Tips for decluttering my Mac workstation
April 10, 2024 4:18 AM Subscribe
I have a ton of cables and peripherals attached to my MacBook Pro, which is cluttering up my desk and making it a hassle to unplug the computer and actually go anywhere. I am looking for ways to make this easier and nicer, and happy to spend money to do it.
Some renovations in my office led me to unplug everything and pack it all up, and before I put it all back together, I’d like to make this easier. I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff that attaches to the Mac—not all of which is used all the time, but it doesn’t feel like it makes sense to unplug this and that frequently.
Some of what is attached includes: Time Machine drive, a drive with music and movies (plus a clone backup), a drive with photos (and a clone backup), a DAW, a midi keyboard, a DVD drive, a card reader, an Ethernet adapter, two monitors, and surely other stuff. All four USB-C ports on the MacBook are occupied and I somehow am using both a powered and unpowered USB hub and the USB port on one of the monitors, plus a couple lightning/USB C/micro USB cables for charging and connectivity. It's a mess.
I may cull things as I put it back together, but at least rationalizing the connections to the actual MacBook would be a win.
Is there a high-capacity “professional grade” USB hub that could take all of my wires off my desk and leave me with just one connection to the MacBook? Should I just buy a Mac Mini and connect my drives to that and connect on the network? Move the drives to a NAS or something (I have a Synology NAS for some files already).
Thanks in advance. Despite having all this crap, I don’t follow technology closely so I have no idea what the best way is to make this easier.
Some renovations in my office led me to unplug everything and pack it all up, and before I put it all back together, I’d like to make this easier. I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff that attaches to the Mac—not all of which is used all the time, but it doesn’t feel like it makes sense to unplug this and that frequently.
Some of what is attached includes: Time Machine drive, a drive with music and movies (plus a clone backup), a drive with photos (and a clone backup), a DAW, a midi keyboard, a DVD drive, a card reader, an Ethernet adapter, two monitors, and surely other stuff. All four USB-C ports on the MacBook are occupied and I somehow am using both a powered and unpowered USB hub and the USB port on one of the monitors, plus a couple lightning/USB C/micro USB cables for charging and connectivity. It's a mess.
I may cull things as I put it back together, but at least rationalizing the connections to the actual MacBook would be a win.
Is there a high-capacity “professional grade” USB hub that could take all of my wires off my desk and leave me with just one connection to the MacBook? Should I just buy a Mac Mini and connect my drives to that and connect on the network? Move the drives to a NAS or something (I have a Synology NAS for some files already).
Thanks in advance. Despite having all this crap, I don’t follow technology closely so I have no idea what the best way is to make this easier.
The search term you want is "Thunderbolt dock". I have this Caldigit TS3 dock which connects a monitor, a few hard drives, printer, wired Ethernet, and power, all in one USBC cable (or, I guess, Thunderbolt cable). If you need more/different ports they have larger docks, or you can connect additional small USB hubs into the main dock.
posted by hovey at 5:18 AM on April 10 [2 favorites]
posted by hovey at 5:18 AM on April 10 [2 favorites]
I would look into attaching the drives to your network instead of the mac directly. If you’re not working on files on those drives specifically very often a NAS (Network Attached Storage) would be very helpful. Some home routers offer the ability to host a network drive. Then all your drives can live in a closet with your modem and router.
posted by Uncle at 5:29 AM on April 10
posted by Uncle at 5:29 AM on April 10
A Thunderbolt 3 or 4 dock would suit you. Some halfway decent brands include Kensington and HP. Prices around $200-$400.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 5:44 AM on April 10
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 5:44 AM on April 10
Seconding CalDigit - I have a now ancient USB-C Pro Dock that was at the time the smaller/cheaper version of the TS3 and includes SD card reader, more USBs, audio, Ethernet, and dual actual DisplayPort connectors and attaches to the machine via ThunderBolt 3 over a single USB-C, which also provides power to the MacBook Pro it's connected to (an M1 Pro model). One cable, and I'm running high-res weird displays off of it even (an LG DualUp and a 49" DQHD ultrawide). This dock is literally like 5 years old now and still works great, though I've sort of always wished it had more USB ports. (The TS3 Pro/TS4 are better about this.)
There are other good options besides CalDigit now too if you want another source - OWC makes some pretty great ones too. I haven't tried them specifically but OWC's stuff is generally good and they review well.
