My desk setup has evolved over the past year or two, and it’s finally in a place that I love! I used to be a desktop and laptop kind of girl, but with the right gear, I’ve been able to ditch the desktop and go to a setup that allows me to have both without the hassle of managing two computers.
This little corner of my home is where I spend the majority of my day, so I knew I wanted to create a space I loved using. It’s taken a bit of time, but it has all been worthwhile!
Here’s the full rundown on my desk setup and links to all the things. Note: these links are affiliate links and I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
MacBook Pro | 32″ LG Ultrafine Monitor | Monitor Shelf | Hayworth Fern Chair | Magic Keyboard | Magic Mouse | Standing Desk | Walking Pad | CalDigit T4 Thunderbolt Hub | Seagate External Hard Drive | Opal C1 Camera | Light Bar | Samsung SSDs | Discoball Diffuser
Macbook Pro, Keyboard & Mouse
First and foremost is my computer. My 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro is still going strong, and I plan to keep it in use for at least another few years. These M-Series computers are truly something. Here’s a link to a similar and more recent model with the upgraded RAM.
With this setup, I need to use an external keyboard and mouse since my laptop is closed when plugged in. I opted for the Magic Keyboard (LOVE having the touch ID!) and also the Magic Mouse. Both have been great and reliable, minus the fact that I have to charge my mouse with a plug at the bottom. That design choice will forever confuse me.
32″ LG Ultrafine Monitor
When I opted for a laptop and monitor type setup, I spent days researching my monitor options. I wanted something that was 27″+ and great quality. I had my eye on the Apple Studio Display, but it’s price tag was a little hard to swallow. After a ton of research, I landed on a 32″ LG Ultrafine display, and I have been so happy with this choice! This monitor comes on an ergonomic arm, making it super easy to move around and adjust the screen. It can also adjust to a vertical orientation if I want to. Overall, I’ve been very happy with this monitor and would recommend it to anyone on the market for one.
Note: there is a significant quality difference when I use the Display Port vs the HDMI. It’s pretty meh when I plug in via HDMI, but with the DisplayPort plugged into my CalDigit T4, it’s crisp, clear and wonderful.
CalDigit T4 Thunderbolt Hub
This is the real MVP of the setup. The CalDigit T4 Thunderbolt Hub turns my laptop setup into a desktop experience with 1 cord. All of my peripherals are plugged into this hub – my display, camera, light bar, external hard drives, ethernet, etc. and then with 1 thunderbolt cable, I plug the hub into my computer and everything is connected. Not only that, but it also powers my laptop – no additional power cord is required.
If I’m being honest, I held off on this part of my desk setup for a while because of the price point. This device is truly a game changer though, and would be the first one I’d recommend to anyone who wants to create a desk setup like this one.
External Hard Drives
My external hard drives are an important part of my workflow. I use Samsung T7 SSD drives as my “working” drives, for active projects, sessions and content that I’m currently working on. These drives and my computer are backed up to the cloud via BackBlaze, and also to my Time Machine drive (Seagate External Hard Drive). Having my Time Machine drive constantly plugged in is great because my computer can backup every hour automatically, keeping my files and data safe.
Desk, Chair, Shelf and Walking Pad
Being comfortable is a big priority for me, and I’ve invested in some big furniture pieces that complete my setup. I knew I wanted to be able to stay active and walk during meetings, so I chose a Standing Desk and Walking Pad to help with that. When I’m sitting though, I needed a chair that was going to be ergonomic and keep my posture in check. I invested in this Hayworth Fern Chair, and I’m a huge fan. I spent about a month researching and sitting in chairs, and this is the one that worked best for me! It is a massive investment but for the amount of time I spend in it, my back has thanked me.
Lastly, I love this little Monitor Shelf that I had made by a company in Ukraine. It is the perfect place to hold my laptop and give me space for other things on my desk!
Other Accessories
Last but not least, the fun things that complete my setup. My Discoball Diffuser, Opal C1 Camera (I LOVE this camera!) and the monitor Light Bar.
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