Pimping out a computer setup with vintage gear is super-cool, even if the old stuff doesn’t get much use (or is solely for display purposes). Today’s M1 MacBook Pro setup recently added a new Studio Display, and both of those modern machines bask in the glory of a nearby classic Macintosh SE from the 1980s.
The ancient all-in-one computer still works and it even gets some use.
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‘Old school’ Macintosh SE hangs with ‘new school’ MacBook Pro and Studio Display
Redditor nickdmiller showcased the old-and-new setup in a post entitled, “Old school and new school.”
“Just got the new Studio Display and loving it with my M1 [MacBook Pro],” Miller said. “Also pictured is vintage Macintosh SE, iPad Pro and custom-painted Magic Keyboard.”
So as noted, Miller runs an M1 MacBook Pro with a brand-new Studio Display and a 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the central setup.
“Do you use the iPad Pro as a secondary display?” a commenter asked.
“Yeah, I use it as an extension of my MacBook. I normally keep calendar and mail open on the iPad all day and use the display for focused task work,” Miller replied.
ColorWare custom-painted accessories
Then another person asked if the Magic Keyboard gets its look because of a skin applied to it. That’s a type of cover you can leave on as you use the keyboard. But in Miller’s case, it’s a custom paint job.
“It’s painted from ColorWare,” Miller said. “I believe they stopped selling Magic Keyboards, but still have trackpads and mice.” (A quick check of the website suggests that among Apple products, they only do Apple Pencil, AirPods cases, AirTags, AirPods Max and Magic Mouse.)
Classic Macintosh SE
And off to the right in the photograph sits a classic Macintosh SE from the 1980s. An improvement on the Macintosh Plus, Apple produced the SE from March 1987 to October 1990. The Macintosh II came out at the same time and the enhanced SE/30 came out toward the end of SE’s run, though the two overlapped for a time.
Miller’s SE is in full working order and actually gets some use, he said.
“It works and I have Oregon Trail on it … it’s mainly just a display piece but fun to turn on and let the kids play it,” he noted.
Shop these items now:
Photo: nickdmiller@reddit.com
Computers:
Display:
Input devices:
- ColorWare custom-ained Magic Keyboard
- Magic Mouse 2
- Magic Trackpad 3
Audio:
Furniture:
- Fully Jarvis standing desk with butcher block top
- White drawer units
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
Not as good as Apple's Pro Display XDR, but the 27-inch Apple Studio Display packs an impressive panel coupled with a six-speaker system and studio-quality microphones.
