The home office Apple device I can’t live without is the one you’d least expect

When I started working from home full-time, one thing became immediately clear: I needed more space—screen space that is. I’ve always worked better on bigger displays, and once my home became my office, having the best display possible shifted from preference to necessity. That’s what pushed me toward the Apple Studio Display, and it’s no exaggeration to say it completely reshaped the way I work.

The 27-inch, 5K Retina panel is exactly the kind of canvas macOS deserves. Text is crisp, UI elements are perfectly scaled, and there’s enough room to keep multiple windows open. For writing, researching, editing, and multitasking, the difference is dramatic. I simply get more done when I can see more at once.

A display that doubles as a desktop hub

But the Studio Display isn’t just a monitor, it’s the core of my entire setup. Its 600-nit brightness, P3 color gamut, and Apple’s signature color accuracy make everything look clean and consistent.

Foundry

Then there’s the bonus that it doubles as a USB-C hub, which makes cable management almost nonexistent. One Thunderbolt cable connects my MacBook Pro to the Studio Display, and everything from peripherals, charging, audio, camera, and microphone runs through that single link.

The three additional USB-C ports on the back are a huge convenience I didn’t expect to rely on as much as I do.

Built-in perks that actually matter

Typically, when you think of an external monitor, the display is pretty much the only thing that comes to mind. But the Studio Display has so much more to offer, even compared to some of the Best Mac Monitors we’ve tested.

Apple Studio Display

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The 12MP ultra-wide camera with Center Stage keeps me perfectly framed during video calls without needing an external webcam. The three-mic array is more than good enough for meetings, and the six-speaker system is shockingly rich, easily the best audio I’ve heard from a display. The audio sounds more immersive than what you get from a HomePod mini.

All these extras matter when your display is also your work tool. It’s one less thing to buy and one less thing cluttering the desk.

Foundry

Basically an iMac, powered by a MacBook

To complete the setup, I use a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, giving me a clean, iMac-like experience, but with the power and flexibility of my MacBook Pro behind it. The seamless integration between all these devices makes the Studio Display feel like a natural extension of macOS, not just a screen attached to a laptop.

Rumors say a new Studio Display could arrive next year, and I’m always curious to see what Apple improves. But even knowing that, I have zero desire to upgrade my current Studio Display. This was one of the best purchases I’ve made for my home office.

For my workflow, my comfort, and my productivity, the Studio Display isn’t just part of my WFH setup. It is the setup.