8 AWESOME Desk Accessories to Transform Your Apple Desk Setup
As a tech enthusiast, I own many gadgets, and when it comes to my desk setup, I have a few gadgets that really make a difference for me in terms of productivity and practicality.
To begin with, I know the title states, “Apple Desk Setup”, but for the majority of the gadgets I am featuring in this blog post, it doesn’t matter whether you use macOS, Windows, or even Linux.
I work with all three of the operating systems I mentioned. My primary laptop from my day job and my gaming PC are both running on Windows 11. My primary device for running my side hustle and anything outside my day job is my M1 MacBook Air. Outside of that, I use various Linux-based systems using my Proxmox setup, but that’s a story for another day.
As my main laptop outside my day job is a MacBook and I use other apple products, I think it’s fair to say that my current desk setup is primarily designed with Apple products in mind.
But without any further ado, here are 5 Awesome desk gadgets to transform your Apple desk setup…
1. BenQ beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Docking Station
I wanted to start with a gadget that connects everything together, the BenQ beCreatus DP1310 hybrid docking station.
When I got my MacBook last year, you may recall me publishing an article about how I connect my M1 MacBook Air to multiple monitors. Initially, I purchased a cheap Dell docking station off eBay, which had its issues, but served me well. This is an upgrade to that.
For those of you who are unaware, the M1 MacBook Air cannot display an output to more than 1 monitor on its own. As a workaround, you can buy a DisplayLink compatible docking station.
The BenQ beCreatus DP1310 allows me to connect either my MacBook Air or work laptop to both of my monitors via USB-C. As a second input source, I can connect my gaming PC via HDMI. There are a few limitations with this method as I can only output to 1 display via HDMI, but that’s not a problem for me as I only tend to game on the single monitor.
While the docking station has several USB Ports, these are for the USB-C connection. If I want to use my gaming mouse and keyboard with my gaming PC, they will need to be directly plugged into the PC, as you can’t transfer USB via an HDMI connection. You can read more about the features of this dock on the BenQ website.
But with that in mind, the docking station works great with compatible games consoles and both my work laptop and MacBook Air, which are my main uses for it. Based on my experience with the docking station so far, I think it has revolutionised my desk setup.
2. Benks 3 in 1 Charging Stand
Second on the list is the Benks 3-In-1 Magnetic Charging Stand.
I’ve been looking to get a charging stand that can charge my iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods Pro for a while and I found it difficult to find one that fit into my budget. That’s when I came across the Benks 3-in-1 magnetic charging stand.
At the time, I paid just under £50 for it and based on my experience so far, I think that it’s a perfect addition to my desk setup.
When I’m working at my desk, I usually tend to charge my everyday carry gadgets including my iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods Pro. This ensures that they have enough charge for when I need them away from my desk.
I like using the stand with my iPhone as when I charge the phone in landscape mode it creates a pretty awesome looking clock. If I need to use the phone, I like to switch the phone to portrait mode and use my AirPods Pro to have the conversation. I guess it brings back the desk phone vibes, which, I think, is pretty cool.
As a whole, I think that the Benks 3-In-1 charging stand looks great on my desk setup and as this is a device I use religiously every single day, I think it was worth the investment.
3. BenQ ScreenBar Pro
Third on the list is the BenQ ScreenBar Pro, which is another item I recently reviewed.
The BenQ ScreenBar Pro is a light bar that sits on top of your computer monitor and provides you with ultra-wide illumination, which works great with ultra-wide screens and dual monitor setups.
I know I’ve said this many times before, but I am a big fan of screen bars. They offer the perfect lighting solution for your desk setup, which not only helps keep your desk clean, but it also helps to keep your desk well lit.
I’ve used many screen bars over the years, but the BenQ ScreenBar Pro is by far the best, and it provides a game-changing solution to your desk setup. The first thing I like about it is the fact that the light covers my entire dual monitor desk setup. With other screen bars I owned over the years, I had to use a second light with it to ensure my desk setup is covered.
The BenQ ScreenBar Pro comes with many game-changing features, such as a motion sensor that turns the light off after 5 minutes of absence. The sensor also has a real-time auto-dimming feature, which provides you with the recommended illuminance.
