The PERFECT setup

[ApoorvPrem]

Hi guys...

I have had a Mac 13 2011 for 3 and a half years now. So I decided, its time to change - I will be ordering a Macbook Pro 15 with dGpu - Casual gaming and college work ( CAD and other 3D softwares ). Now my question is - What do you guys use for your setup? I mean, what is the perfect setup?

1- Monitor - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UFCVKI4...lid=3D5NWXR983WZV&coliid=I3ST2HZ7MIABY9&psc=1

Now I like this one. It has a nice aesthetic appeal to it and doesn't cost much either. Do you guys think this is the perfect option? I don't want 68K and gazzilion pixels - Something as sharp as a retina or even just near to it would work just fine. I won't be doing ANY photo editing at all. Minor video editing. Medium game playing ( GTA V and the lot - No witcher 3).

2- Mouse - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002HWRJBM...lid=3D5NWXR983WZV&coliid=I3S61W2NB3LEKP&psc=1

Marques Brownlee (MKBHD youtube) thinks this is quite a good option. And decent price too. Don't want the new one cos it's really REALLY expensive.

3- Dock - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JEVHYMS...lid=3D5NWXR983WZV&coliid=I35DME854TG244&psc=1

Now the university is providing me with a really small study table. So I liked the idea of having a spacesaver dock like this one. Not to mention it looks sweet!!!

4- Keyboard - http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wire...TF8&qid=1435482717&sr=1-18&keywords=Keyboards

I like my desk clutter free. And so this wireless keyboard. Also its quite affordable.


Noe these are my suggesting. Depending on what you guys suggest I would be finalising the list by the next weekend. This would be my most expensive laptop purchase ever and I want it to last. Including the setup. So any suggestions regarding the same would be highly welcome.

Cheerrs!!!

 

[Studflower]

You should consider getting a higher resolution monitor if you're going larger than 23".

http://www.amazon.com/PB278Q-27-Inch-LED-lit-Professional-Graphics/dp/B009C3M7H0

I don't know if this is within your budget, but highly recommended if you want a crisp looking screen at a good price. The PB IPS series by ASUS is regarded one of the best IPS on a budget. It's not 4k, but much better than 1080p.

 

[applesith]

You should consider getting a higher resolution monitor if you're going larger than 23".

http://www.amazon.com/PB278Q-27-Inch-LED-lit-Professional-Graphics/dp/B009C3M7H0

I don't know if this is within your budget, but highly recommended if you want a crisp looking screen at a good price. The PB IPS series by ASUS is regarded one of the best IPS on a budget. It's not 4k, but much better than 1080p.

I completely agree. I have an ASUS with 1080 and it's awful.

 

[ApoorvPrem]

You should consider getting a higher resolution monitor if you're going larger than 23".

http://www.amazon.com/PB278Q-27-Inch-LED-lit-Professional-Graphics/dp/B009C3M7H0

I don't know if this is within your budget, but highly recommended if you want a crisp looking screen at a good price. The PB IPS series by ASUS is regarded one of the best IPS on a budget. It's not 4k, but much better than 1080p.

Oops. Thats almost 150 dollars more! Its waaaay out of my budget. Any other suggestion? Upto 300 dollars ? If not then I will have no choice but to downscale to 23inch.

I found this - Don't know how it will be -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QS0AKVK/ref=psdc_1292115011_t1_B00JB6HCIC

 

[yjchua95]

Oops. Thats almost 150 dollars more! Its waaaay out of my budget. Any other suggestion? Upto 300 dollars ? If not then I will have no choice but to downscale to 23inch.

I found this - Don't know how it will be -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QS0AKVK/ref=psdc_1292115011_t1_B00JB6HCIC

Anything above 21.5" will need something better than 1920x1080.

So your best option is to stick back to a 21.5" display (1920x1080) to get reasonable clarity.

Try the Dell S2240L. It's lovely.

 

[ApoorvPrem]

Anything above 21.5" will need something better than 1920x1080.

So your best option is to stick back to a 21.5" display (1920x1080) to get reasonable clarity.

Try the Dell S2240L. It's lovely.

What about this one -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QS0AKVK/ref=psdc_1292115011_t1_B00JB6HCIC ? This good ?

 

[yjchua95]

What about this one -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QS0AKVK/ref=psdc_1292115011_t1_B00JB6HCIC ? This good ?

It looks lovely. 2560x1440 on a 25" would have a higher PPI than the non-retina 27".

 

[ApoorvPrem]

It looks lovely. 2560x1440 on a 25" would have a higher PPI than the non-retina 27".

Thanks! I will go for the Acer then.

 

[HFoletto]

Oops. Thats almost 150 dollars more! Its waaaay out of my budget. Any other suggestion? Upto 300 dollars ? If not then I will have no choice but to downscale to 23inch.

I found this - Don't know how it will be -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QS0AKVK/ref=psdc_1292115011_t1_B00JB6HCIC

Hi!

About monitor, I would go to this one. It's a 24" QHD display, with a great hardware, solid and good looking.
Another good thing is the 3 years guarantee, that will replace your monitor even if only one bright pixel is found.

I know it's $20 more than you would like to pay, but I think you could get this differences by getting a somewhat cheaper stand, like the Just Mobile AluBase.

