Amber’s work setup consists of an iMac, a MacBook Air, an iPad Air — and one very, very costly laser cutter. Here is the way it all works collectively, and the way she will get issues completed for AppleInsider.
At this level, I am fairly positive I’ve earned my popularity as probably the most tech-critical member of the AppleInsider workers via numerous different items I’ve written. I am positive that’ll even be mirrored right here.
When Mike requested me to put in writing a bit about my setup, I scoffed. Absolutely, my setup can be far much less spectacular than my coworkers’ — and I nonetheless stand by that.
Nevertheless, I believe what I’ve chosen to maintain as I’ve slowly pared down my tech arsenal is perhaps considerably fascinating. If nothing else, I am positive it will be a fantastic distinction to everybody else’s setup.
Low tech, however not no tech
In the event you’ve ever labored a job in quick meals, chances are high you went via a part the place you had been repulsed by no matter you had been making. Within the early aughts, I labored at a little bit bagel store in Virginia Seaside, Virginia. This short-lived stint as a baker meant for a couple of decade after I ended working there, I hated bagels and cream cheese.
Weirdly sufficient, I believe working in tech journalism has sort of completed the identical factor. It is arduous to get enthusiastic about issues while you’re uncovered to them on daily basis, and after a when you even form of start to resent a few of it.
That is not to say that I hate all know-how or that I counsel you throw your iPhone into the closest dumpster. It is not so simple as that — nevertheless it has modified how I interface with my tech on a deep degree.
So, this is what my setup appears to be like like as some form of modern-era Luddite in case you’re involved in that form of factor.
2021 M1 iMac
For as a lot as I’ve scaled again my tech use lately, I nonetheless love the sensation of a desktop laptop. If given the selection, I would most likely eliminate my iPhone and iPad properly earlier than my iMac, which could not have been one thing I would stated at the same time as not too long ago as a yr in the past.
The truth is, I used to have an Intel MacBook Professional, which I traded in for credit score towards the iMac. What can I say, I’ve all the time been a desktop consumer.
My M1 iMac is a workhorse, despite the fact that it is not notably spectacular by present technology Apple Silicon requirements (verify discounted M4 iMac costs). It has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB arduous drive, which is greater than sufficient for something I would like.
It handles Photoshop and Premiere with out fussing, runs all of the software program I would like for my laser cutter and Cricut, and is far more aesthetically pleasing than any PC I’ve ever owned. That last level turns into extra essential when you notice you’ll spend on daily basis watching your laptop for at the very least a number of hours.
Its gigantic display means I’ve sufficient room to maintain a phrase processor up alongside no matter I am researching with out squishing my face towards the display to learn something.
I swapped the included Magic Keyboard for the Lofree Stream, although this time with the quantity pad, and the Magic Mouse for a Logitech M340. I nonetheless use my color-matched HyperDrive iMac Hub.
Swapped out the Magic Keyboard for the Lofree Stream and by no means regarded again
A few vigilant viewers have additionally noticed a now-ancient-by-tech-standards BenQ Display screen Bar which has lived on the prime of my display since February 2020. There’s additionally a Satechi USB-C Slim Dock that I take advantage of, although it primarily simply offers me a few additional USB-A ports.
However that is all that I’ve relating to my most important work machine. Fairly easy.
Ultimately, I am most likely going to retire the iMac and should bump my M2 MacBook Air up as my most important machine, supplied I can discover a monitor that feels as good as my iMac display. And when that day comes, I assume I will most likely really feel a twinge of unhappiness.
However, in the interim, I like it. I really like its sunny yellow shade, the 24″ retina show, and the truth that I’ve by no means had a single drawback with it within the three years I’ve owned it. As somebody who solely ever appeared to have points with PCs, I’ve realized to like the reliability that Apple brings to the desk.
M2 MacBook Air
One of many good issues about working from house is you can, theoretically, work from anyplace. I am not precisely a globetrotter, however the potential to take my work on the street means fewer hiccups when one thing comes up.
This grew to become obvious in 2022 when my mom was recognized with breast most cancers. Taking my iMac to my mother and father’ home or to prolonged physician’s appointments wasn’t potential, so I wound up engaged on my iPad Air, which was not my favourite.
Amber’s M2 MacBook Air
So, this yr, I lastly added a brand new laptop into my setup, one thing I wasn’t precisely excited to do then, however I’m genuinely glad I did.
My M2 MacBook Air (verify costs) is not notably spectacular spec clever. I opted for the 8GB model as a result of I sometimes do not do something notably useful resource intensive on it. I went with the 256GB arduous drive; my greatest remorse is that I did not double that. I do not are inclined to preserve a whole lot of issues on my arduous drive, however the working system alone takes up 25GB, which does not depart a lot area after I set up Photoshop.
Apart from the storage challenge, I actually like this little machine. It is all the time lifeless silent; it is extraordinarily transportable, and, like my iMac, I’ve but to have an issue with it.
4th-Gen iPad Air
I’ve gone on file right here at the very least three or 4 occasions, saying that my favourite Apple product is the iPad. I am not completely positive if I nonetheless stand by that sentiment or not, although I nonetheless suppose it is the very best product that Apple makes.
My iPad Air is historic by iPad requirements, nevertheless it nonetheless works extraordinarily properly for the whole lot I would like.
My iPad equipment are pretty normal. When utilizing it to browse the online, screw round on Discord, or watch YouTube, I preserve it hooked up to its complementary Magic Keyboard. This setup is, truthfully, implausible, and I extremely advocate it to anybody who needs a laptop-like expertise however does not essentially want macOS.
After I use the iPad for studying, taking notes, or utilizing Procreate, I normally pull it off the Magic Keyboard and simply use it with my Apple Pencil. Moreover, I’ve it arrange with the Rock Paper Pencil display protector and Apple Pencil Tip, two equipment I take into account important in case you’re writing or drawing in your iPad.
Utilized in tandem with Astropad’s Rock Paper Pencil
I used to do rather more on my iPad again within the day, however currently, it is largely been relegated to the machine I play Hearthstone on. A part of it’s because I acquired a MacBook Air, which I knew would probably be the case.
The opposite half is that I haven’t got time to make use of my iPad as a lot as I would like. I attempt to spend an honest chunk of my day away from screens, which suggests after work, any additional gadgets have form of been backburnered.
When it comes time to retire the iPad Air, I am not completely positive what I’ll do. I used to imagine that I would merely get one other iPad Air to exchange it, however that at present is not something I am involved in.
I’ve toyed round with the thought of perhaps going again to the iPad mini (verify costs), which was the primary iPad I ever owned, all the best way again in 2014. I really like the dimensions of an iPad mini, and its lighter weight means I can comfortably maintain it in a single hand once I need to learn.
However, for now, I will proceed utilizing my iPad Air.
iPhone 13 mini
I do not notably love smartphones. I believe I’ve most likely stated that loads of occasions right here, nevertheless it bears repeating.
I get overwhelmed fairly simply once I’m hunkered down in focus mode, and a smartphone appears completely designed to interrupt no matter ideas you are at present having.
At the same time as I write this, my iPhone has lit up with three notifications. And, whereas I did not verify them correct, my eyes did dart throughout my desktop to the MagSafe charger my iPhone lives on whereas I am working.
Not my iPhone 13 mini, nevertheless it appears to be like identical to it
And sure, there are arguments the place you may simply arrange totally different focus modes to deal with this. Belief me, I’m conscious of my choices. However many of those notifications are issues I truly cannot silence: Slack notifications, texts from family and friends, sensible doorbell alerts, notifications reminding me to take my remedy, and many others.
The very fact is, in case you personal a smartphone and need to take part in society, you are still going to wish to take care of a non-zero quantity of notifications. For many individuals, it is not an issue, however I am hardly alone in my tech exhaustion.
It additionally taught me that social media is not for me. I discovered that, identical to everybody else on the planet, I had been dropping a whole lot of time to doom scrolling. First, it was via Twitter, which resulted in me deleting my private Twitter in 2020.
Then, it was Instagram, which I wound up eliminating a couple of month in the past. Reels had been consuming up a considerable quantity of my day and actually not giving me something in return, apart from a bizarre compulsion to verify Instagram upwards of fifty occasions a day.
That being stated, the iPhone 13 mini is just about what I would like out of a cellphone, sensible options apart. I really like the truth that it matches in all my pockets, which isn’t one thing most ladies can say about their smartphones.
I just like the battery life, which continues to be going sturdy despite the fact that it is three generations behind. I like that it integrates seamlessly with all my different Apple merchandise.
And, as somebody who spends at the very least two hours a day speaking on the cellphone, I like the truth that it is fairly dependable. It is began to point out some age-related goofiness, however even that has been comparatively minimal.
Ultimately, I will must improve my iPhone to a more recent technology. Sadly, it is most likely going to be ahead of I would like.
I am already dreading an improve as a result of I do not notably love having a smartphone within the first place, and dropping a number of hundred {dollars} to exchange a tool I’ve had paid off for years is especially irritating.
Blink Doorbell
Let me go on file by saying I do not truly like video doorbells — in any respect. I acknowledge their utility, however one thing is unsettling about figuring out how there’s going to be a digicam slapped on the aspect of practically everybody’s entrance door.
I’ve an advanced relationship with my Blink doorbell. A giant a part of it’s the movement detection characteristic.
For no matter purpose, movement detection appears to be notably dangerous on this mannequin. I get mail delivered to my entrance door nearly on daily basis, and I believe the digicam has managed to catch the U.S. Postal provider twice within the two years I’ve had it.
However, I can just about let you know whether or not or not town bus is working on schedule as a result of I am unsure if it is ever missed recording a pleasant little clip of the bus driving by. It additionally catches stray cats and spider webs and regularly triggers if the solar goes behind a cloud too rapidly.
But when somebody walks as much as my home and drops off a package deal I have been anticipating for work, the chances are, the digicam is not going to even faux like it should work.
And, turning up or down the digicam’s sensitivity solely worsens issues. One step down and it quits capturing movement altogether, and one step up means it triggers each automotive, particular person, or stray animal passing by my home.
