I legit cant imagine not having multiple monitors. Ive been using at least 2 for well over a decade. To be fair though, any time I upgrade my main monitor, i move my old main monitor to replace the one in the dual position. Workflow is just so much better and easier with the extra screen space. I might go with a tiefighter set up with my next upgrade for the main, and that will be an ultrawide
I’ve wanted an ultrawide or multiple monitor setup for so long, it’s been so nice to use since the change. I’ve still been debating a 42” oled for the better gaming performance but I’m loving this setup far more than expected.
I used to work with two monitors at the office, but using one Odyssey G5 ultrawide at home I really don't miss the two monitors. I actually prefer the ultrawide without the bezels in the middle, I can make more efficient use of all the space.
Can you do a video on your photography/videography set up? Maybe your favorite ways of editing, things you use, your favorite camera bag. I’m super interested! To be honest I always wait for your videos you seem like such a humble person and it really makes your channel different from others. I played music for a really long time and lived in a van with 5 other dudes in my early twenties and just toured all over the place. I haven’t played any music for a few years but I bought a midi board and I hope to get into it again. Maybe you can run us through some things you have learned or what you have been working on. Thanks for inspiring us!
Sounds just like me in regards to the music! Broke and crammed in a van driving around the country was tough at times but probably the best years of my life so far if i’m being honest haha. Most of my filmmaking/photography type videos notoriously underperformed so I’ve mostly moved away from that type of video, but I’ll definitely keep it in mind! Haven’t changed my camera gear in several years so I haven’t had much to get excited about and report on but I’m hoping to make some upgrades sometime soon. Slightly on topic from what you mentioned, I might be doing a studio tour update sometime in the coming months! That’ll showcase some of the setup for you. Thanks for the support!
Part of me still wants to switch out to one of the 42” OLED tv’s to improve my gaming setup, but this setup has been so great for my day to day office workflow. Would definitely recommend!
Looking at a DualUp as well. Want to consolidate my 3 monitor setup into two and this might be the way to go without losing desktop space. Looks great for 3d modeling, photo work, and streaming.
This config has been so great for me, I’d definitely recommend it if it suits your workflow. Gonna be tough going back to anything else after getting used to this setup the past few months.
I really like the overall simplicity of your setup. It's not cluttered with unnecessary stuff. My desk setup looks like a hot mess, right now. But I'm working on getting it sorted out.
Added the monitor light after one of your previous videos and still loving it. These are really great videos. I’m always interested in making the most comfortable and efficient work station I can at home and come away from your videos with new ideas.
I’m still loving that monitor light too, it was so much better than I ever could have imagined. Glad you’re enjoying the videos, thanks for the support on these!
I love my LG DualUp too! It is much much better vertical monitor than a 16:9 monitor turned 90 degree (which is just too tall) I am using it as 2nd monitor with my 27 inch LG 4k 16:9 monitor (which i am wanting to switch to a 32 inch, 27 feels small now.)
@@joshfenn No insult was intended. I was just thinking that I too like those finer things. And maybe suede instead of felt would feel even better for the desk mat. Then I thought about how the $120 price tag is higher than the monthly income of many breadwinners around the world and thought how lucky we are to be able to indulge in these. In short, I was feeling guilty, so I took it out in you and then paid you a due compliment to make up for it 😄 thanks for providing this outlet for me 🙏
No worries, I definitely get it. It’s still incredibly surreal for me to have such a nice workspace and desk setup, I didn’t grow up with money or anything and quite a few years working out of a backpack while holding down a job selling mattresses to pay the bills for the first 5 years of TH-cam. Incredibly grateful for everything and can’t wait to see how things turn out long term with my work and the YT channel.
I don't know your workflow for client work, but my M1 Max Mac Studio EXACTLY mirrors my Macbook Pro. M1 Max, 32 GB Ram, 32 Core GPU, 2 tb SSD. The Mac Studio is a monster and handles my Fx3 footage at the highest codec easily. I never background render during editing. I think you would really enjoy it. You and I make similar videos so I understand your level of video production.
Yeah, I’ve been looking into it more and think the max would be more than enough for my current workflow setup. I was aiming to futureproof a bit more for when I eventually make some camera upgrades down the line, but a few years from now our options might be different and I can always repurpose the m1 max as a server computer or something. Definitely leaning this way now, it’ll allow me to upgrade way sooner too. Thanks for the input and reassurance!
Finally - Been waiting for this video 😃. I love your setup. Its simple clean and minimal. I recently changed industries into tech where I work 100% from home so I am working on building a decent desk and setup. Thanks for the great content Josh.
So glad you liked it! It’s been so nice having a proper desktop setup, and the recent upgrades have made it even better. Good luck on your build/setup in the future!
Wow I've never thought anyone would like those square LG monitors, nice setup Josh. I would only recommend a mistel split keyboard for a more ego comfort while typing.
The monitors are way nicer than expected, if I didn’t have my Xbox setup I’d probably just ditch my middle monitor and run two of those. Aspect ratio has been great for practical use. Not sure I could ever go with the split but it does look interesting. I’ll keep it in mind!
Nice reviews. I love watching videos of office setups to jot down ideas for mine. What I liked most about yours is your chair. I think I could get one just like it for my Protractor Desk from Manhattan Home Design. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the support! The Aeron is incredible, I can’t recommend it enough. The used market is plentiful too so it’s usually easy to find a good deal.
