The Mac Studio has been a game-changer for me. It has the compact footprint of a Mac mini, a good amount of power, an unprecedented port selection, and even a front-facing SD card slot.
Also: I bought a Mac Studio: Here are the specs I chose and why
I bought mine in 2022. I configured it with the M1 Max processor and 64GB RAM. Up until recently, it has handled everything I’ve thrown at it with smooth performance. That said, I’ve recently been working on a fairly complex custom 3D design project in Autodesk Fusion and my M1 Max has started to lag.
It’s time to upgrade. I thought about getting the M4 Mac Mini coming out as soon as this month, but I’m going to wait until next year for the M4 Mac Studio because I rely on all those ports (and that oh-so-sweet front-facing SD card slot).
I have a lot of devices connected to that Mac Studio. I’m using three out of the four USB-C ports, the Ethernet port, the two USB-A ports, the HDMI port, and even the 3.5 mm headphone jack (for my mic).
In this article, I’m going to run down everything I have connected to this little beastie:
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Let’s get started.
- Port used: HDMI
- Back ports remaining: 4 USB-C, 2 USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
- Front ports remaining: 2 USB-C, SD card slot
I love this thing. Can I just tell you how much I love this thing? I upgraded from a 32-inch monitor and the extra 6-inches is game-changing. I can easily have two windows open, and often rock three windows on my main screen. For someone who has to work from reference information constantly, this is a big productivity win.
It’s a QHD 1440p with a whole bunch of yada-yada monitor features (it’s a nice monitor). But my favorite quality-of-life feature beyond its overall size, resolution, and comfort to use are the buttons on the back of the screen.
You see, I can assign inputs to the two bottom buttons. So, if I want to switch to the PC, I just reach around and press the bottom button. If I want to switch to the Mac Studio, I press the button just above that. One single press is all it takes. All my other monitors have required going into settings, then selecting input, and then selecting the input. They were usually on push-button menus, so there were roughly ten button presses per switch. Not this. One press and done. Like I said, I love it.
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- Port used: USB-C
- Back ports remaining: 3 USB-C, 2 USB A, Ethernet, headphone jack
- Front ports remaining: 2 USB-C, SD card slot
You know what’s special about portable monitors? They can be both powered and get their video signals through one USB C cable. That means I can just plug it into one of the four rear-facing USB-C ports and I’m golden.
Portable monitors are generally quite lightweight, so they can be carried around. I have mine mounted on old, repurposed articulating microphone stands. This one, the Lepow, is 1080p. I keep it in portrait orientation. When I’m not using it for yet another reference document, I keep my to-do list on it, so I can see and manage my priorities at all times.
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- Port used: USB C
- Back ports remaining: 2 USB-C, 2 USB A, Ethernet, headphone jack
- Front ports remaining: 2 USB-C, SD card slot
This monitor is quite a bit more pricey than the Lepow. To be honest, I don’t think it’s worth the extra hundred bucks or so, but I had it, so I’m using it. It’s nice and does the job. I use this one to spread out my projects, but also have it assigned to display the security cameras so I can see what’s happening in the yard from my computer.
Also: Are portable monitors worth it? Three of these four are – here’s why
Here’s the thing about multiple monitors. Most of the time, they’re just nice to have. But for certain projects, when you need as much available screen real estate as possible, they become absolutely essential. So while I keep them mostly showing my to-do list and my cameras, when I’m on a big push with a really complex project, they can be major productivity enhancers.
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- Port used: USB A
- Back ports remaining: 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
- Front ports remaining: 2 USB-C, SD card slot
- Hub ports remaining: 4 USB-A
I’m quite chuffed that the Mac Studio still has USB-A ports, but having them in the back of the unit can be a bit of a disadvantage. Also, I have more USB-A devices than ports. A USB hub was the obvious solution.
Unfortunately, I’ve always been annoyed by the super-light USB hubs that just flop around on the desk. I went on a search and found this thing. It’s a four-port USB-A hub that clamps onto the edge of a desk. At under $20, it’s a total win.
Beyond what I plug into it semi-permanently, I keep a Lightning cable, a USB-C cable, and a Micro USB cable always plugged in. I use these cables for charging the Bluetooth devices I have connected to the Mac Studio, and the occasional connection to an Arduino board or a drone.
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- Port used: USB A
- Back ports remaining: 2 USB C, Ethernet, headphone jack
- Front ports remaining: 2 USB C, SD card slot
- Hub ports remaining: 4 USB A
Have you ever seen a webcam with a zoom lens? This is such a device. I have this set up across the room so I can do Zoom conferences on the big screen TV, and the other participants can see me up close.
Also: The best webcams for streaming: Expert tested and reviewed
The optics are quite good. The only gotcha is that the zoom and focus features on the webcam are entirely manual. In order to get it set up, my wife adjusted the lens while I sat across the room from the camera.
We liked it so much, we got one for her as well. I adjusted her camera for her. It’s a two-person job. You’ll probably need a buddy if you plan to set it up to use from a distance.
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- Port used: USB C
- Back ports remaining: 1 USB-C, Ethernet, headphone jack
- Front ports remaining: 2 USB-C, SD card slot
- Hub ports remaining: 4 USB-A
This is my most recent add-on for my Mac Studio. The Stream Decks have been around for a while, and I have two more of them which I use to control my talking-head studio and for general productivity in my upstairs office.
