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Apr 01, 2024

MacBook Air pairs with Studio Display in creator rig [Setups]

By David Snow • 8:30 am, August 4, 2023 It’s only natural that a user would clean up his computer setup to show it off to the world, and that’s exactly what TechDaily’s Wade B. did with his MacBook

By David Snow • 8:30 am, August 4, 2023

It’s only natural that a user would clean up his computer setup to show it off to the world, and that’s exactly what TechDaily’s Wade B. did with his MacBook Air and Studio Display setup before sending it to us with a video.

“It’s really the first time I’ve ever had a desk that wasn’t a total disaster area,” he told Cult of Mac.

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Describing the “foundation” of the setup, Wade said he paired a brand-new 15-inch M2 MacBook Air with a 27-inch 5K Studio Display on a generic white standing desk.

In his video (below), Wade offers a slew of caveats about the “controversial” Studio Display. You’ve probably heard it before. While good, it lacks some features and it’s overpriced at $1,600, basically.

He also called his setup the most complete one he’s had in long time. “It may not be perfect, but it’s just right for me,” he says near the end of his video.

Wade set the display on a Grovemade’s popular Desk Shelf and placed Edifier MR4 near-field speakers on either side of it. They feature 4-inch woofers and a 1-inch silk dome tweeters.

He’s also got AirPods Max headphones tucked on the desk shelf and a Behringer audio interface and headphone preamp sitting under it to make the cans really sing.

And on the right, a mic Wade uses when he makes videos hangs from an arm.

“I make YouTube videos (obviously) and was a big fan of Blue mics (RIP) so I’ve got the Blue Compass mic arm fashioned to the desk with the Blue Blackout Spark mic — though that will likely get replaced soon,” he noted.

Wade’s setup marks what is probably our first sighting of Function101’s Desk Mat Pro in a user setup. It’s a metal-infused magnetic desk mat that Wade pairs with Function101’s magnetic Cable Blocks. The blocks stick to it.

He called it a “super cool desk mat and cable-management combo to keep my cables from falling down the back of the desk” when he sent us his setup.

Cult of Mac agrees about the blocks.

“It’s easy to line up several blocks holding all your cables on the edge of your desk or nightstand,” our reviewer said, calling the blocks his favorite cable-management system.

“The Cable Blocks hold firm and keep your cords out of the reach of passing robot vacuum cleaners. They’ll keep your bedroom, living room or office a lot tidier,” he added.

Wade also recommends his chair “to anyone who sits for long hours and perhaps has some lower back stress like I do,” the ErgoTune Supreme (visible in the photo at the top of this page).

“I never thought I’d have a chair this pricey, but it was 100% worth it since it has a ton of adjustment points and I can get the perfect kind of support I need to stay comfortable,” he said.

And if you like the desktop wallpaper showing on the displays, head over to Basic Apple Guy and download it.

If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected]. 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.

The slim but powerful laptop sports an M2 chip,15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 8GB unified memory, 256GB SSD storage, 1080p FaceTime HD Camera and Touch ID. Color: midnight.