Ian's Office Setup

01_setup.md

Ian's Office Setup 2023

flowchart TD
    Mac((MacBook Pro)) -->|USB-C/Thunderbolt| Dock(Thunderbolt Dock)
    PC((Windows PC)) -->|DP| Monitor
    Dock -->|HDMI/DP| Monitor
    Backup(Backup drive) -->|USB| Dock
    Net(Network Switch) -->|Cat7| Dock
    Net -->|Cat7| PC
    Router -->|Cat7| Net
    Dock -->|USB| Switch
    PC -->|USB| Switch
    Headset(Gaming Headset) -->|USB| PC
    Switch(USB Switch) --> Hub(USB Hub)
    Hub -->|USB| Keyboard
    Hub -->|USB| Mouse
    Hub -->|USB| Mic
    Hub -->|USB| DAC
    Hub -->|USB| Webcam
    Hub -->|USB| Light
    DAC -->|3.5mm audio| Speakers

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02_details.md

Goals

• Switch between Mac and PC while sharing peripherals
• Switch between multiple Macs if necessary using one cable

Currently, switching from Mac to PC means pressing the USB switch and unplugging the Mac. The monitor will auto-detect the source and switch over.

Exact Equipment

• Thunderbolt Dock - CalDigit TS3+. Has been reliable for 3+ years. Used to use Elgato docks at work and home but they would all fail after a year or so.
• USB Switch - Pluggable USB3 sharing switch - USB3 probably isn't necessary but I hoped that the extra shielding & material might make it less flakey. I haven't had problems with this one. I used to have a mechanical USB3 switch and it was junk.
• USB Hub - Anker 7-port USB3 36W hub. Previous one got flakey, this is my second.
• DAC - Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter
• Mic - Blue Snowball USB mic on a cheap boom - not ideal but upgrading is $$$
• Webcam - Logitech C922x Pro Stream webcam
• Light - Logitech Litra Glow LED streaming light, controlled via Raycast and these scripts
• Keyboard - Keychron K2, but I keep it wired
• Mouse - Razer DeathAdder on a Razer Goliathus mat with a Glorious mouse bugee
• Backup Drive - A big drive in an Amazon Basics USB-3 enclosure that features a power button
• Speakers - Ancient Logitech ones from 2009 or so
• Gaming Headset - HyperX Cloud II
• Desk - Uplift with memory buttons. Purchased the legs only and put my own top on it. Great.
• Monitor Arms - Jarvis monitor arms. With two monitors, do NOT get the dual monitor arms because you will be very limited in how you can position them.
• Monitor
  • Current: Samsung SJ55W 34-inch - inferior picture and not curved, but actually usable, unlike the others
  • Tried but returned: LG 35WN65C-B - produced an infuriating 4630 Hz tone when on, no matter what it was connected to
  • Beautiful, but unusable: LG 38WN95C-W - 144hz, curved, truly amazing, except when connected to Macs will create a strange digital burn-in effect and eventually lines, and LG refuses to help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y-HlGAZvE4