I use one of my microfiber hankies to wipe everything down occasionally in addition to a handled duster to try and keep it clean. Always a good idea, electronics always attract extra dust! Appreciate the support on this one
Incredible video and so many ideas! Did you mention how you split the signal to your monitors? I am about to set up 2 monitors and I don’t want them mirrored. Thank you!
It probably depends on the I/O for the computer, I have my 32” running via HDMI and the two dualups running via USB-C and they run without any mirroring issues
Hello, lovely setup! I have been trying to find ways to setup 3 monitors for a while but having difficulty finding information on how to connect everything together. As luck would have it, your setup includes the EXACT monitors I am interested in. Could you please explain how you set up the 3 monitors to your Mac so each monitor has its own screen instead of mirroring the laptop screen? Also, would a similar method work for Windows machine? Thank you so much in advance!
Should (hopefully) be able to help! It was a bit tricky to get set up and working at first for me. I have my center monitor running into a caldigit ts3 via HDMI and the dualups running direct into my MacBook ports via USBC. Had to ditch the single cable setup because there wasn’t enough bandwidth running all of it together but it’s working fine this way. I haven’t had a windows pc in quite some time so I can’t really say with certainty if/how it will work for you, but I think my MacBook has 40gbps of bandwidth on each side split between two ports. So one monitor is running into one side with all of my peripherals with 40gbps of bandwidth, and the 2 dualups running into the other side using the other 40gbps of bandwidth. Can’t really say on the software side for you how things would play out, but I’d guess if you have the port bandwidth to cover it you should be okay. Hope this helps!
This is absolutely wonderful; I wasn't sure if you would be able to see my message 7 months after you uploaded the video. I really appreciate your candor and the detailed information! I currently have a Windows work-laptop that should cover this, but I am planning on getting one of the newer Macbook Pros soon for home use so that should definitely work! I noticed the Caldigit underneath your desk but did not want to assume. I was a little skeptical of my 60 inch desk not having enough space to space out all monitors, but I have done rudimentary math with monitor dimensions on the LG website so that should be plenty real-estate for the 3 screens, especially when you tilt the lateral 2 on the outside to face the chair. Thank you so much for your help with this! You have an amazing setup, productivity galore! P.S. I have to add: I spent quite a bit of time in Olympia/Tacoma and the PNW is my all-time favorite places in the US. Currently in Reno for medical residency, but may come back to PNW later in life!
Glad the info helped! Also worth noting, my desk is 60” and they fit pretty well. Angling my dualups a bit I have maybe an inch or so of ‘overhang’ on each side but could easily increase the angle and eliminate it if needed. The PNW is great! Moved out here from Detroit back in 2016. Should actually be out in the Olympics next month for some backpacking, it’s a go-to for me this time of year while the mountains are still snowed in. Good luck with the new setup!
Haha that's amazing! Looks like all I had to do over the last few weeks was just see your set up video instead of the other dozens I saw; we both have very similar taste! Also, I went to medical school in Iowa, so we share those midwestern roots too! Love it. Thank you so much once again! You have been so helpful! :)
Thanks! I use an ergotron LX for the middle monitor and the dualups come with a really great arm as the default stands. Been working really well for me!
It’s a fiddle leaf fig! A fake one though unfortunately, they’re not cat safe so I couldn’t get a real one. For a fake though this one looks excellent, I’ve been really happy with it. Here’s the link if you’re interested: amzn.to/3Doolt8
Great video, thanks. I had few questions, please check below, would really appreciate if reply please: 1. What's the dimensions of your desk? I'm thinking of buying a 55 x 28 inch desk with main 27 inch monitor with dual 27 inch vertical monitors on left & right side like you have, just thinking if they all would fit well. 2. Are you thinking of upgrading to CalDigit TS4 dock instead, given it's Thunderbolt 4? Will you really benefit from it or Thunderbolt 3 is still good for triple monitor setup? 3. How many watts / power does the motor use?
Thanks for the support! • pretty sure the desk was 60”x30” for this one, there was a bit of overhang with all 3 monitors. • you’d probably be better off with the ts4, it was tricky getting all 3 monitors working in the setup and I ended up plugging the side monitors in directly to the laptop • not sure about the exact wattage unfortunately, my desk is slightly different now and I can’t test the older one. Don’t think it’d be too high though
@@joshfenn Hey, thanks a lot for the reply! There's a local company here which produces these desks in 55 x 28 dimensions. Should I ask them to customize it or this is fine? FYI, I would mount all 3 monitors using triple mount
It’d be tight but I’m sure you could get by with 3 monitors on a 55” desk, especially angling the outside ones like I did. Plenty of room for mounting the monitor arms still
I was curious about how you managed your cables specially with a standing desk and your xbox sitting in a console unit. Did you get a long HDMI cable?Does it keep on dangling behind your desk? Were there any performance issues with a long HDMI cable? How do you switch between you macbook and xbox inputs?
I actually planned on including cable management in the video but cut for time/interest. Nothing too complicated, just a power strip mounted underneath with some cable trays along the back. I think I used a 10-15ft hdmi for the Xbox, no issues usually until you start getting over 25-30ft in my experience. I used a cord wrap to keep the power cable, Xbox hdmi, and Ethernet together and clean so it’s not technically a single cable but looks/acts like it. My monitor has two hdmi inputs so I just switch between them as needed. Love having the dualups still for reference when playing too, it’s been really helpful.
