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
January 16, 2025
Federico
- Removed iPhone 16 Plus
- Added iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Added Nomad Magnetic Leather Back
- Removed PlayStation 5
- Added PlayStation 5 Pro
- Added Kiloview N60 NDI encoder
- Removed Steam Deck OLED 1 TB
- Added Steam Deck OLED, Limited Edition White
- Added Official Steam Deck Docking Station
- Removed XREAL Air glasses
- Added XREAL One glasses
- Added Lenovo y700 2024 gaming tablet
- Removed MacPad
- Removed 4K 120Hz HDMI 2.1 dummy plug and USB-C to HDMI cable for Moonlight streaming
- Added AirPods Max USB-C
- Removed Legion Go and eGPU setup
- Removed Sofa
- Added Backloggd
- Added Pocket Casts
- Removed Lire
- Added Unread
- Removed Reminders
- Added Todoist
- Removed Apple Notes
- Added Obsidian
- Removed Spark
- Added Superhuman
- Removed GoodLinks
- Added Readwise Reader
- Removed Elgato FaceCam Pro
- Removed Elgato Key Light with Mini Mount
- Added Sony ZV-E10 II camera
- Added SD card (for MixPre and camera)
- Added Dummy battery for camera
- Added Neewer 12” ring light with stand and cold shoe mount
- Added Apple SD card adapter
- Removed Belkin 10K power bank
- Removed UGREEN Nexode 25,000 mAh power bank
- Removed Anker Nano II 65W and Anker 726 PowerPort III 65W
- Added UGREEN 300W 48000mAh Portable Charger Power Bank
- Removed CARROT Weather
- Added Mercury Weather
- Added SanDisk 1TB Ultra Luxe flash drive
- Added Files, Dropbox, and FileBrowser Professional
John
- Replaced M3 Max MacBook Pro with M4 Max model
- Added Anker MagGo Power Bank
- Added Tomtoc Navigator-T24 Sling Bag M
- Added Insta360 Flow Pro gimbal
- Added Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod
- Added MagSafe-compatible tripod adapter from Moment
- Added Tiny Lexar 2TB SSD and hub
- Added DJI Mic 2 wireless microphone setup
- Added BANG!CASE
- Added 100W Anker USB-C GaN wall charger
- Added 65W three-port USB-C GaN charger from UGREEN
- Added Mac Mini (M4 Pro review unit, with 48GB of memory and 2TB of storage)
- Added Kensington Thunderbolt 5 dock
- Added OWC 2TB Thunderbolt 5 SSD
- Added Espresso Display 15” portable monitor and stand
- Added iPad and Phone Tripod Mount Adapter with Ball Head for iPad mini
- Added TrimUI Brick
- Added Retroid Pocket 5
- Added Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset
- Added Unread
- Added OBS Studio
- Added Godspeed
- Added Bluesky
- Added Sofa
- Added Play
- Added Delta
- Added ChatGPT
- Added NotebookLM
- Added Claude
- Added Granola
- Removed Twelve South HoverBar Duo
- Removed Moment Multi Threaded Mount
- Removed Native Union Voyage 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone and Apple Watch
- Removed Boox Palma
- Removed Anbernic RG40XXV and Anbernic RG28XX
- Removed Genki Convert Dock Mini
- Removed Right-angle USB-C adapters
- Removed Apple Notes
- Removed Lire
- Removed Apple Reminders
- Removed Camo Studio
- Removed Adobe Audition
- Removed GameTrack
- Removed Sequel
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
- Desktop Setup
- Portable Setup
- Mac mini Setup
- Mac Server Setup
- Vision Pro
- Cables, Connectors, and Miscellany
- Office Video and Podcast Production
- Portable Video and Audio Recording and Production
- Videogames
- TV Setup
- Other Headphones and Speakers
- Office, Lighting, and Office Automation
- Batteries, Chargers, Power Strips and Keyboards
- Apps
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 Pro Max, 256 GB, Silver
- AirPods 4 with noise cancellation
- AirPods Max USB-C
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Meta Ray-Ban glasses with transition lenses
- Vision Pro
- Shield Case
- KIWI lens protector
- SoloTop
- Infinity One Air Cover forehead mount
- Lenovo y700 2024 media tablet
Videogames
- Steam Deck OLED, Limited Edition White
- WaterField Designs’ CitySlicker for Steam Deck
- Mechanism Deckmate
- Official Steam Deck Docking Station
- PlayStation 5 Pro
- Nintendo Switch OLED
- XREAL One glasses
- DualSense Edge controller
- Mechanism gaming pillow with various universal grips for different devices
- Mono EarPod (story)
Audio
- Podcasting and YouTube
- Audio interface: MixPre-3 II
- Microphone: Neumann KMS 105
- In-ear monitors: Moondrop Aria Snow Edition
- Low-profile mic arm
- Sony ZV-E10 II camera (story)
- SD card (for MixPre and camera)
- Dummy battery for camera
- Neewer 12” ring light with stand and cold shoe mount
- Apple SD card adapter
- Music
- FiiO M17 high-resolution portable player
- Wired headphones:
Batteries and Chargers
- Battery and charger:
- 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
- SanDisk 1TB Ultra Luxe flash drive
- Desk
- Desk by Tomasella
- Chair by Calligaris
- Gigabyte M27U monitor
- CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt dock with Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable
- HomeKit accessories (more in these stories)
Apps
- Browser: Safari
- Delivery tracker: Parcel
- File management: Files, Dropbox, and FileBrowser Professional
- Git client: Working Copy
- Mail app: Superhuman
- Mastodon client: Ivory
- Media tracker: TV Forecast and Backloggd
- Music service: Spotify
- Note-taking: Obsidian
- Password manager: Apple Passwords
- Podcasts: Pocket Casts
- RSS service and reader: Feedbin, Unread
- Read later: Readwise Reader
- Remote desktop client: Jump Desktop
- Scrobbling: What else?
