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It’s no secret that, here at MacStories, we like to experiment with different hardware and apps in the constant pursuit of more portable setups, more customizable apps, or more powerful workflows. And we recognize that, for readers, it can sometimes be…tricky to keep up with the “latest” state of our setups.

With this Setups page, our goal is to provide readers with a summary of our hardware and software setups. The list will be updated on a regular basis over time.

For more questions, feel free to reach out on Mastodon @viticci or @johnvoorhees, or ping us on Discord.

Changelog

Update: January 19, 2024

Federico’s Setup

• Added Z13 Acronym to Videogames section (Unwind episode)
• Removed Raikiri Pro game controller and replaced with FlyDiGi Vader 3 Pro and GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro
• Added Hall effect joysticks to ROG Ally section
• Added Edge Pro MagSafe holder and BoomCan MS from How I Modded My iPad Pro with a Screen Protector, iPhone Holder, and Magnetic Stereo Speakers
• Removed mentions of velcro and replaced with AllyMate and DeckMate in ROG Ally and Steam Deck sections
• Apps section: updated entries for media tracker, read later, podcast, weather, and team communication apps
• Added new Belkin charger

Table of Contents

Federico’s Setup

Daily Drivers

Videogames

Audio

Mac Server Setup

Batteries and Chargers

TV Setup

Other Gear

• Browser: Safari
• Delivery tracker: Parcel
• Git client: Working Copy
• Mail service and client: Gmail, Spark
• Mastodon client: Ivory
• Media tracker: TV Forecast and Backloggd
• Music service and players: Apple Music; Music, Marvis Pro, Widgetsmith, Longplay
• Note-taking: Obsidian
• Password manager: 1Password
• Podcasts: Apple’s Podcasts app
• RSS service and reader: Feedbin, Lire
• Read later: Omnivore
• Scrobbling: What else?
• Task manager: Things
• Team communication: iMessage and Discord
• Text editor: Obsidian
• Time tracking service and client: Toggl Track, Timery
• UVC app for iPad: Orion
• VNC client: Screens
• Weather: Apple’s Weather app

John’s Setup

Core Desktop Production Setup

Portable Setup

Reading, Writing, and Research

iPhone

• iPhone 15 Pro Max in Titanium
• Apple Leather MagSafe Wallet in black

Mac Server Setup

Podcasting

At Home Podcasting

On-the-Go Podcasting

Videogames

Consoles for Modern Games

Retro Gaming

TV Setup

• 55-inch LG C2 TV
• Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi + Ethernet with 128GB storage (2022)
• Stereo pair of original HomePods

Controllers and More

Other Headphones and Speakers

• Headphones
  • Everyday: AirPods Pro
  • Gaming and on-the-go podcast editing: Audio Technica ATH-M70X wired headphones
• Speakers

Office, Lighting, and Office Automation

Batteries and Chargers

• Backups: Time Machine, Backblaze and Carbon Copy Cloner
• Bookmarking: Raindrop.io
• Browser: Safari
• Delivery tracker: Parcel
• Fitness Tracking: Gentler Streak
• Mail: Mimestream, Spark, Clean Email, Mail
• Mastodon client: Ivory
• Music service and player: Apple Music, Music, Marvis Pro, Albums: Music Shortcuts, and Longplay
• Note-Taking: Obsidian
• Password manager: Safari and 1Password
• Personal Finance and Budgeting: Copilot (Use code 9R36BE for two months free)
• Podcast Listening: Apple Podcasts
• Podcast Production:
• Read Later: Matter
• Reminders: Due
• RSS service and reader: Feedbin, Reeder
• Task Manager: Things
• Text Editor: Obsidian
• Time tracking service and client: Toggl Track, Timery
• Weather: Mercury Weather
• Weight Tracking: Happy Scale

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