For years, Malcolm’s workspace has successfully integrated aspects of his professional life, gaming habits, and personal pursuits involving photography. He dedicates the majority of his time to work, with few exceptions on his designated breaks.
After devoting the past decade to working from home and dedicating countless hours to refining his personal computer systems, one would reasonably expect this individual to possess a highly optimized and efficient computing environment. Despite my limitations, I’m capable of handling situations that would normally overwhelm me.
While designed primarily for use at home, this setup’s design prioritizes functionality over portability. While its development has been driven by financial considerations, evolution has been slow and incremental.
You will undoubtedly acknowledge many things from the last time’s editorial group pulled back the curtain. The scenario has undergone changes numerous times within the same residence, yet the fundamental configuration remains consistent.
Your comprehensive setup features a Flexispot standing desk frame, which you acquired a few years ago, and atop this sturdy foundation, you’ve placed an old kitchen countertop, cleverly converted into a functional workspace at a comfortable height. This was an extremely effective and hazardous idea, due to its strength but painful difficulty in being pulled upstairs.
As a result of its design as a standing desk, various cable management initiatives have been implemented, allowing for multiple setup components to be seamlessly integrated into the underside. So far, the project has incorporated a Raspberry Pi and community collaboration, but primarily it has transitioned into an endeavor focused on energy-efficient extension cables and diverse wiring solutions.
While the fundamental architecture remains unchanged, the core structure still revolves around a robust central component, paired with a 1TB SanDisk Extreme SSD for enhanced data storage capabilities. Despite the fact that not everyone will agree, my work on this older Mac has highlighted its limitations, making the prospect of upgrading to a newer Mac mini increasingly appealing. Perhaps a 2025 venture.
The software programs I frequently use include Pixelmator Professional for image editing, Adobe’s Creative Cloud Suite for artistic pursuits, Google Chrome with numerous open tabs, and LibreOffice for document creation. Since I’m within the UK, this final one wouldn’t seem unusual, but given I’m using a Mac in American English settings, it’s likely to be the only writing app functioning correctly for this task.
I utilize a range of notable software programs to streamline my workflow, including Notion for conceptualizing and managing processes, as well as Microsoft Remote Desktop for securely accessing and controlling various machines from the comfort of my own home.
The displays feature a prominent 1080p AOC model positioned vertically alongside an additional desk lamp, creating a visually appealing setup. This feature also serves multiple purposes, alongside showcasing communication tools like Slack or Discord, or facilitating the study of documents without requiring extensive scrolling.
The keyboard I use is a high-quality, mechanical one formatted in Alice layout, designed to help alleviate strain on my wrists. While a significant improvement over Logitech’s classic chicklet-style keyboards, this model proves a vital upgrade for those whose professional and personal lives revolve largely around typing.
The mouse, once disassembled for thorough cleaning multiple times, now struggles to maintain its adhesive integrity as the stickers on the underside falter in their attachment. I’m considering purchasing a new mouse in the near future.
A recent enhancement to our setup is the quantity pad, which proves invaluable in scenarios such as using Blender, where having a dedicated number pad is highly beneficial. I’ve had half-formed thoughts about building my own macro pad, as Streamdecks continue to be prohibitively expensive.
iPads and different desk dwellers
The desk also features a panel on both sides. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro is utilized for timing, music playback management, and article-writing assistance via its timer function.
The opposite of this device is supplied with the Genesis 2 and additional features. While primarily stationed at my desk for professional purposes, this item is reserved for rare occasions when I need to depart unexpectedly.
Hiding beneath the keys lies a tangled mess of cables, augmented by a budget-friendly USB switch that doubles as a rudimentary KVM solution. A sturdy steel telephone stand holds my Max’s phone securely, with a Belkin charger carefully positioned and held in place by masking tape to enable convenient recharging.
I still have my iPhone XR, securely mounted on a tripod using a Smallrig smartphone adapter. Having a simulator allows me to experiment with different versions of Apple’s developer betas, comparing variations and testing them on both myself and others without actually installing the updates.
On the monitor shelf lie scattered remnants of a digital life: a SanDisk memory card reader, an Anker USB hub, worn-out pockets, the dying embers of a once-vibrant iPod connection, and two tired decks of cards.
Above my desk, a sleek monitor stands on a sturdy mount, awaiting my attention after I’ve taken a moment to ensure I’m properly composed for video conferencing purposes. As I’ve been leveraging my Continuity Digital camera for various tasks, I plan to adjust this configuration at some point, allowing me to utilize the camera in its intended capacity once again.
