25 Of The Best Home & Office Mac Setups

[iCafe]

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People who use PCs may or may not care about the design of their products. Mac users always care. Apple is known for the innovative design of everything it creates from the iPod to the ultra-thin Macbook Air. Not to be outdone by the creators of the products, Mac users challenge themselves to set up their equipment in creative, aesthetically pleasing ways. In other words, Mac users create home and office setups that reflect just how cool they are for using a Mac.

Form and Function

There are two kinds of Mac setups that you’ll typically be awed by. The first is the setup which is really complex. You look at it and you’re overwhelmed by just how much is there. The second, and more common, type of Mac setup is the minimalist setup. It’s got all of the necessary parts to run an awesome computer but it’s all streamlined and simplified so that you get a sleek, sophisticated design. By reducing the mess of the equipment, Mac users can be more efficient. An uncluttered desk leads to an uncluttered mind. This is zen minimalism for the 21st Century geek!

Ultimate Mac Setups

Here’s the best of the best of both types of fabulous Mac setups.
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1 laptop, 2 monitors, 3 iPods: Here’s a nice clean set-up for the Apple fan who has to use it all. There’s an Apple Powerbook, an Apple 24″ iMac with an extra monitor, and 3 iPods (iPod, iPod photo and iPod Nano). You’ve also got all of the other extraneous necessities like a phone and an external hard drive.
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Just the Necessities: When you’re working in a small office, you need a few things. An iMac with a second display screen, a Macbook to take your work home with you, an iPhone and a pad and paper. Oh, and a TV with a remote at your desk for those times when things get slow.
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Narrow but Efficient: This is a really narrow desk but it holds a MacBook Pro Core Duo, a Mac Mini Core Duo, 2 23″ Apple Cinema Displays, an extra-large Dell Monitor, 2 gaming systems (PS2 and Xbox 360), 2 wireless keyboards and an iPod video.
Single Display Setups

[iCafe]

These Mac setups all use just one computer but are nevertheless attention-getting in their stylish design.

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Where to Put the Junk: The question most Mac users are seeking to answer is how to set up their desks in order to have everything they need without a big mess. This setup has the answer. It’s a single display setup for a 12″ iBook but the desk has also got room for games, speakers, cables, a printer, a lamp, a phone, a plant and even a junk drawer. Amazingly, it’s not a mess. It’s a case of ‘everything has its place’.
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Setting the Mood: All you really need is a 30″ monitor, a couple of iPod accessories and some great mood lighting. You’ve got a relaxing atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re not even at work.
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Look Up!: The problem with most notebook displays is that the notebook sits flat on the desk and your neck is dying by the end of the day from always looking down at it. This setup resolves the problem by lifting the notebook up above eye level using the iCurve. There’s also room on the desk for an iPod.
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On the Wall: When you’ve got too much stuff, adding a computer to your desktop can be trouble. Mount it to the wall instead.
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[iCafe]

Nothing but Air: A desk looks really uncluttered when it doesn’t require anything but a Macbook Air.
http://i31.tinypic.com/2ynjjht.jpgNotebook as Primary Computer: Just a Macbook Air on a desk is nice but if you’re using your notebook as a primary computer then you need a little bit more on the table. Here’s a look at organizing your work and leisure necessities around a single Macbook Pro notebook.
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Add Apple Art: To really show off your commitment to Apple when you only have a single-display setup, you should add a nice little bit of Apple art to the area. This shows a simple mirror frame around the Apple logo.
Multi Display Setups

Many Mac users aren’t satisfied with the simple one-tool setup. They want their normal monitor, their Mac Mini and their notebook all set up in one place. Or they want three different large monitors displaying their different activities. That could lead to a mess but Mac users find unique ways to un-jumble the chaos and create great setups.
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DJ Design: The DJ needs one more than just the Mac; he also needs music accessories. This one has got 2 versions of the Apple Powerbook (15″ and 17″) as well as an Evolution UC-33 Midi Controller, M-Audio’s Finger Trigger, the Firewire Audio Interface, speakers and some other extras.

