Mine's unusual! I have an electric recliner with a monitor arm hanging off a cabinet, with a wireless keyboard & trackball mouse. The computer is attached to the back of the monitor....
Mine's unusual! I have an electric recliner with a monitor arm hanging off a cabinet, with a wireless keyboard & trackball mouse. The computer is attached to the back of the monitor. https://bo0.tz/u/w1IszE.png
How do you find the ergonomics of typing that way. I think it would be bad for my wrist positioning to have the keyboard that low and far away, but maybe it is my gut that is the problem.
How do you find the ergonomics of typing that way. I think it would be bad for my wrist positioning to have the keyboard that low and far away, but maybe it is my gut that is the problem.
That looks interesting. Do you put the monitor between your legs or can you move the monitor and get it closer to your face? I've been interested in experimenting with a setup like this, but I...
That looks interesting. Do you put the monitor between your legs or can you move the monitor and get it closer to your face? I've been interested in experimenting with a setup like this, but I don't think my wife would go for it, so I stick to my laptop instead.
The bottom of the monitor is approximately some 15 cm above my knees. I can move it a bit forward/backward as well. Edit: This is my POV while using it https://bo0.tz/u/Aymzip.png
The bottom of the monitor is approximately some 15 cm above my knees. I can move it a bit forward/backward as well.
Let's see I've got: Primary workspace: 3x 27" 1440p monitors (the centre is a 360hz OLED, the side monitors are 165hz IPS monitors) dell monitor arms per monitor ducky shine 7 keyboard + Logitech...
Let's see I've got:
Primary workspace:
3x 27" 1440p monitors (the centre is a 360hz OLED, the side monitors are 165hz IPS monitors)
dell monitor arms per monitor
ducky shine 7 keyboard + Logitech G502 X Hero Lightspeed mouse (Logitech didn't know when to stop naming that one)
work: keychron K2 pro + some older Logitech mouse
sennheiser hd 650 headphones
motorised standing desk
10 year old microphone on an arm (there are better ones nowadays but it works)
razer kryo ultra 4k webcam: absolute overkill but there was a new hire home office peripherals grant when I started my current job and the rest of my setup was already sorted
Personal PC: Ryzen 5900X, RX 6900 XT GPU, 32GB RAM, 6.5TB of SSD storage across 4 drives, 10 gig networking , running NixOS
work PC: M3 pro MacBook. I have this wired to 2 of the same monitors but unless I do a bit of a dance for it to recognise the monitors in the right order every time it wakes up, it only works with the center monitor. My best guess is 1440p360hz is more bandwidth than tested for the apple silicon display controller, though also it works when I turn that monitor on second...)
I also have a home server with a Ryzen 5600x, 32gb of RAM, Rx 6600xt GPU and 20tb of spinning rust drives (in a raid 6, usable capacity 12tb)
Then I have two laptops, my NixOS Linux framework 13 portability/development laptop and a dell XPS 15 Windows/gaming laptop.
I am a developer / manager. My work area: 2020 Apple M1 13" MacBook Pro LG Ultrafine 27" 5K External monitor Apple Magic Mouse I use the keyboard laptop and the laptop screen, and the external is...
I am a developer / manager. My work area:
2020 Apple M1 13" MacBook Pro
LG Ultrafine 27" 5K External monitor
Apple Magic Mouse
I use the keyboard laptop and the laptop screen, and the external is placed so that it is above the laptop screen. I use Rectangle and almost always split the big monitor in half; it functions like 3 approximately equal screens.
My Desktop / Fun computer:
Windows PC - fairly run of the mill. Core i9 with a 2080ti and 64G ram.
two 27" monitors, one 2k one 4k both middle-of-the-road
monitor stand for said monitors
corsair mechanical keyboard and mouse
yeti microphone, sennheiser headphones, a nice soundbar
There are two more gaming PCs in the games room belonging to my two younger kids.
both fairly middle of the road Windows PCs. I think both are Ryzen, one has a 1080, I forget the other
mechanical keyboards and decent mice
4k monitors
I have a raspberry pi doing some home automation things (thanks @teaearlgraycold!) and a laptop that's running a minecraft server and a small home server that's doing nothing but will hopefully start actually being the media server over this holiday.
Big old custom built tower, on it's side, on top of an old lap top stand someone gave me eons ago. A modern flat monitor standing on top of the "tower", someone on Tildes helped me to pick out. An...
Big old custom built tower, on it's side, on top of an old lap top stand someone gave me eons ago.
A modern flat monitor standing on top of the "tower", someone on Tildes helped me to pick out.
An ancient Microsoft ergonomic ( "twisty" ) keyboard.
A cheap USB mouse, soon to be replaced due to extra-clicks, trouble selecting.
A kvm switch tying all of that together with a work lap top, also sitting on top of the "tower" laying on its side.
I work from home so here's what I have Separate work and personal/gaming PC Work is a Asus Zenbook hooked up to 24" Dell IPS monitor via a laptop hub Personal PC is just a 7700x w/ 3080 that I...
I work from home so here's what I have
Separate work and personal/gaming PC
Work is a Asus Zenbook hooked up to 24" Dell IPS monitor via a laptop hub
Personal PC is just a 7700x w/ 3080 that I built in a Fractal Case hooked up to the classic Dell S2721DGF
Peripherals
Neo80 mechanical keyboard with TTC blueish white silents tactile
Wireless Deathadder Pro V3
Separate Zuoyo Numpad with WS tactiles
BLON BL07 IEMs for work meetings and Logitech Brio 4k
Jlab mic for my gaming PC hooked up to a mic arm, Hifiman Sundara cans hooked up to a Schitt Magnii, and some fun Audyssey desktop speakers which I use on occasion
Cooler Master deskmat, the big one
work and personal PC are not connected so I use input director for faux KVM
Logitech 5.1 speakers system (though I use it was a 3.1)
Logitech HD Pro C920 Webcam
AT ATR2500 Mic
HyperX Cloud II Wireless headset
mauzpads mouse pad
IKEA ALEX drawers and either LINNMON or LAGKAPTEN desk
IKEA MARKUS chair
LED Desk lamp (above the central monitor).
Beneath desk foot-hammock
Trusty space heater for my cold feet
Plus you can see my Steam Deck and Steam Controller; even a PS4 controller. Because sometimes I game while I game! To the left of the tower is a Nintendo Switch that I haven't touched in months.
