Customizing My Mac Workspace
Productivity Hacks: Customizing My Mac Workspace for Maximum Efficiency
When I switched to a MacBook Air, I loved the simplicity, but also missed some flexibility I had customized on Windows. Over time, I found a few lightweight tools that helped me optimize my Mac workspace to feel powerful and seamless without slowing things down. Here's a look at the setup I use daily:
1. DisplayLink: Extending MacBook Air to Two External Monitors
MacBook Airs (especially the M1/M2 versions) officially support only one external display. To overcome this, I use a DisplayLink adapter — a small external device that connects to my MacBook via USB and lets me plug in two monitors through HDMI.
⚡ Important: Not all adapters work correctly. Some cheaper ones just mirror the same screen on both monitors instead of extending the display. After trying a few, I recommend this specific USB-C DisplayLink adapter that supports true dual monitor extension.
The adapter relies on the DisplayLink driver (free download) to function. The driver is lightweight and once installed, it seamlessly extends your desktop across multiple monitors.
Why it matters:
- Smoothly extend screen real estate.
- Great for multitasking without constantly alt-tabbing.
You can learn more and download the driver here: DisplayLink.
2. Rectangle: Window Snapping Made Easy
One of the things I missed from Windows was quick window snapping (dragging windows to sides or corners to resize them). Rectangle is a free app that brings that exact behavior to Mac. I can instantly split screens, maximize windows, or quarter-size them with simple keyboard shortcuts.
Why it matters:
- Clean, organized window management.
- Faster multitasking and comparison across apps.
Download Rectangle here: Rectangle.
3. Scroll Reverser: Custom Scroll Behavior for Trackpad and Mouse
I like my trackpad to behave naturally: move fingers down = scroll page down. But on the mouse, I prefer traditional Windows-style scrolling: wheel down = page up. Scroll Reverser lets me separate the scroll behaviors of trackpad and mouse.
Why it matters:
- Natural scrolling on the trackpad feels intuitive.
- Reverse scrolling on mouse feels more precise for long document work.
Download Scroll Reverser here: Scroll Reverser.
4. Karabiner-Elements: Remapping Keys on a Windows Keyboard
Since I use a Windows-style keyboard with my MacBook, the key positions were annoying (Win/Alt in wrong spots). Karabiner-Elements lets me easily remap:
- Windows key → Command
- Alt key → Option
- Swap Ctrl and Command where needed
Why it matters:
- Muscle memory stays consistent between Mac and Windows.
- No accidental wrong shortcuts when switching machines.
Download Karabiner-Elements here: Karabiner-Elements.
5. Chrome Console: Controlling Video Playback Speed
For online videos (especially tutorials or lectures), I often want fine control over playback speed. Instead of relying on site settings, I use Chrome's DevTools Console to run a small JavaScript snippet to set any speed I want instantly.
Why it matters:
- Skip slow intros or speed through redundant parts.
- Save hours over time when learning or researching.
Example:
var video = document.querySelector('video');
video.playbackRate = 1.7;
Final Thoughts
None of these tweaks are flashy, but together they make a massive difference in how productive, comfortable, and "mine" my Mac feels.
Each little tool smooths out some friction point and keeps my workspace feeling natural, efficient, and ready to go.
If you found this useful and want more detailed setups or walkthroughs, let me know!
Tools mentioned: DisplayLink, Rectangle, Scroll Reverser, Karabiner-Elements.
Photo by Kevin Bhagat on Unsplash.