I would recommend against getting jellybean adapters unless you're only using them for the USB hub capability and/or Ethernet; the Thunderbolt docks will specifically allow for multiple DisplayPort streams from the laptop if you're using dual monitors and cheap X-in-1 USB hubs with >1 video output often don't (so it's either a "either-or" or one uses a DisplayLink - very different - chip which will be problematic on a Mac). Would be fine for just adding on USB ports, though.
posted by mrg at 5:50 AM on April 10 [3 favorites]
There are other good options besides CalDigit now too if you want another source - OWC makes some pretty great ones too. I haven't tried them specifically but OWC's stuff is generally good and they review well.
I would recommend against getting jellybean adapters unless you're only using them for the USB hub capability and/or Ethernet; the Thunderbolt docks will specifically allow for multiple DisplayPort streams from the laptop if you're using dual monitors and cheap X-in-1 USB hubs with >1 video output often don't (so it's either a "either-or" or one uses a DisplayLink - very different - chip which will be problematic on a Mac). Would be fine for just adding on USB ports, though.
posted by mrg at 5:50 AM on April 10 [3 favorites]
I believe OWC (macsales.com) is running a promo right now where they are selling a pro-grade thunderbolt dock for ~$99. I have what I think is an older version of the same dock from the same company and it's served me well for quite some time. One of the major benefits of this type of dock is that if you set it up right, you can disconnect your laptop from it by just unplugging one cable, as you requested in your question.
Some other tips:
Consider the positioning of your laptop itself. Do you need it open as a third display or for some other reason, or can you run it closed in clamshell mode most of the time? If the former, consider getting a stand for it if you don't have one, if the latter, consider a(nother type of) stand where it sits vertically and takes up less desk space and potentially can be tucked behind something.
Spend money on some monitor arms, get them off your desk. I have one from Ergotron supplied by my employer, I imagine there are cheaper alternatives as well. The arms have cable tracks in them, you can run power/display/etc cables through these and at least get them off your desk as well, if not totally out of sight.
Would you benefit from an upgrade to the biggest peripheral of all (your desk)? Either more space, amenities like porting to run cables along or through or more physical storage space?
I have a (heavy, metal) monitor riser that is sort of like a large box. Since I've got the proper mounted monitor stand now, I just use it to put the dock, mess of cables, and most of the hard drives I have connected. There are machined holes in it to run cables out of in certain directions. It's not the perfect solution, probably, but it *seems* less cluttered.
Determine which of the cables you're running right now are to *connect* things to your computer and which are to *power* accessories/peripherals. Anything where you're just using your computer as a power hub, find some other way to power those and get those cables off your desk, or consider a set up where they're handy and plugged into a multi-port device and hanging off the back of your desk.
Buy a bunch of velcro cable management and/or plastic cable track if you don't already have them. Making cables look more organized is (sort of) the same thing as actually organizing them better. Use the various nodules on the backs of your monitors to hang coiled cables on so you see less of them.
Do you use the DVD drive often (iterate on this question for all other peripherals)? I actually have a little blurary drive I sometimes use to watch movies in my office if I want, but it's connected so rarely its not permanently attached to my computer most of the time and is not on my desk.
Consider upgrading necessary peripherals you have to either be more wireless or more organizing-friendly, which would include standardizing as much as you can on fewer types of cables.
Organize your not-in-use cables. Have a spot near your desk (not on your desk) where all the ones you generally need are handy. *Don't put all the cables you've ever owned in this spot.* Give yourself the grace of making it easier to connect occasionally-used peripherals when needed and not all the time.
Designate an easily accessible port or two within your setup (either on one or both monitors, or within the dock) where there *isn't usually anything plugged into them.* That means if you, for example, want to watch a DVD once a week or load your phone up with music over a cable the old fashioned way, there's a flexible port handy and when you're done you can just put the peripheral and cable away until you need them again.
As your patterns of usage change or solidify over time, remember that you can always just rearrange everything again. Don't do this to excess or use it as an excuse to never do it, but this probably isn't the last time you'll make adjustments and further improvements may become more obvious over time.
posted by lousywiththespirit at 8:52 AM on April 10 [2 favorites]
Some other tips:
Consider the positioning of your laptop itself. Do you need it open as a third display or for some other reason, or can you run it closed in clamshell mode most of the time? If the former, consider getting a stand for it if you don't have one, if the latter, consider a(nother type of) stand where it sits vertically and takes up less desk space and potentially can be tucked behind something.
Spend money on some monitor arms, get them off your desk. I have one from Ergotron supplied by my employer, I imagine there are cheaper alternatives as well. The arms have cable tracks in them, you can run power/display/etc cables through these and at least get them off your desk as well, if not totally out of sight.
Would you benefit from an upgrade to the biggest peripheral of all (your desk)? Either more space, amenities like porting to run cables along or through or more physical storage space?
