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
October 14, 2024
John
- Added Logitech MX Creative Console
- Removed M1 MacBook Air
- Removed Logitech Casa Pop Up Desk
- Removed Boox Tab Ultra
- Added iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Added Elgato Key Light Mini
- Added Elgato Flex Arm, and Solid Arm
- Removed Shure SE215-CL in-ear monitors
- Added Moment Multi Threaded Mount
- Removed Audient EVO 4 audio interface
- Added Moondrop ARIA 2 in-Ear Headphone with 0.78 2 Pin Cable
- Added Switch Lite Hyrule Edition
- Removed Miyoo Mini+ and Miyoo Mini A30
- Added Anbernic RG40XXV
- Added Anbernic RG28XX
- Removed CRKD Nitro Deck+
- Added Mobapad M6 HD Joycons
- Removed GameSir G8 Galileo
- Added GamSir G8+
- Removed Belkin BoostCharge Pro
- Added Native Union Voyage 2-in1 Magnetic Wireless Charger
- Added Logitech POP Icon Keys
- Added Apple Notes
- Added Apple Reminders
- Removed PastePal
- Removed Tower and Kaleidoscope
- Removed Raindrop.io
- Removed Speechify
- Removed GoodLinks
- Removed Reeder
- Added Lire
- Added Final Cut Camera
- Added Camo Studio
- Added Final Cut Pro
- Added Stupid Raisins Slice Pop Final Cut plugin
- Added Final Cut Pro for iPad
- Removed Marvis Pro
- Removed Longplay
- Removed 1Password
October 8, 2024
Federico
- Re-added Vision Pro to daily drivers
- Removed Kensington dock and FiiO cooling stand
- Re-added CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt dock with Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cables
- Removed Logitech keyboard and mouse
- Replaced old iPhone and iPad models under daily drivers
- Added 11” M4 iPad Pro and iPhone 16 Plus
- Replaced AirPods Pro with AirPods 4
- Added LOC8 MagSafe Finder Wallet and Stand
- Added low-profile mic arm
- Removed desktop DAC and headphone amp
- Added ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router GT-AXE16000 router
- Removed videogame stand and Bluetooth earbuds
- Added mono EarPod
- Removed HomePod mini and battery base
- Removed Mechanism mounting system from Legion Go
- Added external Samsung 990 Pro SSD with heat sink to Legion Go
- Removed Mechanism Switchmate and Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt dock
- Added Mechanism gaming pillow and universal grips
- Added FiiO M17 high-resolution portable music player
- Removed Anker MagGo
- Added UGREEN Nexode 25,000 mAh power bank
- Added Belkin MagSafe car charger
- Added ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router GT-AXE16000
- Updated Apps section
July 16, 2024
Federico
- Removed MacPad from daily drivers
- Removed Vision Pro from daily drivers
- Removed M2 11” iPad Pro, replaced with M4 13” iPad Pro and related accessories
- Removed Apple Studio Display, replaced with Gigabyte M27U
- Removed ASUS Z13 (ACRNM edition) and related accessories
- Removed Anker Soundcore VR earbuds, replaced with Technics AZ80
- Removed Audient EVO 4, replaced with MixPre-3 II
- Removed M1 Mac mini home server
- Removed Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase, replaced with WaterField Designs’ Magnetic Sleeve for iPad Pro
- Removed Suti PhoneBack, replaced with Nomad Magnetic Leather Back
- Added new Legion Go accessories and eGPU details
- Re-added Steam Deck OLED and accessories
- Added Mechanism mounting system for Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt dock on handhelds
- Re-added XREAL Air glasses
- Added DualSense Edge controller
- Added Kensington USB4 dock
- Added webcam and key light
- Added new batteries, chargers, and USB-C cables
- Added HomeKit accessories
- Updated Apps section
John
Note: You can read more about these changes to John’s setup on MacStories.
