The desk
Gear
What's actually on the desk, what it cost, and whether it was worth it. Negative verdicts stay up: a list that only recommends things isn't a review, it's an ad. Anything marked "still testing" hasn't earned a real verdict yet.
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Featured
- Mac mini M4, 16 GBWould buy again
Would've preferred a 32 GB model — none were available, so I opted for this one as a starter.
$849
Apple Mac mini M4 16GB (refurbished) → - Samsung 34" ultrawideWould buy again
Love this screen — ultrawide, great resolution, easy on the eyes. Going strong after three years of regular use.
$284.99
Samsung SJ55W 34-inch Ultrawide, 3440x1440, 75Hz → - Creative Pebble V3Would buy again
Love these little speakers. Powerful, robust sound — punch well above their footprint.
$42.74
Creative Pebble V3 2.0 USB-C Desktop Speakers → - Apple Magic MouseWould buy again
Highly responsive, sleek mouse. Only downside is the charging port is on the underside — unusable while it's charging.
$96.99
Apple Magic Mouse, Black Multi-Touch Surface → - CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD UPSStill testing
Still in the box — unboxing and install being filmed. Verdict goes here once it's actually held up a power cut.
$179.95
CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS Battery Backup → - HDMI KVM switch, 2-portWould buy again
Switches machine and peripherals together, seamlessly. The piece that makes a two-computer desk feel like one desk.
$32.99
HDMI KVM Switch, 1 Monitor 2 Computers, 4K@60Hz → - BenQ ScreenBar ProWould buy again
One of the best additions to the setup. Great light spread without overpowering the eyes.
$139
BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light Bar → - Reusable cable ties, 60pcWould buy again
Must-have if you care about cable management at all.
$6.99
Nettbe 6-inch Reusable Cable Ties, 60 Pack → - WOLFBOX MegaFlow 50 air dusterWould buy again
Tiny but mighty — I use this multiple times a day and it's weirdly satisfying. Only downside: the dogs hate the noise.
$32.29
WOLFBOX MegaFlow 50 Compressed Air Duster, 110,000 RPM, 3-Gear →
Machines & screens
Compute
- Mac mini M4, 16 GBWould buy again
Would've preferred a 32 GB model — none were available, so I opted for this one as a starter.
$849
Apple Mac mini M4 16GB (refurbished) → - MacBook Pro M1 Pro, 16 GBWould buy again
Reliable and running strong for four years, but ready for an upgrade.
$2,402.19
Apple MacBook Pro M1 Pro 16GB →
Displays
- Samsung 34" ultrawideWould buy again
Love this screen — ultrawide, great resolution, easy on the eyes. Going strong after three years of regular use.
$284.99
Samsung SJ55W 34-inch Ultrawide, 3440x1440, 75Hz → - Dell 27" 4KWould buy again
Newest display addition. Superb quality, no lag — incredible experience so far.
$299.99
Dell S2725QC 27-inch 4K UHD IPS, 120Hz, 99% sRGB →
Input, audio & camera
Audio
- Creative Pebble V3Would buy again
Love these little speakers. Powerful, robust sound — punch well above their footprint.
$42.74
Creative Pebble V3 2.0 USB-C Desktop Speakers → - Razer Seiren V3 MiniWould buy again
Sleek and sturdy design. Takes up almost no desk.
$39.99
Razer Seiren V3 Mini USB Microphone, Supercardioid Condenser →
Keyboard & mouse
- Apple Magic KeyboardWould buy again
Love the sleek design and the keystroke feedback — better than it has any right to be for how thin it is.
$107.84
Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad → - Apple Magic MouseWould buy again
Highly responsive, sleek mouse. Only downside is the charging port is on the underside — unusable while it's charging.
$96.99
Apple Magic Mouse, Black Multi-Touch Surface → - Logitech MK250 comboFine, with caveats
Good starter combo. No side-scrolling on the mouse, which you notice every single day once you know it's missing.
