Shall we talk about desks? Most of us sit down at 1 o’clock every day, but that’s far from the most exciting thing to do at home (or at the office). I have one in my home office. This is a very basic setup, with a Mac Studio desktop and Studio Display powering my daily work. I converted an old HomePod into a flowerpot, put one of those IKEA grid things on the wall, a lamp, and some tech art on the wall. It’s simple and exactly how I like it.
However, the same cannot be said about the desk next to mine. It’s my fiancé’s and it’s full of organizational items that TikTok suggested but no one really needs. A little technique? M1 MacBook Air. It’s a very nice machine, but the 13-inch display is far from ideal for designers. She’s not a very technical person (which is a pre-approved phrase to keep me out of trouble), so it’s left alone. So, after much persuasion, I was tasked with building her the perfect desk setup for her job.
I plan on keeping my M1 laptop as the brains of the operation and adding gear for creatives and things everyone needs. Here are the main gadgets I use in my creative desk setup.
Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium Bundle
If you want to become a digital Da Vinci, a drawing pen is a great tool. The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium Bundle is an excellent choice for digital artists and designers, offering a seamless and intuitive drawing experience.
This gadget has more than enough canvas to create your masterpiece and has powerful features for creators. It features a spacious work area, customizable buttons to increase workflow efficiency, and comes with two pens that offer different grip styles and pressure sensitivity levels. Xencelabs bundles are perfect for creating detailed digital artwork and designs, giving you the precision and control you need for professional work. If you’re a creative, this is a must-have on your desk.
Budget alternatives: For those on a budget, the Wacom Intuos is a great choice, offering solid performance and reliability for digital drawing and editing tasks.
Mobile Pixel Geminos
If your desk space feels smaller than your London apartment, you may want to consider more flexible monitor options. Mobile Pixels Geminos is a flexible dual-screen setup designed to increase productivity and multitasking.
Offering double the screen and productivity levels, it’s perfect for desk setups where space is at a premium, leaving you wondering how you ever managed with just one monitor. Provides two high-resolution displays that can be used for extended desktop or mirroring. It can be stacked, diagonally, or shaped like a laptop. This setting is especially useful if you need more screen real estate, or if you’re creative and want to do several tasks at once.
Budget alternatives: A more affordable option is to use one additional monitor (such as the Asus ZenScreen) on your laptop or desktop. This gives you more flexibility without dual screen functionality.
Twelve South Desk Pad
Want to make your desk a little more comfortable and look a little more stylish? The Twelve South Desk Pad not only protects your desk surface, but also adds an elegant touch with its leather design.
It provides a smooth, comfortable surface for writing and mousing, improving both the aesthetics and functionality of any desk setup. The large size accommodates the keyboard and mouse for a unified look and feel.
Budget alternatives: A budget-friendly alternative is a standard felt desk pad, which can provide similar surface protection and improved mouse tracking at a fraction of the price.
Twelve South Hoverbar Duo
The Twelve South HoverBar Duo is an adjustable stand for iPad and other tablets, and is a great tool for expanding your workspace.
This skyrockets your iPad or tablet to act as a second screen or a convenient way to use apps without having to hold the tablet. Flexible positioning and height adjustment lets you position your iPad just right. Comes with option to secure to stand or desk. This gadget is perfect for adding variety to your desk setup. With its wide selection of creative iPad apps, it’s a must-have.
Budget alternatives: A simpler, cheaper tablet stand without adjustable arm acrobatics can also provide a stable base for your tablet, although it provides less positioning freedom.
apple magic trackpad
The Apple Magic Trackpad is the glass slipper of your desk setup. It provides a smooth glass surface for gesture control and navigation, allowing for more subtle manipulation than the awkward clicks of a mouse.
Since it’s made by Apple, it’s one of the top options you can get. The glass top is very responsive and accurate, offering smooth scrolling and gesture support. This is a great addition for those who prefer trackpad navigation over a traditional mouse. It also integrates seamlessly with the operating system, making it especially useful for macOS users (it even connects to an iPad).
Budget alternatives: A more cost-effective option is a more basic Bluetooth trackpad. This can provide similar gesture support and compatibility with multiple operating systems, but may be less precise and fluid. There aren’t a lot of options to choose from, but I like the Perixx pads because they are fairly large and easy to control.
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
A keyboard is required to complete setup. I can’t type well if my laptop lid is half-closed. Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID provides a comfortable typing experience with the convenience of Touch ID for quick authentication.
It’s a sleek and stylish addition to any desk, offering wireless connectivity and a simple design that complements other Apple products. The keys are shallow, responsive, and don’t make much noise. Note that you need an M-chip Mac to take advantage of the fingerprint scanner.
Budget alternatives: For those looking for an affordable option, standard wireless Bluetooth keyboards can also provide a comfortable typing experience and compatibility with a wide range of devices. We recommend the Logitech Pebble Keys 2 for their sleek, slim design.