The secondary desk is more for work and tinkering. And apparently junk paperwork/mail.
Dell U415 again (left)
Acer 19" monitor (right)
Laptop that's open is actually my work computer, but you can see behind it is my Asus TUF gaming laptop. Sometimes my 2023 M3 Pro MBP is there instead.
Steel Series mouse pad
Logitech G502 Hero mouse
Same IKEA desk
IKEA VITTSJO laptop stand
Hidden laptop on that stand is a Dell 13" Latitude 5320 running Ubuntu.
Server underneath is not my main homelab server (that's in a rack). It's an old Dell T420. I use it once in awhile to test stuff out, but usually it's just a foot rest. I was even using it as a clothing rack at one point, lol.
Networking gear in the pic is Ubiquiti Unifi 5-port Flex Mini switch, and a Unifi AC Lite WAP. I have another Unifi U6 Lite WAP in the living room.
I have other desks in other rooms, but I haven't set those up yet as workspaces. In my previous apartment, I actually had separate desks and spaces for working and gaming.
Which one? Desktop/Server LARGE executive desk (had to take half an inch off the bottom of the feet to get it in the door) absolutely covered in mini-painting accessories and set aside projects....
Which one?
Desktop/Server
LARGE executive desk (had to take half an inch off the bottom of the feet to get it in the door) absolutely covered in mini-painting accessories and set aside projects.
27" 1080p 165Hz monitor
24" 1080p Dell Ultrasharp
Keychron low profile mechanical keyboard
Cheap Logitech G-Series mouse
Mini-ATX case hidden near the desk, Mid-Range gaming specs
Laptop
Lenovo X1 Nano
Usually sitting on the arm of the couch
Razer Core X eGPU hooked-up for gaming
HTPC
Connected to 55" TV in the Den/Family Room
Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo
Wireless Xbox One Gamepad
Mid-Range gaming specs from about 5-7 years ago, still works great, been playing Dead Space Remake on it
HTPC 2
In my basement, connected to an older 45" TV
Low-end Specs, my kids play games on this one.
Same wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo unit as the HTPC 1
Gaming Laptop for Kids
Mid-range specs from 2015
Sitting on a box with a controller connected to it
Mostly plays Minecraft, Subnautica and Lego City
I've been a PC gamer for 30+ years now and just have a tendency to keep my old hardware and repurpose it. Also, working in IT and having a general love and interest in computers, people tend to just give me stuff, so I have a lot of PC's. These are just the ones that I generally futz with on a daily basis, but there are quite a few more throughout the house being used for different purposes.
This is a great thread! I haven't really talked about my setup before. I have a single desk with two 27" 1440p IPS monitors. They are connected to an AV Access iDock B30 KVM Switch. The Switch...
This is a great thread! I haven't really talked about my setup before.
I have a single desk with two 27" 1440p IPS monitors. They are connected to an AV Access iDock B30 KVM Switch. The Switch controls, obviously, my keyboard (Moonlander split keyboard), and Mouse (Kingston trackball). I also have a Logitech 1080p webcam hooked up.
Work:
ThinkPad P15 Workstation Laptop
Connected with USB-C, closed, and tucked away
Home:
Custom built PC, Ryzen 5, some AMD graphics card I forget
Steinberg UR44 Interface - this has a Mackie Mix12FX analogue mixer with my synths and system audio card routred through it
Behringer Xenyx Q802USB mixer as my main audio card
MicroKorg
Korg Wavestate
Yamaha DX7
Lots of different USB midi controllers
And then I have my old desktop computer set up as a home server at the other end of the room.
i went from living in a 1 room dorm where my only seating options was my bed, the foot of the bed, or a chair. to a 1 bedroom flat that has different rooms for everything... so tbh i've kinda gone...
i went from living in a 1 room dorm where my only seating options was my bed, the foot of the bed, or a chair. to a 1 bedroom flat that has different rooms for everything... so tbh i've kinda gone off the deep end with my sofa setup.
sofa pointed at the slightly-too-high tv on the wall, wireless mouse and keyboard. my pc tucked to the side to be nearer the hallway as the ethernet cable i got wasnt long enough, and i already had a 10m hdmi cable. then ive got a usb hub running up through the sofa and into one of the crevices at the elbow so i can charge my phone, headset, whatever without getting up.
ive had a few people round and theyve been gobsmacked at how i live like this, only to find out they like it just as much as me. i think ive had a few posture worries but honestly i think i get more lumbar support from a combo of cushions, and its so easy to just slink to the side and lay down during videos so im never really in any position for more than 30minutes.
a great bonus of this is that my bedroom is simply my bedroom. i've never had this before. it was always having a desk in my room, or a laptop, or i was only "sitting up" away from getting back on the pc if something fun started happening on skype/discord. now theres a whole ritual around going to bed and feeling ready for it, if that makes any sense.
Oh sweet! A classic 'Battlestations' post. I'm having such nostalgia right now. Ok. My home computer setup. Here is my primary desktop workstation. Screenshot The computer is a Boxx Apexx E3_03...
Oh sweet! A classic 'Battlestations' post. I'm having such nostalgia right now.
The computer is a Boxx Apexx E3_03 workstation originally meant for CAD modeling and engineering design. ASRock H570 Phantom Gaming 4 motherboard, Intel 11th gen i9-11900K 8-core/16-thread, liquid cooled CPU, 64GB CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 RAM, Nvidia RTX A2000 12GB workstation graphics card, Samsung 980 Pro 500GB NVMe system drive, Seagate 18TB SATA storage drive.
I run a triple monitor setup that's kind of hodge-podged together, all TVs. Left screen is an old 19" Insignia, middle is a Samsung 43" 4K, and the right is a Toshiba 43". I went with all TVs in part for price / size ratio and also I can turn them all on/off with a single custom command on my Flipper Zero (I recorded each remote on/off IR sequence and chained them together). Logitech MX Keys S keyboard and Logitech M590 silent mouse. Bose soundbar below the monitor, unseen behind everything is my CyberPower 1500VA UPS unit, laser printer, several USB external drives for backups and one of my Netgear Gigabit switches. The mic is the Samson CO1U Pro USB and the headphones I use for monitoring are the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm.
