Autonomous Standing Desk Set-up

[Porterw24]

It’s a little dark but here is my set-up. Still not sure if I am happy with it.

• MacBook Pro 13” (Late 2016)
• 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display
• Twelve South Hi-Rise
• PC Dell 13” LAT 5490 (Sadly work provided)
• 24” Dell Monitor
• Seneo Wireless Charging Dock

Not Pictured

• iPad Pro 12.9” 256gb
• Synology DS216+II

Love this desk! I also have one of the ErgoStool. I am currently making a new Hickory wood top for this desk.

I go back and forth if I “really” even need a Mac these days. This MacBook never leaves the house, and is rarely even opened and used like a laptop. The only time I open the lid is to run it on battery for a while, otherwise it is plugged in all the time.

The only reason I would use a Mac is to upload and manage the Synology interface from a larger screen and maybe some picture touch up. But, I could do the same management from my work PC if I wanted to.

I think I could be happy with just the iPad Pro as my main device. It basically already is. I’m thinking about selling the MBP and going Mac less for a while. Or, maybe since I have the nice Apple display getting a 2014 Mac Mini or whatever updated Mac Mini may be available at some point.

I would love to hear everyone’s opinion.

[ChrisUpchurch]

I’m leaning in the Mac desktop plus an iPad on the go approach myself. My old 2012 Retina MacBook Pro may be the last laptop I ever buy. I couldn’t give up my desktop Macs though (2017 iMac at home and a 2011 mini at work, which I am hoping I’ll be able to replace later this fall).

[Porterw24]

I have thought about finding a used iMac as well. I work from home 2-3 days a week. So, since I am at the desk I tend to have things on the Mac running while I am working on PC. But, I am not a fan of the dongles, etc for the MBP to Cimena display.

[Ben_Lincoln]

I am thinking the same sort of thing, I can’t give up the Mac fully I need it for automation and “real” programming. But I think if we got a Mac mini refresh I might be able to survive with it as a headless server, a Remote Desktop client and the iPad

[Giantsfan]

I’m thinking about that desk for work. It seems to be the cheapest motorized desk. I can find manual crank desks for 50-75$ cheaper but that doesn’t make much sense. Is it quiet and fast enough?

[mina]

Same here, iMac + iPad Pro on the go. I still have MBP personally, but I rarely use it.

[mina]

I don’t think that setup will help much with real programming. So why would you need Mac mini:

1. For Xcode, then remote connection won’t help.
2. Scripting and use the Mac as local server, I believe that Textastic + Working Copy + Digital Ocean will be a better deal.

[Ben_Lincoln]

Actually I don’t work in Xcode, I need it for building apps for iOS but there are other ways then swift and objective-c to write for it.

I have done experiments in the past and it’s been alright I just needed to upgrade my network for throuput which I now have.

[mina]

Yup, I’m aware of those. But from experience Swift is your best shot.

[Porterw24]

Updated desk!

I recently finished an update to my Autonomous desk. I made a new hickory desktop with a hidden Qi charger. I also decided to go Mac less for now. Most everything I do is done on the iPad.

• LG 34” Widscreen
• HomePod
• iPad Stand
• 2018 iPad Pro 12.9”

[Porterw24]

UPDATED Desk

• Mac mini 16GB 256GB - Mounted under the desk
• OWC Mercury Pro Plus Duo - Mounted under the desk
  • Sandisk 256 SSDs