@@joshfenn Thank you for taking your time for a detailed explanation. I like the cord wrap idea and will try it with my PS5. I want to keep my console away from my desk so that it is not tempting to play during work hours lol
How were you able use 3 external monitors with mac below M1 Max? I already have a Dual up as my second monitor but wanting to get another to balance my desk but was told i can't do 3 external monitors on my 2021 m1 pro and that i was limited to external monitors only. thanks
Thanks Josh for replying, I am not into gaming, could you suggest a good all in one speaker (clutterfree) Budget (100-200)for my setup mainly for watching work stuff and movies. I am also looking for a good deal on a 4K 32inch monitor- Budget (500-600)
Honestly my 4k 32” monitor and speakers both fit your budget and I’d absolutely recommend them even without gaming. They’ve worked really well for over a year now, especially for the price. The amp is nice but way overkill if you’re not driving high end headphones or doing professional audio work.
Hey, small tip. The Aeron is carefully designed for a specific way of sitting. I think that when you use a foot rest, you kinda using your Aeron wrong. I think it was built for you to sit with your legs straight on the floor. When you use foot rest you're risking messing up the ergonomics of the chair.
I spend a fair amount of time with the Aeron lounged back, especially when gaming, I found the foot rest helps compensate and maintain alignment when in that angle. I’ll keep this in mind though, thanks for the heads up!
Not exactly a desk setup question, but related to something that you showed. Where did you find that, going to call it a cabinet, that you have your Series X in? You showed it briefly, but I’m not seeing it in the list of things you provided.
Yeah I just picked up a drill bit and made a cable hole myself. Didn’t come out as clean as I would have liked with the thin particle backing, but it’s hidden behind the Xbox so not a huge deal.
For what it's worth, if you are still doing okay editing on a 2018 MBP, probably any work flow you need to do will be covered by the max. Since the price for the ultra is double the max, I feel like the question really comes down to is the Ultra still going to be more powerful than a new max equivalent in 2-4 years, or will these M# processors continue to scale up quickly? Will the $4000 computer now be as good as a $2000 computer in 4 years, ask the people that bought the trash can, or the 2020 mac pro...
My 2018 has definitely been underperforming for my needs, but I’m pretty set on getting the max after some time and consideration. Might see what (if anything) gets announced in October with the m2 chips but I should hopefully make an upgrade soon.
Great vid as always, Josh! Do you hook the monitors up to the laptop all through the thunderbolt dock? I’m trying to do a similar setup and have been struggling a bit with setting up the monitors. Thanks!
It took a bit of finagling for me to get everything up and running, the MBP doesn’t support that much data from one port so I had to run some direct to get it to work. I think I had two monitors running through the caldigit at some point but ended up plugging 2/3 monitors directly into the MacBook when I added the third. Disappointed to lose the one cable setup, but I’m essentially running 4 1440p monitors + 1 4K monitor so it seemed like a fair compromise haha.
Hey Josh, thanks for sharing your setup. You're one of the only setups that I've seen running a MBP driven setup for double DualUps +1, which is what I've currently got right now. I've been banging my head against a wall on getting everything configured properly, I'd like to know how you have everything docked / your thoughts. My MBP (2019 16" i7) just cannot seem to output video smoothly to the two DualUps. I've tried so many different variations: two DualUps + 1x 27" through a triple monitor Plugable DisplayLink dock (using all HDMI, all DP, and a hybrid of the two), two DualUps + 1x 27" through a quad monitor Plugable DisplayLink dock (same cable configs), two DualUps through a double USB-C dongle from Amazon (using 2x HDMI)... no matter what configuration I try, my MBP slows to a crawl. I've also tried lowering the resolution on both DualUps (not ideal), and it hasn't really helped. My conclusion was that maybe my older MBP + the two brand new displays wasn't going to marry well together, so I went ahead and ordered a 16" M1 MBP which should be arriving soon. But seeing your video, you're running an even older MBP and you don't seem to be having any issues. I also checked your affiliate links for the dock you're using and it doesn't seem to be DisplayLink enabled. My MBP can't output three monitors without the DisplayLink driver. I'm at a loss haha. The cherry on top for me is that in every configuration listed above, I can't get LG's On Screen Control to work on both DualUp monitors, so I had to buy the Magnet app. In the grand scheme of things it's only $8, but added insult to injury. These DualUps seem to really not like me. Appreciate any thoughts. Sorry for the wall of text.
Sorry to hear you’re having so much trouble with your setup! Mine was a bit finicky to get started, but has been smooth ever since I figured out a config that worked. I’m running the two dualups to the two usb-c ports on the right side (via usb) and then my 32” is running though DisplayPort into my caldigit ts3+ along with all of my other peripherals into a left side usb-c port. This setup seemed to be the only way all 3 worked from the few setups I tried. Was disappointed I couldn’t run everything into the caldigit but I think it’s just too much bandwidth for the i/o bus on a single side. Hope this provides some insight for you, best of luck getting the setup working!
@@joshfenn interesting, so you’re running a combination of direct and docked.. I might have to give that one a try, I’ve only tried all docked. Thanks!
@@joshfenn quick update Josh. My M1 MBP came in, ran all three through a single docking solution using HDMI. Works flawlessly. It seems with a hardware upgrade you’ll be able to run everything through your existing Thunderbolt connector down the line. Cheers man.