I would also recommend you a Mac specific keyboard. The Logitech K750 is known for its great performance. I have it, and I never, ever had to replace batteries, nor worry about charging. The solar panel works great!
It's way more expensive than the keyboard you mentioned, however I think you should consider this one. You would also not have to spend money on batteries.

 

[ApoorvPrem]

Hi!

About monitor, I would go to this one. It's a 24" QHD display, with a great hardware, solid and good looking.
Another good thing is the 3 years guarantee, that will replace your monitor even if only one bright pixel is found.

I know it's $20 more than you would like to pay, but I think you could get this differences by getting a somewhat cheaper stand, like the Just Mobile AluBase.

I would also recommend you a Mac specific keyboard. The Logitech K750 is known for its great performance. I have it, and I never, ever had to replace batteries, nor worry about charging. The solar panel works great!
It's way more expensive than the keyboard you mentioned, however I think you should consider this one. You would also not have to spend money on batteries.

Thanks for your suggestions!!

One question - Does this keyboard requires a specific receiver.? Or can I use the logitech mouse and keyboard just with bluetooth of Mac?

I will look in this monitor. Hopefully I will get some sort of store credits from Apple ( Back to school sale ) ,save few dollars and use them here.

 

[Dark Void]

If you're still looking for a decent monitor - try ViewSonic - they have a monitor section on Amazon. I have been using their displays for years and I find them to be very nice. Some of the larger IPS models are quite expensive, but if you're looking for a 1080P display in the 21-23'' range, they have a lot to choose from, from VESA mountable to mirrorless. I've had my current ViewSonic for over 2 years now. It's crisp, bright, and has pretty nice viewing angles for being a $100 1080P monitor. Built in audio as well, while not exceptional, sounds pretty good and it may appeal to you since you don't appear to like clutter.

Perhaps it's not your style as you stated Wireless in your initial post - but I just recently purchased (and reviewed in sig) the new Das Keyboard for Mac. It's wired, but if you're willing to compromise for it being mechanical, having a USB hub and media controls, it's worth a look - quite expensive though.

I'd recommend Logitech for a mouse. They have a nice "control panel" preference panel that you can install into System Preferences that allows you to remap buttons and monitor your battery life amongst other things. I use a basic M510 - which is a $30 mouse that has rubberized grips, side buttons, and vertical as well as horizontal scrolling. If you want something a little more advanced they have the Performance series with the MX and new MX Master.

I can't really comment on the Dock, but a lot of people on this forum seem to toss the name Twelve South around and seem to recommend it. I have no personal opinions though.

I hope this helps.

 

[ApoorvPrem]

http://www.amazon.com/BenQ-GW2765HT..._n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin:6570749011

Hows this for a monitor? The refresh rate is appropriate for gaming and it has a really nice resolution for normal usage.

 

[HFoletto]

Thanks for your suggestions!!

One question - Does this keyboard requires a specific receiver.? Or can I use the logitech mouse and keyboard just with bluetooth of Mac?

I will look in this monitor. Hopefully I will get some sort of store credits from Apple ( Back to school sale ) ,save few dollars and use them here.

You're welcome ^^

Most (if not all) logitech wireless devices uses a little receiver called unifying. You can pair up to 5 logitech devices to one of those receivers. It works nicely, I had no problems. This mouse for example uses this receiver, so you could connect both devices using only one USB port. There are lot more that uses this technology.

 

[yukyuklee]

If you don't mind not having the number pad I'd suggest the Logitech K811!

 

[ApoorvPrem]

If you don't mind not having the number pad I'd suggest the Logitech K811!

Oh! That is just too expensive for me

 

[BoneDaddy]

Oh! That is just too expensive for me

I got mine manufacturer refurbished for 60 dollars. It's well worth 100, but you can find them for 40. I usually don't like to push products on to people, especially when they don't have the money, but I'd seriously recommend saving for the k811.

 

[ApoorvPrem]

I got mine manufacturer refurbished for 60 dollars. It's well worth 100, but you can find them for 40. I usually don't like to push products on to people, especially when they don't have the money, but I'd seriously recommend saving for the k811.

Oh! I will definitely save for it then! But whats so special about it? Why is it so better than the other laptops mentioned above?

 

[BoneDaddy]

Oh! I will definitely save for it then! But whats so special about it? Why is it so better than the other laptops mentioned above?

Well it's more a preference matter than which is better. Based on your needs for a wireless keyboard, either of the logitechs will work. It just depends on which features you want. The K811's backlit keyboard is helpful to me. It can be connected to multiple devices, which I need. It is rechargeable through a micro USB cable. Otherwise, I'm sure the other one has some cool features too. You may also want a number pad. I personally don't need one. But they are right about a Mac specific keyboard.

 

[yukyuklee]

Oh! That is just too expensive for me

Trust me this keyboard is so much better. But you are going to buy a $60 stand for your mbp lol

I got mine manufacturer refurbished for 60 dollars. It's well worth 100, but you can find them for 40. I usually don't like to push products on to people, especially when they don't have the money, but I'd seriously recommend saving for the k811.

Yup! I use this on my mbp setup and I can switch the keyboard to work with my Mac mini I think this is worth every penny compared to the one that Apple sells.

 

[ApoorvPrem]

Trust me this keyboard is so much better. But you are going to buy a $60 stand for your mbp lol



Yup! I use this on my mbp setup and I can switch the keyboard to work with my Mac mini I think this is worth every penny compared to the one that Apple sells.

Done then. I am getting this