[iCafe]

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Dorm Room: This display would work great in a dorm room or small apartment where there’s not a lot of space for a multi-display setup. It’s a simple setup with a Macbook Dual 2 Core and a second Sony HX-73 monitor above it. There’s also room for the iPod Nano in its dock.
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Setup for 2: This allows people at two different desks in the room to get involved in the action. On one desk is the MacBook Pro Core Duo. On the other is a Dual Dell setup and room for an iPod.
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Go Vertical: Who ever said that you needed to keep your Apple Cinema display in landscape mode? By turning it to the vertical position, you can easily have three huge display monitors on a small trendy desk.
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Menage a Trois: You’ve got your basic desk with a Macbook Pro, one 17″ Dell display, and one 20″ Apple Cinema display. It’s romance waiting to happen.
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Angle It: Usually when you see a dual 30″ display, you see them side by side in one long continuous mess of information. This setup angles them in like a book so you can focus better on what’s going on. There’s also the Macbook Pro to keep you occupied.
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[iCafe]

Big, Bigger, Biggest: The 17″ Mac notebook wasn’t enough. The 23″ notebook wasn’t enough. And why have only one 30″ LCD screen when you could have three?
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Plasma!: The Mac Mini is a nice little tool to help you show off the images on your two fifty inch plasma television screens.

Office Setups

Great Mac setups aren’t just something that wacky freelancers do at home. There are some amazingly impressive office designs out there as well. Typically, these are of the super-streamlined variety which leads to a more efficient, productive work force. (Or at least to the ability of everyone in the office to see when their co-workers are gaming instead of working.)
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Mac Row: This is a setup at the Baltic Contemporary Art Centre, a visual art museum in England. Back-to-back iMacs on a narrow table with stools to use them make up an efficient little set-up in a small space for the visitors here to use.
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Who Needs a Window?: There’s no need for an office with a view when you’ve got the light from three different displays at your little desk. This one has a MacBook Pro, a 17″ iMac and a separate 17″ Dell display.

[iCafe]

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Late Night at the Office: All you really need is a Macbook and some takeout.

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Everything In Its Place: It looks like there might be a lot of important stuff in this office but it’s all out of the way where you can’t see it. You can sure see that Mac, though!
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It’s all in Black and White: One of the best ways to create a clean look with your Mac setup is to stick with a black/white/grey color scheme. That’s what’s been done here where we’ve got an iBook and dual 20″ Apple Cinema displays.
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Two Tone: This corner office space serves to inspire creativity while also encouraging productivity. It’s simple and efficient with everything you need to for the work side of your brain to get the job done (including a Macbook, a Tibook and a 20″ Apple Cinema display). There’s also color on one of the walls and some art posters hanging for the creative side of the brain.



15, 20, 30: Some things need to be viewed on a thirty inch screen. Others are fine on the 15″ notebook. For those in between, there’s always the 20″ display. This desk is your answer to every problem.
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The person who relies on Mac for both personal and professional use has a few basic goals in mind for his setup. He wants to include as many gadgets and display options as possible so that he can engage in multi-tasking. He also wants to reduce the clutter as much as possible in order to make that multi-tasking efficient and free from distraction. And he wants to show others how good he is at both of these tasks.

[Youngbinks]

Some of those are clearly superior to the others but nice nonetheless.

[psylichon]

I see Windows XP in there. Fail.

And this is coming from Mr. XP.

[Youngbinks]

At least it's not Vista.

[styfle]

This one is the best:

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[acosmichippo]

As soon as i get my Mac Pro, i'll be content. At least for a little while.

[Londonrockz568]

Wow, big money for a macpro. What are u gona use it for?

[acosmichippo]

media server mainly.

[Londonrockz568]

Aren't there cheaper Servers out there? Like just a server to host something? Or just a place to hold all your media? Explain plz

[acosmichippo]

uh... a server to host my media?

and yes, there are cheaper ways to do it.

[Europa]

Yeah, that seems like a huge waste. I would use the older computer, running Windows or Linux, as a file server and the new Mac for everything else.

[acosmichippo]

well, it would do "everything else" as well. It wouldn't be stuck in a closet or anything.