Oh. Steelcase Leap V2 office chair. Very important component of the workstation. So much better than my previous chair.
I run Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon on this one. It gets used for anything from video recording and editing for YouTube, to playing Magic Arena, to processing documentation for some of the contract tech work I do.
The actual computer hardware here is much less impressive, this is a HP Elitedesk 800 G4 mini PC. Its main purpose is to let me bring up schematic PDFs while I'm working on something. It runs MX Linux 23.4 Libretto XFCE. I have it set up with a 4 port KVM to switch between it, my RisingCam RT5109 4K microscope camera, the Rigol DHO914 oscilloscope and the cable bundle you see hanging on the left edge of the picture which is a 10ft computer cable bundle for hooking up other computers when I work on them.
I also have a kind of sandboxed wifi setup for the bench using a Netgear Nighthawk XR700 gaming router. I like it since it has a visual network map that I can log into and see a connection map of every device connected to it with device details, it's good for setting up single-use wifi networks to connect an untrusted device to that might have MDM / corporate device management & security crap on it. Happens sometimes with the devices I get at auction, more often with tablets.
The laptop is an ASUS ROG STRIX G17 17.3", Ryzen 7 4800H 8-core, 32GB DDR4 RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, Kingston 1TB NVMe system drive. I set this computer up to dual-boot between Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon and Windows 11 for field tech work so I could make sure to be able to run whatever software a contract job called for. It is the only reason I still have anything running Windows and I still slightly resent the need.
The tablet is slightly on the older side: a Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro running Android 11. I got this for field survey work and chose it as it meets a number of Milspec durability and environmental requirements. I needed something that would work in extreme cold and heat (outdoor work at all times of the year) and would survive trudging through brush, woods, going over barbed wire, etc... It has worked very well for me. I keep it in a RAM mount case which lets me easily mount it in my van workstation.
Speaking of my van workstation, may as well include that. Pretty minimal, though I may do more with it in the future. I just have a bit of minor deskspace set up with a mouse and keyboard, and the RAM mount set up on my spool carrier with a multifunction USB hub attached by magnet and wire routed with zip ties. Powered from my van inverter setup. Since the tablet has Samsung DEX functionality I can switch it to 'Desktop Mode' and that lets me use the Android tablet with a regular USB keyboard and mouse easily.
Next up we have the home server project I'm working on. Pic 1 and pic 2 for that.
The server is a Dell Precision 7910 Tower Server, dual Xeon E5-2690 V4 CPUs, 14-core each, 28-core/56-thread system, 128GB ECC RAM, Nvidia Quadro M2000 graphics card, Samsung 980 NVMe 500GB system drive installed with a M.2 riser card, quad 14TB SAS drives for storage. This is an in-process project that will be my primary home server running NAS, PLEX server and FTP to start with, probably some virtual machine hosting to test different Linux distros, possibly being used for CPU-heavy tasks, though these days more and more compute tasks are being optimized for running on GPU compute architecture, so we'll see. Might mess around with locally hosted AI but I'd need to upgrade the graphics for that, or maybe pick up some surplus Nvidia Tesla cards, though from my research getting those to get utilized properly is a giant pain.
So that's me, I'm a giant tech nerd as you can see.
Work Setup 13" 2023 Macbook Pro Nulea M508 King Wireless Trackball Mouse Keychron K2 keyboard Dual monitors, with laptop on a stand for 3 screens total Gaming Setup 2023 ASUS ROG Strix G16 gaming...
Work Setup
13" 2023 Macbook Pro
Nulea M508 King Wireless Trackball Mouse
Keychron K2 keyboard
Dual monitors, with laptop on a stand for 3 screens total
Gaming Setup
2023 ASUS ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop
Logitech MX Master mouse
Redragon K652 keyboard
Currently just using the laptop's screen
Xbox controller when I need it
Things are all a bit mixed up right now. Ideally I'd have a single desk with a single setup, with me just swapping laptops around as needed. But when my kids were born I had to give up my office for a nursery. And then as they got older (which is to say louder), I couldn't work in the living room anymore, so I had a shed installed in the backyard and use it as an office. But I don't want to be away from my family 24/7, so obviously the gaming stuff has to stay up at the house while the work stuff needs to be in the shed. The kids started school this fall, and the shed's heat is terrible/expensive, so I'm currently doing both from a tiny desk in my living room, which isn't ideal.
Ha, I have a very similar gaming setup: ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition laptop Redragon K580 keyboard Steel series Rival 5 mouse (but I'm about to replace it with a Logitech due to wheel issues)...
Ha, I have a very similar gaming setup:
ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition laptop
Redragon K580 keyboard
Steel series Rival 5 mouse (but I'm about to replace it with a Logitech due to wheel issues)
Xbox controller
I mostly use the laptop docked to an old 27" monitor I've had for ages, but I did originally buy it so I could move around the house. It's not super practical as a mobile setup though since it basically has to be plugged in for any gaming.
Wall art: Coffee stains from aforementioned mug. Still need to repaint that.
Cable management: Barely.
Not pictured:
PS Dual Sense Controller
Steam Deck
I'm happy with it at this point in time, although I always feel the itch to upgrade something but I'm running into the problem where a single upgrade means changing most of the parts. Any CPU upgrade means needing to upgrade the socket on the motherboard, which means swapping out the RAM too. Luckily I can easily hold off on most of that because it's still performing well with just about anything I throw at it.
This is mine corner. The PC isn't actually on the photo (well, one of them is - Steam Deck). The desktop is on the other side of the room connected via 10m HDMI and 10m USB3 cable fished through...
This is mine corner. The PC isn't actually on the photo (well, one of them is - Steam Deck). The desktop is on the other side of the room connected via 10m HDMI and 10m USB3 cable fished through the conduit under the floor. The USB3 is with repeater (it must be) and connected to USB3 HUB slapped on the LCD with double-sided tape. I use this HUB to connect basically everything to PC - be it keyboard, mouse, USB sound card, USB flash drive... In fact the HUB is connected though USB switch that switches it between desktop and Steam Deck.
For my desktop I use Core i5-4790, 16GB RAM and GTX1650 in HTPC case (the actual motherboard is different from the one on he images at this moment, as is cooler, it's still Shuriken but some newer model). This PC can actually run Cyberpunk and Mafia DE at 30 fps on higher than lowest details. It's still ok for me as I play on Steam Deck more anyway.
I use mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Red switches that was made for local brand seller. It has RGB backlight and aluminium base. I use Logitech MX Anywhere 3 mouse (I believe). I have some cheap USB sound card from China and I use (ASUS?) TUF gaming headset and Sony wired earplugs that I have for 10+ years (I don't know the specific model, might be able to find if someone is interested).
The photo of my corner was taken after clean-up. I didn't take it now for reasons that might be obvious to you by now :-D
I’m a software dev that works from home most of the time. I have 3 setups in different areas of the house depending on where I’m feeling like working for the day where I can easily plug in my work...
I’m a software dev that works from home most of the time. I have 3 setups in different areas of the house depending on where I’m feeling like working for the day where I can easily plug in my work or personal laptops (Dell laptop and M3 MacBook Pro)
Sitting only desk that also has my primary personal/gaming PC with
3 27” 1440p 165 hz monitors on VESA arm mounts
Corsair mechanical keyboard with cherry Mx brown switches
Logitech superlight mouse
Herman Miller Embody chair
Motorized sit/stand desk with
standing pad
a single 27” 1440p 75hz monitor on VESA arm mount
usb c docking/charging station
Microsoft wireless ergonomic keyboard and mouse
Stand only treadmill desk with
Lifespan walking treadmill
a single 27” 1440p 75hz monitor on VESA arm mount
usb c docking/charging station
Microsoft wireless ergonomic keyboard and mouse
The walking treadmill has been the best addition, just doing two 45 minute working sessions while walking has me consistently hitting 10k steps a day without having to carve out extra time in the day specifically for exercise. Previously I was only taking about 2k steps a day on WFH days.
I love these kinds of threads, not because I'm particularly proud of my setup, but because it gives me ideas for how to improve it. Mine's rather simple: Desk from Wayfair (couldn't find the exact...
I love these kinds of threads, not because I'm particularly proud of my setup, but because it gives me ideas for how to improve it. Mine's rather simple:
Desk from Wayfair (couldn't find the exact desk, but it's an L-shape with some drawers and shelves.
3 monitors - 1x32" 4K in the center, then 2x24" monitors rotated vertically. All monitors are on a mount, some are duct-taped because I inherited them.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Work computer - Macbook Pro M2
Personal computer - Framework laptop 13 running Fedora
Pok3r RGB keyboard; Logitech MX Master mouse
One side of my desk has some 3M glossy material stuck on the surfact that is designed to use as a whiteboard (when junk isn't cluttering that area).
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920
I'm lucky enough to live in a 3-bedroom house with my wife but without kids (we both work remote), so my "office" closet is filled with repurposed computers. Basically, just personal pet projects, like a Plex Server and other self-hosted alternatives that I'm trying out at any given time.
System76 15" Gazelle laptop with Pop!_OS Logitech MX Ergo trackball cheap mono single earbud I have the laptop on a tilted laptop stand, and I usually hold it in my lap as I semi-recline on a day...
System76 15" Gazelle laptop with Pop!_OS
Logitech MX Ergo trackball
cheap mono single earbud
I have the laptop on a tilted laptop stand, and I usually hold it in my lap as I semi-recline on a day bed. The trackball lies beside me on the bed, as the most convenient option for this kind of setup. Fortunately trackballs are my preferred mouse anyway. I can't use a standard mouse without eventually causing wrist pain, and some years ago (with a more standard desk setup) I went through a LOT of ergonomic mice and setups to finally settle on trackball as the kind that causes me no issues.
I use a single earbud because I need to keep an ear open for the rest of the house. It means I can't fully immerse myself in games, but I was never much of an audio person anyway.
The laptop has a full keyboard with numpad, but the keys are crowded together such that, even having owned the laptop a few years, I can't instantly feel my way to the arrow keys, Home/End/PgUp/PgDn, and so on. So I recently got textured sensory stickers and cut them to fit on strategic keys, which helps a great deal. Also I may actually use some of these stickers for their intended purpose, because it does feel soothing to run my fingers along them.
I'm a little envious of @bo0tzz's setup, because it sounds like a more sophisticated version of mine. And I do wish I could bring my screen closer to my face (or just have a bigger one, like theirs).
I spent a good year lying on the couch with a laptop, and my current setup is a significant upgrade over that, so if you have the option I'd certainly recommend it. I spent some time inbetween...
I spent a good year lying on the couch with a laptop, and my current setup is a significant upgrade over that, so if you have the option I'd certainly recommend it. I spent some time inbetween with a jerryrigged monitor arm over the top of the couch backrest, which mostly did the job but was a little too high up to really be comfortable.
For audio, have you considered open-ear headphones? They should give you both ears while still being able to hear the outside world.
An upgrade isn't really in the cards for me right now, but someday maybe! Fortunately I tend to be pretty comfortable as I am. This setup also allows for the occasional repositioning to lie on my...
An upgrade isn't really in the cards for me right now, but someday maybe! Fortunately I tend to be pretty comfortable as I am. This setup also allows for the occasional repositioning to lie on my front with my laptop in front of me, for sleepier computer use.
I haven't considered open-ear headphones, but mostly because this solution works for me. It's best to avoid cluttering up the day bed with too much stuff, and if I have to get up real quick it's easy to just yank the single earbud out (it's wired, so it stays attached to the laptop) and go. I also look more available and not like I'm shutting out the rest of the house, which is an effect that shouldn't be discounted. I do appreciate the suggestion, though, since it hadn't occurred to me before. It could be worth thinking about if using them could fit into the routines here.
As someone with both open back and closed back headphones, it is nice having both for my use case. I decide on which to wear depending on my mood and what is happening around me. I would recommend...
As someone with both open back and closed back headphones, it is nice having both for my use case. I decide on which to wear depending on my mood and what is happening around me. I would recommend open backs if you need to be aware of your surroundings. A good affordable entry pair would be the AKG K240, which is what I have
Just my laptop, a 14” M4 MacBook Pro. Before that I was using a M1 MacBook Air. I use software to use the touchpad for keyboard layers and custom gestures
Just my laptop, a 14” M4 MacBook Pro. Before that I was using a M1 MacBook Air.
I use software to use the touchpad for keyboard layers and custom gestures
Main Setup Desk: Fully (RIP) Jarvis 72”x30”/42”x27” bamboo standing L-desk (shared with gaming setup) Personal machine: 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro 64GB/4TB Work machine: 16” M4 Max MacBook Pro...
Secondary monitor: ASUS ProArt PA278CGV (27” 2560x1440 144hz IPS w/VRR)
Keyboard: Keychron Q60 w/Diced Fruit Banana tactile switches (this rotates out periodically)
Pointing devices: Apple Magic Trackpad (left) and GameBall Trackball (right)
Dock: CalDigit TS4
Audio: JDS Labs Element II DAC/amp
Headphones: Sennheiser HD6XX + AirPods Pro 2
Notes:
My line of work is software development which influenced choices for both personal and work machines. Specs on personal machine might seem overkill but I bought it at a massive discount back when the M2 generation had been out for a long time and the M3 revision was imminent.
Monitors and work laptop are on VESA arms that allow them all to sit at perfect heights and not take up desk space.
Switching between machines is done by switching which of the two is plugged into the thunderbolt dock because last I was shopping, all available Thunderbolt/USB-C KVMs had some kind of major drawback and were way more expensive than a high quality TB4 dock. At first had concerns about wearing out the TB4 input port on the dock but it’s held up great.
Keyboard: Archetype Minerva w/U4 Boba Gum linear switches
Audio: Schiit Fulla 2 DAC/amp
Speakers: Edifier R1280DBs
Headphones: For rhythm games, Moondrop Aria Snow Edition earbuds, for other things Senn HD6XX’s shared with work setup
Controller: 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth/2.4Ghz
Notes:
Was overkill when I built it, is still overkill, and will probably continue to be for the foreseeable future. Might actually downgrade the CPU to a 5800X3D when it’s next on sale and sell the 5950X on eBay.
Misc
Study laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad Nano Gen 1 base spec model (love the size, don’t love fan noise and battery life)
Tablet: 12.9” iPad Pro M1 (killer tablet, but I think I liked the 11” size better, might trade in next gen)
Cables run like tentacles into the different rooms of my house from one relatively powerful computer. It is a bit Beneath a Steel Sky. I have custom global keyboard shortcuts that I press to...
Cables run like tentacles into the different rooms of my house from one relatively powerful computer. It is a bit Beneath a Steel Sky. I have custom global keyboard shortcuts that I press to switch to another room. Each room has at least one "station" with a keyboard (usually K400 or similar) and a monitor or TV.
When I use my laptop or phone I'm usually connected to it by ssh, nomachine, or freerdp.
I'm usually the weirdo on these topics. Both my personal and work laptops are 13" Lenovos, though different models and operating systems. I hate dealing with wires and using multiple monitors, so...
I'm usually the weirdo on these topics.
Both my personal and work laptops are 13" Lenovos, though different models and operating systems. I hate dealing with wires and using multiple monitors, so the only peripheral I have is a wireless mouse and the only accessory is a folding stand to angle the keyboard. I work from home 99% of the time as a database/systems developer/vaguely-IT-ish person.
What makes it slightly comical is that I share a desk/study with my (non-techie, non-WFH) partner who has a gaming PC with an absolutely monstrously large case, a huge primary monitor, and a smaller secondary monitor. So all day I've got my little work setup squeezed around this behemoth that I never touch, sometimes also pulling out my personal laptop to put some TV show on.
https://imgur.com/a/KC9lgcp My computer setup has nothing individually impressive, but as a whole I quite like it. Computer is a custom built: Ryzen 5 5500 Asus MOBO 32gb RAM EVGA GTX 970 I do...
My computer setup has nothing individually impressive, but as a whole I quite like it.
Computer is a custom built:
Ryzen 5 5500
Asus MOBO
32gb RAM
EVGA GTX 970
I do know the setup is not balanced, got some parts for free or on sale when my computer broke in September)
Audio:
Schiit magni and modi dac and amp
vintage passive speakers (no brand)
AKG K240 open back headphones (I believe this is the model I have)
Sennheiser HD280 pro closed back headphones that I modified with a removable cable
Sennheiser IE 100 pro IEMs
Soundcraft notepad 12fx mixer that I pull out when needing to use a mic. I also have additional stereo line inputs to route several sources on my computer to dedicated channels (and therefore dedicated knobs for adjusting).
Audio Technica AT2020V mic (identical to AT2020 except it comes with a shock mount and is silver).
Electro Voice Model 664 vintage mic (mine was probably made in the 1960s) that I have mainly used for doing concerts, but want to try it for my voice when gaming for fun at some point
Peripherals:
wired Logitech mechanical keyboard with brown switches. I am considering upgrading this at some point but it was an upgrade from membrane.
Logitech G502 wired mouse for gaming
Logitech MX Master 3 for video editing and general productivity tasks
Monitors are IPS 60hz 1080p on primary and 1600×900 for secondary. I think primary is 24", and secondary is 19.5"
The desk is something I built a few years back. It is made with iron pipes painted black and plywood that I stained. I then got cables all at the right length so cable management is quite clean. My computer sits behind the black cloth door. It stays cool, and also has a cloth back to keep airflow. My case is a large aggressive gaming aesthetic that I do not like, hence why it is hidden away. I also installed headphone and cable hooks in my desktop compartment keeping my headphones organized. Overall it is clear that audio is something I deeply enjoy, so most of the cost of my setup is spent in that
Mine's unusual! I have an electric recliner with a monitor arm hanging off a cabinet, with a wireless keyboard & trackball mouse. The computer is attached to the back of the monitor.
https://bo0.tz/u/w1IszE.png
How do you find the ergonomics of typing that way. I think it would be bad for my wrist positioning to have the keyboard that low and far away, but maybe it is my gut that is the problem.
That looks interesting. Do you put the monitor between your legs or can you move the monitor and get it closer to your face? I've been interested in experimenting with a setup like this, but I don't think my wife would go for it, so I stick to my laptop instead.
The bottom of the monitor is approximately some 15 cm above my knees. I can move it a bit forward/backward as well.
Edit: This is my POV while using it https://bo0.tz/u/Aymzip.png
Let's see I've got:
Primary workspace:
I also have a home server with a Ryzen 5600x, 32gb of RAM, Rx 6600xt GPU and 20tb of spinning rust drives (in a raid 6, usable capacity 12tb)
Then I have two laptops, my NixOS Linux framework 13 portability/development laptop and a dell XPS 15 Windows/gaming laptop.