I have a (heavy, metal) monitor riser that is sort of like a large box. Since I've got the proper mounted monitor stand now, I just use it to put the dock, mess of cables, and most of the hard drives I have connected. There are machined holes in it to run cables out of in certain directions. It's not the perfect solution, probably, but it *seems* less cluttered.
Determine which of the cables you're running right now are to *connect* things to your computer and which are to *power* accessories/peripherals. Anything where you're just using your computer as a power hub, find some other way to power those and get those cables off your desk, or consider a set up where they're handy and plugged into a multi-port device and hanging off the back of your desk.
Buy a bunch of velcro cable management and/or plastic cable track if you don't already have them. Making cables look more organized is (sort of) the same thing as actually organizing them better. Use the various nodules on the backs of your monitors to hang coiled cables on so you see less of them.
Do you use the DVD drive often (iterate on this question for all other peripherals)? I actually have a little blurary drive I sometimes use to watch movies in my office if I want, but it's connected so rarely its not permanently attached to my computer most of the time and is not on my desk.
Consider upgrading necessary peripherals you have to either be more wireless or more organizing-friendly, which would include standardizing as much as you can on fewer types of cables.
Organize your not-in-use cables. Have a spot near your desk (not on your desk) where all the ones you generally need are handy. *Don't put all the cables you've ever owned in this spot.* Give yourself the grace of making it easier to connect occasionally-used peripherals when needed and not all the time.
Designate an easily accessible port or two within your setup (either on one or both monitors, or within the dock) where there *isn't usually anything plugged into them.* That means if you, for example, want to watch a DVD once a week or load your phone up with music over a cable the old fashioned way, there's a flexible port handy and when you're done you can just put the peripheral and cable away until you need them again.
As your patterns of usage change or solidify over time, remember that you can always just rearrange everything again. Don't do this to excess or use it as an excuse to never do it, but this probably isn't the last time you'll make adjustments and further improvements may become more obvious over time.
posted by lousywiththespirit at 8:52 AM on April 10 [2 favorites]
I also have a CalDigit thunderbolt dock. I recommend this setup. I have exactly one cable going to my laptop.
I'd caution against cheap USB hubs. I can't be 100% sure of this, but before I got my current dock, I went through a number of USB hubs, and had repeated problems with backup drives (plugged in via said hubs) getting corrupted, which I attribute to the hubs. That hasn't been a problem since I got the thunderbolt dock. Note that thunderbolt docks are a lot more expensive.
One problem I do have is that sometimes I need to power cycle my external drive to get it to show up on the desktop after I reconnect to the dock.
posted by adamrice at 8:54 AM on April 10
I'd caution against cheap USB hubs. I can't be 100% sure of this, but before I got my current dock, I went through a number of USB hubs, and had repeated problems with backup drives (plugged in via said hubs) getting corrupted, which I attribute to the hubs. That hasn't been a problem since I got the thunderbolt dock. Note that thunderbolt docks are a lot more expensive.
One problem I do have is that sometimes I need to power cycle my external drive to get it to show up on the desktop after I reconnect to the dock.
posted by adamrice at 8:54 AM on April 10
mathowie recently posted How to Create a Clutter Free Desk which you might find useful.
posted by mmascolino at 9:54 AM on April 10 [1 favorite]
posted by mmascolino at 9:54 AM on April 10 [1 favorite]
SVALT makes cooling docks. I use one that props up my laptop. The cradle is heavy and solid, and it supports my laptop well. The cooling fan pulls heat up and away from the laptop.
I connect the laptop to two Thunderbolt displays, oriented in a /\ shape, with the dock situated between and behind the displays:
I generally only need the two cables to the displays, because the displays each have three Thunderbolt/USB-C ports that support most of my expansion needs.
In situations where I need ports with more power (external storage), I use an OWC Thunderbolt dock connected to one of the remaining two Thunderbolt ports.
This setup decentralizes where I am plugging things in, limiting (mostly) connections to the laptop to the displays.
The SVALT cradle lets me put the laptop behind the displays, keeps things cool, and saves a great deal of desk space.
I use EjectBar to quickly eject mounted disks. Then I just unplug the two display cables and can grab my laptop for mobile work.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 12:53 PM on April 10 [1 favorite]
I connect the laptop to two Thunderbolt displays, oriented in a /\ shape, with the dock situated between and behind the displays:
Dock
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
me
This puts the laptop behind the displays. The angle of displays is wider than shown above but you get the idea, hopefully. I generally only need the two cables to the displays, because the displays each have three Thunderbolt/USB-C ports that support most of my expansion needs.
