What I Need for MacBook Pro Home Office Setup

mooie on 29/09/2021 - 12:12
Last edited 29/09/2021 - 12:46

Hey!

I've recently started a new job, and the tech is a MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports).

This is the first Apple product I've owned since a gen2 iPod Nano, so it's taking me some getting used to.

Work have also generously provided a $150 one-off Home Office Allowance (COVID WFH).

Intererested in any suggestions regarding:

  • Laptop Stand
  • USB Hub
    Would be best to have at least 2 HDMI (or 1 HDMI, 1 Displayport)
    I've looked at some online, and I would assume that I would want one that I can plug charger into
  • Anything else a Mac noob doesn't know about?

I already have:

  • 2 Monitors
  • Wireless Mouse
  • Wireless Mech KB
  • Chair

Any suggestions are warmly welcomed!

Thanks!

Computing 13.3inch Apple Computer Laptop

Comments

  • admira on 29/09/2021 - 12:27

    Do you have a good chair? That's pretty important. Other than that I've got no ideas sorry!

    • Bafranz on 29/09/2021 - 12:36
      +2

      And a plastic mat to protect the flooring

    • mooie on 29/09/2021 - 12:46

      Yes! Forgot to mention my ass' favourite component XD

  • psyren89 on 29/09/2021 - 12:33
    +1

    Given you have 4 TB3 (USB-C compatible) ports, I'd use them as follows:
    * Power (using one of the ports on the right side)
    * Monitor (using TB/USB-C to DP/HDMI)
    * Monitor (using TB/USB-C to DP/HDMI)
    * Hub

  • Noblejoker on 29/09/2021 - 12:55
    +1

    All you need is a USB Hub that has the appropriate video connection for monitors - likely DP or HDMI
    I doubt you need a stand unless you plan to use the lappie as a 3rd monitor, then stand helps positions it at eye level
    If worried about cooling etc., just prop it up a bit for airflow - but I don't think that is a big prob for Macbook unless you work it pretty hard
    Good luck with the change
    The hardest thing is retraining your brain on Shortcut keys, Dock vs Taks bar, and how/where files are stored
    Once you get around that most programs operate the same or similar
    Personally I struggle with Ctrl V/C/Z etc.

    • mooie on 29/09/2021 - 13:11
      +1

      Thanks!

      CTRL + C/V has been a very large change, but what I forgot I did so freqeuntly was CTRL + Backspace for fixing my spelling mistakes.

  • samyall on 29/09/2021 - 12:57
    +3

    I don't know your set up, but I like to use a thunderbolt dock with monitor, power, wireless keyboard/mouse receiver. One USB C plug for all of that to make life easy to dock/undock.

    I use the laptop on a stand next to my main monitor and don't wish for a third.

    I wholeheartedly recommend Logitech for both mouse and keyboard. They are the best combo I have ever used. Also, use the wireless receiver that comes with them and not bluetooth. The bluetooth on your computer only has so much bandwidth and strange thing can happen e.g. huge lag between keystrokes and them appearing on screen when using bluetooth headphones for a zoom call.

    • mooie on 29/09/2021 - 13:12

      Ok, yeah not sure what my montior setup will be atm.

      My logitech mouse/keyboard are gaming ones, so I use their dongles for best connection.

      • samyall on 29/09/2021 - 13:18

        You should be fine using them, but just note that Macs have a slightly different layout to Windows, but you should be able to configure that in the Logictech software which is a must-use application otherwise you'll probably end up with either your mouse or trackpad scrolling in the opposite direction to what you want.

    • freefall101 on 29/09/2021 - 14:23

      Totally agree on thinking through the dock setup, I was given a pile of stuff from work to use for WFH which was great, but I didn't really think through what would happen when I was back in the office 2-3 days a week (which lasted about 2 weeks).

      I simply didn't have enough ports so I was moving dongles out of docks into the laptop and unplugging/plugging in HDMI cables and doing all sorts of crap. Such a pain every morning compared to my old Dell that had a drop in dock that just popped in/out.

  • Helmuth on 29/09/2021 - 14:03

    Intel Mac or a M1 Mac? The M1 Macs only drive 1 external monitor

    • freefall101 on 29/09/2021 - 14:05
      -1

      There are no M1 Macbook Pros (yet). Also just need a displaylink dock.

      • Randxyz123 on 29/09/2021 - 14:33
        +1

        Incorrect. There are 13” M1 MacBook Pros. The bigger size isn’t out as yet.

        @OP, I’d get a USB C dock of some sort. Probably don’t need thunderbolt but a 1 plug operation for monitors, keyboard , mouse etc is what I’d recommend.

        I have a gen 2 Thinkpad USB C dock. Works great.

        • mooie on 29/09/2021 - 15:43

          Thanks!

        • freefall101 on 30/09/2021 - 00:48

          Lol, I’m an idiot. You’re right, I was thinking the bigger one.

    • mooie on 29/09/2021 - 15:43

      Intel

  • jv on 30/09/2021 - 01:18
    +2

    You will need a mouse mat.

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