It’s no secret that, here at MacStories, we like to experiment with different hardware and apps in the constant pursuit of more portable setups, more customizable apps, or more powerful workflows. And we recognize that, for readers, it can sometimes be…tricky to keep up with the “latest” state of our setups.
With this Setups page, our goal is to provide readers with a summary of our hardware and software setups. The list will be updated on a regular basis over time.
For more questions, feel free to reach out on Mastodon @viticci or @johnvoorhees, or ping us on Discord.
Changelog
April 17, 2024
Federico
Note: Details about the Lenovo Legion Go can be found in this episode of MacStories Unwind.
- Removed Anker 100W Charging Base for Anker Prime Power Bank
- Removed Steam Deck OLED with Skull & Co. GripCase
- Removed ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme)
- Removed EUCARLOS carrying case for Vision Pro
- Added Lenovo Legion Go
- Added ONEXGPU external graphics card
- Added Fiber optic Thunderbolt cable (or LMP variant)
- Added SlimQ 240W charger
- Added JSAUX carrying bag for console and eGPU\
- Added Shield Case for Vision Pro
April 2, 2024
Federico
March 22, 2024
Federico
Note: Details about the MacPad can be found in this story.
- Added MacPad to Daily Drivers
- Replaced iPad Pro 12.9” with 11”
- Added other accessories previously mentioned in MacPad story (GameSir G8 Galileo, JETech sleeve for 13” laptops, and Opal Tadpole webcam)
- Added new iPad Pro cover
- Added Vision Pro
- Removed Logitech keyboard, Logitech mouse, Satechi keyboard, and Magic Trackpad thanks to MacPad
- Added PlusAcc battery base for HomePod mini
- Added ASUS AXE7800
- Added Skull & Co. GripCase
- Replaced Nomad leather case for iPhone with Suti PhoneBack case
- Removed XREAL Air glasses and related accessories
- Removed BoomCan MS speakers
- Removed Eero Pro 6
- Added Fork for Mac
- Added Sequel
- Replaced Omnivore with GoodLinks
- Replaced Backloggd with GameTrack
- Replaced Apple Podcasts with Pocket Casts
- Replaced Apple Weather with CARROT Weather
- Replaced Feedbin with Inoreader
- Removed time tracking service and client
John
February 2, 2024
John
Note: Details about these changes can be found in this story and this episode of MacStories Unwind.
- Added Balolo Setup Cockpit
- Added KU XIU Magnetic Foldable Arm for iPad Pro
- Added BenQ ScreenBar Halo
- Added Trendnet 2.5Gbps networking switch
- Added Satechi 2.5 Gbps dongle
- Added Kiloview N40 NDI HDMI encoder
- Added Samsung T9 4TB SSD
- Added Anker Prime 27,650mAh 250W power bank
- Added Harmon Kardon SoundSticks III speakers
- Added Belkin SoundForm Connect
- Added Sony Pulse earbuds
- Added Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Added Meross HomeKit power strip
- Added Eve Energy HomeKit power strip
- Added Ecobee security camera
- Added Home Assistant Green
- Added Elastic loop stays for cable management
- Added OWC Thunderbolt 4 cables
- Added GameSir G8 Galileo iPhone controller
- Added MacBook Pro on loan from Apple (14-inch, M3 Max, with 64GB of memory)
- Added Tomtoc soft case for 14” MacBook Pro
- Added Susan Kare Cairo Throw
- Added Paste
- Added Natural Reader
- Added iStat Menus
- Added Ayn Odin 2 Pro
- Swapped Elgato Wave XLR and Audient EVO 4 audio interfaces between desk and on-the-go setups
- Removed Twelve South HoverBar Duo
- Removed Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 iPhone/AirPods Pro charger
- Removed Anker Power Bank, 25,600mAh Portable Charger
- Removed UGREEN Magnetic Battery 10,000mAh Battery Pack with Foldable Kickstand
- Removed Backbone One controller
- Removed Nintendo 3DS XL
January 19, 2024
Federico
Table of Contents
- Changelog
- Federico’s Setup
- John’s Setup
Federico’s Setup
Daily Drivers
- MacPad
- iPad Pro (M2, 11”, 1 TB)
- JETech sleeve for 13” laptops
- Opal Tadpole portable webcam
- iPhone 15 Pro Max (Natural Titanium, 512 GB)
- Vision Pro
- Shield Case
- KIWI lens protector
- SoloTop
- Infinity One Air Cover forehead mount
- 3D-printed stand
- AirPods Pro (2nd gen with USB-C)
- Apple Watch Ultra
Videogames
- Lenovo Legion Go
- ONEXGPU external graphics card
- Fiber optic Thunderbolt cable (or LMP variant used by Federico)
- SlimQ 240W charger
- JSAUX carrying bag for console and eGPU
- ASUS Z13 (ACRNM edition) gaming tablet
- FlyDiGi Vader 3 Pro and GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro controllers
- XG Mobile 4090 eGPU
- PlayStation 5
- Nintendo Switch OLED
- Anker Soundcore VR earbuds
Audio
- Podcasting
- Audio interface: Audient EVO 4
- Microphone: Neumann KMS 105
- In-ear monitors: Moondrop Aria Snow Edition
- Music
- DAC: Matrix Audio X-Sabre 3
- Amp: Wells Audio Milo
- Wireless headphones:
- Wired headphones:
Mac Server Setup
- M1 Mac mini home server for Home Assistant, Time Machine backups, Roon music streaming, and more
- Corsair K83 keyboard
- ZYXEL GS1100-16 network switch
Batteries and Chargers
- Batteries:
- Anker Prime 27,650mAh battery with charging base
- Belkin 10K power bank for iPhone and Apple Watch
- Chargers
- Multiple USB-4 cables by CABLEDECONN
- A variety of Anker MagSafe charging cubes scattered around the house
TV Setup
- TV: LG C2 65” OLED
- Apple TV 4K Wi‑Fi + Ethernet with 128GB storage (2022)
- Philips Hue Sync Box for Play Gradient 65-Inch LED Light Strip
Other Gear
- Internet: ASUS AXE7800 Wi-Fi 6E system (1 central unit + 2 satellites)
- Desk
- HomePod mini with PlusAcc battery base
- Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase
Apps
- Browser: Safari
- Delivery tracker: Parcel
- Git client: Working Copy and Fork
- Mail service and client: Gmail, Spark
- Mastodon client: Ivory
- Media tracker: TV Forecast, GameTrack, and Sequel
- Music service and players: Apple Music; Music, Marvis Pro, Widgetsmith, Longplay
- Note-taking: Obsidian
- Password manager: 1Password
- Podcasts: Pocket Casts
- RSS service and reader: Inoreader, Lire
- Read later: GoodLinks
- Scrobbling: What else?
