to notice when certain “desks” don’t work as well. Sitting on the couch, standing at the bar in our kitchen, or working from the dining table are all OK from time to time, but none are particularly comfortable long-term. Some of this comes down to having a desk at the proper height, and some of it is the lack of flexibility I get in those situations.

That why, when the folks at Autonomous asked if I wanted to check out their SmartDesk 2 adjustable standing desk, I saw it as an opportunity to see if the hype about standing desks is all it’s cracked up to be.

Convert almost any surface into an adjustable standing desk [Deals]

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WOM Height Adjustable Tabletop Standing Desk Converter
This sturdy stand can turn any desk or tabletop into an adjustable standing desk.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Many of us spend tons of time at the computer. That’s bad for your neck, back, wrists — pretty much every part of your body — so it’s no wonder standing desks are catching on. Unfortunately, they often prove super-expensive. However, there’s another way.

ZestDesk aims to make you a stand-up worker [Review]

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The portable office that also gets you off your butt, at least for a while.
The portable office that also gets you off your butt, at least for a while.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

Your postal carrier doesn’t usually ask about the contents of a package he’s dropping off, but I couldn’t blame him for being curious about a long box with a logo that said ZestDesk.

I explained to him it was a kind of standing desk and that I would be reviewing it. The man who is on his feet for his entire work day asked me what I did for a living and I said, “I sit at a computer, mostly, and write.”

To be clear, I sit on a couch or a comfy chair at a coffee shop with a MacBook Pro on my lap or belly and do not miss the cubicle life. A standing desk sounds so Type A and I worked hard to get further down the alphabet.

Finally, an adjustable standing desk you’ll actually use [Reviews]

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Work healthier with the Pro Plus 48.
Work healthier with the Pro Plus 48.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Spending countless hours sitting in front of a computer every day is bad for your body. Not only do you have to worry about bad posture when sitting for extended periods, but also the fact that you’re probably going to die faster (according to some studies).

A standing desk is a great way to alleviate some of these problems and keep your body active during a long day in the office. And with the Varidesk Pro Plus 48, you can turn almost any standard desk into a height-adjustable standing desk in a snap.

This particular desk is one of the largest models offered by Varidesk, which makes it ideal for multi-monitor setups and those who need plenty of room. It’s also pretty pricey at $495 — but is it worth that price tag?

Best List: Time to seriously upgrade your life

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You know what I hate about Apple computers? The precious keyboards. They look lovely, with their sleek designs and tiny little keys, but they absolutely kill my wrists and fingers. That’s why I plug a grimy old Goldtouch keyboard ($129 list when they made ‘em) into the MacBook Air that I use for work. I even take the weird-looking A-frame keyboard with me when I travel. It’s not an elegant-looking solution, but it’s a lifesaver.

I’ve dealt with typing-related RSI for decades. While I use voice recognition when I have to write something lengthy, it’s not the perfect tool to accomplish every task in every situation. Sometimes I need to hammer away on a keyboard, and when I do, the Goldtouch makes the experience far less painful. It’s split down the center, with a ball joint that lets me adjust the angle between the two halves as well as the height at the center. And the soft-touch keys just feel good to me. — Lewis Wallace

P.S. I haven’t tried the updated Goldtouch V2 ($115) or the company’s Go!2 Bluetooth mobile keyboard, but when ol’ faithful finally gives up the ghost, that’ll be my move.

Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac