Designer Setup

[Duke]

Well, even though this feels like a brag page & I can easily gloat about how much I've invested in Apple, my gear is necessary evil for graphic design.

To start with, I'm running a dual 2Ghz Power Mac G5 (one of the last Power PC chips before the intel switch), with 8GB RAM; connected to two 20" Apple Cinema Displays. Love this system, still lightning fast with Leopard & Adobe CS3.

Just recently purchased a 17" MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo w/4GB RAM & the high-res matte screen. I upgraded from a 15" Power Book... & WOW, what a difference!! I don't mind lugging around that little extra weight for all that screen architecture.

Of course, I have my 80GB iPod video (my third, & definitely not my last iPod). I'm still waiting for the arrival of the iPhone to Canada.

Aside from that, obviously I've invested in some Apple software, such as Final Cut Express (not ready for the full version yet), and Aperture (one of the best products ever!!!) which works beautifully with my new Nikon D300.

Well, that about sums up the system here, and honestly, even if I wasn't a designer, I'd probably still own most of this stuff... just wouldn't have the advantage of writing it all off on my taxes.

Ciao

[Mr. Mayor]

Duke,

Now that's an impressive setup indeed. I'm running a 15" mbp with a 23" cinema display...

Have you thought about the 30" cinema display? Whenever I see one my jaw just drops... however the price jump up to that size is huge.

[Duke]

Oh, I know, I drool everytime I see those 30" displays. I'd love to have 2 of those set up here. One day maybe. Even with all the price drops, they're still a little $$ for me to justify buying them.

[Mr. Mayor]

Pricy indeed.

I also think you might need a crazy video card to handle two 30" displays?... Not sure of the logistics to make it work, but I think there are some upgrades involved!

[Duke]

Although, I've not looked into this, I think all I need to do is buy a second video-card for my PCI-Express slot.

... but that's still just a pipe dream away.

I was at someones studio & they had four 30" displays set up on one computer (in a square configuration). I was speechless.

[Mr. Mayor]

4!???... Wow, now that's a serious setup. I could have everything open on the desktop at the same time... no need for spaces or minimizing windows!

[Jacob]

*drools over thought*
god i wish i could afford some cinema displays id like to add another one to my iMac so that i could have two spaces open at one time that would make design work so much easier

[Mr. Mayor]

It is nice to have the extra space... once you go dual monitors... you never go back!

[Duke]

Tell me about it. My first experience with dual was at art school, we rigged up one of the G3's with a second video card... man that was sweet!!! Haven't looked back since.

[Gaz]

i've had 4 20" monitors connected to a windows machine, but of course nothing like a 30"