I actually recorded a section on cable management but cut it for time/interest. Tough to show on camera in an interesting way but I’ve got a power strip mounted under the desk and two cable trays running along the back. Not my cleanest cable management work but it’s gotten the job done for me.
@@joshfenn Thanks Josh. I just picked up two dual ups (inspired by you) and was trying to figure out what monitor size I can have as my main. I have a Flexispot E5 as well, but mine is 55x28. I’m wondering if I’d be able to squeeze a 32 inch on there in the middle of my dual ups or if I should go to 27 or 28 inch monitor. I can’t tell from the video- but based on your comment I’m assuming 27 would work better for my space?
I have a bit of overhang with my 32” in the center so a 27” would probably fit best, but I think you could make it work with either size. I would still choose whichever panel seems best as a first priority and size second. At least for me, trying to find something good for office work, video editing, and gaming, the choices are kind of slim so I wouldn’t pass on a 32” if it checks more boxes but a 27 would probably fit best. Hope that makes some sense!
Definitely an investment in quality & design with the grovemade items. I hear you though, I spent many years just working out of a backpack followed by a $60 Craigslist desk before my current setup.
That is a clean setup not a minimalist one, I see this term used a lot lately but in all videos they show a bunch of hardware or gear you have to buy, that is not minimalist at all, a minimalist setup consist in something functional without buying more stuff that the one you really need or already have. Nice setup, I love your preferences and the sleek and clean look of your desk and I am not into minimalism, I assume the use of this term is to catch audience and honestly worked.
Minimalism has a lot of definitions for a lot of different people. I utilize everything here on a daily basis and the item choices and design were extremely intentional. That fits the bill for me, but obviously everyone has different needs for a desk, even minimalists. Regardless, glad you enjoyed the setup and I appreciate the comment!
How did they purposefully ruin my Mac? The software I use for work is Mac only so I wouldn’t be able to, but I love both platforms and would probably have both if I could afford it.
@@joshfenn lot of update, when did you last update your Mac? It is that last update that slow down the performance. I used to have MacBook, iPhones, Apple products and spends thousands of dollar every year, even more when it break. If it wasn’t for the update that slow Down the devices I wouldn’t switch to pc and and android.
I legit cant imagine not having multiple monitors. Ive been using at least 2 for well over a decade. To be fair though, any time I upgrade my main monitor, i move my old main monitor to replace the one in the dual position. Workflow is just so much better and easier with the extra screen space. I might go with a tiefighter set up with my next upgrade for the main, and that will be an ultrawide
I’ve wanted an ultrawide or multiple monitor setup for so long, it’s been so nice to use since the change. I’ve still been debating a 42” oled for the better gaming performance but I’m loving this setup far more than expected.
I used to work with two monitors at the office, but using one Odyssey G5 ultrawide at home I really don't miss the two monitors. I actually prefer the ultrawide without the bezels in the middle, I can make more efficient use of all the space.
Can you do a video on your photography/videography set up? Maybe your favorite ways of editing, things you use, your favorite camera bag. I’m super interested! To be honest I always wait for your videos you seem like such a humble person and it really makes your channel different from others.
I played music for a really long time and lived in a van with 5 other dudes in my early twenties and just toured all over the place. I haven’t played any music for a few years but I bought a midi board and I hope to get into it again. Maybe you can run us through some things you have learned or what you have been working on. Thanks for inspiring us!
Sounds just like me in regards to the music! Broke and crammed in a van driving around the country was tough at times but probably the best years of my life so far if i’m being honest haha.
Most of my filmmaking/photography type videos notoriously underperformed so I’ve mostly moved away from that type of video, but I’ll definitely keep it in mind! Haven’t changed my camera gear in several years so I haven’t had much to get excited about and report on but I’m hoping to make some upgrades sometime soon. Slightly on topic from what you mentioned, I might be doing a studio tour update sometime in the coming months! That’ll showcase some of the setup for you.
Thanks for the support!
For my workflow, I don't need a third monitor but now that I've seen the cleanest one on youtube I might consider this!
Part of me still wants to switch out to one of the 42” OLED tv’s to improve my gaming setup, but this setup has been so great for my day to day office workflow. Would definitely recommend!
This is by far the best desk setup video I’ve ever seen 🔥🔥
So glad to hear it, thanks for the support!
I was trying to find someone that had this monitor setup with the two DualUps flanking the sides. Love it
Glad you found the video! The setup has been awesome, the dualup aspect ratio has been perfect for this type of setup
Looking at a DualUp as well. Want to consolidate my 3 monitor setup into two and this might be the way to go without losing desktop space. Looks great for 3d modeling, photo work, and streaming.
This config has been so great for me, I’d definitely recommend it if it suits your workflow. Gonna be tough going back to anything else after getting used to this setup the past few months.
@@joshfennthat mount alone is a revelation.
I really like the overall simplicity of your setup. It's not cluttered with unnecessary stuff.
My desk setup looks like a hot mess, right now. But I'm working on getting it sorted out.
Glad you liked the setup! Having a clean workspace is so important for me, helps a ton to stay focused and enjoy my time and space while working.
Added the monitor light after one of your previous videos and still loving it.
These are really great videos. I’m always interested in making the most comfortable and efficient work station I can at home and come away from your videos with new ideas.
I’m still loving that monitor light too, it was so much better than I ever could have imagined. Glad you’re enjoying the videos, thanks for the support on these!
