If Apple’s popular but pricey Studio Display is well-suited to anyone, it’s any type of designer because of the monitor’s formidable graphics chops.
In today’s loaded MacBook Pro setup, a designer sets apart his Studio Display for the highest praise among many items in a remarkably well-equipped workstation. And his Lego collection is epic, too.
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Puerto Rico-based Product designer favors Studio Display above all in well-equipped MacBook Pro setup
UX and product designer Jose Munoz, who hails from Puerto Rico, showcased the highly effective M1 MacBook Pro setup in a Reddit post entitled, “My current setup.” And he also wrote about the setup in some depth on his blog. His sturdy electric standing desk is backed by a striking and handy Ikea Skadis pegboard for extra physical storage space, but the setup’s real gems are its main hardware.
Munoz said he’s been perfecting the setup since he started working fully remotely during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A vertical Satechi stand holds his 14-inch M1 MacBook Pro — which he finds to be “more than enough” for what he does and a perfect size, too.
Running through a CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 dock mounted under the desk, the laptop drives a Studio Display, which he calls his favorite thing in the setup. And that’s saying something, as the setup is pretty loaded with cool items.
Here’s what he wrote about Studio Display:
Previously, I had the Thunderbolt Display for more than 10 years and kept holding off on buying a third-party display each year, praying Apple would drop a fresh model. But finally getting the Studio Display was a game-changer — it just looks gorgeous. I’m glad I went for the adjustable stand, as the average position is just way too low for my liking. Also, the display’s webcam has been good enough for regular Zoom calls. I can’t wait for Mac OS Sonoma to try the new features to control the built-in webcams pan, zoom, and crop.
Devoted to Apple input devices
Photo: Jose Munoz
Munoz uses a mini Magic Keyboard and a Magic Mouse 2. He pretty much swears by those input devices.
“I have tried many excellent keyboards and mice from Logitech but always come back to Apple’s, mainly because of the Touch ID on the keyboard and the multitouch surface on the Magic Mouse,” he said.
He concedes, however, that Magic Mouse is “not ergonomic at all,” so he adds Magic Grips on the sides, plus a DeltaHub Carpio wrist rest.
Impressive audio
Photo: Jose Munoz
Munoz also noted he relies on the Studio Display’s speakers, calling them “impressive.” All he adds for sound in the room in addition to them is a single HomePod mini, which he uses strictly for talking to Siri and handing off podcasts. But then, for sound in his head, he’s got AirPods Max on a Benks stand for when he wants to focus more.
For his conference calls, he uses a Blue Yeti Nano microphone on an Elgato Wave Microphone Arm, which he can push out of the way when it’s not in use. That’s one strike against the Studio Display, actually. He got the Nano mic because people said he sounded far away using the Studio Display’s built-in mics.
Good uses of Elgato Stream Deck
Photo: Jose Munoz
You may notice the Elgato Stream Deck Mk.2 sitting dead center under the Studio Display. Munoz counted it as a fairly recent discovery and said it has become one of his favorite accessories.
Here’s how he uses the Stream Deck:
I mostly use it for zoom controls with some custom icons I designed. I also have some shortcuts and folders. To name a few, I have a button that toggles Stage Manager on/off, a Timery button that opens a folder with several preset timer shortcuts, and a HomeKit Button that opens up a folder with my buttons that trigger my most used HomeKit items.
Shop these items now:
Photo: Jose Munoz
Computer, stand and dock:
Tablet and stand:
Display:
Input devices:
- Magic Keyboard (mini)
- Magic Mouse 2 with Magic Grips and DeltaHub Carpio wrist rest
- Elgato Stream Deck Mk.2
Audio:
Furniture:
- White table top
- Topsky dual-motor standing desk frame
- Herman Miller Aeron chair
- Ikea Skids Accent pegboard
Accessories and more:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. 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.
Not as good as Apple's Pro Display XDR, but the 27-inch Apple Studio Display packs an impressive panel coupled with a six-speaker system and studio-quality microphones.