In situations where I need ports with more power (external storage), I use an OWC Thunderbolt dock connected to one of the remaining two Thunderbolt ports.
This setup decentralizes where I am plugging things in, limiting (mostly) connections to the laptop to the displays.
The SVALT cradle lets me put the laptop behind the displays, keeps things cool, and saves a great deal of desk space.
I use EjectBar to quickly eject mounted disks. Then I just unplug the two display cables and can grab my laptop for mobile work.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 12:53 PM on April 10 [1 favorite]
I realize this is an extremely expensive solution, but for maximum flexibility and speed, the Apple Studio Display is a great Thunderbolt hub. One cable for bidirectional power and display/everything else. We use it basically as a KVM switch between our Mac Mini server that stays plugged in all the time, and our laptop. You can daisy chain another display off of it and it's extremely stable. With as many devices as you have, though, it's never going to be a "clean" desk. I personally prefer several smaller hubs rather than one big one, so I have clusters of related devices together. All the storage on one hub, all the writeable discs on another, etc. Fewer cables running all the way across the desk, and you have some redundancy if your main hub fails. But that's definitely personal preference.
posted by wnissen at 1:01 PM on April 10
posted by wnissen at 1:01 PM on April 10
StarTech thunderbolt dock, a couple of monitors attached by USB-HDMI (shop around, not all are 4k or 144Hz capable!), a vertical laptop cradle, a nice keyboard (the Matias has been lovely!) and whatever accessories make the desk productive. In my case, that's a small external spinning rust drive for backup purposes, a little bendy camera thing, a small amp, a couple of NHT speakers, and a non-cradle stand for my personal laptop. The rest of the effort is cable routing/bundling/sleeving.
StarTech makes excellent devices of this kind. Heck, if I'm not using my work laptop, I can plug my Steam Deck into this thing and get two monitors, a mouse, and a keyboard hanging off of it. It's great.
posted by majick at 1:11 PM on April 10
StarTech makes excellent devices of this kind. Heck, if I'm not using my work laptop, I can plug my Steam Deck into this thing and get two monitors, a mouse, and a keyboard hanging off of it. It's great.
posted by majick at 1:11 PM on April 10
Getting the right cables is the hardest part of going to a decent USB-C wiring solution.
C-to-C cables should support USB 3.2 and be rated for at least 100w.(That is, chipped)
For A-to-C cables, you want one with the Blue A connector (9 pads)
If Your C-to-C cables aren't labeled, they're probably 65w and/or USB 2. Yes, especially the apple ones.
posted by Orb2069 at 7:02 PM on April 10
C-to-C cables should support USB 3.2 and be rated for at least 100w.(That is, chipped)
For A-to-C cables, you want one with the Blue A connector (9 pads)
If Your C-to-C cables aren't labeled, they're probably 65w and/or USB 2. Yes, especially the apple ones.
posted by Orb2069 at 7:02 PM on April 10
CalDigit.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:43 AM on April 11
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:43 AM on April 11
So the big difference for me between the $129 OWC 14 port dock and the $250 CalDigit TS3 that I've noticed is that the Caldigit dock has one more higher speed USB3.2 port that that OWC dock doesn't have, so my super fancy high speed SSD Time Machine can zoom along at full speed and not be limited to 5gbps.
There's some argument to be made for buying a cast off office worker's Dell WD22TB4 from eBay for around $120 or so - mostly because there are two downstream thunderbolt ports, so you can use one for a 10G network adaptor and the other one for a display. But I think that was a better argument back when the average cost of a good thunderbolt dock was over $300, now I think it's more of a niche requirement.
posted by Kyol at 9:58 AM on April 11
There's some argument to be made for buying a cast off office worker's Dell WD22TB4 from eBay for around $120 or so - mostly because there are two downstream thunderbolt ports, so you can use one for a 10G network adaptor and the other one for a display. But I think that was a better argument back when the average cost of a good thunderbolt dock was over $300, now I think it's more of a niche requirement.
posted by Kyol at 9:58 AM on April 11
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Shouldn't need professional grade - any cheap jellybean grade laptop docking station will work fine. If that specific one is gone, follow eBay's related links to find some other generic low-priced USB-C docking station. You'll probably want at least an "11 in 1" type to get two HDMI sockets and an Ethernet adapter built in.
The converters built into those docking stations will replace your separate Ethernet adapter and card reader, and the only thing you should need to plug into your actual Mac would be the USB-C plug on the docking station's pigtail. One of the USB-C sockets on the docking station supports Power Delivery, so you'd even be able to charge your Mac through that one connection.
And if it doesn't work, you're only out ten bucks.
posted by flabdablet at 5:11 AM on April 10