Uses

Ajmal Afif‘s latest workstation snapshot as of Jan 2022 which consist of myriad of tech hardwares like a monitor, a laptop, Mac mini, keyboard, mouse, microphone, camera and more.

This is my latest setup as of Jan 2022. It‘s like my 8th iteration since I bought the desk in June 2019. I‘ve tried from ultra-minimalism to Gundam cockpit to Grab Themed setup. Right now I am settling with private streamer setup 😇

Contrast Filter

I‘ll start with a TLDR list of hardware that I use. Click on the links on the tagged photo above will bring you to a more detailed section below.

I have also shared both referral links and direct links, although it won‘t cost you anything extra to click on the referral ones 🙇🏻‍♂️

Hardware

BenQ ScreenBar Plus (Amazon / direct link)
BigSofti Lighting
Carpio 2.0 (direct link)
Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C - U2720Q (Amazon / direct link)
K2 Keychron (Amazon / direct link)
Mac mini M1 (Amazon / direct link)
NomadGood Base Station (direct link)
Lens: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 (Amazon / direct link)
Logitech MX Master 3 (Amazon / direct link)
Omnidesk (Omnidesk Reward / direct link)
Omnidesk Hestia/Pegboard (Omnidesk Reward / direct link)
PreSonus AudioBox iTwo (Amazon / direct link)
Rode Podmic (Amazon / direct link)
Sonos Roam (Amazon / direct link)
Sony a6400 (Amazon / direct link)
Sony WH-1000XM4 (Amazon / direct link)
SubZERO Wrist Rest Pad (Amazon / direct link)
Viozon Gas Spring Desk Mount (Amazon / direct link)
Viozon Selfie Desktop Live Stand Set 6-in-1 (Amazon / direct link)

On the surface, this might seem redundant but for me, it helps with the glare and especially at night. Makes it easy for the eyes to stare at the screen. Every time I turned it off I keep noticing and wishing I have something to fix the glare, then that small burst of joy when realizing I have this. Best work when the room is dark.

BenQ ScreenBar

Pack a punch with its size but to me, the lighting is too harsh for my liking, especially pairing it with the Sony a6400 and Sigma 16mm f/1.4. Perhaps need some softbox hacks or filters but so far I am not able to work it. It‘s ability to be charged with USB-C is quite a plus in its own right.

BigSofti Lighting

It‘s one of those things that I wished I got them sooner. My wrists have been painful after a long period of working. This helps with the wrist positioning and I feel better with it. I was trying to use the double Carpio setup but the k2 keyboard is pretty high. I am only using double Carpio when I am working from the office with slimmer keyboard.

Carpio 2.0

I‘ve been using this monitor for a few years now. Best bang for the buck, monitor-wise. My only complaint is that I can‘t figure out how to power it via Thunderbolt that it claims. I am connecting it via DisplayPort on Brydge (used to be called Henge Docks) Stone Pro to get 4K at 60Hz. I am not sure if it‘s the laptop isn‘t supporting Thunderbolt 3 or it‘s the docking station issue 🤷‍♂️

Dell U2720Q

Love this keyboard size and the ability to connect with 3 devices via Bluetooth. Definitely clutch. I just got custom keycaps in Dec 2021. So far liking it better than the stock keycaps. Feels tackier although not sure how it affect my typing speed.

k2 Keychron

My personal 2017 Macbook Pro recently died on me. It was really sluggish and I can‘t stand able to do anything figured I already have all the setup, why not just get a Mac Mini. My best workstation buy of 2021.

Mac Mini M1

Mac Mini speaker isn‘t the best and I sometimes have a hard time hearing voices during calls. Did some research so this Sonos Roam is quite a beast although quite pricey. The fact that is portable is a clutch, I used it for a nighttime deep sleep songs player.

Sonos Roam

I almost always use this with the laptop clamped but in a pinch (especially after a restart) when the office-issued laptop always has an issue detecting Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. So being able to pull the laptop nearer (to login) and push it away out of sight when done with it is clutch.

Viozon Mount