A year later and more desk changes! I took the opportunity of my sabbatical this year to move things around, particularly on the walls, whilst also removing a number of things from the desk itself. Add to that some new tech and it’s a different workspace for 2022.

And here’s the new breakdown of what you’re seeing…

1. My LG UltraFine 31.5″ 4K monitor. There’s no stand, but a multi-direction arm that clamps to the edge of the desk, freeing up space. It has a 2-port USB-C hub and speakers
2. A Logitech StreamCam sits on top of the monitor, plugging into the rear it, via a USB-adapter (the StreamCam is USB-C, my monitor hub is not!)
3. BenQ ScreenBar Halo. This is a high-end, remote screen light
4. Attached to the underside side of the monitor (bottom right), is a 4-port, aluminium USB-3 hub – it’s a quick and convenient way to plug in USB-A devices to my laptop
5. My MacBook Pro 14 M1 Pro . There’s just one cable coming it, which is a powered USB-C connector that plugs into my monitor
6. A Rain Design mStand. I keep notebooks and pads of paper below it
7. An Eve strip light lines the outside of my desk (well, the rear part of it so they’re not visible from the front). Controllable from both my phone but also my Stream Deck.
8. An OG Apple HomePod. This has a great sound and I mainly use it for listening to music, connected directly to the Apple Music app on my laptop. All other sound is directed through the monitor speakers.
9. ShuttleXpress video jog/shuttle. I like video editing but this can actually be configured to control any app, so it’s great for simple shortcut keys, etc.
10. Creative Pebble V3 Bluetooth and USB-C speakers. I connect with Bluetooth and use the USB-C for powering it. I use these speakers for video calls and general laptop output
11. This is the wireless remote for my Benq ScreenBar
12. Just behind the keyboard is a Stream Deck. Intended for streamers, it’s also got a life outside of that too. Everything from simple shortcuts to video editor controls, it’s worth the price along for the fact that you can exit a Zoom room with a single button press!
13. Rain Design mStand for iPhone (and iPad). These are really good quality stands, and well padded too. Underneath I keep a supply of post-it notes
14. A felt and cork desk mat. I was looking at all sorts of branded desk mats but the sizes were always wrong (too small or too large) but this generic one was the Goldilocks of mats
15. Apple Magic Keyboard. It has a really nice feel to the keys but after 4.5 years, it’s becoming a little worn!
16. Apple Magic Trackpad 2. I prefer this over the mouse (yes, I do have one)
17. My chair is the rather comfy Humanscale Diffrient World. All mesh and very simply built, I’d recommend it
18. My rather splendid sit/stand desk, with adjustable height controls. This is the DeskRite 300, but with the added extra of replacement, brushed steel, inserts. However, what’s under the desk is also of interest…
    1. Underneath, at the rear, is a metal cage/tray, which is used for tidying cables, as well as to store the monitor PSU.
    2. A 7-port, powered USB hub also sits inside the cage. This plugs into a USB-C port in the back of the monitor
    3. Next to the cage, is an under-desk mounted 7-way power strip. This means that only a single cable goes from the desk to the floor, which on a desk that can be raised and lowered, is a God-send
19. Govee Glide Hexa light panels add a dash of colour to the wall. I often have these set up to light up based on music but otherwise can be used to add a warm glow to the room.
20. A very simple white board, which is great for quick notes.
21. An Ikea SKÅDIS pegboard and accessories. They’re quite popular right now.
22. A Sennheiser USB-C headset for when I need a bit of privacy on calls. This one has been recommended by our CEO, who regularly tests new headsets,
23. A microphone boom arm.
24. An Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Microphone, shock mount and pop filter.
25. Just under the front-left of my desk is a 3-port USB charger, complete with headphone/cable hangers on either side.

On the floor, under my desk…

1. Stream Deck Pedal. For when I need to slam my foot down to end a Zoom call. But. yeah, configured for all sorts of uses depending on what I’m doing.
2. A half cylinder foot rest cushion. Foam filled and with a non-slip coating on the outside, I’ve had this for years and has served me better than anything metal or plastic equivalent.
3. An APC UPS. 400VA, 8 outlets and surge protected, all my network kit is running through the battery backup outlets. The remaining outlets are used for powering things on my bookcase (see below). I don’t use the UPS for anything on my desk.

Finally, I need to mention the bookcase at the side of me too…

1. A Bose Soundlink Color Bluetooth speaker. For when I’m listening to something interesting and want to take it with me around the house.
2. Eve Room. A Homekit connected air quality sensor. Quite important for a room that you spend so many of your hours in.
3. Netgear Orbi RBK750. Part of 3-point mesh system around the house, this is the primary router, connected directly to my FTTP modem.
4. A Phone and Apple Watch stand for charging my devices. I have this away from my desk as the power on this is switched off every night, unlike devices on the bookcase.
5. My solar Casio Edifice dress watch, on a stand (and the fact that it’s solar is why it’s out and on a stand!). The green light around it was made by my youngest daughter at school.
6. Drew & Cole HUMI heater and cool air fan.
7. Apple AirPods Pro Max on a rather nice stand.

ℹ️ As an Amazon Associate, links on this post may mean that I may from qualifying purchases that you make.