And a steam deck is the latest addition.
I am a developer / manager. My work area:
I use the keyboard laptop and the laptop screen, and the external is placed so that it is above the laptop screen. I use Rectangle and almost always split the big monitor in half; it functions like 3 approximately equal screens.
My Desktop / Fun computer:
There are two more gaming PCs in the games room belonging to my two younger kids.
I have a raspberry pi doing some home automation things (thanks @teaearlgraycold!) and a laptop that's running a minecraft server and a small home server that's doing nothing but will hopefully start actually being the media server over this holiday.
Big old custom built tower, on it's side, on top of an old lap top stand someone gave me eons ago.
A modern flat monitor standing on top of the "tower", someone on Tildes helped me to pick out.
An ancient Microsoft ergonomic ( "twisty" ) keyboard.
A cheap USB mouse, soon to be replaced due to extra-clicks, trouble selecting.
A kvm switch tying all of that together with a work lap top, also sitting on top of the "tower" laying on its side.
I work from home so here's what I have
work and personal PC are not connected so I use input director for faux KVM
My main workspace, in my bedroom.
Main desk:
Plus you can see my Steam Deck and Steam Controller; even a PS4 controller. Because sometimes I game while I game! To the left of the tower is a Nintendo Switch that I haven't touched in months.
The secondary desk is more for work and tinkering. And apparently junk paperwork/mail.
Server underneath is not my main homelab server (that's in a rack). It's an old Dell T420. I use it once in awhile to test stuff out, but usually it's just a foot rest. I was even using it as a clothing rack at one point, lol.
Networking gear in the pic is Ubiquiti Unifi 5-port Flex Mini switch, and a Unifi AC Lite WAP. I have another Unifi U6 Lite WAP in the living room.
I have other desks in other rooms, but I haven't set those up yet as workspaces. In my previous apartment, I actually had separate desks and spaces for working and gaming.
Which one?
Desktop/Server
LARGE executive desk (had to take half an inch off the bottom of the feet to get it in the door) absolutely covered in mini-painting accessories and set aside projects.
27" 1080p 165Hz monitor
24" 1080p Dell Ultrasharp
Keychron low profile mechanical keyboard
Cheap Logitech G-Series mouse
Mini-ATX case hidden near the desk, Mid-Range gaming specs
Laptop
Lenovo X1 Nano
Usually sitting on the arm of the couch
Razer Core X eGPU hooked-up for gaming
HTPC
Connected to 55" TV in the Den/Family Room
Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo
Wireless Xbox One Gamepad
Mid-Range gaming specs from about 5-7 years ago, still works great, been playing Dead Space Remake on it
HTPC 2
In my basement, connected to an older 45" TV
Low-end Specs, my kids play games on this one.
Same wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo unit as the HTPC 1
Gaming Laptop for Kids
Mid-range specs from 2015
Sitting on a box with a controller connected to it
Mostly plays Minecraft, Subnautica and Lego City
I've been a PC gamer for 30+ years now and just have a tendency to keep my old hardware and repurpose it. Also, working in IT and having a general love and interest in computers, people tend to just give me stuff, so I have a lot of PC's. These are just the ones that I generally futz with on a daily basis, but there are quite a few more throughout the house being used for different purposes.
This is a great thread! I haven't really talked about my setup before.
I have a single desk with two 27" 1440p IPS monitors. They are connected to an AV Access iDock B30 KVM Switch. The Switch controls, obviously, my keyboard (Moonlander split keyboard), and Mouse (Kingston trackball). I also have a Logitech 1080p webcam hooked up.
Work:
Home:
And then I have my old desktop computer set up as a home server at the other end of the room.
i went from living in a 1 room dorm where my only seating options was my bed, the foot of the bed, or a chair. to a 1 bedroom flat that has different rooms for everything... so tbh i've kinda gone off the deep end with my sofa setup.
sofa pointed at the slightly-too-high tv on the wall, wireless mouse and keyboard. my pc tucked to the side to be nearer the hallway as the ethernet cable i got wasnt long enough, and i already had a 10m hdmi cable. then ive got a usb hub running up through the sofa and into one of the crevices at the elbow so i can charge my phone, headset, whatever without getting up.
https://i.imgur.com/h0P6E51.png
ive had a few people round and theyve been gobsmacked at how i live like this, only to find out they like it just as much as me. i think ive had a few posture worries but honestly i think i get more lumbar support from a combo of cushions, and its so easy to just slink to the side and lay down during videos so im never really in any position for more than 30minutes.
a great bonus of this is that my bedroom is simply my bedroom. i've never had this before. it was always having a desk in my room, or a laptop, or i was only "sitting up" away from getting back on the pc if something fun started happening on skype/discord. now theres a whole ritual around going to bed and feeling ready for it, if that makes any sense.
Oh sweet! A classic 'Battlestations' post. I'm having such nostalgia right now.
Ok. My home computer setup.
Here is my primary desktop workstation.
Screenshot
The computer is a Boxx Apexx E3_03 workstation originally meant for CAD modeling and engineering design. ASRock H570 Phantom Gaming 4 motherboard, Intel 11th gen i9-11900K 8-core/16-thread, liquid cooled CPU, 64GB CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 RAM, Nvidia RTX A2000 12GB workstation graphics card, Samsung 980 Pro 500GB NVMe system drive, Seagate 18TB SATA storage drive.
I run a triple monitor setup that's kind of hodge-podged together, all TVs. Left screen is an old 19" Insignia, middle is a Samsung 43" 4K, and the right is a Toshiba 43". I went with all TVs in part for price / size ratio and also I can turn them all on/off with a single custom command on my Flipper Zero (I recorded each remote on/off IR sequence and chained them together). Logitech MX Keys S keyboard and Logitech M590 silent mouse. Bose soundbar below the monitor, unseen behind everything is my CyberPower 1500VA UPS unit, laser printer, several USB external drives for backups and one of my Netgear Gigabit switches. The mic is the Samson CO1U Pro USB and the headphones I use for monitoring are the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm.
Oh. Steelcase Leap V2 office chair. Very important component of the workstation. So much better than my previous chair.