If you prefer to control the light manually, you can with the help of the buttons on top of the light. These allow you to control the hue and brightness. For a full list of features, I recommend checking out the BenQ website.
I’ve been using the BenQ ScreenBar Pro for a while now, and I seriously think that it has made working at my desk more comfortable, especially since my office at home doesn’t get the best lighting.
4. Logitech MX Master 3
Moving on the fourth item on the list, the Logitech MX Master 3 mouse.
In the past, I could never justify spending mover £40 on a mouse, I mean it’s just a computer mouse right?
But the Logitech MX Master 3 proved me wrong.
I’ve been using this mouse for around 3 years and I never had any issues with it. 3 years is possibly the longest time I ever owned a mouse, and it still works great and is comfortable to use.
Apart from the ergonomics, the mouse is packed with many useful features, including programable buttons, a side scroll wheel which is great for video editing and working on large spreadsheets, as well as an ultra-fast scroll wheel.
I also like the fact that I can connect unto 3 devices to it, allowing me to switch between my MacBook, Work laptop and iPad if I needed to.
Based on the last 3 years I had with the mouse, I don’t think I will be switching to a different model any time soon and if I do switch, it will most likely be for a newer model.
5. Logitech MX Keys
To go with the Logitech MX Master 3, I decided to buy the Logitech MX Keys Keyboard, which I owned for a similar amount of time.
Like with the Logitech MX Master 3, I was very sceptical about spending this amount of money on a keyboard, but I was proven wrong again as the keyboard is a joy to type on.
Like with the Logitech MX Master 3, I can pair unto 3 devices to it at the same time. This is a feature I use a lot with my iPad Pro when working on my MacBook or work laptop. It allows me to easily type without having to use the on-screen keyboard or connect a separate keyboard to it.
Another reason I like the Logitech MX Keys is that it allows me to type faster. I know you can learn to type faster on any keyboard, but the design of the Logitech MX keys has made this easier for me.
6. Laptop Stand
Another must have accessory on my desk is a laptop stand. I currently use 2 laptop stands on my desk, a metal one which I use to hold my Mac Mini ProxMox server and one I use to hold my MacBook Air and work laptop.
This is a basic plastic stand I picked up cheap on Temu (not affiliated) as I liked the fact that it can hold two laptops.
I seriously think that this stand is a game changer as it allows me to keep my desk clean and laptops in reach.
With the help of the BenQ DP1310 hybrid docking station, I simply switch the USB-C cable between the two laptops and this works great on my desk setup.
The stand offers a fantastic solution for storing my laptops and keeping my desk clean.
7. Apple HomePod mini
I own many Google and Amazon smart speakers, but the Apple HomePod mini has seriously surprised me in terms of sound quality and style.
As my desk is black, I decided to get the white version which I think suits my desk well. I store it next to the BenQ DP1310 docking station under my monitor, which I think looks good.
I primarily use the speaker for listening to music and the radio, as well as for interfacing with the smart home devices in my home.
The Apple HomePod mini never fails to surprise me. A few weeks ago I had a basic fire alarm sound in my house and the speaker heard it and sent me a notification on my phone. I think that this is a fantastic feature!
I also use the HomePod mini as a hub for the Apple Home app, which allows me to set some cool automations. Out of all the smartphone apps I used over the years, I prefer Apple Home as it offers a nice and easy to use interface.
8. iPad
The last item on my list is my 11-inch iPad Pro 2nd generation, which I use for many things.
My iPad usually sits on a stand underneath my monitors and when working on my MacBook Air, I often like to use it as a third monitor.
I also like to use the iPad with my work laptop and gaming PC for watching tutorials and YouTube videos.
I find that this setup works great for multitasking and busy work days.
Furthermore, I like to use my iPad with my Apple Pencil as a note-taking device. I’m a big fan of Notability when it comes to taking handwritten notes. Speaking about handwritten notes, I primarily take handwritten notes when doing online courses and research.
I’ve used many desk gadgets over the years, but the 8 gadgets I listed in this post have seriously transformed my desk setup and made me more productive.
What are your favourite desk setup accessories? Let us know in the comments!
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