I love my LG DualUp too! It is much much better vertical monitor than a 16:9 monitor turned 90 degree (which is just too tall) I am using it as 2nd monitor with my 27 inch LG 4k 16:9 monitor (which i am wanting to switch to a 32 inch, 27 feels small now.)
The dualup is great! I ended up selling mine to pay for a 42” OLED but I still miss them sometimes
Love the aesthetics of your setup. I have two of those exact same Edison pipe lamps in my office as well. Probably from the same Etsy seller!
Thanks! Those lamps are great, the pricing from Etsy was really reasonable too for how nice the quality was when I got it.
Your set up is top tier
Thanks! Super happy with everything and still in a bit of disbelief to have such a great setup haha
@@joshfenn not to mention your video editing style and production. Everything is so 🔥🔥🔥
Hello, Wow, I love LG Monitors…. Congratulations. Cool. Excellent
Thanks!
You are a very lucky and self-indulgent man, but we’ll look past that since you are blessed with good taste 😁 Really envious, nicely done 👍👍
Equal parts complimentary and insulting, haha.
@@joshfenn No insult was intended. I was just thinking that I too like those finer things. And maybe suede instead of felt would feel even better for the desk mat. Then I thought about how the $120 price tag is higher than the monthly income of many breadwinners around the world and thought how lucky we are to be able to indulge in these. In short, I was feeling guilty, so I took it out in you and then paid you a due compliment to make up for it 😄 thanks for providing this outlet for me 🙏
No worries, I definitely get it. It’s still incredibly surreal for me to have such a nice workspace and desk setup, I didn’t grow up with money or anything and quite a few years working out of a backpack while holding down a job selling mattresses to pay the bills for the first 5 years of TH-cam. Incredibly grateful for everything and can’t wait to see how things turn out long term with my work and the YT channel.
@@joshfenn it’s a great channel and a great achievement. Well done for following your dreams and doing what very few people can. Keep it up Josh 👌
I would wait for the M2 MacBook Pros coming in October. I think the portable nature and the M2 Pro 14 will do you wonders!
Might see what gets announced this October, but we’ll see!
Love the cozy vibes, also the folks at Grovemade are awesome!
Thank you! Huge fan of everything they’re doing at grovemade.
I don't know your workflow for client work, but my M1 Max Mac Studio EXACTLY mirrors my Macbook Pro. M1 Max, 32 GB Ram, 32 Core GPU, 2 tb SSD. The Mac Studio is a monster and handles my Fx3 footage at the highest codec easily. I never background render during editing. I think you would really enjoy it. You and I make similar videos so I understand your level of video production.
Yeah, I’ve been looking into it more and think the max would be more than enough for my current workflow setup. I was aiming to futureproof a bit more for when I eventually make some camera upgrades down the line, but a few years from now our options might be different and I can always repurpose the m1 max as a server computer or something. Definitely leaning this way now, it’ll allow me to upgrade way sooner too.
Thanks for the input and reassurance!
Finally - Been waiting for this video 😃. I love your setup. Its simple clean and minimal. I recently changed industries into tech where I work 100% from home so I am working on building a decent desk and setup. Thanks for the great content Josh.
So glad you liked it! It’s been so nice having a proper desktop setup, and the recent upgrades have made it even better. Good luck on your build/setup in the future!
Wow I've never thought anyone would like those square LG monitors, nice setup Josh. I would only recommend a mistel split keyboard for a more ego comfort while typing.
The monitors are way nicer than expected, if I didn’t have my Xbox setup I’d probably just ditch my middle monitor and run two of those. Aspect ratio has been great for practical use.
Not sure I could ever go with the split but it does look interesting. I’ll keep it in mind!
Wow, really like your setup - good job sir!
Thanks so much!
i love that edison bulb tree looking thing on the left side of you. can i get a link?
I found it on Etsy a couple of years ago, I’ll see if I can find a link and get back to you if it’s still available
Nice reviews. I love watching videos of office setups to jot down ideas for mine. What I liked most about yours is your chair. I think I could get one just like it for my Protractor Desk from Manhattan Home Design. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the support! The Aeron is incredible, I can’t recommend it enough. The used market is plentiful too so it’s usually easy to find a good deal.
Helloooo old friend! This is amazing 😊
So crazy to see you on here! Jen found one of my videos recently too haha.
Hope you’re doing well, it’s great to hear from you!
You should get a mini vaccum / cleaning cloth. Or im just a messy person. Nice vid!
I use one of my microfiber hankies to wipe everything down occasionally in addition to a handled duster to try and keep it clean. Always a good idea, electronics always attract extra dust! Appreciate the support on this one
Incredible video and so many ideas! Did you mention how you split the signal to your monitors? I am about to set up 2 monitors and I don’t want them mirrored. Thank you!
It probably depends on the I/O for the computer, I have my 32” running via HDMI and the two dualups running via USB-C and they run without any mirroring issues
That is one sweet setup! Great video as always…keep it up!
Thanks so much!
Hello, lovely setup! I have been trying to find ways to setup 3 monitors for a while but having difficulty finding information on how to connect everything together. As luck would have it, your setup includes the EXACT monitors I am interested in. Could you please explain how you set up the 3 monitors to your Mac so each monitor has its own screen instead of mirroring the laptop screen? Also, would a similar method work for Windows machine? Thank you so much in advance!
Should (hopefully) be able to help! It was a bit tricky to get set up and working at first for me.