[styfle]

Yeah, that seems like a huge waste. I would use the older computer, running Windows or Linux, as a file server and the new Mac for everything else.
Exactly. You don't need graphics on your server lol. All you need is a network drive. I have to agree that a macbook pro is a complete waste for a server.

[Londonrockz568]

lol hippo has like 3grand burning a hole in his pocket.

[acosmichippo]

Firstly, it's not a MacBook pro. It's a Mac Pro I want.

Secondly, I do a LOT more that just stream media, but with its 4tb+ capacity, it will hold whatever I need, and because it will be stored locally on the machine, the media will be easy to edit and change.

Thirdly, gaphics will be HUGE when Snow Leopard is realeased for additional processing power.

So howsabout you guys stop judging,jumpng to conclusions, and telling people what they do and don't need. Especially when your opinion was not asked for in the first place.

[Londonrockz568]

lol, maybe you could have just given more detail as to why you wanted a macpro.

Saying u want a macpro for media servers isnt that descriptive as to why a person would want to spend that kind of money for just a server.

[acosmichippo]

Like I said, I didn't ask for your opinion, and I didn't feel like giving you a step by step rundown on why I want a mac pro... But i ended up having to do that anyway to shut you [guys] up. Also, I did say "mainly" which implies there are other uses I have planned for it.

Shouldn't have even mentioned it with the way things have been going here.

[psylichon]

Hippo, take it easy man. It's a holiday... :)

[acosmichippo]

i'm perfectly calm, dude.

[Hondamaker]

Firstly, it's not a MacBook pro. It's a Mac Pro I want.

Secondly, I do a LOT more that just stream media, but with its 4tb+ capacity, it will hold whatever I need, and because it will be stored locally on the machine, the media will be easy to edit and change.

Thirdly, gaphics will be HUGE when Snow Leopard is realeased for additional processing power.

So howsabout you guys stop judging,jumpng to conclusions, and telling people what they do and don't need. Especially when your opinion was not asked for in the first place.I would love to have a mac pro! Those machines are beasties!

[chris]

I have a Mac Pro, but still get plenty of beach balls now and again. Don't get me wrong, it's a great machine, but my expectations always seem to be unreasonable for my computers.

[Londonrockz568]

Like I said, I didn't ask for your opinion, and I didn't feel like giving you a step by step rundown on why I want a mac pro... But i ended up having to do that anyway to shut you [guys] up. Also, I did say "mainly" which implies there are other uses I have planned for it.

Shouldn't have even mentioned it with the way things have been going here.

If you dont want an opinion then you shouldnt have posted or brought it up on a forum "[man]".

[Buffy]

If you dont want an opinion then you shouldnt have posted or brought it up on a forum "jackass".

So I guess since you posted, it means you want an opinion. My opinion is that "Buttboys" would have been a more accurate term, but I think Hippo was just being polite.

[Londonrockz568]

lol at the blonde trying to post something relevant. Its ok, ill grab your butt anytime you want sweetie. But if you are implying that me, styfle and Europa are having some fun between the sheets then you should learn how to read the rules and not offend multiple people, or those who date the samesex. You never know who you could offend.

I was just saying, that if he didnt want our opinion then he shouldnt have posted he wanted a macpro instead of getting upset. We asked why because they tend to be really expensive. He says for his media. Thats great and all, but since we all love details instead of vague answers he decided to get all upset because we asked and then your just trying to jump on the bandwagon and failing. How old are you anyways?

[Buffy]

But if you are implying that me, styfle and Europa are having some fun between the sheets

Actually, no. I wasn't referring to Styfle or Europa at all.

[Londonrockz568]

Uhh correct me if im wrong, but Hippo was referring to all 3 of us as "[guys]" and you decided to jump on the bandwagon...so yes, you are referring to all 3 of us. Use less peroxide dear.

[coasts]

Chris, it really sucks that you're letting **** like this continue. I remember when this place was fun. Now it's nothing but fussing and fighting and rules, rules, rules...

Watch as I break two of them:

Pepe and London are both ****ing *******s and neither adds as much as he detracts.






(sorry Dave!)

