A Realistic Dream Setup

Everyone has their own illusion of their dream Macintosh setup. A 3.00Ghz Mac Pro powering 2 30″ Cinema displays, maxed out with 16GB of RAM and a MacBook Pro for the road. But realistically, less than one percent of people who want this setup, actually get it. Whats your dream setup which is actually affordable?

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Here’s my current setup (picture above):

  • iMac 17″ Core Duo 1.83Ghz, 1.5GB RAM, 160GB HDD
  • MacBook 13″ Core Duo 1.83Ghz, 512MB RAM, 60GB HDD
  • iPod 5G 60GB, iPod Dock

I host all my files, applications, and media on the iMac which is the machine I use 75% of the time. The MacBook only stores application on it, and accesses the infomation on the iMac over my wireless network.

If I’m heading away for the day and need files, I move them to the MacBook before I leave, then drag and drop them back to the iMac upon getting home. Therfore leaving the MacBook totally free of clutter, and with a nice free hard-drive.

My dream setup:

  • iMac 20″ Core 2 Duo 2.16Ghz, 2GB RAM, 500GB HDD
  • MacBook 13″ Core Duo 1.83Ghz, 2GB RAM, 60GB HDD

Doesn’t take much to please me huh? I’d just max out the RAM on the MacBook, and replace the 17″ iMac with the 20. It’s something I do see myself doing after the iMac receives a radical re-design sometime in the future, as I’d love the extra screen resolution for Aperture/Final Cut Express and running all my apps in a “can see” enviroment.

What’s your current Mac setup, and what is a realistic setup you could see yourself upgrading to in the foreseeable future?

Comments

  1. #1

    Smaran → quantumthinking.wordpress.com

    Funny you should post this, since I just uploaded a photo of my current Mac setup on Flickr mere seconds ago: 16: My current Mac setup.

    Honestly, the setup I currently have is my dream setup. I dunno what else I could ask for. Maybe some nice wireless speakers and a Gigabit Ethernet LAN in my house. Oh and if ‘net connections are counted, a 30mbps one would be awesome.

  2. #2

    Oleb

    All I got for now is a Powerbook, but I guess if I would expand, it would be a Mini with extra firewire hdd for a server and an iMac 23″.

  3. #3

    Dylan

    Looks like I’m almost living your dream. I have:

    20″ iMac C2D 2.16Ghz
    1GB RAM
    250GB HDD
    160 GB External

    MacBook 2.0GHz
    2GB RAM
    60GB HDD

    Wireless Keyboard and Mighty Mouse

    iPod 5G 30GB, Dock, In-Ear Headphones

    Airport Express

    10mbps Internet

    Strange thing is everything has at least one annoying problem, so I’m having a hard time appreciating it all.

  4. #4

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    Dylan, I am extremely jealous of that iMac ;)

    The 17″ screen is just too limiting on my current iMac, and I need a larger HDD (500GB).

  5. #5

    Dylan

    My dream setup would be a 15″ MacBook Pro and a 23″ Cinema Display.

  6. #6

    wph → www.wpholmes.com

    Right now I have a ~2 year old iBook, but soon I’ll have my (near) dream setup:
    A 15″ MBP with a 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, and a 160GB HD.
    I guess I’d like the faster processor, but the extra $$$ is just too much.

  7. #7

    Mike Vitoroulis → mikevitoroulis.net

    Right now my setup is nice, but getting old (and slow).

    My dream is a MBP 2.33GHz w/ 3GB RAM 120GB HD + 23″ ACD.

    Soon…I just need to make some room on my desk :P

  8. #8

    Jonathan

    I’m at a crossroads right now, and I turn here for help. My iBook broke a year ago, and I’ve been stuck on this PC I built this summer. It’s actually not that bad. Agreed, it looks and feels nothing like our beloved Mac, but it stands pretty mighty at a Pentium D 2.66ghz, 80GB Hard Drive, and1 GB of RAM. I will get a Mac soon (if not by the holidays, then at least by Leopard) and I need to know which one to get (specs based on the models out right now, at least) and what to use it for, because I will probably keep my PC (it has my files, videos, pictures, and music and syncs with my iPod). I love iMovie and iPhoto, but I haven’t used the newer editions recently and I want to know what they’re like, just to be sure this isn’t a waste for me (I’m pretty strapped for cash). Thanks anyway. By the way, great blog Glenn!

