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Post Your Mac Setup: Past & Present (Part 20)

Just finished the 3rd major upgrade on my 2009 Mac Pro. This time I upgrade my 27" ACD to the Samsung 49" CHG90. It's a ultra wide monitor (32:9), effectively joining two 27" 1080P monitor together without any gap. Even though the resolution may be considered a bit low today, but it work flawlessly. Downgrade from 1440P to 1080P make everything looks larger on the screen. When I upgrade from the 24" ACD to 27" ACD few years ago, the very first thing I realised is that even the monitor is bigger, everything on the screen actually look smaller. And since 1440P is not "retina", if I use it to run 1080P HiDPI, everything will looks blurry. Eventually, I often lean forward to read the screen. This is not comfortable at all. But now I can sit back, relax, and still able to read everything clearly on the screen. It's a gaming monitor, 144Hz, so, mouse pointer movement or scrolling etc looks very smooth. And I like the back light very much as well.
IMG_3111.jpg


I now have lots of working space, I can flexibly make the monitor to display 2x 16:9 windows, or 3x 4:3 windows, etc seamlessly. Or using the side be side function, make it physically accept 2x 1080P input from the GPU, so that I can run 4x fullscreen apps at the same time (with split screen) etc. And of course, I can display a single full screen apps in 32:9. This can be very useful when doing something like video editing.
FCPX ultra wide.jpg


I also upgrade the GPU to a 1080Ti. So now I can enjoy some very high quality gaming on my Mac. For "just" 3840x1080, a 1080Ti can easily deliver above 60FPS all the time even with very high settings.
Ultrawide gaming.jpg
 
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h9826790 said:
Just finished the 3rd major upgrade on my 2009 Mac Pro. This time I upgrade my 27" ACD to the Samsung 49" CHG90. It's a ultra wide monitor (32:9), effectively joining two 27" 1080P monitor together without any gap. Even though the resolution may be considered a bit low today, but it work flawlessly. Downgrade from 1440P to 1080P make everything looks larger on the screen. When I upgrade from the 24" ACD to 27" ACD few years ago, the very first thing I realised is that even the monitor is bigger, everything on the screen actually look smaller. And since 1440P is not "retina", if I use it to run 1080P HiDPI, everything will looks blurry. Eventually, I often lean forward to read the screen. This is not comfortable at all. But now I can sit back, relax, and still able to read everything clearly on the screen. It's a gaming monitor, 144Hz, so, mouse pointer movement or scrolling etc looks very smooth. And I like the back light very much as well.
View attachment 738258

I now have lots of working space, I can flexibly make the monitor to display 2x 16:9 windows, or 3x 4:3 windows, etc seamlessly. Or using the side be side function, make it physically accept 2x 1080P input from the GPU, so that I can run 4x fullscreen apps at the same time (with split screen) etc. And of course, I can display a single full screen apps in 32:9. This can be very useful when doing something like video editing.
View attachment 738244

I also upgrade the GPU to a 1080Ti. So now I can enjoy some very high quality gaming on my Mac. For "just" 3840x1080, a 1080Ti can easily deliver above 60FPS all the time even with very high settings.
View attachment 738243
Click to expand...


Good lord that thing is huge.
 
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Man I love forum posts like these. I find it fascinating what people have done, and it always gives me ideas for my current or future setups.

This made me go back through some of my own past setups. My oh my how things have changed. When we got married, I had my first home office in our apartment. Hilarious that I look back and this is what it looked like. The tube TV!

IMG_0942.jpg

Then we bought a house and my setup changed some. Many of the same devices, but added a MBP and a few other things. Check out that printer!

IMG_5611.jpg

About 2 years ago, we sold that townhouse, and moved into a single family home that we plan to be in for many years to come. You will notice that the glass desk has followed me through each of them. I've actually owned this glass desk for over 15 years.

IMG_6121.jpg

Earlier this year, I decided that since this was my home, permanent office I would plan to actually change out my desk. I grew tired of the glass, and wanted something new, more modern and that gave me more workspace as well as potentially being a workbench if I'm tearing stuff apart. Here is my current setup.

