Both. Acer Dual Core 2.5 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Macbook Pro and Shuttle xPC 3.5 GHz 1.5 GB RAM

What Operating System? (XP, Vista, OS X, etc…)

Vista on the Acer laptop, Mac OS, Shuttle has Windows XP

Why do you like or dislike your current setup?

The Shuttle has lasted for years, is very stable with XP and runs fast even now. Just a bit old and the fan is a bit noisy, so I am hoping to upgrade; that is why I am reading this thread.

Vista on the Acer seems to spend most of its time updating itself, fixing itself and installing more and more icons on the desktop every time something updates itself. It works, though.

Mac is a high quality product, stable, nice looking design. Everything for the Mac costs more and is harder to find out here. Not only that, some sites we just absolutely have to use for work….do not work with Mac. So we have to have windows somewhere. I think Apple is greedy and too controlling the way they limit the app store, but I guess being in control is how you keep viruses out.

For what situations would you recommend this setup?
Any other advice?

1. Laptop (Dell Studio 1558)

2. Windows 7 (64 bit)

3. I love my current setup. Speedy, plenty of storage, and excellent build quality (Dell)

4. Great for multitasking (4 GB DDR3 Ram), web development, Design, even gaming even though it doesn’t have a dedicated graphics card (plays Call of Duty: Black Ops) just fine. The 1080p screen is another big plus for watching movies.

5. Compared to my old machine, my productivity definitely went up. I now make less errors and feel comfortable to experiment with new software packages.

1,) Desktop & Laptop, the desktop takes the blunt of the work but I like to be able to take some stuff with me sometimes.

2.) Windows 7, it’s an absolutely superb OS, and with all the customization and tweaking I’ve done, it is literally the perfect OS for my specific needs. I have no desire to turn to Apple products.

3.) I love my current setup, the most important things are huge screens and powerful computers, I have both. Dual 28″ monitors, here’s a picture : http://thesis-design.com/images/studio3.jpg

4.) For anyone designing and/or programming/coding, I consider dual monitors a MUST, the bigger the better. When I’m running Photoshop and Dreamweaver in separate screens next to each other, and each program has plenty of room for their myriad of palettes and tools, it’s a much more productive environment.

5.) Of course keep your work area clean, everyone knows that, but really, I can’t push the importance of multiple monitors enough, if you’re a designer and you don’t use them already, TRY IT OUT. Once you go dual, you don’t go back, it will change your life… Just make sure you get a dual monitor taskbar with UltraMon or DisplayFusion, it’s important!