Wesley’s Tech Odyssey: A Journey through Apple’s Innovation
Wesley is back to being a full-time iPad Pro user, but there’s a splash of Apple Vision Pro and a mountain of other tech involved in the day-to-day. Here’s how he gets work done at AppleInsider.
The Story So Far
When Wesley joined AppleInsider in 2019, he was already deeply involved in the "iPad as a computer replacement" mentality. Despite being incredibly into the idea, he fell in love with the Mac again after Apple Silicon took off, so he switched to a 14-inch MacBook Pro, at least until Stage Manager debuted.
If you’re keeping score, that’s two years of iPad followed by a year of Mac, and now another two years of iPad. Apple Vision Pro swung in but couldn’t make a significant mark on his workflows, especially after the introduction of Apple Intelligence.
Today, Wesley’s setup and workflows don’t reflect the rest of his colleagues, but he’s happy that he gets to figure out new and interesting ways to tackle problems that might otherwise be solved by simply using a Mac. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster of tech these past few years, but regardless of his experiments, he always landed back at the iPad.
A Desk-Filled Office
Wesley’s desk setup is meant to be somewhat modular. He works from an L-shaped desk by Uplift that has proven to be a favorite. He turns to the right side of the desk to podcast, that way he’s facing a wall of foam. Behind him is a standing desk by Flexispot. He also uses the C7 chair.
That second desk is his photography station. He places different mats and backdrops to provide different styles for his product photography that you’ve undoubtedly seen across AppleInsider. A third table, that he thinks is technically also a desk, is used to hold extra equipment, upcoming review products, and his printer.
A bookshelf in the opposite corner of his office contains various Apple and video game memorabilia. But most importantly, it’s where his Mac mini lives.
M4 Mac Mini
Funny enough, there’s not much to say about the M4 Mac mini. It exists solely to record podcasts without hassle. The job was previously held by his 14-inch MacBook Pro, but he figured that display was being wasted in clamshell mode on a bookshelf.
When Wesley needs to access the Mac mini, he wakes it using a Magic Mouse that’s on the far right side of his desk. His Apple Watch wakes it, provided it hasn’t been too long since its last wake. Then, if he needs to do anything with the Mac mini, he puts on the Apple Vision Pro and interfaces from there. It’s basically just for podcasts and testing functions for articles.
Apple Vision Pro
Wesley’s been dancing around Apple Vision Pro so far because it sits at an interesting spot in his workflow. It constantly competes for his favorite piece of technology versus the iPad Pro, but falls just short. When Apple Vision Pro was released in February, it quickly became his primary computer because it could do everything his M1 iPad Pro could.
However, the M4 iPad Pro stole the spotlight after that through review needs, then Apple Intelligence sealed the deal. See, Apple Intelligence still isn’t available on Apple Vision Pro, and Wesley needs it for his workflow. He dumped Grammarly after Apple’s Proofread function in Writing Tools got good enough and hasn’t looked back.
iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Rest
Wesley’s iPhone 16 Pro Max is the core of Apple’s business, but funny enough, not really a big work tool for him. Beyond acting as a StandBy machine at his desk and abroad, his iPhone serves two specific purposes in his work. It’s an amazing camera for product photography and a good video camera for recording the HomeKit Insider Podcast.
Conclusion
Wesley’s tech journey through Apple’s innovation has been a fascinating one, filled with experiments, adaptations, and a constant quest for the perfect setup. As he navigates the world of iPads, Macs, Apple Vision Pro, and more, one thing is clear – technology is not just a tool for him but a passion that drives his work and life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How did Wesley’s tech setup evolve over the years at AppleInsider?
Over the years, Wesley’s tech setup evolved from being deeply involved in the "iPad as a computer replacement" mentality to experimenting with Macs, Apple Vision Pro, and other tech, always coming back to the iPad as the central piece of his workflow.
2. What role does the M4 Mac mini play in Wesley’s work routine?
The M4 Mac mini exists solely to record podcasts without hassle, serving as a dedicated device for this specific task in his office setup.
3. How does Wesley balance between the iPad Pro and Apple Vision Pro in his workflow?
Despite the capabilities of Apple Vision Pro, Wesley finds himself gravitating more towards the iPad Pro for its versatility and practicality in his day-to-day work, especially with the introduction of Apple Intelligence.
4. What is the significance of the iPhone 16 Pro Max in Wesley’s work life?
While the iPhone 16 Pro Max is not a primary work tool for Wesley, it serves as a powerful camera for product photography and a reliable video camera for recording podcasts, showcasing its versatility in his professional endeavors.
5. How does Wesley manage his tech setup outside of his office environment?
When working outside his office, Wesley relies on a portable setup that includes his iPad Pro, iPad mini, game controller, and a battery pack, allowing him to stay productive and connected on the go.
6. What is the future outlook for Wesley’s tech journey as he navigates through Apple’s innovative products?
As Wesley continues to experiment with new technologies and adapt his setup to changing needs, the future holds the promise of enhanced productivity, seamless workflows, and a deeper integration of spatial computing into his work routine.
7. How does Wesley approach the balance between personal preferences and professional requirements in his tech setup?
Wesley’s tech setup reflects a delicate balance between personal preferences and professional requirements, where he constantly seeks ways to optimize workflows, experiment with new products, and adapt to emerging technologies while staying true to his unique approach to work and life.