The computer setup we feature today sports a powerful Mac Studio desktop computer and an impressive phalanx of external displays, yet commenters’ attention focused mainly on the monitor light. It’s actually an EppieBasic LED Desk Lamp rather than a typical monitor light bar, but it serves the same purposes. The user obliged commenters and explained why he loves it.
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Mac Studio setup packed with external displays relies on EppieBasic LED Desk Lamp as monitor light
Redditor jaycvegs (“Jay”) showcased the well-lit and display-heavy setup in a post entitled, “My station.” He runs an M1 Ultra Mac Studio (20-core CPU, 48-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB unified memory, 2TB SSD) with a bunch of external displays, including three Dells and a Samsung G5 Odyssey. They create a bit of a “Mission Control” effect with his workstation. And Houston, we have no problem with the lighting.
So despite the presence of a powerful Apple desktop machine and an impressive wall of screens, the post generated more interest in the monitor light. In this case, it’s a large, overarching desk lamp rather than a light bar attached to the display. Commenters on setups post often ask what lights like those are for.
“Nice setup!” declared a commenter. “This may be a dumb question, but what’s the point of the lamp on top of the monitor?”
“Dude, I thought the same thing until I got one,” Jay replied. He went on to tick off his reasons why “it just makes it so much better in many ways”:
- Screen light vs ambient light; helps the eyes.
- I can write on my note pad.
- I don’t need ceiling light on.
- It feels more like a work station: ambiance basically just kinda completes things for me.
- Oh and I guess 5) would be helps with video chat lighting.
And monitor lights offer other benefits, too
So eyestrain-reduction is a big reason to have the light. He could add that the lamp clamped to the back of the desk, or a monitor light bar that attaches to the display itself, frees up desk space compared to regular desk lamps. And it provides more useful, focused and directed light than something like a light strip. What’s more, many such lights allow you to control color temperature and brightness.
And then another person expressed interest in the lamp specifically because it doesn’t attach to the monitor. Rather, it usually clamps to the back edge of a desk and rises above a display from behind.
“What lamp is that? Mine sits on my studio monitor, directly on the mic and I have to shift the damn thing every time I have a meeting,” they asked.
Jay explained he found the EppieBasic LED Desk Lamp on Amazon (see below, along with other gear links). It’s a 24-watt LED lamp that clamps to a desk or another object. It features six color modes as well as dimming.
More about monitor light bars/lamps:
- Not all monitor light bars are created equal
- Why choosing the right monitor light bar matters
- What good are monitor light bars?
Shop these items now:
Lightning:
Computer:
Input devices:
- Magic Keyboard (mini)
- Magic Trackpad 2
Audio:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected]. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
This overarching desk lamp clamps to the back of a desk, working like a monitor light bar that never gets in the way. The 24-watt lamp features six color modes and stepless dimming.