I have my center monitor running into a caldigit ts3 via HDMI and the dualups running direct into my MacBook ports via USBC. Had to ditch the single cable setup because there wasn’t enough bandwidth running all of it together but it’s working fine this way.
I haven’t had a windows pc in quite some time so I can’t really say with certainty if/how it will work for you, but I think my MacBook has 40gbps of bandwidth on each side split between two ports. So one monitor is running into one side with all of my peripherals with 40gbps of bandwidth, and the 2 dualups running into the other side using the other 40gbps of bandwidth. Can’t really say on the software side for you how things would play out, but I’d guess if you have the port bandwidth to cover it you should be okay.
Hope this helps!
This is absolutely wonderful; I wasn't sure if you would be able to see my message 7 months after you uploaded the video. I really appreciate your candor and the detailed information! I currently have a Windows work-laptop that should cover this, but I am planning on getting one of the newer Macbook Pros soon for home use so that should definitely work! I noticed the Caldigit underneath your desk but did not want to assume. I was a little skeptical of my 60 inch desk not having enough space to space out all monitors, but I have done rudimentary math with monitor dimensions on the LG website so that should be plenty real-estate for the 3 screens, especially when you tilt the lateral 2 on the outside to face the chair. Thank you so much for your help with this! You have an amazing setup, productivity galore!
P.S. I have to add: I spent quite a bit of time in Olympia/Tacoma and the PNW is my all-time favorite places in the US. Currently in Reno for medical residency, but may come back to PNW later in life!
Glad the info helped! Also worth noting, my desk is 60” and they fit pretty well. Angling my dualups a bit I have maybe an inch or so of ‘overhang’ on each side but could easily increase the angle and eliminate it if needed.
The PNW is great! Moved out here from Detroit back in 2016. Should actually be out in the Olympics next month for some backpacking, it’s a go-to for me this time of year while the mountains are still snowed in.
Good luck with the new setup!
Haha that's amazing! Looks like all I had to do over the last few weeks was just see your set up video instead of the other dozens I saw; we both have very similar taste! Also, I went to medical school in Iowa, so we share those midwestern roots too! Love it. Thank you so much once again! You have been so helpful! :)
Great video sir. Well explained and I hope you have a lot of fun with those nice items! 👍
Thanks so much for the support! Absolutely loving the setup, still quite surreal for me to be able to work in such a nice space.
just started using my s
desk as A DESK... using a hand me dowm laptop with a big ,
monitor... want to update it to start podcast and youtube channel
That’s great, good luck with the new channel and podcast!
Cool set up man
Thanks!
My dude, excellent content as always! Question for ya, what monitor arm/stand are you using to support your triple monitor setup?
Thanks! I use an ergotron LX for the middle monitor and the dualups come with a really great arm as the default stands. Been working really well for me!
What is this plant behind you in the video called? Looks nice!
It’s a fiddle leaf fig! A fake one though unfortunately, they’re not cat safe so I couldn’t get a real one. For a fake though this one looks excellent, I’ve been really happy with it. Here’s the link if you’re interested: amzn.to/3Doolt8
@@joshfenn Perfect, thank you so much!😍
love your videos! do more budget edc
Thanks! Definitely have plans to do a lot more budget edc moving forward, glad to hear you’re interested
Wait, how are you getting that soft, almost glowing effect on your videos? is it a lut or a little fade on top of it? Its so warm
Black Pro Mist filters! Been using them for a few years now, love the slightly dreamy look they have.
I need that wallpaper
I mirrored it to fit the display, but here's the original: unsplash.com/photos/g30P1zcOzXo
Great video, thanks. I had few questions, please check below, would really appreciate if reply please:
1. What's the dimensions of your desk? I'm thinking of buying a 55 x 28 inch desk with main 27 inch monitor with dual 27 inch vertical monitors on left & right side like you have, just thinking if they all would fit well.
2. Are you thinking of upgrading to CalDigit TS4 dock instead, given it's Thunderbolt 4? Will you really benefit from it or Thunderbolt 3 is still good for triple monitor setup?
3. How many watts / power does the motor use?
Thanks for the support!
• pretty sure the desk was 60”x30” for this one, there was a bit of overhang with all 3 monitors.
• you’d probably be better off with the ts4, it was tricky getting all 3 monitors working in the setup and I ended up plugging the side monitors in directly to the laptop
• not sure about the exact wattage unfortunately, my desk is slightly different now and I can’t test the older one. Don’t think it’d be too high though
@@joshfenn Hey, thanks a lot for the reply! There's a local company here which produces these desks in 55 x 28 dimensions. Should I ask them to customize it or this is fine? FYI, I would mount all 3 monitors using triple mount
It’d be tight but I’m sure you could get by with 3 monitors on a 55” desk, especially angling the outside ones like I did. Plenty of room for mounting the monitor arms still
@@joshfenn Got it, let me try this then! Thanks a lot
I was curious about how you managed your cables specially with a standing desk and your xbox sitting in a console unit. Did you get a long HDMI cable?Does it keep on dangling behind your desk? Were there any performance issues with a long HDMI cable? How do you switch between you macbook and xbox inputs?
I actually planned on including cable management in the video but cut for time/interest. Nothing too complicated, just a power strip mounted underneath with some cable trays along the back.
I think I used a 10-15ft hdmi for the Xbox, no issues usually until you start getting over 25-30ft in my experience.