IMG_0159.jpg
IMG_0158.jpg
IMG_0161.jpg

I'm really happy with how things turned out.

As for my gear... In the current setup, the oldest machine is my 2011 27" iMac. Its been upgraded a few times. It currently has a 256GB OWC SSD in it, with the stock 1TB Hard Drive and 24GB of RAM. I use it primarily for photo work, and the occasional iMovie video. Its also my workhorse for recording & editing OTA TV through a SiliconDust HDHomeRun. The Mac mini was gifted to me and acts as my home server. It too has been upgraded to have an SSD & HDD, and maxed out the RAM. It provides VPN, RDP, Plex & other Media services to the whole home, as well as acts as my DNS server for my lab. This is all using the Apple Server app. My day to day machine is really now my 2015 Retina MBP. I use it for primarily work use, I work for a local professional services integrator in the data center space.

I really have tried to simplify and declutter things, but still have a ways to go. I have lots of cable management still to do, and I'm looking to further simplify. I just ordered a headless adapter for my Mac mini to dump the Display, Keyboard & Mouse, and am going to run electrical & data to get it moved into the closet. This will free up that desk (mostly) for my wife & kids to use with the MBA (pictured) as well as for kids homework.
 
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darinzook said:
Earlier this year, I decided that since this was my home, permanent office I would plan to actually change out my desk. I grew tired of the glass, and wanted something new, more modern and that gave me more workspace as well as potentially being a workbench if I'm tearing stuff apart. Here is my current setup.
...
Click to expand...

Can I ask where you got your desk? I really like it!
[doublepost=1511805510][/doublepost]
diotav said:
Click to expand...

may I ask where you got your desk? It looks great!
 
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martin1000 said:
Can I ask where you got your desk? I really like it!
[doublepost=1511805510][/doublepost]

may I ask where you got your desk? It looks great!
Click to expand...

I got mine at Ikea. Its the Karlby Kitchen Countertop, with the Alex drawer units. Ikea actually sells desk sets as part of the Linmon series, but the tops are garbage. The countertops are quite sturdy, have very little flex, wear and look a lot nicer.
 
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Went a little more minimalist over the years...
 

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ac64aa3b52c506ef44e0f5252900ff2d.jpg


Here’s the latest update to min, I have since moved the rug and put my Steve Jobs poster on the wall, just need to tidy the cables up

a0fa22ea35d6801f7f38576e02d1896a.jpg


This mouse mat from Amazon is the latest addition to my desk, put this on separately as it can’t be seen easily on the top photo
 
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kjm18 said:
ac64aa3b52c506ef44e0f5252900ff2d.jpg


Here’s the latest update to min, I have since moved the rug and put my Steve Jobs poster on the wall, just need to tidy the cables up

This mouse mat from Amazon is the latest addition to my desk, put this on separately as it can’t be seen easily on the top photo
Click to expand...

Very nice... but I'd be concerned about flipping everything forward by "leaning" too hard on the front of the desktop... it appears to be ripe for an accident.
 
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before clean up could not see the desk for cables/hdds/etc.

My fiancee was complaining as my setup in front room and was right mess when friends came over i had to agree.
 
elf69 said:
before clean up could not see the desk for cables/hdds/etc.

My fiancee was complaining as my setup in front room and was right mess when friends came over i had to agree.
Click to expand...
Lol. I'm no better. Two monitors and extra drives and two keyboards was hardly what I sold my wife when I suggested we get an iMac all in one!
 
