Dual Studio Display workstation prioritizes open space [Setups]

By David Snow • 8:30 am, November 4, 2022

People who show off their computer setups often go for a clean, spare look without much, if any, clutter — from cables or anything else. But few have as clean and spacious a look as today's featured MacBook Pro setup with two Studio Displays.

There are many ways of making a setup minimalistic without simply leaving out the crucial gear. In this case, it has a lot to do with a very cool desk with some interesting features.

Redditor FreshJs59 showcased the spacious workstation with beautiful displays in a post entitled, "Finally settled on my setup after 2 years."

"I hate clutter or lack of open space so that's been #1 priority," Fresh said. A big part of accomplishing the sense of space has to do with the standing desk, described below.

His MacBook Pro drives two Apple Studio Displays.

For the uninitiated, the Studio Display is a 27-inch 5K Retina display with support for 1 billion colors, 600 nits of brightness and P3 wide color.

It comes with a built-in 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage, a three-mic array for calls and recordings, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio. It sports one Thunderbolt 3 port, three USB-C ports and 96W of power delivery to charge a MacBook.

"I’ve been surprisingly very happy with the Apple Studios," Fresh said in reply to a query about issues faced and laptop charging. "Came from LG 4K and the resolution has always frustrated me. The ‘Retina’ aspect has been extremely refreshing for me. Monitors charge the laptop for sure."

The standing desk is key to the sense of open space in this particular minimalist setup, one of many we see.

"For those curious — this is a 72-inch Apexdesk that is sit/stand. Very highly recommended," Fresh said. While some comments referred to the usefulness of L-shaped desk, Fresh actually replace on of those with this desk.

"Debating between Uplift Commercial and Apex," a commenter replied to Fresh's remark. "What led you to choose Apex from other options?"

"Apex had a lot of great reviews and price wise for what I was looking for was best," Fresh said. "Really happy with the quality of the lift as well as the wood."

Another person asked why the Shure MV7 USB microphone sits on a tripod on the desk instead of an arm. That, too, has to do with the desk itself.

"The bottom of the desk is tapered," Fresh explained. "I originally bought an Elgato low-profile arm but it wouldn't clamp ’cause of the taper. So either give up a grommet or go tripod. I went with tripod. Desk has [grommets] on both sides, so the left is open for cable management and the right is a power grommet I got off of Amazon."

When asked how he likes the desk in general, Fresh showed appreciation for it, including his preference for it over its L-shaped predecessor:

Great and very practical. I tend to put the desk in a stand position and lean when I present. Since I generally have the Teams meeting on the left monitor and use that webcam, the curve makes it more comfortable than a flat desk. I actually moved from an L-shaped corner sit/ stand [desk] to this one. Was such a huge space upgrade ’cause corner desks, you get confined to just the corner area for regular use.

An item we rarely see in Setups is the Amazon Echo 10 HD display sitting near the left edge of the desk. The 10.1-inch screen serves for video calls as well as informational and entertainment uses, like web surfing, movies and music, via the Alexa voice assistant. Its 13MP camera can record for security purposes.

A commenter asked what Fresh uses it for.

"It's a Google home," he replied. "Have it mostly as a baby monitor so I can keep my eyes on the kids when they are home."

Fresh also has a pair of well-regarded, 60-watt Audioengine A2+ Wireless Speakers on his desk, mounted on stands. The Bluetooth speakers work easily with Mac or PC and feature a subwoofer output and analog class A/B amplifiers driving 2.75-inch custom aramid fiber woofers and 0.75-inch silk dome tweeters, according to the manufacturer.

"Tad on the expensive side, honestly, but been very happy with them," he said of the $269 speakers. "Very loud and crisp but don't expect booming bass or anything."

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 or challenges.