I Built the (almost) Affordable Knockoff of MKBHD's Desk

Quick Overview

The creator successfully built a functional replica of Marques Brownlee's (MKBHD) desk setup, costing significantly less than the original, achieving a similar aesthetic for only $5,923 compared to Marques' $33,330 total, though the replica desk base wobbles slightly and the Pro Display XDR knockoff monitors are not color-accurate.

Key Points: The replica desk setup cost totaled $5,923, which is $27,407 less than Marques' total desk cost of $33,330. The desk used is a VIVO Large Standing Desk ($370) with black legs and a white top, which exhibited slight wobbling due to its four-legged design compared to Marques' two-legged setup. The replica setup includes a 3D-printed Mac Mini case styled like the Mac Pro, which the creator found cool but noted the power button placement was slightly inconvenient for installation. The replica monitors mimic the look of the Apple Pro Display XDRs but are 27-inch 6K IPS panels costing $1,700 total, significantly cheaper than the $7,000 Pro Display XDRs, but lack color accuracy. The audio setup includes Yamaha HS5 monitors ($400 for the pair) on Auralex isolation pads and Sennheiser HD 6XX headphones ($179), which the creator highly recommends over the more expensive HD 650s ($400). The webcam used in the replica is the $100 OBSBot Meet 2, which the creator suggests is a good value compared to the $300 Opal C1. The replica setup successfully achieves a similar aesthetic to Marques' desk, with the primary differences being the monitor quality, desk stability, and the use of a 3D-printed Mac Mini case instead of the actual Mac Pro.

Context: This video documents the process of recreating a significantly cheaper version of popular tech reviewer Marques Brownlee's (MKBHD) desk setup, referred to as the 'knockoff desk.' The goal was to mimic the aesthetic and functionality of Marques' expensive setup using more budget-friendly alternatives, including a standing desk, dual monitors, specific peripherals, and custom computer cases, while comparing the costs of the replicas versus the original high-end components.