Setting up the Studio Kinda Sucks (Updated)

[PowerMac5500]

Today was supposed to be fun, and interesting. Instead it was disappointing and frustrating.

I “tore down” my 27” iMac setup. Reran all the needed wires, cleaned, etc. Then I set the Studio in place, then the monitor. Powered it on, and let it get through those first boots. Then I plugged in that morning’s Time Machine back up of my iMac. That’s where the fun and enthusiasm ended.

I had about 300gb used on the drive I backed up… or so I thought. I guess it took a lot of cloud files too? I wasn’t thinking… So, the backup was too big for the 500gb drive. Clean install it is. My bad. Disappointing but still my fault.

A little while later. I start reinstalling things. First up is my Logi MX Vertical Bluetooth mouse… and the Max says… NOPE. So, I spend some time researching. WTF is BTE? Ugh you dirty little…. I go to our IT dept… “Hey, you guys have an extra corded mouse?” I figured I just needed to be able to click the connect button. Nope. Try all the buttons. Restart 1/2 dozen times. Nope. Nope. Nope. So now I guess I need to use a USB port for a Unify plug… which I’ll have to go buy. Because god forbid Apple design any ergonomic options that “just work”.

On to the second monitor now… HP mouse in hand. Let’s try the usb c to hdmi cable. It works. That is… unless you run any programs. Then it shuts off. So, I look that issue up. “Usb c is not really a display connection”… ok. Undo the wire. Replace with a standard HDMI cable. Put everything back together. Appears to be working.

(Update in replies below. I think the monitor stand is amplifying the fan noise.)

What’s that sound? Fans. Mother fauker… I think I need to move the Studio to the far corner of my desk. I’ll need to redo the wires. Again. But that’s a job for another day. Now I’m thinking I’d just like one bright spot. Launch iTunes… play a song… it sounds awesome (think dual HomePod minis).

Feeling a tiny bit better. Stop the song. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Fans… ugh seriously? (I might have to rig some sound dampening near/behind it after I move it. I wanted to record audio in here…)

I was going to try the web cam, but I just couldn’t take any more disappointments.

The brightest spot of the setup was a $19 aluminum swiveling monitor stand I got off Amazon.

It’s also killing me that I have to wait until Monday (computer is at the office) to continue this amazing setup process.

UPDATE:

I picked up some glass-top numbers as recommended and they prevent the skid issue.

I relocated the box and the fan noise is much less noticeable. I suspect the sound was being amplified by my monitor stand.

There was NO connecting my Logitech mouse by Bluetooth, but I found a spare Unify dongle at home and I now have my vertical mouse back. Updated update… the scroll wheel functionality randomly stops working. Restarting seems to temporarily resolve it.

 

[PowerMac5500]

Also. There is no grip on the bottom of the Studio. So, when you go to plug in any cables it slides across the desk. You have to hold it and then push the cable in.

 

[F-Train]

Also. There is no grip on the bottom of the Studio. So, when you go to plug in any cables it slides across the desk. You have to hold it and then push the cable in.

You think there might be a reason why you appear to be the first and only person to complain about that?

 

[PowerMac5500]

You think there might be a reason why you appear to be the first and only person to complain about that?

I legitimately don’t know. I’m exhausted. Please tell me, honestly. Is it because no one is buying it? Or that everyone is already complained about it? It’s been a busy week so I’m behind on the latest.

 

[PowerMac5500]

I legitimately don’t know. I’m exhausted. Please tell me, honestly. Is it because no one is buying it? Or that everyone is already complained about it? It’s been a busy week so I’m behind on the latest.

I’ll look it up.

 

[PianoPro]

Also. There is no grip on the bottom of the Studio. So, when you go to plug in any cables it slides across the desk. You have to hold it and then push the cable in.

Good Lord! Send it back.

 

[PowerMac5500]

Good Lord! Send it back.

It’s bonkers fast. I’m going to make it work.

 

[PowerMac5500]

Good Lord! Send it back.

It’s kind of a cool opportunity for an accessory maker, or silicon case manufacturer to make a little circle holder for it. Im going to hit up Home Depot, hoping for something silicon and circular, but will settle for a small circle of the stuff that goes under carpets so they don’t slide on floors.

 

[darthaddie]

Also. There is no grip on the bottom of the Studio. So, when you go to plug in any cables it slides across the desk. You have to hold it and then push the cable in.

Finally! Someone bought this up. Its really annoying. I am sure there will soon be a Belkin/twelve south kinda stand/bracket to hold it still. lol

 

[enricoclaudio]

No need to wait for any genius to come up with something when you can solve this issue with $2. Mine doesn’t move even 1mm ?

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www.amazon.com

 

[lcubed]

i just grabbed the spare le creuset silicon round trivet from our kitchen and used that.

 

[BobSc]

Also. There is no grip on the bottom of the Studio. So, when you go to plug in any cables it slides across the desk. You have to hold it and then push the cable in.

Thank goodness there is no grip. I occasionally have to move the studio (without a lot of space around it) a few inches. Being able to just glide it is great.

Also, knowing how relatively hard it can be to plug in a usb-c connection, I suspect that with feet you'd still have to use two hands to plug it in.

For those that want feet, it's an easy thing to do with very minimal cost. If the Studio had feet, I'd have trouble moving it as I need to. For the few times I need to temporarily plug something in, it's no big deal to use two hands to hold the computer and push the plug in. Need two hands to plug something into the Studio Display or my iMac for that matter.