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h9826790 said:
Just finished the 3rd major upgrade on my 2009 Mac Pro. This time I upgrade my 27" ACD to the Samsung 49" CHG90. It's a ultra wide monitor (32:9), effectively joining two 27" 1080P monitor together without any gap. Even though the resolution may be considered a bit low today, but it work flawlessly. Downgrade from 1440P to 1080P make everything looks larger on the screen. When I upgrade from the 24" ACD to 27" ACD few years ago, the very first thing I realised is that even the monitor is bigger, everything on the screen actually look smaller. And since 1440P is not "retina", if I use it to run 1080P HiDPI, everything will looks blurry. Eventually, I often lean forward to read the screen. This is not comfortable at all. But now I can sit back, relax, and still able to read everything clearly on the screen. It's a gaming monitor, 144Hz, so, mouse pointer movement or scrolling etc looks very smooth. And I like the back light very much as well.
View attachment 738258

I now have lots of working space, I can flexibly make the monitor to display 2x 16:9 windows, or 3x 4:3 windows, etc seamlessly. Or using the side be side function, make it physically accept 2x 1080P input from the GPU, so that I can run 4x fullscreen apps at the same time (with split screen) etc. And of course, I can display a single full screen apps in 32:9. This can be very useful when doing something like video editing.
View attachment 738244

I also upgrade the GPU to a 1080Ti. So now I can enjoy some very high quality gaming on my Mac. For "just" 3840x1080, a 1080Ti can easily deliver above 60FPS all the time even with very high settings.
View attachment 738243
Click to expand...

Hi!
You have a really beautiful setup! And what a great monitor, my Gosh!

But I came here to ask you something: how are you dealing with this HUGE monitor?
No eye strain?
What about distractions? 'Cause you have a lot of space to fill in with apps and webpages...

Let me be straight: I have recently received as a gift 2 DELL S2218H monitors (21,5", shiny screen, endless frames...), about three months ago! I was crazy about them back in September!

Just connected them to my mid-2014 15,4" MacBook Pro, bought a vertical stand and started the two monitors side by side.

Man... I've gotta tell you: I just can't stand using them.
My eyes hurt. I've got distracted a lot and I feel less productive.
So, naturally, I disconnect them and just use my MacBook Pro.
And then I got this feeling: UGH, tiny screen.

It's a love-hate situation.

What do YOU suggest?

What I've done so far:
- Black wallpapers;
- Brightness at 30% at night and 70% at daylight;
- Keep a good distance (a little bit more than my arms pointing to them);
- Bought a larger desk (more depth and width for me).

What I suspect that might help me (please, feel free to criticize me):
- Buy a VESA adapter for each one (I have to buy third-party adapters - US$32 at Amazon - since this model (S2218H) does not support VESA adapter);
- Install them in a dual-monitor stand...
...so I can adjust the height, for example.

My main uses: Internet surfing (reading), Office (Excel, a LOT!) and writing. I don't play any games, I am not a programmer (but sometimes I like to 'code' a little bit), I spend my whole day in front of the monitors working (stock market) and studying (university) and I'm 30 yrs old.

Below, I am posting my setup (in two different positions) so we don't just talk and talk without a real picture.
1. Monitors side by side, aligned;
2. Monitors forming a "V", for a more comfortable view.

Please, let me know what is your opinion, because I really would like to keep them (who doesn't love dual monitors? Or a ultra-wide one, like yours? ;) ) but I've got this feeling that everybody knows how to use a dual-monitor setup, except me ¬¬
[doublepost=1512719410][/doublepost]Here you are, @h9826790

This is how I am using right now. Angled monitors:

#Setup angled_monitors.jpg


This is the monitors side by side (I don't use them like that, tough...)
#Setup side_by_side.jpg

[doublepost=1512720564][/doublepost]
scotttnz said:
I've just updated, so time to look back on how my setup has evolved:

Around September 2014 I replaced my self built PC with an ex-lease 2009 Mac Pro which came with an apple 20" display, which I supplemented with a pair of 19" Dells.
View attachment 722333

In January 2015 I replaced all 3 screens with a Philips 40" 4K monitor.
View attachment 722334

And now the Mac Pro has been replaced with a new 15" 2017 MacBook Pro, Belkin Thunderbolt 3 dock, Rain Design mDock, and a couple of external drive enclosures.
View attachment 722332

I still have the same desk, lamp, mouse and Big Bang bobble heads, but pretty much everything else has changed.
Click to expand...

Hi!
I want to ask you the same question that I have just sent in the post above, regarding large monitors/dual-monitors.

Could you please share your knowledge and experience so far?
 
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