- Added 11” iPad Pro, Magic Keyboard Case, Smart Folio cover, and Apple Pencil Pro
- Added Balolo Tablet Holder accessory
- Removed Magnetic iPad Pro 12.9” Stand
- Added Elgato Facecam Pro
- Added Elgato Mini Mount
- Added Key Light
- Added the Shure MV7+ microphone
- Removed Shure Beta 87A
- Added a protective hard case for the Shure MV7+
- Added the Sound Devices Mix-Pre 3 II](https://amzn.to/3zBkR7e)
- Added the Beats Fit Pro headphones
- Removed the Powerbeats Pro
- Added the Lenovo Legion Go
- Added the ONEXGPU eGPU
- Added the Logitech’s new Keys-To-Go 2
- Added a yellow POP Mouse
- Added the Miyoo Mini A30
- Added the Anbernic RG35XXSP
- Added the Save the Hero Builders cartridge reader
- Added the 8BitDo’s SN30 Pro
- Added the Razer Ultra controller
- Added the CRKD Nitro Deck+
- Removed Crkd Nitro Deck for Switch
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
Added Z13 Acronym to Videogames section (Unwind episode)
Table of Contents
- Changelog
- Federico’s Setup
- John’s Setup
Federico’s Setup
Daily Drivers
- 11” M4 iPad Pro (Wi-Fi + Cellular with nano-texture glass, 1 TB model)
- Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
- WaterField Designs Magnetic Sleeve for iPad Pro
- iPhone 16 Plus (Ultramarine, 512 GB)
- AirPods 4 with noise cancellation
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Meta Ray-Ban glasses with transition lenses
- Vision Pro
- Shield Case
- KIWI lens protector
- SoloTop
- Infinity One Air Cover forehead mount
Videogames
- Lenovo Legion Go
- At home
- Custom-built eGPU with NVIDIA 4090 Founders Edition (more details on NPC)
- ROG Loki SFX-L 1000W PSU
- ADT-Link UT3G USB4 board
- 4K 120Hz HDMI 2.1 Dummy Plug and USB-C to HDMI Adapter Cable for Moonlight streaming
- King Kable 10m USB4 fiber optic cable
- Custom-built eGPU with NVIDIA 4090 Founders Edition (more details on NPC)
- For travel
- ONEXGPU external graphics card
- Fiber optic Thunderbolt cable (or LMP variant)
- SlimQ 240W charger
- JSAUX carrying bag for console and eGPU
- Comfort grips
- Controller Connector
- Modded with external Samsung 990 Pro SSD with heat sink (4 TB)
- At home
- Steam Deck OLED (1 TB model with anti-glare etched glass)
- WaterField Designs’ CitySlicker for Steam Deck
- Mechanism Deckmate
- PlayStation 5
- Nintendo Switch OLED
- XREAL Air glasses
- DualSense Edge controller
- Mechanism gaming pillow with various universal grips for different devices
- Mono EarPod (story)
Audio
- Podcasting
- Audio interface: MixPre-3 II
- Microphone: Neumann KMS 105
- In-ear monitors: Moondrop Aria Snow Edition
- Low-profile mic arm
- Music
- FiiO M17 high-resolution portable player
- Wired headphones:
Batteries and Chargers
- Batteries:
- UGREEN Nexode 145W
- Belkin 10K power bank for iPhone and Apple Watch
- UGREEN Nexode 25,000 mAh power bank
- Chargers
- Multiple USB-4 cables by CABLEDECONN
- Baseus 240W USB-C cable
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 ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router GT-AXE16000 central router + ASUS AXE7800 satellite
- Desk
- Desk by Tomasella
- Chair by Calligaris
- Gigabyte M27U monitor
- CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt dock with Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable
- Elgato FaceCam Pro
- Elgato Key Light with Mini Mount
- MacPad
- HomeKit accessories (more in these stories)
Apps
- Browser: Safari
- Delivery tracker: Parcel
- Git client: Working Copy
- Mail service and client: Spark
- Mastodon client: Ivory
- Media tracker: TV Forecast and Sofa
- Music service and players: Spotify
- Note-taking: Apple Notes
- Password manager: Apple Passwords
- Podcasts: Spotify
- RSS service and reader: Feedbin, Lire
- Read later: GoodLinks
- Scrobbling: What else?