I used a cord wrap to keep the power cable, Xbox hdmi, and Ethernet together and clean so it’s not technically a single cable but looks/acts like it.
My monitor has two hdmi inputs so I just switch between them as needed. Love having the dualups still for reference when playing too, it’s been really helpful.
@@joshfenn Thank you for taking your time for a detailed explanation. I like the cord wrap idea and will try it with my PS5. I want to keep my console away from my desk so that it is not tempting to play during work hours lol
How were you able use 3 external monitors with mac below M1 Max? I already have a Dual up as my second monitor but wanting to get another to balance my desk but was told i can't do 3 external monitors on my 2021 m1 pro and that i was limited to external monitors only. thanks
Not sure of the limits of the apple silicon options but it works on my 2018 Intel MBP!
You need to run it through a dock using DisplayLink.
Awesome!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I didn’t really expect to be interested in this video but I did find it to full of good ideas and well done.
Glad you ended up enjoying it, thanks for the support!
Thanks Josh for replying, I am not into gaming, could you suggest a good all in one speaker (clutterfree) Budget (100-200)for my setup mainly for watching work stuff and movies. I am also looking for a good deal on a 4K 32inch monitor- Budget (500-600)
Plus do I need the JDS amp, it looks damn cool though!!
Honestly my 4k 32” monitor and speakers both fit your budget and I’d absolutely recommend them even without gaming. They’ve worked really well for over a year now, especially for the price.
The amp is nice but way overkill if you’re not driving high end headphones or doing professional audio work.
Hey, small tip. The Aeron is carefully designed for a specific way of sitting. I think that when you use a foot rest, you kinda using your Aeron wrong. I think it was built for you to sit with your legs straight on the floor. When you use foot rest you're risking messing up the ergonomics of the chair.
I spend a fair amount of time with the Aeron lounged back, especially when gaming, I found the foot rest helps compensate and maintain alignment when in that angle. I’ll keep this in mind though, thanks for the heads up!
M1Max will blow your mind compared to the 2018 macbook pro.
Can’t wait to see how they compare, it’s gonna be great
Not exactly a desk setup question, but related to something that you showed.
Where did you find that, going to call it a cabinet, that you have your Series X in? You showed it briefly, but I’m not seeing it in the list of things you provided.
Must have forgotten it when getting the links together, been really happy with it since picking it up last year! Here's the link: amzn.to/3CXch1L
@@joshfenn Thanks for the link.
I assume you made a small whole for the console's cords to go through in the back?
Yeah I just picked up a drill bit and made a cable hole myself. Didn’t come out as clean as I would have liked with the thin particle backing, but it’s hidden behind the Xbox so not a huge deal.
For what it's worth, if you are still doing okay editing on a 2018 MBP, probably any work flow you need to do will be covered by the max. Since the price for the ultra is double the max, I feel like the question really comes down to is the Ultra still going to be more powerful than a new max equivalent in 2-4 years, or will these M# processors continue to scale up quickly? Will the $4000 computer now be as good as a $2000 computer in 4 years, ask the people that bought the trash can, or the 2020 mac pro...
My 2018 has definitely been underperforming for my needs, but I’m pretty set on getting the max after some time and consideration. Might see what (if anything) gets announced in October with the m2 chips but I should hopefully make an upgrade soon.
Great vid as always, Josh! Do you hook the monitors up to the laptop all through the thunderbolt dock? I’m trying to do a similar setup and have been struggling a bit with setting up the monitors. Thanks!
It took a bit of finagling for me to get everything up and running, the MBP doesn’t support that much data from one port so I had to run some direct to get it to work.
I think I had two monitors running through the caldigit at some point but ended up plugging 2/3 monitors directly into the MacBook when I added the third. Disappointed to lose the one cable setup, but I’m essentially running 4 1440p monitors + 1 4K monitor so it seemed like a fair compromise haha.
i need some help. How can i connect the dual up and a lg widescreen 32 inch w/o the dual up losing res. It wont let me select the dimensions I need.
Might be a limitation to the computer, what do you have them running into?
Hey Josh, thanks for sharing your setup. You're one of the only setups that I've seen running a MBP driven setup for double DualUps +1, which is what I've currently got right now. I've been banging my head against a wall on getting everything configured properly, I'd like to know how you have everything docked / your thoughts.
My MBP (2019 16" i7) just cannot seem to output video smoothly to the two DualUps. I've tried so many different variations: two DualUps + 1x 27" through a triple monitor Plugable DisplayLink dock (using all HDMI, all DP, and a hybrid of the two), two DualUps + 1x 27" through a quad monitor Plugable DisplayLink dock (same cable configs), two DualUps through a double USB-C dongle from Amazon (using 2x HDMI)... no matter what configuration I try, my MBP slows to a crawl. I've also tried lowering the resolution on both DualUps (not ideal), and it hasn't really helped.
My conclusion was that maybe my older MBP + the two brand new displays wasn't going to marry well together, so I went ahead and ordered a 16" M1 MBP which should be arriving soon. But seeing your video, you're running an even older MBP and you don't seem to be having any issues. I also checked your affiliate links for the dock you're using and it doesn't seem to be DisplayLink enabled. My MBP can't output three monitors without the DisplayLink driver.
I'm at a loss haha. The cherry on top for me is that in every configuration listed above, I can't get LG's On Screen Control to work on both DualUp monitors, so I had to buy the Magnet app. In the grand scheme of things it's only $8, but added insult to injury. These DualUps seem to really not like me.
