The Perfect M1 Max MacBook Pro 16 Desk Setup!

The brand new M1 Max MacBook Pro 16 is a legit monster of power. But to get the most out of it setting it up at a desk is probably the best answer. Good news that it works so well when combined with other devices.

So what makes up the perfect M1 Max MacBook Pro setup?

Lets find out!

Vari Desk

Steelcase Series 1

Leather Desk Pad

MX Master 3

MX Master Keys

Moleskin Notebook

Presonus E3.5

Samsung CRG90 Monitor

OWC Flex 8

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———————What Gear I Recommend!——————————

First Mac ( M1 Mac Mini)

Best Macbook (MacBook Pro 13)

Best Travel Professional Windows Laptop (XPS 15)

Best Thunderbolt 3 Dock (cal digit TS3 Plus)

Best Beginner YouTube Camera (Sony A6100)

Best Overall YouTube Camera (Lumix S5)

—————What Gear I Use!————————————————

Main Camera (I own 3 of these)

Main Lens

Secondary Lens

Main Computer

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the Amazon product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[TheEverydayDad]

They weren't part of the video, but I've gotten a ton of questions about the camera and microphone.

[V.D.L.]

Haha… the thumbnail, a monitor with a notch? Cracked me up lol

[fatheringautism]

Notes on paper ALWAYS. Thanks for the chair recommendation. I needed to replace mine so the Series 1 is on it's way (and the desk mat...because leather).

[blairgorman]

There's one thing I'd add to that setup ... a Corning Optical ThunderBolt 3 cable. They come in lengths of up to 164 feet long, with 40Bb/s throughput. Like you, I enjoy the difference a dead-quiet office can make, so any hard drives are in a different room. It'd mean getting a separate dock for the local connectivity options ... but believe me, having a totally silent office is worth it!

[SomeFuzzy]

This was the first video of your I have ever watched. I died when you impersonated a younger viewer saying "ahh look at the old man!" in relation to the keyboard wrist bump... I then thought... "wow I love how much this dude is looking out for people like me... he is like a fun and confident Dad." It was THEN that I saw your channel name is "The Everyday Dad". So kudos mate... I'm a subscribed fan now! 😂

[ZPdrumer]

Notes for the monitor. Everyone wants to hook it up with one cable but I actually think you get a lot more flexibility if you used 2, and put the monitor in side by side mode. What are the benefits?
- easier to drive with older laptops like the Mac mini that don’t have the latest and greatest thunderbolt/dp/hdmi. There are plenty of machines that can drive this many pixels, just not through one cable (that Mac mini included)
- can use an app in full screen mode and still have half the monitor to use. I rarely if ever want a full screen app to take up my entire window
Since there is no bezel in the middle you can still place apps randomly between the two “monitors”

Cons
-two menu bars since there’s one on each half of the monitor

[BSDjunkie]

I do the exact same thing with notes. For me, typing something into a computer note-taking app can be like throwing it out the window. Something about writing it down that helps me to focus. I can remember better if I write it down and concentrate on what I am working on or where my current train of thought is going. If I get interrupted, then I can return to my written notes. I do love note-taking apps such as Notes and One Note as well for other IT things such as documenting testing.

[kcompton]

I have been using the MX Master and MX Keys pair for 2 years now, and it is absolutely wonderful. Glad you found the MX Keys recently!!

[bendoesasmr]

I just got my 13 inch MacBook for school and to run my YouTube channel and its all the power I would ever need. Thanks for all the great videos on the 13 inch MacBook

[danieljennagrouse]

Wristrests create a lot of pressure on the nerves in your wrists and can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. If you're realising you're not invulnerable and taking care of your body, ideally start by getting your desk (it's ok to adjust your chari and get a footrest (your knees should be at roughly right angle as well) instead if you can't do anything about your desk) at the correct height so that your wrists are straight and your elbows are at 90 degree angle while you type and so you can maintain that position without any support. If you can't do that for any reason (and unlearning years of bad posture being hard is a valid reason) and need some support, make sure not to rest your wrists but your palms instead. Start thinking of it as a palmrest rather than a wristrest and paradoxially use a firmer one rather than those super soft or gel ones. Also do periodic stretches.

[MikeEdwardsphotography]

One of the many reasons I enjoy your content. You’re an actual consumer, who has spent his own money on products. Respect. Let’s get this guy to 1 Million.

[carlosmelegrito]

Does it not feel like a waste of the MacBook’s XDR display to keep it closed? 😅

[MoiseNicolas]

Ive been waiting on a video like this I literally got rid of my iMac in favor of a maxed out 14 inch and needed some ideas on a new desk setup

[mfrapp]

I’ve got the LG Ergo 32 inch and it’s honestly amazing. I like to look close at my screen and it gives me that flexibility with such an amazing range of motion

[HaoWooiLim]

I feel like a crime against humanity has just been committed when I see that the brand-spanking new MacBook Pro's Liquid Retina XDR display with 120hz refresh rate, 1, 600 nits peak brightness, 1, 000, 000 to 1 contrast ratio and a billion colours is folded up in a stand never to be seen again.

[jr]

I have used the same paper notebooks for years. A month ago I switched to an iPad Pro 11” with Apple Pencil 2. Tried all the note taking apps and Nebo is by far the best. Give it a try. From an ex-paper/pen guy

[ryannathanwilson]

I find with the adjustable arms on the steelcase charge I can put the arms a few mm above the height of the table, rest my arms on them, and then I can hover hands above the keys, no wrist rear required! That chair has been a game changer.

[CurtisBond]

+1 for the Logitech MX3 and Keys. My God, that mouse and keyboard transformed my desktop experience entirely. The Keys is truly the most comfortable keyboard I've ever typed on and the MX3 is basically a Swiss Army knife of customizability. Couldn't imagine having a desktop setup without them.

[TheRealJoyboy]

Love the videos man! I found the KVM switch to be really interesting. I've never heard of one before you mentioning it and I feel like that thing would come in clutch when having a gaming/productivity workstation.

[southcoastdesignz]

You know that the Logitech Mx Master 3 can switch between 3 different computers. It works great. I use it at work because I have different shared work stations that I work from day to day and it great to use a more premium set up at work. Also it great to use my own keyboard and mouse 🐭 that I done have to sanitize every day. Great video content is on point and it keep me coming back for more.