Each side features an extensive collection of books, with the right-hand section also housing a versatile array of resources, including audio equipment, networking tools, and a lamp that casts a warm glow on the wall behind the displays. Designed to alleviate eyestrain, a common problem that many desk workers will inevitably address over time.
Beyond relying on the Mac mini’s speakers and my HomePod mini, I also rely on several personal audio devices. The Beats Solo Buds cater to my outdoor audio needs, while I’ve also acquired a set of OneOdio noise-cancelling headphones and the Beats Solo 4 for dedicated gaming purposes.
The audio recording duties are handled by a pair of Wi-Fi microphones that operate seamlessly, although they may be considered overkill for my requirements.
The Prolonged Desk Work and Its Consequences on Outdoor Labour?
The surrounding area of the principle workspace primarily comprises items utilized outside of writing tasks.
Above the screens, a bank of whiteboards stretches, serving as a canvas for brainstorming and note-taking, where to-do lists take shape and abstract ideas are distilled into concrete concepts. Primarily utilized for personal pursuits, I also dedicate time to learning software such as Blender and the Unreal engine, as well as exploring game development concepts in my spare moments.
Visualizing sport mechanics on a whiteboard using markers can streamline understanding and refinement before delving into Unreal’s blueprint system, thereby reducing potential issues down the line.
Beneath the desk, a powerful gaming PC hums quietly, its primary function – and the main event – being the seamless delivery of immersive gaming experiences. My Steam library now boasts an impressive 1,337 titles thanks to my ongoing subscription with Humble Bundle, although I must admit that it’s high time I started making a dent in this digital treasure trove and sharing my gaming experiences with the Twitch community.
With photography being a passion, both the PC and Mac mini are employed for image editing in Lightroom, but this often extends to an iPad Pro as well.
The Meta Quest 2 also offers compatibility with macOS through a remote desktop app, enabling seamless computing on your Mac when paired via a reliable USB-C connection. When linked to a PC using a USB-C cable, this versatile VR headset transforms into a fully immersive gaming experience.
I possess a supplementary workstation that serves as an auxiliary space for handling excess tasks from my primary workstation. The cumbersome array of hardware currently occupied storage space, including a heat press that should have been stored away long ago, taking up valuable room for other essential supplies.
The pièce de résistance in equipping this workspace is the Noblechairs Hero, a supremely robust gaming chair designed to support my considerable physical presence. While initially pricier than expected for a gaming chair, its durability has impressed withstanding both time and floor scrapes remarkably well.
When dedicating hours to desk work, investing in a high-quality office chair is essential for maintaining comfort and preventing long-term discomfort or injury. Your ego and your behind will thank you for it.
Future additions
While the setup is robust, further refinements can still be made to optimize its performance. While the Mac mini may be due for a refresh, alternative options are also available.
Why settle for just another Mac mini when you could create a highly portable Mac workspace by repurposing the device? With a high-quality Thunderbolt dock, you can seamlessly transition between a traditional desktop setup and a portable workstation with just one cable.
The mouse may well be due for a boost. Until recently, I’ve had a soft spot for Razer mice, but I think financial stability will be a crucial factor in my next purchase decision?
Adding another aspect or even a single feature related to automation could significantly enhance the overall scope of the project, particularly in terms of macro-based automation capabilities. The Logitech MX Artistic Console and Loupedeck appear to be sensible additions as well.
I recently replaced my trusty but aging Blue Snowball microphone, which met its untimely demise after just one year of faithful service. Though I’ve been able to make do with my wireless video microphones for recording purposes, I still crave the convenience and quality that comes with having a dedicated desk-bound mic once again. A high-quality webcam would be a welcome addition as well.
Upgrading one’s networking infrastructure can have a significant positive impact. Although I’ve paid for a 2 Gbps internet connection, my home network infrastructure is capable of supporting gigabit speeds. To optimize performance, I’ve strategically laid out the network to allocate a dedicated gigabit segment to the workspace while reserving the remaining bandwidth for other household devices.
Upgrading to 2.5Gbps Ethernet would not only allow us to fully utilize available bandwidth within a single system, but also necessitate upgrading switches, cables, and ports to compatible hardware.
Having a network-attached storage (NAS) at this level is not a bad idea either.
