Honestly, prioritize your neck first since hunching is basically a recipe for disaster. I swear by the Roost Laptop Stand V3 Adjustable Lightweight because its incredibly stable and wont collapse on you. Pair it with a Logitech MX Anywhere 3S Compact Wireless Mouse for ergonomics that actually fit in a bag. For ports, stick to a Satechi USB-C Multi-Port Adapter V2 to avoid cheap hubs that might fry your logic board. Safety first!

Just catching up on this thread and ngl, I feel your pain. When I started my remote gig, I basically blew my whole budget on the MBP and had almost nothing left for the desk setup. You definitely dont need to spend a fortune to get top tier specs tho. I skipped the pricey stands and went with the iVoler Laptop Stand Adjustable Aluminum Foldable. Its super cheap, weighs almost nothing, and folds down flat for a backpack. For the mouse, I actually swear by the Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse. It has that HERO sensor which is incredibly precise for productivity, and the latency is basically non-existent compared to standard Bluetooth mice. Also, for the hub, try the Anker 555 USB-C Hub 8-in-1. It handles 10Gbps data transfers which is a life saver if you're moving files around. Much better than those cheap 5Gbps ones that overheat and throttle your speeds.

• Foldable aluminum riser for portability
• High DPI sensor mouse
• 10Gbps rated USB-C hub

omg i am literally dealing with the same thing right now, my neck is killing me and i really dont want to spend a fortune on a fancy setup. it reminds me of when i tried working from a library to save money but the chairs were basically rocks. i spent the whole time looking at vacation rentals instead of actually working... total fail. anyway lol sorry i kinda went off topic there!

Been thinking about your setup... honestly, you dont need to drop hundreds to stop the neck pain. I'm all about the DIY and budget hacks when it comes to mobile workstations.

• Portable riser: I literally use a $12 generic plastic foldable one. It does the same job as the $80 ones, tho maybe it feels a bit more plasticky. If you're stuck at home, a stack of thick cookbooks is the ultimate free DIY riser.
• Mouse: Look at the Logitech Pebble. Its super slim, quiet, and basically fits in a pocket. Ngl, sometimes I just use a cheap wired mouse to save battery hassle.
• The Hub: You can find decent ones for under $30 if you skip the big names. I actually use Easy Cart Share to send potential gear lists to my buddies so they can help me vet the cheap stuff before I buy. Is a mechanical keyboard worth the weight? Tbh, probably not for a cafe trip unless you're writing a novel. A thin membrane one is lighter and way cheaper for your bag.

Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!

To add to the point above regarding reliability: after testing countless hubs and peripherals over the years, I've found that consistency is usually more important than raw specs. While the Satechi hubs mentioned earlier are aesthetically pleasing, I generally recommend Anker for their thermal management. In my experience, Satechi can run quite hot when pushing 4K video and charging simultaneously, which is something you want to avoid with an expensive MacBook Pro. For a mouse, the Logitech MX Anywhere series is basically the industry standard for a reason, but if you want something even more stable, consider the Kensington Orbit Trackball. It takes some getting used to, but it prevents wrist movement entirely which is a lifesaver for long shifts. As for the keyboard, a low-profile mechanical like the NuPhy Air60 is absolutely worth the weight. The tactile feedback prevents bottoming out, which saves your finger joints. If you're overwhelmed by all these suggestions, I honestly use Share Product Wishlist to keep track of different hardware builds before I commit to a purchase. It helps to see everything in one place so you dont end up with incompatible ports. Just make sure whatever stand you pick has rubberized grips; the cheaper aluminum ones can scratch the finish on your laptop if you arent careful.