  9. #9

    Matt → www.matt-hollland.co.uk

    I upgraded to a 20″ Core 2 Duo iMac last week. Absolutely love it. Only thing i would do to it would be upgrade from 1GB to 2GB of ram to be my dream set-up along with a black MacBook, and 30Gb iPod to replace my mini :P

  10. #10

    Ryan

    I currently have:

    Mac Pro 2.66ghz, 1GB RAM, 730GB HDD Space (3 Drives, one 80 seperate for Windows)

    MacBook 2ghz, 2GB RAM, 60GB HDD

    iPod Nano 2G Blue

    Dreaming of 30″ ACD & more RAM in my Mac Pro.

    My dream will be coming true by december though yay!

  11. #11

    David

    This is the setup I have now and I really could not ask for more.

    Dual 2.3 GHz PowerPC G5
    4 GB DDR SDRAM
    400 GB Single HD
    NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT DDL

    Dual Display
    Apple 30″ Cinema Display
    2560 x 1600

    42″ Samsung DLP
    1280 x 720 @ 60 Hz

  12. #12

    Michael → michaelyurechko.com

    I have a crazy dream setup, but that’s not likely to show up unless I win the lottery.

    My achievable dream setup is:

    my macbook, with a slightly larger hdd (maybe 100gb). then my 2gb ram, etc.

    and for a desktop I also want a 20″ iMac, as I need the real estate, 2gb ram, and a large hdd 400+, if not the stock drive with a 250gb+ external MyBook drive. I’m easily pleased :P.

  13. #13

    MichaelYurechko » Blog Archive » “Realistic” Dream Setup. → michaelyurechko.com/?p=30

    [...] A good fried of mine Glenn just posted on his blog about realistic dream setups. Everyone wants a Mac Pro 3.0GHz with 16gb of ram and 3TB of storage hooked up to 2 30″ Apple Cinema Displays, and there’s nothing wrong with dreaming about that, but it’s not realistic. [...]

  14. #14

    Edward

    my current setup

    20inch intel imac 2ghz (coreduo)
    500GB, 2GB

    13.3inch macbook 2ghz
    160GB, 1GB

    iPod hifi with 5G ipod video

    23inch apple display

    My dream setup

    Mac Pro 2.66ghz (xeon quad core) with 1TB, 16GB memory

    30inch new apple display

    macboo pro 2.33ghz (core 2 duo) 200GB HDD, 3GB memory.

  15. #15

    Greg

    Currently:
    17″ iMac Core Duo
    2GB RAM
    250GB

    Wacom Graphire Studio 4 XL Graphic Tablet

    iPod Nano 2GB

    LaCie Porsche 250GB External HDD

    Wish List:
    24″ iMac Core 2 Duo
    2GB RAM
    500GB

    MacBook (White)
    2GB RAM
    100GB

    iPod 80GB

  16. #16

    Shane

    My system is always evolving and for that reason I have avoided the iMac although I have had a couple at work and really liked them.

    Currently:

    Mac mini G4 1.42Ghz
    1GB RAM
    680GB of disc
    20″ Apple Cinema Display

    I bought the mini because I couldn’t afford a PowerMac at the time but intended to upgrade later so the mini with ACD was better value than a 20″ iMac G5. I also have a G4 iBook 933Mhz and a MacBook Pro 15.4″ 2Ghz Core Duo which is my daily work horse.

    In the next year I plan to replace the mini with a Mac Pro and use the mini as a server.

    Oh, and I also have a 3G 40GB iPod and just bought a 5.5G 80GB iPod video so along with an EyeTV Hybrid which is why I am thinking I need to increase my available computing power. Probably going to buy the Pro some time after Christmas. Price shouldn’t be too bad since I will spec it fairly middle of the range and I already have the display.

  17. #17

    Josh

    Macbook White 2.0ghz with 2GB ram, 100GB HD.

    External 250GB HD

    iPod 5th gen White 30GB

    JBL Creature Speakers White. I’d dream of having a 23 inch Apple Cinema Display to complete it.

    I’m 17 and not earning enough money at the moment. Glenn, how do you get all the finance for your purchases??

  18. #18

    Yannic Walter → tc4racer-designs.de

    My dream-setup would contain the 24″ iMac with wireless thingys and for mobile the 15″ MBP.
    For music the 80GB iPod.

    Currently I own a Core Duo Mac Mini with a 17″ Non-Apple Screen and a blue iPod Mini.

    I’m looking forward to buy some extra-ram and a 20″ Screen.

  19. #19

    Barry Kaufman

    My dream Mac is the one I have right here in front of me!

    Mac Pro
    2*2.66 GHz Xeons
    160 GB Hard Drive
    Wireless Built In
    Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
    19″ Monitor (Acer)
    JBL Creature Speakers

  20. #20

    Carlos

    My dream setup would involve 4 17″ iMacs, an Xserve, Mac Pro, MacBook, and MacBook Pro.