$23.99
Logitech MK250 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo →
Camera
- Logitech Brio 301Would buy again
High quality, easy to set up. Plugged in and worked.
$59.99
Logitech Brio 301 Full HD 1080p Webcam →
Network, power & storage
Power
- CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD UPSStill testing
Still in the box — unboxing and install being filmed. Verdict goes here once it's actually held up a power cut.
$179.95
CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS Battery Backup → - 30,800mAh power bankWould buy again
Keeps everything charged on the go. Another tiny-but-mighty must-have.
$26.95
Portable Charger Power Bank 30800mAh, LCD Display, 25W PD Fast Charging + QC 4.0 →
Network & hubs
- Anker 7-in-1 USB-C hubWould buy again
Incredibly useful and powerful. I run two, one per machine.
$19.99
Anker USB C Hub, 7-in-1 Multi-Port Adapter, 4K@60Hz HDMI → - Satechi Mac mini hub & standWould buy again
Very useful hub, with an optional storage slot.
$74.99
Satechi Mac mini Hub & Stand with NVMe SSD Enclosure → - HDMI KVM switch, 2-portWould buy again
Switches machine and peripherals together, seamlessly. The piece that makes a two-computer desk feel like one desk.
$32.99
HDMI KVM Switch, 1 Monitor 2 Computers, 4K@60Hz → - TP-Link LS1005G switchWould buy again
Easy setup — gives you a few more wired ports. No configuration, no app.
$9.98
TP-Link LS1005G Litewave 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch → - Eero 7 mesh routerWould buy again
Setup was basically plug and play — the app is genuinely user-friendly. Picking up a second one for full coverage around the house.
$169.99
Amazon eero 7 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 7 router (newest model) →
Storage
- WD Easystore 4TBWould buy again
Older, but reliable. This is where machine backups go.
$79.99
WD Easystore 4TB External USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Drive → - Lexar D40E 64GBWould buy again
Love the versatility of this drive — USB-A and USB-C on one stick.
$22.99
Lexar D40E 64GB Dual USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C Jump Drive →
Light, comfort & organization
Light
- BenQ ScreenBar ProWould buy again
One of the best additions to the setup. Great light spread without overpowering the eyes.
$139
BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light Bar → - USB fairy lights, 33ftWould buy again
Love the added ambiance. A must-have in the workspace.
$14.99
Color Changing Fairy String Lights, 33ft 100 LED, Remote and Timer → - Himalayan salt lampWould buy again
Must-have for aesthetics and good vibes.
$15.99
NSL-101 Hand Carved Salt Lamp with Rosewood Base and Dimmer →
Comfort
- Cloud wrist restsWould buy again
Very comfortable wrist rests.
$14.99
Leather Cloud Wrist Rest for Keyboard and Mouse → - Cork desk mat, 90×43cmWould buy again
Durable, good quality — warms up a desk that would otherwise be all metal and glass.
$18.99
Cork Desk Mat, Dual-Sided, Dark Green → - Kootek laptop cooling padWould buy again
Very reliable and powerful cooling fan.
$25.99
Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad, 5 Quiet Fans, 12–17" →
Organization
- Reusable cable ties, 60pcWould buy again
Must-have if you care about cable management at all.
$6.99
Nettbe 6-inch Reusable Cable Ties, 60 Pack → - Floating shelves, set of 4Would buy again
Easy to install, and it adds to the aesthetic.
$38.99
BAYKA Rustic Brown Floating Shelves, 15.7in, Set of 4 → - MOSISO MacBook Pro 16" caseWould buy again
Durable. Does the one thing it's for.
$21.99
MOSISO Compatible with MacBook Pro 16-inch Case → - WOLFBOX MegaFlow 50 air dusterWould buy again
Tiny but mighty — I use this multiple times a day and it's weirdly satisfying. Only downside: the dogs hate the noise.
$32.29
WOLFBOX MegaFlow 50 Compressed Air Duster, 110,000 RPM, 3-Gear →