- Task manager: Reminders
- Team communication: iMessage and Discord
- Text editor: Obsidian
- UVC app for iPad: Orion
- VNC client: Screens
- Weather: CARROT Weather
John’s Setup
Core Desktop 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
- Logitech MX Creative Console
- Loupedeck Live S
- Samsung T9 4TB SSD and 2TB SSD
- Networking
Portable Setup
- MacBook Pro on loan from Apple (14-inch, M3 Max, with 64GB of memory)
- iPad Pro (11” M4, Wi-Fi, 1TB)
- White iPhone 16 Pro Max with 512 GB of storage
- GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Wi-Fi router
- Tom Bihn Synapse 25 backpack
- Vision Pro
- Boox Palma
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
Mac Server Setup
- 2018 Mac mini server for Channels, Plex, Time Machine and Carbon Copy Cloner backups
Video and Podcast Production
Video Production
- iPhone 16 Pro Max and 11” iPad Pro linked above, plus:
- iPad mini, 6th generation
- Twelve South HoverBar Duo for iPad mini
- iPad mini, 6th generation
- Elgato Facecam Pro
- Elgato Mini Mount
- Elgato Master Mount, Flex Arm, and Solid Arm
- Key Light Key Light Mini
- Moment Multi Threaded Mount
Audio Production
- Earthworks Ethos microphone for podcast recording
- Elgato Wave Mic Arm
- Elgato Wave XLR audio interface
- beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones for editing
- Moondrop ARIA 2 in-Ear Headphone with 0.78 2 Pin Cable for recording
- Shure MV7+ microphone for video production and podcasting on the road
- Protective hard case for the Shure MV7+
- Foldable Mictop desktop microphone stand
- Sound Devices Mix-Pre 3 II
Videogames
Consoles for Modern Games
- Lenovo Legion Go
- Nintendo Switch OLED and Switch Lite Hyrule Edition
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
- Steam Deck OLED
Retro Gaming
- Analogue Pocket
- Analogue Super NT
- Ayn Odin 2 Pro (Blue transparent model)
- Anbernic RG35XXSP
- Anbernic RG40XXV
- Anbernic RG28XX
- Epilogue GB Operator
- Save the Hero Builders cartridge reader
TV Setup
- 55-inch LG C2 TV
- Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi + Ethernet with 128GB storage (2022)
- Stereo pair of original HomePods
Controllers
Mobapad M6 HD Joycons and OLED Switch are a great combo but big compared to my new Switch Lite Hyrule Edition.
- Mobapad M6 HD Joycons
- 8BitDo Pro 2
- 8BitDo’s SN30 Pro
- 8BitDo Ultimate
- GameSir G8+ iPhone, Switch, and iPad mini controller
- Razer Ultra controller
Other Headphones and Speakers
- Headphones
- Everyday: AirPods Pro 2
- Gaming and on-the-go podcast editing: Audio Technica ATH-M70X wired headphones
- Gaming Sony Pulse earbuds
- Exercising: Beats Fit Pro headphones
- Speakers
- Harmon Kardon SoundSticks III speakers
- Belkin SoundForm Connect to add AirPlay support to SoundSticks
- Sonos Move
- HomePod mini
- Harmon Kardon SoundSticks III 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, Power Strips and Keyboards
- Batteries:
- Chargers:
- Power Strips:
- Additional Keyboards and Mice
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
- Writing: Obsidian
- Note-Taking: Apple Notes
- Backups: Time Machine, Backblaze and Carbon Copy Cloner
- Password managers: Apple Passwords
- Mail: Mimestream, Spark, Clean Email, and Mail
- Music service and player: Apple Music
- Media Trackers: GameTrack and Sequel
- Podcast Listening: Apple Podcasts
- Podcast Production:
- Mastodon client: Ivory
- Video Recording and Editing:
- Browser: Safari
- RSS service and reader: Feedbin and Lire
- Read Later: Readwise Reader
- Task Management: Apple Reminders
- Reminders: Due
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