    I settle with MacBook Pro, 4 iMac G4, and a Powerbook G4

  21. #21

    MikeZ → www.myspace.com/mzaritheny

    I currently have a PowerBook G4 its great
    15.2″
    PowerPC 1.25Ghz
    768MB
    80GB

    Now my Dream mac is having 2

    MacBook Pro
    Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz
    15.4″
    2GB
    160GB

    and the

    MacPro
    Xenon 3GHz
    Two 20″ Apple Cinama moniters
    4GB memory
    1TB HD Space

    also

    The 6th Gen iPod
    and the Blue, and Black iPod Nanos

    Also i’m am currently sell my PowerBook G4
    its a great machine Just send me an email if your intrested, and will Talk. Also + Pro Editing Software included (Photo editing software, Video editing Software, Eta

  22. #22

    foo

    20 inch iMac

    Will buy a MacBook Pro + 30 inch dell monitor next week. Should be sweeet.

  23. #23

    Sefi → www.youtube.com/profile?user=sefirot66

    I currently have a:
    1.2 Ghz iBook G4
    768 MB
    60GB

    My dream setup:
    MacPro 2×2.66Ghz
    4GB
    2×30″ HD Displays

    MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (any)

  24. #24

    maotnmacs → matonmacs.mathewlu.com

    Glenn,

    You should just add a 20″+ monitor to your current setup. Dell’s new 1680 x 1050, 20″ LCD is less than $300. Add that and a 500 GB external Firewire drive and that’s pretty close to your dream.

    My present setup:

    17″ iMac - Core Duo 1.83 GHz + 20″ Dell monitor (if only I could afford a 24″ one!); 1.5 GB RAM, 160 HD (+ external 160 Cloned every morning) and 250 GB HD.

    13″ MacBook 2.0 GH; 1 GB RAM, 60 GB HD (it needs more RAM)

    4G iPod Phote 30GB

  25. #25

    Kristiano → www.vainquer.net

    My current setup:
    17″ 1.83Ghz iMac Intel Core Duo 1.5GB RAM 160GB HD

    My dream setup (coming soon):
    15″ 2.16Ghz MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo 3GB RAM 200GB HD

  26. #26

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    @ Jonathan

    Honestly, if I was in your situation I would purchase one of the new MacBook Pro’s. They are super quick little machines, and can also power all of the Apple & Dell monitor ranges.

    If you dont want to spend so much, give it another month or so and wait for the C2D MacBook.

    But if you can wait 6 months, you should get Leopard and iLife 07 pre-installed on the Mac.

    My advice: But MBP today, or wait until after Macworld and see if we get any updates to the MacBook line.

  27. #27

    Alex Suraci → www.mynimalistic.net

    Hey, I don’t even have an iMac! :P All I’ve got is a custom PC my brother built, running Windows XP SP2 and a giant (18.5″, 1600 x 1200) CRT round-screen monitor, and a broken sound card - I only get sound out of one speaker (It’s not them).

    I’m begging my dad for an iMac 20″ for Christmas, I think I’ll get it. I’ve always wanted a Mac but I’ve never had the chance to really dive into one. Though my experiences have been very limited, it feels like it’s the perfect OS for me, as I have design and simplicity very high on my standards list.

    But hey, if I don’t like OS X I can just install Ubuntu/Windows on it. :P

  28. #28

    Caitlyn Imburgo

    I like little posts like these Glenn. :)

    Uhm, honestly, my current setup does a lot for me:

    -13″ MacBook White
    2GHz Core Duo
    2GB RAM
    80GB HD
    -iPod 5G 30GB White

    I plan to add a 23″ ACD to my setup with wireless keyboard, Mighty Mouse and iCurve on my glass desk. Hopefully it will be super sleek. :D

    Then when I go into university in about 3 calender years, I plan to buy either a 23″ iMac or a 15″ MacBook Pro depending on software, processors, prices, etc. at that time.

  29. #29

    Chris LaGarde

    I am badly in need of an update to my current set up, as you will see. Luckily, it will be coming soon:

    Current Set up:
    G4 Quicksilver Mac
    Dual 867MHz PPC
    2 GB DDR SDRAM

    w/ Dual Monitors
    Dell 2405FPW (1920×1200)
    HP F70 (1280×1024)

    My dream set up:
    17″ MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.33MHz Processors w/ 2gb+ of Ram.

    I have been waiting what seems like FOREVER for these to come out, and now that they have, I have ordered one but i may just go to the apple store 30 minutes away and get one there b/c the estimated arrival date on the one I ordered is Nov 13th.