Also: My top 2 productivity hacks for video editing that save me time – and wrist pain
I purchased this one because it has dials, which are a huge productivity enhancer for video editing. I had a Loupedeck CT that was previously sent to me for review, but it and I never bonded. What I really wanted was a Stream Deck, but with the dials of the Loupedeck.
That’s the Stream Deck+. Everything is programmable. If you want to know how I use it, here’s my full article.
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- Port used: USB-A
- Back ports remaining: 1 USB-C, Ethernet, headphone jack
- Front ports remaining: 2 USB-C, SD card slot
- Hub ports remaining: 3 USB-A
This is a very special purpose device that took me quite a while to get used to. Now that I have, it’s invaluable. What this does is help you navigate through 3D space while working in a CAD program like Autodesk Fusion. It’s a very heavy block that doesn’t move, but responds to motion like a joystick (with up and down as well).
I have the wireless USB-A version, but I’ve listed the USB-C version because it’s the one you can get now. The USB cable is intended to be used for charging the device. I, however, always keep mine connected because of my usage pattern.
I can go for weeks or even a few months without using the device, then dive in for a spurt of non-stop activity. I found that the device was always out of juice by the time I got back to it, so if I just keep it plugged in, it’s always available. Also, the cable at the back is a great help for being able to tell the device’s orientation without having to look at it.
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- Port used: Headphone jack
- Back ports remaining: 1 USB-C, Ethernet
- Front ports remaining: 2 USB-C, SD card slot
- Hub ports remaining: 3 USB-A
I have this set up at the back of my work surface. The way I have it set up, it’s not particularly good for recording quality spoken audio, but that’s not what I use it for. This mic has one purpose and one purpose only: to interact with Siri and take dictation.
I use my AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Max (see below) for Zoom calls and any other quality recording I need to make. But this, mounted using a quarter/twenty screw mount to a clamp, is always available whenever I want to tell my Mac to do something or write something out for me when my hands are otherwise encumbered (usually holding my small dog on my shoulder).
I could do the same dictation using the AirPods, but because this is always available, I don’t have to open up the case and insert them in my ear to issue a simple command to the computer. It’s about convenience and faster flow.
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- Port used: Ethernet
- Back ports remaining: 1 USB-C
- Front ports remaining: 2 USB-C, SD card slot
- Hub ports remaining: 3 USB-A
The Ethernet port on the back of my Mac Studio travels to a port in the wall, and then to my Synology router. I really like the Synology device because it provides a lot more control than other routers I used previously.
Also: Why I replaced Google Wifi with Synology’s mesh networking gear (and why you might, too)
With its mesh networking, and the ability to do a dedicated wired back-haul, it’s able to reach all over the house.
This is the last peripheral I have physically connected one way or the other to my Mac Studio. Next, let’s look at the Bluetooth devices I use every day.
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- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Charging: USB-C
This very, very well-worn and cruddy-looking mouse is my MX Master 3. It’s been in constant (and I mean constant) use for about five years. I’m always on the lookout for something better, but I have yet to find anything that’s more comfortable, has a better battery life, and more flexibility than this.
Also: Logitech Easy Switch: Switching mice and keyboards between computers is so un-KVM
Like the MX Keys above, the MX Master 3 (and its 3S successor) can switch between three devices. I’ve also programmed one of the buttons to open the AI prompt builder, so I have ChatGPT literally at my fingertips.
Also: Logitech’s free AI Prompt Builder is surprisingly handy. Here’s how I’m using it
My MX Master 3 is still going strong, but I’m pointing you to the MX Master 3S, which has quieter clicks and improved precision (although I’ve never noticed either of those being a problem with the older model).
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- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Charging: Lightning
Next up is the Apple Magic Trackpad. You probably noticed that I have a whole bunch of different input devices. That’s because different devices are good for different activities. I like using the Magic Trackpad with Final Cut Pro, along with the Stream Deck+.
One nice thing about the trackpad is that you can do pinch and zoom gestures, which are not available with a mouse. Sure, you can accomplish the same thing, but sometimes the organically perfect nature of a pinch and zoom on a trackpad is a real win for productivity.
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- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Charging: USB-C
As I’ve mentioned before, my AirPods Pro 2 are absolutely mission-critical in my working environment.
Also: My dog’s barking muted my AirPods Pro 2 – here’s why and the simple fix
Although the Mac Studio’s speaker is surprisingly good, I rely on my AirPods Pro 2 for audio, as well as any voice overs I need to do during video editing. Plus, of course, there are the Zoom and Teams meetings, for which the AirPods Pro 2 are absolutely necessary.
The ability for the AirPods Pro (and all AirPods models for that matter) to switch between devices smoothly is a very big win. At my workspace, I’m often jumping between two Macs, my iPhone, and an iPad.
Curious about the orange ear tips? They keep my AirPods from falling out of ears.
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Count ’em up
At my count, that’s thirteen items connected one way or another to the Mac Studio. That’s not possible with a Mac Mini. Many smaller Windows desktops, especially of the size of the Mac Studio, also don’t have that level of connectivity.
Do you have the Mac Studio? Are you planning on getting the M4 Mac Mini? Or are you going to wait until next year for the new generation of Mac Studio? How many devices do you have connected to your main machine? Do you use any of the devices I mentioned above? What do you think of them? Let us know in the comments below.
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