UX designer needs advice on a minimalist dual-computer station (personal & work). Do I get two MBPs? One MBP and a Mini? One Studio Display or two?

[tough_tacos]

I work 100% from home and I'm looking to completely overhaul my set-up which currently is:

• 1 Dell 38-inch curved monitor (it's a beast)
• 2 MBPs (one corporate-issued and one personal)
• 1 CalDigit TS3 Dock

Pain points:

• They're all several years old
• The curved monitor doesn't suit my needs—too much real estate, and too big of a footprint
• I pull my CalDigit monitor cable from one laptop and plug it into the other laptop to switch between computers
• I also have to switch my MX mouse and keyboard over to use the other laptop
• I've had this setup for 3+ years and I'm ready to move on

If I'm starting from scratch, what's the best way to build up a dual-computer station — which components?

• I'm getting a new 14-inch MBP for my dedicated-corporate laptop, that's non-negotiable.
• For my personal development as a designer should I get a Mini? Another MBP?
• Can I connect a MBP and a Mini to a Studio Display at the same time, and easily switch between them (without removing cables)?
• Can I get by with one display? Do I really have to get two?
• I trialed and loved the iMac 24 — but there is no feature to allow me to use it as a monitor for my workplace MBP.
• I don't need the portability of a MBP for my personal device — I prefer working at a desk — so I could go either way.

 

[Pakaku]

• I pull my CalDigit monitor cable from one laptop and plug it into the other laptop to switch between computers
• I also have to switch my MX mouse and keyboard over to use the other laptop

A KVM switch might make switching them back and forth a lot less annoying

I don't need the portability of a MBP for my personal device — I prefer working at a desk — so I could go either way.

Might be nice to have the portable option anyway, you'd also get a second screen built in, and no harm in just leaving it plugged in as a desktop most of the time. The mini will definitely be cheaper, though

 

[darkanddivine]

I have had this exact same debate. WFH a lot and so finding the right setup is something I’m looking to do. I’ve considered the Mini, iMac and a MacBook Pro of some sort.

The way I weigh it up, the Mini is a very decent option here because that footprint means it just gets out of your way while you use other machines around it. You could have both machines on the desk and since you don’t need portability, you could put the rest of your budget to other peripherals. That said, with a MBP, you could just match your work machine and then swap your computer in/out between home and work. So there’s a simplicity and flexibility there because you’re able to take the machine with you also.

The Mac Mini probably saves some cash, and this was my preference. However, I read about the BT issues & feel like they would get in the way or be frustrating. I feel like the 14” M1 MBPs are the sweet spot in the range in terms of power, ports and form factor. (Eg; the same cost as the 13” iMac specced up to 24gb & 1TB, but lots more power and ports.) You do of course pay more for either vs a Mac Mini, which makes the M2 13” slightly harder to justify in my mind. But the 14” seems like it may be worth considering.

In summary: Mini for the cost effective route, MBP for the price/power sweet spot and flexibility. Both should work well when swapping between devices for home and work.

 

[tstafford]

• Can I connect a MBP and a Mini to a Studio Display at the same time, and easily switch between them (without removing cables)?

As to this question - unfortunately no. The ASD has a single thunderbolt input. You will have the same issues of swapping cables or needing a KVM. I've liked my ASD but they are not especially robust in terms of features. My guess is (unless you want the 5K and Apple compatibility) there is a better monitor out there for your two machine need.

As to your broader question - mini sounds like a good machine for you. For sure wait a few weeks for the newest one to come out.

 

[theluggage]

Can I connect a MBP and a Mini to a Studio Display at the same time, and easily switch between them (without removing cables)?

I think if you want a "true 5k" (5120x2880) display (rather than an ultrawide 5k) you're out of luck, because the Apple Studio and LG Ultrafine are the only games in town - and they are both Thunderbolt with only a single monitor connection. Also - I'm not sure that there is such a thing as a Thunderbolt KVM switch (beware of USB-C switches that advertise "thunderbolt 3 compatibility" - they may switch a USB-C/DisplayPort display between multiple Thunderbolt computers but they won't necessarily drive Thunderbolt displays)

Most decent third party 1440p or 4k displays have multiple display inputs you can switch between - Google tells me that some have KVM (so they'll switch keyboard and mouse as well, but I can't vouch for any of those).

I also have to switch my MX mouse and keyboard over to use the other laptop

Why not plug a Logitech unifying receiver into your Caldigit hub (or Studio Display if you go down that route) and use that rather than Bluetooth, so everything gets swapped when you swap the cable?

If you want to maintain separate work and personal computers (and I can see good reasons for that) then I'd be inclined to go with two laptops and a single-cable docking solution (either a TB hub, USB-C 4k display or a Studio Display) - it's easy to move one out of the way to use the other, the cable isn't tucked behind it and if you are using one and need to refer to the other.... it's a self-contained laptop so you don't have to plug it in just to check something!

Also, although I'd normally defend the usefulness and economy of 4k displays with Macs, if you're doing UX design for MacOS you might have a case for needing the "standard" (for Mac) 220ppi resolution of the Studio Display.