What do you think about my proposed MacBook Pro setup?

[Hieveryone]

ALREADY OWN

1) Space Gray 2019 15" MacBook Pro base model in clamshell mode propped vertical by TwelveSouth Book Arc

2) 24" LG UltraFine 4K monitor via thunderbolt

PROPOSED ADDITIONS

3) SPACE GRAY Apple keyboard

4) SPACE GRAY Magic Mouse


Please feel free to offer suggestions. I think this will be a very clean look. If anyone has a similar setup please post a picture. Would love to see how it looks before making the move.

EDIT: I was thinking another thing to do is buy another LG UltraFine 4K monitor and having 2 monitors total side by side.

 

[Stephen.R]

I dunno man. Buying a <checks notes> mouse and keyboard seems like a big investment in these uncertain times. Maybe mull it over until June, see if you really need them before shelling out all that cash.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I see no reason why it won't work, unless you have Bt dropouts.

 

[Abazigal]

I don’t think you need the Apple wireless keyboard and mouse; both of which are expensive and I am not really a fan of. You wouldn’t be any worse off getting a wireless set like Logitech and plugging it into a usb hub.

 

[mk313]

I have a similar setup, but I use a Twelve South Curve instead of the Book Arc. It allows me to use my laptop screen as a second monitor, which is a big improvement in my opinion.

 

[ericwn]

I like the black Apple keyboard but personally am not a fan of the mouse. I’d either pick the trackpad or a trackball from Logitech.

But will you like they keyboard? Who knows. Order one and try it out, return if it doesn’t work out for you.

 

[Christopher Kim]

I have a very similar setup, and have had the Twelve South BookArc since I bought my 2016 13" MBP w/ touchbar. With a small desk, keeping the MBP in closed clamshell mode vertically is a nice space saver, and for my purposes I don't need to use the screen of my laptop.

Main difference with your setup is that I use a LG 27" 4K monitor (I run it at "Looks like 2560 x 1440" resolution, so looks very similar to what the 27" 5K LG Ultrafine would look like other than crispness of true pixel-doubled 5K HiDPI).

From your post, you already have the laptop/monitor, so you're basically asking if the space gray external KB/Mouse would look good? Mine is the non-space gray version (and I have trackpad instead of mouse), and also the smaller kb vs the full-sized kb with numpad. I assume it'll look great, especially with your MBP being space gray.

 

[Hieveryone]

I don’t think you need the Apple wireless keyboard and mouse; both of which are expensive and I am not really a fan of. You wouldn’t be any worse off getting a wireless set like Logitech and plugging it into a usb hub.

You are 100% right, but I would LOVE "the look" of it. It's so darn appealing. It looks beautiful IMO.

Yes there's a premium for that, and I know most would say who cares, and I totally get that.

I currently use a BT Microsoft mouse and Apple Keyboard, a generic number pad and apple trackpad.

It's a mix of nice and budget, and none of the colors match or anything.

But I really want this mainly bc you see all these people doing these desktop tours, and it would be really nice to having something that looked sweet

 

[Hieveryone]

I have a similar setup, but I use a Twelve South Curve instead of the Book Arc. It allows me to use my laptop screen as a second monitor, which is a big improvement in my opinion.

That's a fantastic setup! I may get the curve instead...I think that would look even more beautiful than the book arc

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@ericwn I have the silver apple keyboard right now, and it's fine. I also have a white magic mouse and it's OK...my microsoft one is better. But I've been watching those desktop setup tours and they look sooo nice! I really want something that looks aesthetically amazing. I do agree the trackpad would be good in space gray, but the mouse basically has a trackpad in it with the gestures

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@Christopher Kim Thank you for the pic and feedback. Your setup looks amazing! Love it. I am looking forward to mine.

i just need to figure if I want to do the book arc or the curve. I think the curve may look even cooler than the book arc (and more useful too)

 

[ericwn]

Let us know what you ended up with later on if that’s ok!

 

[ght56]

It looks great, but IMO the Magic Mouse isn't the best for frequent use, and you can get a decent mechanical keyboard and an ergonomic mouse for the pricing. If you wanted to stay all-Apple, I'd recommend considering the Magic Trackpad 2, which you can get in space gray.

 

[Hieveryone]

It looks great, but IMO the Magic Mouse isn't the best for frequent use, and you can get a decent mechanical keyboard and an ergonomic mouse for the pricing. If you wanted to stay all-Apple, I'd recommend considering the Magic Trackpad 2, which you can get in space gray.