- Task manager: Things
- Team communication: iMessage and Discord
- Text editor: Obsidian
- UVC app for iPad: Orion
- VNC client: Screens
- Weather: CARROT Weather
John’s Setup
Core Desktop Production Setup
- Mac Studio (M1 Max, 64GB of memory and 4TB of storage)
- Studio Display
- BenQ ScreenBar Halo
- Magic Keyboard
- Magic Trackpad
- Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac
- Loupedeck Live S
- KU XIU Magnetic Foldable Arm for iPad Pro
- Samsung T9 4TB SSD and 2TB SSD
- Networking
- ASUS ZenWiFi Pro Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Routers
- [Trendnet 2.5Gbps networking switch]
- Satechi 2.5 Gbps dongle
Portable Setup
- MacBook Air (M1 with 16GB of memory)
- MacBook Pro on loan from Apple (14-inch, M3 Max, with 64GB of memory)
- iPad Pro (M1 12.9”, WiFi + Cellular, 1TB)
- Logitech Casa Pop Up Desk
- GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Wi-Fi router
- Tom Bihn Synapse 25 backpack
- Tomtoc soft case for MacBook Pro
Vision Pro Setup
Reading and Research
Cables, Connectors, and Miscellany
- Short USB-C cables for charging devices
- Right-angle USB-C adapters
- Elastic loop stays for cable management
- OWC Thunderbolt 4 cables
iPhone
- iPhone 15 Pro Max in Titanium
- Apple Leather MagSafe Wallet in black
Mac Server Setup
- 2018 Mac mini server for Channels, Plex, and Time Machine and Carbon Copy Cloner backups
Podcasting
At Home Podcasting
- Earthworks Ethos microphone
- Elgato Wave Mic Arm
- Elgato Wave XLR audio interface
- beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones
- Shure SE215-CL in-ear monitors
On-the-Go Podcasting
Videogames
Consoles for Modern Games
Retro Gaming
- Analogue Pocket
- Analogue Super NT
- Ayn Odin 2 Pro (Blue transparent model)
- Miyoo Mini+
- Epilogue GB Operator
TV Setup
- 55-inch LG C2 TV
- Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi + Ethernet with 128GB storage (2022)
- Stereo pair of original HomePods
Controllers and More
Other Headphones and Speakers
- Headphones
- Everyday: AirPods Pro
- Gaming and on-the-go podcast editing: Audio Technica ATH-M70X wired headphones
- Gaming Sony Pulse earbuds
- Exercising: Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Speakers
Office, Lighting, and Office Automation
- Desk: Fully Jarvis Standing Desk in bamboo finish (no longer for sale anywhere).
- Desk Shelf: Balolo Setup Cockpit with several accessories discussed in this story.
- Chair: Steelcase Gesture
- Susan Kare Cairo Throw
- Lighting
- Aqara FP2 Presence Sensor
- Ecobee security camera
- Home Assistant Green
Batteries, Chargers, and Power Strips
- Batteries:
- Charger:
- Power Strips:
Apps
- Delivery tracker: Parcel
- Fitness Tracking: Gentler Streak
- Weight Tracking: Happy Scale
- Personal Finance and Budgeting: Copilot (Use code
9R36BEfor two months free) - Weather: Mercury Weather
- Note-Taking: Obsidian
- Backups: Time Machine, Backblaze and Carbon Copy Cloner
- Password managers: Safari and 1Password
- Mail: Mimestream, Spark, Clean Email, Mail
- Music service and player: Apple Music, Music, Marvis Pro, Albums: Music Shortcuts, and Longplay
- Media Trackers: GameTrack and Sequel
- Podcast Listening: Apple Podcasts
- Podcast Production:
- Mastodon client: Ivory
- Browser: Safari
- RSS service and reader: Feedbin, Reeder
- Read Later: GoodLinks
- Research: Readwise Reader
- Articles Listening: Speechify
- Bookmarking: Raindrop.io
- Task Management: Things
- Reminders: Due
- Text Editor: Obsidian
- Team Draft Sharing and Comparing: Tower and Kaleidoscope
- Clipboard Manager: PastePal
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