Apple Desk Setup of a Tech Content Creator in Arizona, US

Name: Rohit Saini

Location: Arizona, United States

Occupation: E-Commerce and YouTube

Cost of setup: $2,1K

Social media: YouTube

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Take us through your setup

My setup consists of objects that I use on a daily basis, some of which I’ve had for years. I’ve always reminded myself to make use of every little gadget I have.

I’m not a fan of clutter. If I don’t like it, I’ll either sell, or get rid of it.

This setup didn’t take me a long time to set up, but it did take me around two years to realise that lighting is key.

About 99% of the time, I keep my main office lights off. I rely on natural and LED lighting.

My desk is also situated next to a window, which I usually keep closed (I live in Arizona where temperatures reach 120º F or 48ºC).

On my desk, you’ll find my monitor, a riser, two twin lamps, a Bose bluetooth speaker, and my laptops + daily peripherals.

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Behind my desk are two framed photos that I took of my iPhone X and iPhone 5c.

To the left is a dissected iPhone 4s frame which was gifted to me by a brand.

I’ve also installed two LED lights behind my monitor.

These were a bit tough to install due to the curvature of the display, where the adhesion would fall off. I managed to install a 90º metal support that sits in the middle of each light, which has solved this problem.

The lights are also synced with Apple Home.

I’m happy with how this setup looks. It’s simple, vibrant, and keeps me productive throughout the day.

Apart from my maker station, I have my YouTube studio setup behind me.

It’s usually a lot messier as this area is rarely ever seen on camera.

I have a separate desk with an overhead camera mount that I use for top-down shots.

I also have a desk behind me that is used as a prop for b-roll shots.

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi! I’m Rohit. I’m a tech content creator with a passion for all things Apple.

I make videos about retro Apple products — you know, the products we grew up with — that are (probably) collecting dust now.

I enjoy making reviews and educational videos for my audience, and have grown to around 100K+ subscribers in four years.

Apart from my creative hobby, I work full-time for an e-commerce Shopify company.

I manage our customer support operations where I spend most of my days automating and transforming our internal knowledgebase.

I invite you to check out my setup, thanks for stopping by!

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

This one will be odd, but my favorite item is the Thunderbolt 4 cable that came with my monitor.

It allows me to retain 120 Hz output while simultaneously charging my MacBook with 140W of power.

I highly recommend getting a monitor that supports both charging and output with a single cable. It makes the setup look less cluttered.

What apps or tools do you use to get things done?

I use Final Cut Pro to make my YouTube videos.

I’ve been using it since I was 11 years old, and love the simplicity of it.

Apple sells it as a standalone product without a subscription, and if you’re in college, you can get it discounted as well. 

I also spend a lot of time using Notion.

It’s a great tool for productivity and keeps me on top of my content deadlines. Though, I’m guilty of using the web version of Notion almost 99% of the time.

I dislike launching additional applications on my Mac when everything can be done through the web.

What books, blogs, or podcasts recently caught your attention?

I recommend checking out the Let’s Laugh About It podcast, which explores laughable moments that working professionals experience at least once in their career.

I was also a guest on one of the podcasts (shameless plug, but highly recommend checking out other episodes if you’re into that kind of stuff)!

Any tips for other makers who want to improve their workspaces?

Amazon has almost everything you need when it comes to office equipment.

Don’t be afraid to get something off-brand.

If it works for you, that’s what matters the most.

However, the one single item I would recommend splurging on is a monitor.

I’m using the Dell U2725QE, and it’s worth every penny.

What does your typical day look like?

My weekdays consist of work.

I wake up around 7 am and ask Siri to “Turn on the studio”, which turns on the LED lights behind my monitor.

I get signed in and start knocking out my daily work tasks.

I’m active on Slack, Google Calendar, and Notion throughout the day

I really enjoy using Google Calendar, even outside of work. I like that it gives me notifications 30 minutes before an event takes place.

One thing that I’ve always learned is to complete tasks in time blocks.

I tend to be more productive when I have different work tasks spread out throughout the day, rather than one long task that takes me several hours.

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I’ve tried to implement this outside of work as well.

Since I use my desk for both work and my hobby, I don’t have to physically switch workspaces.

I can connect my Thunderbolt 4 cable into my work laptop and immediately begin using it.

I enjoy working with dual displays (one on my laptop, one on the monitor). Although my desk’s height is adjustable, I don’t raise it often (but I probably should)!

I finish up work around 3 pm, tuck my work laptop away and take a gym break.

Once I’m ready to answer missed emails, edit my next video, or watch some YouTube, I’ll plug my personal laptop in. 

Sometimes, I wish my desk was a bit bigger. I’d love to add some plants and also keep a PS5 docked there.

This might be a future project if I end up getting a slightly larger desk.

I should be able to make room for a small plant, though.

Your tips for working from home?

Working from home can be exciting. It means you can work from the comfort of anywhere.

One solid rule that I’ve always had for myself is to never begin working from my bed. I need to physically get up, make my bed, and then begin working.

This gets me in my “work mode” and ensures I start my day focused.

Another tip I have is to leave the workspace at least once a week. It’s okay to step outside and get some fresh air.

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But if you’re someone like me who lives in 120º weather, it might be better to move to a different room, or even visit a new local coffee shop from time to time.

^{We’re a reader-supported publication. This article might contain affiliate links. It means we may receive a commission if you click a link and buy a product that our maker has recommended. The interview was done independently.}