Desk Setup & Tech Products

An up-to-date list of my favorite tech and office products

September 10, 2020

Here's my current desk setup:

Keyboard ⌨️
Vortex Race 3
This keyboard is so satisfying to type with. I've owned a cheaper mechanical keyboard for a while but rarely use it. The Vortex Race 3 is compact, feels absolutely premium, and works with Mac, Windows, and Linux. It actually comes with swappable keycaps for Windows/Mac usage.

Mouse 🖱
Logitech MX Master 2S
This is my favorite mouse ever. It's totally customizable and makes me more productive.

Monitor 🖥
LG 34GK950F-B 34" 21:9 Ultragear WQHD Nano IPS Curved Gaming Monitor with Radeon FreeSync 2 (2018)

I've been thinking about switching to an ultrawide monitor for a few years, but I had tested a few [cheap] curved monitors in stores and didn't like the straight line distortion. Well, I've been using this 21:9 LG monitor for over a month now and it's an absolute game changer.

The 144hz refresh rate makes everything feel silky smooth and the extra screen real estate makes working with several windows open so much nicer. I find myself feeling much less confused when I have a lot of stuff open and it doesn't feel cramped when I just have a code editor and a web browser side-by-side anymore.

Unfortunately, my MacBook Pro doesn't support DisplayPort 1.4, so I can only get 120hz there, but my gaming PC uses the full 144hz without a problem. Either way, 120hz feels much nicer than 60hz.

Overall, sitting down at my desk each morning with this ultrawide monitor feels like I'm sitting down in front of a window to the internet. It's immersive. It's spacious. I don't think I'll be going back to 16:9 anytime soon.

Monitor Mount/Arm
For the photos with a suspended monitor:AmazonBasics Premium Single Monitor Stand - Lift Engine Arm Mount, Aluminum

Chair 🪑
I recently got this chair for my wife's home office. It's very comfortable and quite adjustable. But my favorite feature is the slide-out footrest! I've never seen that in a chair before. It's like laying in a hammock!
Odinlake Ergo PRO 633
- Use my discount code to save 15%: LUKE15

Microphone 🎤
Rode Procaster Broadcast Dynamic Vocal Microphone

Microphone Mount/Arm
RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm

Thunderbolt Dock

CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock
This dock is awesome. It allows me to plug my MacBook Pro in with a single Thunderbolt cable, which immediately connects the laptop to my monitor, speakers, mechanical keyboard, and Bluetooth mouse. It also charges my MacBook Pro. Previously, I would have to plug in 3-4 different cables to get everything connected. It also gives me quick access to an SD card reader and some other handy front-facing ports.

Speakers 🔈
Audioengine A2+ White 2-way Powered Speaker System

Speaker Stands
Audioengine Desktop Speaker Stand for A2+ Speakers

Headphones 🎧
These are the best headphones I've ever used.
Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Laptop 💻
2018 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, 2.7GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Iris Plus 655

Laptop Stand
Rain Design mStand

USB Hub
AmazonBasics USB 3.1 Type-C to 4 Port USB Hub

Lamp 🏮
Caged Table Vintage Light Bulb Lamp

Fan 💨
Holmes Mini High Velocity Personal Fan

Chair 🪑
Herman Miller Aeron Task Chair (Size B)

Gear from previous setups

Monitors 🖥

Acer KG271U 27" WQHD 144Hz HDMI DP FreeSync Gaming LED Monitor
I've become spoiled by high-refresh rate monitors. Even though this is 1440p versus the 4K panel I had been using, it's still plenty crisp and color-accurate for my needs, and the 144hz refresh rate is silky smooth. It makes a real difference and feels so nice to work on all day.

LG 27-Inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor with FreeSync (27UD68-W)
I no longer use this monitor, but it is a beautiful 4K display and I used it for years before switching.

Keyboards ⌨️

Apple Magic Keyboard 2
I've owned this keyboard for a while, and I actually prefer it to the 2016 MacBook Pro's built-in keyboard. The battery life and bluetooth connection are both great and it pairs perfectly with the Magic Trackpad 2, of course.

Microsoft Surface Keyboard
I tried this keyboard out for a while and fell in love with it. I ended up returning it because I primarily work on a Mac, but if I ever switch to Windows I'll almost certainly buy this keyboard again. It's super pleasant to type with, it feels very well made, and it looks great in the flat grey color. Additional bonus for the number pad, for those of you who care about such things.

Trackpad
Apple Magic Trackpad 2

Chair 🪑
Herman Miller Sayl

Originally posted on May 31, 2018. Last updated on September 10, 2020.

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