Geek P0rn: New Apple Setup!
Sanj and I have spent the last year and a half debating what new computers we should invest in when we next upgraded and it ultimately came down to two choices: Should we go Mac and get 17” Macbook Pros and Apple Cinema Displays? Or should we go PC, get great LED displays, very powerful desktop computers and buy ourselves separate laptops as well for the same price as the Apple setup?
After a couple of post-meeting visits to the Regent Street Apple store in Soho, and a bit more prodding from me, Sanj started coming round to the idea of switching to Mac. We decided to go ahead with the caveat that if they were hard to use or caused any problems for him, I would never be allowed to make any hardware choices in the company again. Haha – sounds good to me!
We ordered two 17” Macbook Pros, two 24” Cinema Displays, two Wacom Bamboo Tablets, and two Rain Design mStands, as well as a few other extras individually.
The packages arrived from China and were left sitting next to us in our offices upstairs while we focused on finishing two projects. We finally found the time to open them up and get everything set up and installed a few days later and we are both very happy people indeed. As with all Apple products it was fast and simple and, aside from a few questions as he’s getting used to the OS-X way of doing things, Sanj is loving his new Apple experience so far.
We were very dubious about the gloss on the 24” Cinema Displays that under certain light seemed unbearably reflective. We only ordered them after checking with Apple that we could return them within 14 days with no questions asked if we were unhappy with the results. However, the gloss has not been an issue for us so far at all. The performance of the screens is astounding with incredible bright colour reproduction, very high contrast ratios and a fantastic viewing angle. The design is also stunning and with the in-built magsafe connectors we can power our Macbooks straight from the displays and leave our other Macbook power adapters at home. We’ll see what we think after we’ve been using them for a couple of months.
Click here to view the extended version of this post and see some of my old setups.
May 31st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Allow me to be the first to say that I envy both you guys!
And congrats on the new shiny setup. I think somewhere in the universe a Vulcan is awestruck at the green in my veins right now.
I can’t wait to see what movies and games looks like on that massive screen…!
May 31st, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Haha – Ah Chorna… I’m so glad I have you to make a geeky post even geekier by throwing in a Star Trek reference.
You should come and visit our offices sometime!
June 1st, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Awesome setup! Hopefully you’re enjoying the switch over the OS X (and not looking back). I have a similar setup to yours just a separate display and 15″ brother of your MBP.
Here’s a shot of my updated setup:
http://blog.austingrade.com/2009/05/update-setup/
Enjoy them!
June 1st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Thanks Austin!
I’ve actually been a Mac user for 6 years – it’s my colleague who’s made the switch over from PC.
Awesome setup too! How’re you enjoying the wireless keyboard? I got the wired one purely because I have no desire to change the batteries every few months. How is the battery life on those things?
Take care and thanks for the comment!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Ah, I realized that just after I posted the comment because I saw your previous computer pictures and setup. Hopefully -he- is enjoying the switch, and you enjoying your new hardware
I decided on the bluetooth keyboard because I worked with mac laptop keyboards in previous years and it’s about the same size that I’m used too. It’s clean and nice for on-the-go usability, however it does suck batteries as you said. I change them once every 2.5-3 months and never turn the keyboard off, but I have batteries in the drawer next to me so it’s not too tough.
Keep up the great work and have a good one!
July 4th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Honestly boys you earn too much! No jealousy was envolved whilst writing this comment.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Don’t worry mate – it’s all in the bank!
We rarely touch it except for salaries and equipment. 
October 14th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
hey man!! i love the setup!!! any chance you can tell me where you got your background for your mac!?!
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:31 am
Awesome setup! Where did you buy the desks?
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:33 am
Hi S1las,
Thanks. The desktop background is our company logo.
Hi Blixt, I think we got these huge desks from a local office clear-out sale, very cheaply. They were the last of their kind I believe! Sorry I can’t provide you with more information then that.