 

[OldMike]

No need to wait for any genius to come up with something when you can solve this issue with $2. Mine doesn’t move even 1mm ?

KA FEL 18pcs Glass Table Top Bumpers Adhesieve for Drawers, Glass Tops, Cutting Boards, Picture Frames ,Big Furniture (20×2mm)

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Wow, that is a simple solution. Thanks for the idea.

 

[PowerMac5500]

I love it. Stores nearby have those.

 

[OldMike]

@PowerMac5500 it's a shame it didn't go smoothly for you. I must have lucked out and didn't have any issues setting mine up. I did, however, catch a video on YT talking about the Logitech bluetooth adapter not working - so I was prepared for that ahead of time.

Right now I am running HDMI out to one 4K display, and using a Newertech (OWC) USB-C to DisplayPort adapter to connect to the second 4K display - and everything looks and works great.

These are extremely nice machines, in my opinion. I am really happy with mine.

 

[aurora_sect]

No need to wait for any genius to come up with something when you can solve this issue with $2. Mine doesn’t move even 1mm ?

View attachment 1988660

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KA FEL 18pcs Glass Top Bumpers, Glass Table Top Bumpers Adhesive Furniture Bumpers for Glass Table Door Cabinet Drawers

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I did something similar to this on day 1.

I had a really bad time connecting a mouse and keyboard; it took about an hour. Pretty smooth sailing after that. Hope your experience improves, OP.

 

[PowerMac5500]

I did something similar to this on day 1.

I had a really bad time connecting a mouse and keyboard; it took about an hour. Pretty smooth sailing after that. Hope your experience improves, OP.

Thank you.

It’s hard to remember in the moment, especially when expectations are high, but you‘re right. We’ve tackled so many hurdles like these.

 

[PowerMac5500]

I’ve been noodling the noise issue. I think my monitor stand is just resonating the sound out at me. I’m putting baby in the corner. The cables coming out of the back are a bit much anyway. I’ll drop the second monitor down a few inches and pad the back of it, and the corner wall. That should help a little. Photo of current setup and sketch of the plan attached.

 

[PowerMac5500]

@PowerMac5500 it's a shame it didn't go smoothly for you. I must have lucked out and didn't have any issues setting mine up. I did, however, catch a video on YT talking about the Logitech bluetooth adapter not working - so I was prepared for that ahead of time.

Right now I am running HDMI out to one 4K display, and using a Newertech (OWC) USB-C to DisplayPort adapter to connect to the second 4K display - and everything looks and works great.

These are extremely nice machines, in my opinion. I am really happy with mine.

Thanks. I bet it is. I’m just bummed I didn’t get to really try it out/finish the setup before quitting time. And really not happy about the Logitech mouse situation. I can’t go back to a regular mouse after a vertical, and the MX from Logi is the best. ?

I know my title is a little inflammatory, but that was my unfortunate experience today. It’s not my final opinion on the machine. I just wish it hadn’t gone that way lol. And frankly, I just wanted to talk about it with this forum’s fine folks. So, thank you again.

Maybe someone on here will avoid a few mistakes I made when they set theirs up.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Someone recently threw away nearly a thousand brand new unopened Dell keyboards and mice at work. I better pick up a couple if I buy one of these in a couple years.

 

[basher]

Someone recently threw away nearly a thousand brand new unopened Dell keyboards and mice at work. I better pick up a couple if I buy one of these in a couple years.

What happened to the Mac Studio set up you bought a few days ago???

 

[AdamSeen]

Also. There is no grip on the bottom of the Studio. So, when you go to plug in any cables it slides across the desk. You have to hold it and then push the cable in.

It was a known issue, a few reviewers commented on it. But seems it was fixed on later production runs because the one I had had a thicker grip that prevented it sliding.

 

[OldMike]

Thanks. I bet it is. I’m just bummed I didn’t get to really try it out/finish the setup before quitting time. And really not happy about the Logitech mouse situation. I can’t go back to a regular mouse after a vertical, and the MX from Logi is the best. ?

The Logitech mouse (and keyboards) will work fine, like they always have, after initial setup. The problem is the Mac Studio will only accept wired mice / keyboards or Apple bluetooth mouse / trackpad / keyboard during initial setup. After the installation is setup, you will be able to add and use your Logitech peripherals like you have on previous Macs.

 

[OldMike]

It was a known issue, a few reviewers commented on it. But seems it was fixed on later production runs because the one I had had a thicker grip that prevented it sliding.

This is the first I had heard of this. I would think my Mac Studio is a pretty recent build (purchased April 3 in person from Apple Store) and it is pretty slippery. At first I thought it was strange that it slid so easily on the desk, but then realized that previous Mac Minis did the same. My 2013 Mac Pro, on the other hand, was very grippy.

My Mac Studio does not exhibit any fan noise issues, so I won't worry about not getting a slip resistant Mac and will just use the tip provided by @enricoclaudio

 

[PowerMac5500]

The Logitech mouse (and keyboards) will work fine, like they always have, after initial setup. The problem is the Mac Studio will only accept wired mice / keyboards or Apple bluetooth mouse / trackpad / keyboard during initial setup. After the installation is setup, you will be able to add and use your Logitech peripherals like you have on previous Macs.

Nope.

I have (went and got) a wired mouse. The Studio sees the mouse. Offers me the connect button. No amount of clicking that button with the wired mouse will make it connect. Just grays out the connect button for a minute. Then shows the connect button goes as clickable again.