In the event you’re at present white-knuckle gripping your mouse or iPad when you learn this, saying, “Amber, why do you will have a video doorbell in case you hate them?” I perceive your frustration.
It finally boils right down to this: My home does not at present have a hardwired doorbell. I acquired a quote to put in one for $350, supplied the challenge went off with no hitch.
My home is 140 years outdated, so just about anytime I am quoted for “finest case situation” pricing, I do know so as to add at the very least two hours of labor to the full price ticket.
Comparatively, my Blink doorbell was purchased on sale for $20, and my historic subscription plan is $10 a yr. At that value, I can get about 32 years of service out of my doorbell for the price of having a brand new one hardwired in.
My doorbell will not be supported for 32 years. I would be stunned if it is supported for one more 5.
My level stands, although. Even when I’ve to purchase one other Blink doorbell, it is not going to be as costly as getting one thing hardwired in — doubly so as a result of these doorbells regularly drop in value throughout the holidays and Prime Days.
My solely plan to vary something concerning the doorbell is so as to add a third-party doorbell chime so I need not depend on my cellphone for the alerts.
Ride1Up Roadster
This is not one thing I take advantage of explicitly for work, however there have been a handful of occasions the place it is are available in helpful to return loaner overview objects and the like. To not point out, it is also improved my life exterior of labor, which I am positive might be useful to my job in a method or one other.
This little magnificence is my Ride1Up Roadster, and it’s most likely one among my favourite issues I personal.
Having a motorcycle is implausible, particularly while you reside in a metropolis that has nascent bike infrastructure. In 2024 alone, I’ve ridden my bike simply shy of 1,200 miles, and it is given me a whole lot of freedom I would not have had if I simply caught to strolling.
Using by the lake has change into one among my favourite actions
Journeys to the grocery retailer are a breeze. Each grocery shops I store at are roughly 20 minutes by way of bike, they usually each enable me to journey my bike alongside the lakeshore, which is an effective way to remind myself that the place I reside could be very fairly.
This yr, I additionally began going to the health club when the climate was first rate, one thing I might by no means have been in a position to do with no bike. Waking up at 5:30 am and taking a pre-dawn bike journey to the health club earlier than work genuinely grew to become one among my favourite actions.
My bike is mild, tipping the scales in any respect of 33lb. Because of this I can simply carry it out and in of my home myself — I haven’t got a storage, so I do have to hold it up a few steps.
Initially, I had vary nervousness as a result of I would solely have about 18 miles price of journey with pedal help on the second setting (out of a most of 5). Nevertheless, since getting a bit stronger and dropping a little bit weight, I take advantage of pedal help much less, despite the fact that I’ve a foul knee.
Nevertheless, I do reside in a spot with wild temperature fluctuations. These fluctuations imply as soon as the climate dips down between 40 and 50 — e.g., the whole lot of early spring and late fall — my vary decreases drastically.
Right here it’s, people. My favourite piece of know-how in my total home — a 99-pound CO2 laser that lives in my craft room. That is the xTool P2 CO2 Laser Cutter, or as I name her, Penelope.
I do not use it practically sufficient, however each time I do, I am perpetually stunned by the standard of the product it places out. In an ideal world, I might have sufficient money and time to make use of this factor day by day.
xTool P2 55W Desktop CO2 Laser Cutter
My massive laser challenge this yr is reducing Christmas ornaments for family and friends. I additionally take pleasure in reducing out 3D mannequin homes, which, for some purpose, I’ve taken to hanging on an in any other case clean wall in my front room.
A laser cutter is a type of issues that just about nobody wants, however the second you get one, you are feeling bizarre concerning the prospect of not having it.
You already know the outdated adage “When you will have a hammer, the whole lot appears to be like like a nail”? Nicely, when you will have a laser cutter, the whole lot appears to be like like a possible challenge.
My initiatives over the yr have included Christmas ornaments, acrylic LED night time lights and signage, keychains, coasters, jewellery, jewellery stands, jewellery packing containers, 3D fashions, plant trellises, and about three dozen engraving initiatives for family and friends. So, it’s totally versatile certainly.
Once more, I am not satisfied that the typical particular person wants an almost 100-pound CO2 laser. In the event you’re solely planning on making a small handful of initiatives, you’d most likely be higher off seeing in case your native makerspace has a laser cutter you need to use.
Nevertheless, this can be very enjoyable to make use of. In the event you do a whole lot of crafts, have a small enterprise that wants novel sorts of merchandise, or are prepared to search for one-off jobs to offset the price, it is perhaps price selecting one up.
What I plan so as to add sooner or later
My greatest challenge coming down the pipeline is to transform one among my spare bedrooms right into a theater room of types. It might be a pleasant use of the area and a superb place to unwind, particularly on these wet or snowy days when you possibly can’t get exterior.
So, which means in some unspecified time in the future, I will must look into both a TV or a projector for the area, some seating and storage, and a few temper lighting for the room. This challenge continues to be in its very early levels, however I am positive I will speak extra about it on AppleInsider as soon as it takes off.