I am SUPER EXCITED today bc my space gray mouse is coming.

The thing is, I feel like spending 250 bucks on a mouse and keyboard is a lot but if you break it down, here's what I think:

1. Mouse has "built in" track pad via gestures.

2. Keyboard has number keypad

So the "track pad" and number keyboard would cost extra but that comes with it, sort of

And honestly, I want something that looks beautiful. That's the main goal for me, and there is NOTHING IMO that comes close to Apple when it comes to this.

The reason why I want something beautiful, is bc I've been seeing desktop setup tours and I just want something nice like that.

Another thing, I have 2 magic keyboards, magic trackpad, microsoft mouse, and magic mouse, all in white color.

But they are battery powered, like AA battery.

I need re-chargable bc if I run out of batteries, and I need my computer, I won't be able to use it. So that's another perk

 

[Hieveryone]

So, here's my revised proposed setup:

Space Gray magic trackpad to the left of space gray magic keyboard with number pad, and then space gray magic mouse to the right of the keyboard.

I'll also have my LG Ultrafine 4K monitor, as well as my space gray 15" or 12" MacBook sitting in a space gray Twelve South book arc.

Clean IMO

 

[Fishrrman]

I haven't used Apple keyboards or mice since "the ADB days" (some folks here won't even know what that means).

Check out 3rd party keyboards and mice (Logitech mice are the best!) before you buy something "that's the same color" as the MacBook -- but doesn't offer much of anything else.

 

[Stephen.R]

I haven't used Apple keyboards or mice since "the ADB days"

doesn't offer much of anything else

If you haven't used an Apple Keyboard since the mid to late 90's, how would you know what they offer?

 

[Fishrrman]

"If you haven't used an Apple Keyboard since the mid to late 90's, how would you know what they offer?"

One can see and try them in the stores.
Flat, insufficient key travel, sometimes no numerical keypad at all.

I prefer keyboard that look and work and feel like this:

Unicomp GA LLC: macOS®

 

[Stephen.R]

One can see and try them in the stores.

Yeah that's the same as using a keyboard for several hours a day. Nobody who's ever tried something in a store has realised afterwards that the experience when using it for an extended period of time is different.

I prefer keyboard that look and work and feel like this:

A 3kg keyboard? Are you serious?

 

[ericwn]

Yeah that's the same as using a keyboard for several hours a day. Nobody who's ever tried something in a store has realised afterwards that the experience when using it for an extended period of time is different.



A 3kg keyboard? Are you serious?

If you’re used to typing comfortably for two decades with a specific setup you’ll probably have the rough parameters gor a new keyboard purchase figured out.

Besides if it weighs 10kg, it’s a desk accessory and nobody is lifting it for usage.

 

[Fishrrman]

Stephen harrumphed:
"A 3kg keyboard? Are you serious?"

Yes.
Absolutely serious.
Next question...?

 

[Hieveryone]

"If you haven't used an Apple Keyboard since the mid to late 90's, how would you know what they offer?"

One can see and try them in the stores.
Flat, insufficient key travel, sometimes no numerical keypad at all.

I prefer keyboard that look and work and feel like this:

Unicomp GA LLC: macOS®

I actually love the keyboard. I'm talking about the space gray apple keyboard with number pad, as well as the butterfly keyboard on my 2019 15" model and my 2017 12" MacBook.

I know, I know, "but they break, but they don't travel much, but but but"

I get it. The standard keyboard you find in your local library, big and clunky, I get it.

But this feels perfect to me, personally. In the end it's about personal choice and just what any one individual prefers. I assume there are millions of people today using butterfly keyboards, and they don't even know what that means. They're just using it like normal, doing whatever work they need to do.

Now, the apple magic mouse is another story. It's OK at best. Not my favorite. But I knew this when I bought my space gray one. Aesthetically, it looks beautiful, and I'm happy with my setup.

The only thing I wish could be different, is that I bought the 24" LG 4K UltraFine monitor that connects via thunderbolt from the apple store. I think the 27" would look much better with my setup.

BUT, I sit pretty close to my screen, and the 24" works for me personally. I wouldn't want to get the 27 and then it change my work flow.

Bottom line is, I have a great setup now that not only looks amazing IMO, but also can be utilized well for my needs.

I think Apple is pretty good at making products that not only work well, but can be personalized and setup in a way that works for your needs, AND can be made to look like art, not to mention easy to use and setup.

I think they figured out what customers want and need over at Cupertino, and I am quite happy.