I run Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon on this one. It gets used for anything from video recording and editing for YouTube, to playing Magic Arena, to processing documentation for some of the contract tech work I do.
Now we move on to my Lab Bench workstation and computer.
The actual computer hardware here is much less impressive, this is a HP Elitedesk 800 G4 mini PC. Its main purpose is to let me bring up schematic PDFs while I'm working on something. It runs MX Linux 23.4 Libretto XFCE. I have it set up with a 4 port KVM to switch between it, my RisingCam RT5109 4K microscope camera, the Rigol DHO914 oscilloscope and the cable bundle you see hanging on the left edge of the picture which is a 10ft computer cable bundle for hooking up other computers when I work on them.
I also have a kind of sandboxed wifi setup for the bench using a Netgear Nighthawk XR700 gaming router. I like it since it has a visual network map that I can log into and see a connection map of every device connected to it with device details, it's good for setting up single-use wifi networks to connect an untrusted device to that might have MDM / corporate device management & security crap on it. Happens sometimes with the devices I get at auction, more often with tablets.
Next we move on to my field computers.
The laptop is an ASUS ROG STRIX G17 17.3", Ryzen 7 4800H 8-core, 32GB DDR4 RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, Kingston 1TB NVMe system drive. I set this computer up to dual-boot between Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon and Windows 11 for field tech work so I could make sure to be able to run whatever software a contract job called for. It is the only reason I still have anything running Windows and I still slightly resent the need.
The tablet is slightly on the older side: a Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro running Android 11. I got this for field survey work and chose it as it meets a number of Milspec durability and environmental requirements. I needed something that would work in extreme cold and heat (outdoor work at all times of the year) and would survive trudging through brush, woods, going over barbed wire, etc... It has worked very well for me. I keep it in a RAM mount case which lets me easily mount it in my van workstation.
Speaking of my van workstation, may as well include that. Pretty minimal, though I may do more with it in the future. I just have a bit of minor deskspace set up with a mouse and keyboard, and the RAM mount set up on my spool carrier with a multifunction USB hub attached by magnet and wire routed with zip ties. Powered from my van inverter setup. Since the tablet has Samsung DEX functionality I can switch it to 'Desktop Mode' and that lets me use the Android tablet with a regular USB keyboard and mouse easily.
Next up we have the home server project I'm working on. Pic 1 and pic 2 for that.
The server is a Dell Precision 7910 Tower Server, dual Xeon E5-2690 V4 CPUs, 14-core each, 28-core/56-thread system, 128GB ECC RAM, Nvidia Quadro M2000 graphics card, Samsung 980 NVMe 500GB system drive installed with a M.2 riser card, quad 14TB SAS drives for storage. This is an in-process project that will be my primary home server running NAS, PLEX server and FTP to start with, probably some virtual machine hosting to test different Linux distros, possibly being used for CPU-heavy tasks, though these days more and more compute tasks are being optimized for running on GPU compute architecture, so we'll see. Might mess around with locally hosted AI but I'd need to upgrade the graphics for that, or maybe pick up some surplus Nvidia Tesla cards, though from my research getting those to get utilized properly is a giant pain.
So that's me, I'm a giant tech nerd as you can see.
Main imgur page that has all the pictures in one list.
Work Setup
Gaming Setup
Things are all a bit mixed up right now. Ideally I'd have a single desk with a single setup, with me just swapping laptops around as needed. But when my kids were born I had to give up my office for a nursery. And then as they got older (which is to say louder), I couldn't work in the living room anymore, so I had a shed installed in the backyard and use it as an office. But I don't want to be away from my family 24/7, so obviously the gaming stuff has to stay up at the house while the work stuff needs to be in the shed. The kids started school this fall, and the shed's heat is terrible/expensive, so I'm currently doing both from a tiny desk in my living room, which isn't ideal.
Ha, I have a very similar gaming setup:
I mostly use the laptop docked to an old 27" monitor I've had for ages, but I did originally buy it so I could move around the house. It's not super practical as a mobile setup though since it basically has to be plugged in for any gaming.
https://imgur.com/a/dMcYaa1
Not pictured:
I'm happy with it at this point in time, although I always feel the itch to upgrade something but I'm running into the problem where a single upgrade means changing most of the parts. Any CPU upgrade means needing to upgrade the socket on the motherboard, which means swapping out the RAM too. Luckily I can easily hold off on most of that because it's still performing well with just about anything I throw at it.
This is mine corner. The PC isn't actually on the photo (well, one of them is - Steam Deck). The desktop is on the other side of the room connected via 10m HDMI and 10m USB3 cable fished through the conduit under the floor. The USB3 is with repeater (it must be) and connected to USB3 HUB slapped on the LCD with double-sided tape. I use this HUB to connect basically everything to PC - be it keyboard, mouse, USB sound card, USB flash drive... In fact the HUB is connected though USB switch that switches it between desktop and Steam Deck.
For my desktop I use Core i5-4790, 16GB RAM and GTX1650 in HTPC case (the actual motherboard is different from the one on he images at this moment, as is cooler, it's still Shuriken but some newer model). This PC can actually run Cyberpunk and Mafia DE at 30 fps on higher than lowest details. It's still ok for me as I play on Steam Deck more anyway.
I use mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Red switches that was made for local brand seller. It has RGB backlight and aluminium base. I use Logitech MX Anywhere 3 mouse (I believe). I have some cheap USB sound card from China and I use (ASUS?) TUF gaming headset and Sony wired earplugs that I have for 10+ years (I don't know the specific model, might be able to find if someone is interested).
The photo of my corner was taken after clean-up. I didn't take it now for reasons that might be obvious to you by now :-D
I’m a software dev that works from home most of the time. I have 3 setups in different areas of the house depending on where I’m feeling like working for the day where I can easily plug in my work or personal laptops (Dell laptop and M3 MacBook Pro)
The walking treadmill has been the best addition, just doing two 45 minute working sessions while walking has me consistently hitting 10k steps a day without having to carve out extra time in the day specifically for exercise. Previously I was only taking about 2k steps a day on WFH days.
I love these kinds of threads, not because I'm particularly proud of my setup, but because it gives me ideas for how to improve it. Mine's rather simple:
I'm lucky enough to live in a 3-bedroom house with my wife but without kids (we both work remote), so my "office" closet is filled with repurposed computers. Basically, just personal pet projects, like a Plex Server and other self-hosted alternatives that I'm trying out at any given time.