Appreciate any thoughts. Sorry for the wall of text.
Sorry to hear you’re having so much trouble with your setup! Mine was a bit finicky to get started, but has been smooth ever since I figured out a config that worked. I’m running the two dualups to the two usb-c ports on the right side (via usb) and then my 32” is running though DisplayPort into my caldigit ts3+ along with all of my other peripherals into a left side usb-c port.
This setup seemed to be the only way all 3 worked from the few setups I tried. Was disappointed I couldn’t run everything into the caldigit but I think it’s just too much bandwidth for the i/o bus on a single side.
Hope this provides some insight for you, best of luck getting the setup working!
@@joshfenn interesting, so you’re running a combination of direct and docked.. I might have to give that one a try, I’ve only tried all docked. Thanks!
@@joshfenn quick update Josh. My M1 MBP came in, ran all three through a single docking solution using HDMI. Works flawlessly.
It seems with a hardware upgrade you’ll be able to run everything through your existing Thunderbolt connector down the line. Cheers man.
So glad to hear this! Thinking about an M1 Max studio or MBP most likely, planning to upgrade sometime soon.
@@dr.johnszoidberg6868 can I ask what docking station you ended up using for this setup?
The footrest is made by Hawbeg.
Got a link in the description!
Your audio sounds so crisp. Which mic are you using?
Thanks! I’m using the Oktava MK-012 running into a zoom F6, edited in adobe audition.
How did you sort the wiring out?
I actually recorded a section on cable management but cut it for time/interest. Tough to show on camera in an interesting way but I’ve got a power strip mounted under the desk and two cable trays running along the back. Not my cleanest cable management work but it’s gotten the job done for me.
how do you connect the monitor?
The dualup monitors are usb-c direct to my MacBook, and the 32” is running through a DisplayPort to HDMI from the caldigit to the monitor
What is the stand behind you?
The monitor stand? Not sure what you mean
@@joshfenn the wood stand
color caliberation, is there any default tool to check it? how did you check them?
Unfortunately no default/built in tools on the computer. I got this one last year and have been pretty happy with it for the price - amzn.to/3L5C8Ht
What cabinet/shelf is that you're rocking that the edison lamp is on? Also... where can I get the Edison lamp?
Happy to share, been loving them both! Here's the cabinet: amzn.to/3dutLZP and the lamp: etsy.me/3xJJPNW
How large is your desk?
60” x 30”, everything fits pretty well but I could probably go a bit bigger
@@joshfenn Thanks Josh. I just picked up two dual ups (inspired by you) and was trying to figure out what monitor size I can have as my main. I have a Flexispot E5 as well, but mine is 55x28. I’m wondering if I’d be able to squeeze a 32 inch on there in the middle of my dual ups or if I should go to 27 or 28 inch monitor. I can’t tell from the video- but based on your comment I’m assuming 27 would work better for my space?
I have a bit of overhang with my 32” in the center so a 27” would probably fit best, but I think you could make it work with either size. I would still choose whichever panel seems best as a first priority and size second. At least for me, trying to find something good for office work, video editing, and gaming, the choices are kind of slim so I wouldn’t pass on a 32” if it checks more boxes but a 27 would probably fit best. Hope that makes some sense!
@@joshfenn Awesome. Thanks Josh. My set up will only be for work- so I’m leaning larger. The dual ups are so weird that they are awesome
The desk shelf costs more than my desk lmao
Definitely an investment in quality & design with the grovemade items. I hear you though, I spent many years just working out of a backpack followed by a $60 Craigslist desk before my current setup.
You look like you have a hidden secret room in ur basement
I wish
Literally, the last video I just watched had the same song playing in the background. Why does everyone use the same music?
Limited options and services for music that won’t cause copyright issues if I had to guess
Dude I have to say… before you even said you were from Portland I was thinking ‘this dude is Portland as shit’
Haha I definitely get that
That is a clean setup not a minimalist one, I see this term used a lot lately but in all videos they show a bunch of hardware or gear you have to buy, that is not minimalist at all, a minimalist setup consist in something functional without buying more stuff that the one you really need or already have. Nice setup, I love your preferences and the sleek and clean look of your desk and I am not into minimalism, I assume the use of this term is to catch audience and honestly worked.
I’d disagree. With everything he uses this for I think it definitely qualifies as minimalist.
Minimalism has a lot of definitions for a lot of different people. I utilize everything here on a daily basis and the item choices and design were extremely intentional. That fits the bill for me, but obviously everyone has different needs for a desk, even minimalists. Regardless, glad you enjoyed the setup and I appreciate the comment!
if u had bored us we probably would already have skipped the vid.
You’d be surprised, some people love to complain haha.
@@joshfenn I know how it is Josh! But anyways awesome video and awesome looks(yours) I think.
Thanks for the support!!
Why not switch to a pc. Apple purposely ruin your Mac after a few years of purchase.
How did they purposefully ruin my Mac?
The software I use for work is Mac only so I wouldn’t be able to, but I love both platforms and would probably have both if I could afford it.
@@joshfenn lot of update, when did you last update your Mac? It is that last update that slow down the performance. I used to have MacBook, iPhones, Apple products and spends thousands of dollar every year, even more when it break. If it wasn’t for the update that slow Down the devices I wouldn’t switch to pc and and android.