MBpro as main computer

[zoran]

I want to use a 16" M1max MacBookPro as my main computer for professional and personal use, so i ned to set it up accordingly.
1.So I was thinking of having my professional/private files on an ext drive for obvious reasons. Is there an ext drive you would suggest?
2. Im also thinking about purchasing a base in order to place it and connect it to a display.
All suggestions would be greatly appreciated ;-)

 

[zoran]

When I say a base, I mean a stand for it to be set on. Maybe a stand would help the heat deducting better 😉

 

[JaredJenkinsDesign]

1. External drive is going to depend on your needs as they come in different speeds. For example, I use a Samsung T7 Shield which says up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s read/write speeds. This works for my Graphic Design and 3D rendering needs. If you need faster speeds, you can look into getting a thunderbolt enclosure, purchasing an internal SSD and placing that internal SSD into the thunderbolt enclosure and connect that to your MBP.

2. I did that in the past where I had my main display in front of me and my MacBook Pro off to the side on a stand with the screen open as my second display. It seemed to work well for heat and it helped my neck as I didn't have to look too far down anymore.

 

[zoran]

When I say a base, I mean a stand for it to be set on. Maybe a stand would help the heat deducting better 😉

Something like the one in the picture, or any other type of stand/clamshell, for a MacBookPro

 

[MBAir2010]

Something like the one in the picture, or any other type of stand/clamshell, for a MacBookPro

Satechi makes great stands and accessories that match our MacBook perfectly!
their pricing is fair and they also offer points were I tallied up enough for a free ultra-speed USBc chord.
this is my set up: their BT mouse is all I need to clamshell the MBA to a display.

 

[Clix Pix]

I have a 16" M1 MBP Max connected to an LG 4K 24" monitor and the machine itself sits on a Twelve South stand near the monitor. I prefer to keep it open rather than in clamshell mode, as I wonder about the possibility of heat buildup in clamshell mode even though this is a very cool (literally!) machine. The Twelve South stand I use I've had for several years and I don't think they make that version any more, although the current one they offer looks fairly similar.

I use Apple BT Magic Mouse II and BT Magic Keyboard as peripherals, so no extraneous cables needed. I've been doing this "desktop replacement" thing for several years now, and it works out really well for me. I like that I can use the machine as a desktop, so to speak, and yet at any time simply unplug it and carry it off for use somewhere else, either at home or for travel. Prior to purchasing this machine I weighed the pros and cons of buying one of these vs buying a Mac Studio, and in the end the flexibility and portability of the MBP won out.

 

[zoran]

...and the machine itself sits on a Twelve South stand near the monitor...

Sounds interesting, is it possible to post a photo of your setup?

 

[Zest28]

Isn’t an extern drive less secure because you can loose it somewhere?

Maybe contact your company and see if they can setup some cloud storage for you that is used internally by the company. “On-prem” so to say.