  30. #30

    mijlee → mijlee.com

    I currently have:

    MacBook with 2 gigs of RAM and 19″ LG flat screen to extend.

    I would ideally like to use my MacBook when I’m out and about and replace it with a Mac Pro, but they are just too big so I am waiting patently for them to make a mini tower of some kind.

  31. #31

    Chad

    My current dream setup at my home:

    20 ” 2 Core Duo iMac
    500MB Lacie External Drive
    Bluetooth keyboard and mouse

    15 ” MacBook Pro

    80 GB Ipod

  32. #32

    Fidel → mercado.multiply.com

    I currently have an iBook 12″ with 1.5 gigs of RAM.

    My dream setup mainly for photographic applications would be the 20″ or 24″ iMac.

    Good post Glenn, brings us back to reality and what we really need.

  33. #33

    James → www.tricitychristian.org

    I had an iBook G3 then moved up to the Powerbook G4.
    I then had a MacBook Pro with the Intel Core Duo. It was a LEMON. I had never seen anything like it. It was slower than my first iBook and I couldn’t believe it was the newest, greatest thing out there. Turns out I was right when the screen went dead after just 4 weeks of ownership. So Apple, being the top notch company they are, replaced my Mac with a brand new MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo! This machine is my dream set up.
    Oh yeah I have a 5G video iPod, but who doesn’t…

  34. #34

    Tucker MacDonald → www.tuckermacdonald.com

    I like your setup because it is very clean and simple.

  35. #35

    Peter

    I currently have a MacPro :

    Twee Intel Xeon dual-coreprocessors van 2 GHz
    1 GB (2 x 512 MB)
    NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256 MB (single-link DVI/dual-link DVI)
    160 GB 7200-rpm seriële ATA met 3 Gb/s
    En SuperDrive met 16-voudige snelheid
    AirPort Extreme-kaart (Wi-Fi)
    Apple Keyboard en Mighty Mouse (draadloos)
    Mac OS X

    Apple Cinema HD Display (30-inch flat-panel)
    Vijf USB-poorten
    Twee FireWire 400-poorten
    Twee FireWire 800-poorten

  36. #36

    SaintPatrickH

    I currently have a…

    = Macbook Pro CoreDuo 2.16 GHz 100GB HDD 2GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRam
    + Griffin Elevator, Apple wireless keyboard and Logitech MX Revolution Mouse. (Great Computer and 1st Mac for me but would like a smaller size to carry around)

    Dream Setup :

    24-inch iMac with the new redesign coming hopefully in black!

    13-inch Black Macbook 160HDD C2D

  37. #37

    Bernard

    - Mac Pro 8 cores - 16 GB RAM - 4 internal HDs
    - Wiebetech RTX SCSI320 6TB external storage unit
    - 21.3 inch Samsung screen (probably to be replaced by a Dell 30 inch soon).

    My time is worth the time I gain thanks to this set up when working on 1.5+ GB images.

    Cheers,
    Bernard

  38. #38

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    - Mac Pro 8 cores - 16 GB RAM - 4 internal HDs
    - Wiebetech RTX SCSI320 6TB external storage unit
    - 21.3 inch Samsung screen (probably to be replaced by a Dell 30 inch soon).

    My time is worth the time I gain thanks to this set up when working on 1.5+ GB images.

    Cheers,
    Bernard

    Talked about decked out, great machine you have there. What exactly do you use it for Bernard?

  39. #39

    Jehad → jchandab.wordpress.com

    I really think i have the same bin. If yours is named the DOKUMENT from IKEA then it most certainly is

  40. #40

    Blair Beckwith

    Haha, it’s funny looking back…

  41. #41

    Zac S

    I gotta admit, there really isnt any computer better looking than the iMac.

    My setup:

    -20″ iMac intel core 2 duo 2.16 Ghz 250 GB HD 2Gb ram
    -500 GB external HD firewire 800
    -apple wireless keyboard and mouse
    -MacBook Pro 17″ w/HD screen and 2.4 Ghz core 2 duo and 4 Gb ram
    -23″ ACD

    was my dream setup… i sold the iMac recently (with a nice profit :-) )
    i didnt really need the iMac anymore

  42. #42

    Mario → www.marioborg.com

    currently have:

    Macbook Pro 15″
    2.4GHZ C2D
    2GB RAM
    150GB hardrive
    apple keyboard + razer krait mouse + mightmouse wireless for on the road

    Dreammachine
    Macbook Pro 15″
    2.4 GHZ C2D
    4Gb RAM
    Matrox Triple Head
    3 Apple Cinema 30″ Displays
    apple wireless keyboard
    Razer Diamondhead 3G mouse

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