- Task manager: Todoist
- Team communication: iMessage and Discord
- Text editor: Obsidian
- UVC app for iPad: Orion
- Weather: Mercury Weather
John’s Setup
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
- M4 Max MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4 Max review unit, with 128GB of memory and 4TB of storage)
- Tomtoc soft case for MacBook Pro
- iPad Pro (11” M4, Wi-Fi, 1TB)
- Magic Keyboard Case
- Smart Folio cover
- Apple Pencil Pro
- White iPhone 16 Pro Max with 512 GB of storage with BANG!CASE
- GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Wi-Fi router
- Tom Bihn Synapse 25 backpack
Mac mini Setup
- Mac mini (M4 Pro review unit, with 48GB of memory and 2TB of storage)
- Kensington Thunderbolt 5 dock
- OWC 2TB Thunderbolt 5 SSD
- Espresso Display 15” portable monitor and stand
Mac Server Setup
- 2018 Mac mini server for Channels, Plex, Time Machine and Carbon Copy Cloner backups
- HDD
- SSD
Vision Pro
Cables, Connectors, and Miscellany
- Short USB-C cables for charging devices
- Elastic loop stays for cable management
- OWC Thunderbolt 4 cables
- Cable Matters Thunderbolt 5 cables
Office Video and Podcast Production
Video Recording
- iPhone 16 Pro Max and 11” iPad Pro linked above, plus:
- iPad mini, 6th generation
- iPad and Phone Tripod Mount Adapter with Ball Head for iPad mini
- Elgato Facecam Pro
- Elgato Mini Mount
- Elgato Master Mount, Flex Arm, and Solid Arm
- Key Light Key Light Mini
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
Portable Video and Audio Recording and Production
- Tomtoc Navigator-T24 Sling Bag M
- Insta360 Flow Pro gimbal
- Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod
- MagSafe-compatible tripod adapter from Moment
- Tiny Lexar 2TB SSD and hub
- DJI Mic 2 wireless microphone setup - 11” M4 iPad Pro with 1TB of storage
Videogames
Consoles
Handhelds
- Lenovo Legion Go with ONEXGPU eGPU
- Steam Deck OLED
- Nintendo Switch OLED and Switch Lite Hyrule Edition
- Analogue Pocket
- Ayn Odin 2 Pro (Blue transparent model)
- Retroid Pocket 5
- Anbernic RG35XXSP
- White TrimUI Brick
Game Backup Hardware
Controllers
- Mobapad M6 HD Joycons
- 8BitDo Pro 2
- 8BitDo’s SN30 Pro
- 8BitDo Ultimate
- GameSir G8+ iPhone, Switch, and iPad mini controller
- Razer Ultra controller
TV Setup
- 55-inch LG C2 TV
- Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi + Ethernet with 128GB storage (2022)
- Stereo pair of original HomePods
Other Headphones and Speakers
- Headphones
- Everyday: AirPods Pro 2
- Gaming and on-the-go podcast editing: Audio Technica ATH-M70X wired headphones
- Gaming at Home: Sony Pulse earbuds and Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset
- Exercising: Beats Fit Pro headphones
- Desktop Speakers: Harmon Kardon SoundSticks III speakers
- Belkin SoundForm Connect to add AirPlay support to SoundSticks
- Outdoors: Sonos Move
- HomePod mini
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
- Philips Hue Gradient Lightstrip
- Philips Hue Gradient Tube
- 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
9R36BE
for two months free) - Weather: Mercury Weather
- Writing: Obsidian
- Note-Taking: Obisidian
- Meeting Notes: Granola
- Artificial Intelligence Apps and Services
- Backups: Time Machine, Backblaze and Carbon Copy Cloner
- Mail: Mimestream, Spark, Clean Email, and Mail
- Music service and player: Apple Music
- Media Trackers: Sofa and Play
- Videogame Emulation: Delta
- Mastodon client: Ivory
- Bluesky client: Bluesky
- Podcast Listening: Apple Podcasts
- Podcast Production:
- Video Recording and Editing:
- Browser: Safari
- RSS service and reader: Feedbin and Unread
- Read Later: Readwise Reader
- Task Management: Godspeed
- Reminders: Due
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