[Londonrockz568]

Nice, thanks for giving yourself 2 infractions. One for offending me and the other for offending Pepe, when Pepe hasnt even said anything offending anyone or rude to anyone in this thread. But Thanks for letting us all know you have a personal grudge for him.

Why would you post something so stupid like that only to say "sorry dave".

Which brings me to another point. Nice contradiction. Dont insult then complain that fussing and fighting is going on and wonder why Chris is letting things like this go on.

Chris, it really sucks that you're letting **** like this continue. I remember when this place was fun. Now it's nothing but fussing and fighting and rules, rules, rules...

[Hondamaker]

Once again another good thread ruined by noobs, and I'll bet 'topic closed' is coming soon. Get back on topic. Chris, I'll take the beachballs over Windows bullcrap any day!

[Londonrockz568]

Anyone used Windows 7 is it any good? ( the last windows product i owned was xp.)

[iCafe]

Anyone used Windows 7 is it any good? ( the last windows product i owned was xp.)

Why do you ask if anyone has used windows 7
what are your intentions
why was xp the last windows you owned?
did you use at as a personal computer?
in what way did you use it as a personal computer?
Did you type alot on it and if so what did you type
i mean i want a transcript of every word you ever typed!
did you use microsoft word?
why do they call it windows?
do you like doors?
Do you like Hayes?
i Know you do
How long does it take to blow dry your hair?
do you use a flat iron?
Why do you insist on wearing female glasses?
im just askin bro

[psylichon]

Im enjoying myself entirely too much to care about this crap tonight. Sort it out yourselves, kids :D

[Hondamaker]

Anyone used Windows 7 is it any good? ( the last windows product i owned was xp.)Windows 7 on both my macs. Runs really well. I still have Vista on my PC, dont feel like doing the big backup, since RC1 of Windows 7 wont allow for an upgrade, just a fresh install.

[Hondamaker]

Why do you insist on wearing female glasses?
im just askin bro
The glasses are a little gay, IMO. What the hell?

Hey, I agreed with iCafe on something. The world's coming to an end! :tounge:

[Londonrockz568]

Why do you ask if anyone has used windows 7
what are your intentions
why was xp the last windows you owned?
did you use at as a personal computer?
in what way did you use it as a personal computer?
Did you type alot on it and if so what did you type
i mean i want a transcript of every word you ever typed!
did you use microsoft word?
why do they call it windows?
do you like doors?
Do you like Hayes?
i Know you do
How long does it take to blow dry your hair?
do you use a flat iron?
Why do you insist on wearing female glasses?
im just askin bro

To find out if Windows 7 is better than vista.
Xp was the last because i heard of all the issues Vista had so i never upgraded and instead bought a mac.
Yes.
Every way.
Yes alot.
Yes
Because its a change from the command lines to a GUI.
Sure doors are nice.
Hayes who?
Thats great i do.
Hmm about 8min.
Yeah i have hair that can do everything.
I do insist on wearing Aviators.
Not your bro, im an only child.

Nice picture of my Shih-Tzu puppy as your avatar. Im flattered you like to take my pictures from myspace or other places.

[Londonrockz568]

The glasses are a little gay, IMO. What the hell?

Hey, I agreed with iCafe on something. The world's coming to an end! :tounge:

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o92/marar999/hateorade.gif

[Londonrockz568]

Im enjoying myself entirely too much to care about this crap tonight. Sort it out yourselves, kids :D


Oh perfect. A Moderator who doesnt give two ***** to moderate.

[psylichon]

HEY LONDON, RELAX MAN.

Stop telling us how to moderate and stop this OT crap. I know people are getting on your case, but be the bigger man and just don't respond. Deep breaths and time away from your keyboard might do you some good.

I could give everyone infractions that's hurt your feelings here, but is that what you really want? Is that what this site has come to? I'm not doing it. Just relax!

And for god's sakes, people (and I'm speaking to many), a new iPhone is soooo close. Just keep your **** together and stop attacking each other and freaking out in every thread out of boredom or whatever. It is old beyond belief, and you're driving away good, long-standing members as well as new people that are coming because of the upcoming event. Just... be... cool... and stop making the mods' jobs here a nightmare. I just wanna bust spam!

Thread sooooo closed.