I have the laptop on a tilted laptop stand, and I usually hold it in my lap as I semi-recline on a day bed. The trackball lies beside me on the bed, as the most convenient option for this kind of setup. Fortunately trackballs are my preferred mouse anyway. I can't use a standard mouse without eventually causing wrist pain, and some years ago (with a more standard desk setup) I went through a LOT of ergonomic mice and setups to finally settle on trackball as the kind that causes me no issues.
I use a single earbud because I need to keep an ear open for the rest of the house. It means I can't fully immerse myself in games, but I was never much of an audio person anyway.
The laptop has a full keyboard with numpad, but the keys are crowded together such that, even having owned the laptop a few years, I can't instantly feel my way to the arrow keys, Home/End/PgUp/PgDn, and so on. So I recently got textured sensory stickers and cut them to fit on strategic keys, which helps a great deal. Also I may actually use some of these stickers for their intended purpose, because it does feel soothing to run my fingers along them.
I'm a little envious of @bo0tzz's setup, because it sounds like a more sophisticated version of mine. And I do wish I could bring my screen closer to my face (or just have a bigger one, like theirs).
I spent a good year lying on the couch with a laptop, and my current setup is a significant upgrade over that, so if you have the option I'd certainly recommend it. I spent some time inbetween with a jerryrigged monitor arm over the top of the couch backrest, which mostly did the job but was a little too high up to really be comfortable.
For audio, have you considered open-ear headphones? They should give you both ears while still being able to hear the outside world.
An upgrade isn't really in the cards for me right now, but someday maybe! Fortunately I tend to be pretty comfortable as I am. This setup also allows for the occasional repositioning to lie on my front with my laptop in front of me, for sleepier computer use.
I haven't considered open-ear headphones, but mostly because this solution works for me. It's best to avoid cluttering up the day bed with too much stuff, and if I have to get up real quick it's easy to just yank the single earbud out (it's wired, so it stays attached to the laptop) and go. I also look more available and not like I'm shutting out the rest of the house, which is an effect that shouldn't be discounted. I do appreciate the suggestion, though, since it hadn't occurred to me before. It could be worth thinking about if using them could fit into the routines here.
As someone with both open back and closed back headphones, it is nice having both for my use case. I decide on which to wear depending on my mood and what is happening around me. I would recommend open backs if you need to be aware of your surroundings. A good affordable entry pair would be the AKG K240, which is what I have
Just my laptop, a 14” M4 MacBook Pro. Before that I was using a M1 MacBook Air.
I use software to use the touchpad for keyboard layers and custom gestures
Main Setup
Notes:
My line of work is software development which influenced choices for both personal and work machines. Specs on personal machine might seem overkill but I bought it at a massive discount back when the M2 generation had been out for a long time and the M3 revision was imminent.
Monitors and work laptop are on VESA arms that allow them all to sit at perfect heights and not take up desk space.
Switching between machines is done by switching which of the two is plugged into the thunderbolt dock because last I was shopping, all available Thunderbolt/USB-C KVMs had some kind of major drawback and were way more expensive than a high quality TB4 dock. At first had concerns about wearing out the TB4 input port on the dock but it’s held up great.
Gaming Setup
Custom tower:
Ryzen 5950X CPU
EVGA RTX 3080 Ti GPU modded w/Noctua fans
ASUS X570 ProArt Creator motherboard
32GB 3600Mhz G-Skill RAM
Fractal Meshify 2 Compact case
Noctua NH-D15 cooler
Monitor: Alienware AW2721D (27” 2560x1440 240hz G-Sync IPS)
Mouse: Logitech G604 Lightspeed
Keyboard: Archetype Minerva w/U4 Boba Gum linear switches
Audio: Schiit Fulla 2 DAC/amp
Speakers: Edifier R1280DBs
Headphones: For rhythm games, Moondrop Aria Snow Edition earbuds, for other things Senn HD6XX’s shared with work setup
Controller: 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth/2.4Ghz
Notes:
Was overkill when I built it, is still overkill, and will probably continue to be for the foreseeable future. Might actually downgrade the CPU to a 5800X3D when it’s next on sale and sell the 5950X on eBay.
Misc
Your gaming build is very similar to mine. That X3D cache may actually help performance in some games.
Yeah that seems likely. Might be easier to cool too which means less noise which is always welcome.
That 5950X partially functions as my personal spaceheater. It's probably cheaper than my radiators too.
I use a 4 foot IKEA shelf atop matched-height stacks of old textbooks as my monitor stand.
Cables run like tentacles into the different rooms of my house from one relatively powerful computer. It is a bit Beneath a Steel Sky. I have custom global keyboard shortcuts that I press to switch to another room. Each room has at least one "station" with a keyboard (usually K400 or similar) and a monitor or TV.
When I use my laptop or phone I'm usually connected to it by ssh, nomachine, or freerdp.
I'm usually the weirdo on these topics.
Both my personal and work laptops are 13" Lenovos, though different models and operating systems. I hate dealing with wires and using multiple monitors, so the only peripheral I have is a wireless mouse and the only accessory is a folding stand to angle the keyboard. I work from home 99% of the time as a database/systems developer/vaguely-IT-ish person.
What makes it slightly comical is that I share a desk/study with my (non-techie, non-WFH) partner who has a gaming PC with an absolutely monstrously large case, a huge primary monitor, and a smaller secondary monitor. So all day I've got my little work setup squeezed around this behemoth that I never touch, sometimes also pulling out my personal laptop to put some TV show on.
https://imgur.com/a/KC9lgcp
My computer setup has nothing individually impressive, but as a whole I quite like it.
Computer is a custom built:
Audio:
Peripherals:
The desk is something I built a few years back. It is made with iron pipes painted black and plywood that I stained. I then got cables all at the right length so cable management is quite clean. My computer sits behind the black cloth door. It stays cool, and also has a cloth back to keep airflow. My case is a large aggressive gaming aesthetic that I do not like, hence why it is hidden away. I also installed headphone and cable hooks in my desktop compartment keeping my headphones organized. Overall it is clear that audio is something I deeply enjoy, so most of the cost of my setup is spent in that