Vintage 1984 Macintosh Desk Setup in Missouri, US
“The highlight of my vintage Macintosh collection is my fully period-accurate 1984 Macintosh desk setup”
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Name: Chris Brueggeman
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Occupation: Video Editor
Room size: 28 m² (300 ft²)
Cost of setup: $625
Social media: Instagram
Photos made by: mabincredible
Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself
Hi there! I’m Chris Brueggeman, a video editor based in St. Louis, MO.
I have a Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Mass Communications and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film & Media Studies from Lindenwood University.
Having spent over a decade doing video editing, I’ve really discovered my passion in this field.
It allows me to be creative and stay up to date on current technology that can help shape and tell stories through video.
Currently, I work as a video editor for one of the largest healthcare systems in the US Midwest, where I’m part of an incredibly talented in-house marketing team.
I contribute to a wide range of content, from promotional campaigns to internal communications that help keep thousands of employees and patients informed and engaged.
But beyond my professional work, I have another deep-rooted passion: vintage Macintosh computers.
My love for Apple started young, thanks to my dad, who brought home my first Mac: a Macintosh Classic from 1990.
That simple, little machine sparked a lifelong obsession that’s now taken over my apartment in the form of a personal museum.
I have ten vintage Macs on display, each serving as a time capsule of its era!
Luckily, my partner shares my appreciation for these machines and has been an incredible help in photographing and capturing their beauty.
I couldn’t be more grateful for his support and talent in showcasing my little Apple-filled world!
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Take us through your setup
| Item | Model |
|---|---|
| Monitor | All-in-one Macintosh (M0001) 9-inch CRT, 72 ppi, 512 x 342 pixels |
| Speakers | Internal speaker (8-bit 22-kHz) |
| Keyboard | Macintosh Keyboard (M0110) |
| Mouse | Macintosh Mouse (M0100) |
| Mouse mat | Vintage Apple mouse mat |
| Printer | ImageWriter (A9M0303P) |
| Storage/hard drive | Macintosh 400K External Drive (M0130) |
| Modem | Apple Modem 1200 (A9M0301) |
The highlight of my vintage Macintosh collection is my fully period-accurate 1984 Macintosh desk setup.
At the heart of it sits an original Macintosh from 1984.
Based on the serial number, it was manufactured in the third week of 1984, making it the 1,617th Macintosh ever produced — a pretty amazing piece of history to own.
My initial setup included the original keyboard, mouse, and even the optional numeric keypad, but for me, that was just the beginning.
My vision was to recreate the full 1984 Macintosh experience, just as if someone had unboxed it fresh from the store.
That meant hunting down every original accessory that would have been available at launch: a printer, a modem, external drives, and more.
I wanted someone to be able to sit at this desk, power up the Mac, and feel completely transported back to 1984, with every tool at their fingertips.
This turned into a years-long treasure hunt, scouring eBay, visiting antique shops, and connecting with fellow vintage computing enthusiasts.
When you bought a Macintosh in 1984, Apple packed in quite a few essentials, all of which I’ve carefully recreated in my setup.
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The Keyboard & Mouse
The original Mac keyboard is intentionally missing arrow keys, nudging users towards the revolutionary GUI and mouse-based navigation.
The mouse itself, while not Apple’s first (that honour goes to the Lisa’s mouse), is the one that truly cemented the mouse as a standard feature of personal computers.
The Basics
A power cord (which took forever to track down), the original user manual, and a cassette tape featuring the “Guided Tour of Macintosh”, which was Apple’s way of teaching new users how to use this radically different computer.
The Software
A System Disk floppy containing the OS, a Guided Tour of Macintosh floppy (to be used with the cassette), plus two iconic pieces of software: MacWrite (a word processor) and MacPaint (a drawing program).
These two applications were the first for the Macintosh and helped define what GUI-based personal computing could be.
Beyond the core setup, there are a few must-have accessories that make the Macintosh more functional.
A printer is essential, and the ImageWriter was the go-to choice.
It was a dot matrix printer designed for the Macintosh that was relatively fast for its time and a cost-effective option.
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I personally prefer using tractor-feed paper, which adds to the nostalgic feel of the setup. Another necessity is an external floppy disk drive.
Since the original Macintosh only has one internal floppy drive and no hard drive, an external disk drive is crucial for loading both the OS and software at the same time.
Without it, you’d have to constantly swap disks, which quickly becomes tedious.
To complete the experience, I also added an Apple Modem 1200, which was one of the only ways in 1984 to get the Mac online.
Like other modems of its time, it uses a telephone line to connect to bulletin board systems (BBS) and online databases.
To truly capture that era, I have a vintage touch-dial phone in my setup.
Currently, it’s not connected to a working line, so I can’t access any online services yet, but I plan to change that in the next year.
All of this is housed on the MacTable, a Scandinavian-designed desk from ScanCo Furniture, built specifically for the Macintosh.
While not an official Apple product, this desk was designed with adjustable panels that tilt for better viewing, writing, and accessibility, making it the perfect workstation for a vintage Mac enthusiast.
The design has a very IKEA-esque feel and fits seamlessly into the aesthetic.
To make the space feel inviting, I’ve also added a red adjustable lamp, a potted plant for some greenery, and a few books and manuals about the Macintosh.
My apartment has a large extra room off the living room that turned out to be the perfect space for both my work-from-home office and my Macintosh museum.
Natural light pours in through the big windows overlooking downtown St. Louis, making it an inspiring workspace during the day and a cosy haven at night.
I’ve carefully arranged the room so that one half is dedicated to my daily video editing and creative projects, while the other half is entirely devoted to my vintage Macintosh collection.
Each computer has its own designated space, set up so that anyone can sit down, power it on, and immediately start computing.
At this point, I feel like my 1984 Mac setup is complete and is as authentic as it gets.
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If there’s anything left to add, it would be a few more 1980s-themed desk accessories to push the time-capsule effect even further.
But as far as functionality and authenticity go, this setup is exactly what I envisioned from the start.
It’s my personal tribute to the era that revolutionised personal computing and every time I sit down in front of it, I get to experience a little piece of tech history firsthand.
What’s your favourite item on your desk?
One of my favourite items on the desk is the ImageWriter.
Vintage peripherals like this are often overlooked and finding one in working condition can be a challenge.
Fortunately, I lucked out and managed to find one that not only works but also came with the original power and data cables.
Even better, the ink ribbons for these printers are still being manufactured today, so all I had to do was order a few cartridges, pop one in, and within five minutes of powering it on, I was printing.
I love the ImageWriter not just for its historical significance in being what jump-started the desktop publishing industry, but because it’s still genuinely useful to me today.
Modern printers have become a nightmare with monopolised ink prices for cartridges and overinflated software and features, so I’ve never bothered owning one. Instead, I always had to rely on library printers or borrow a friend’s, which was not convenient.
However, with the ImageWriter, I finally have a home printer that I actually enjoy using.
With modern transfer methods, I can easily move files from a modern computer to my vintage Mac, allowing me to print whatever I need.
Sure, it’s not the fastest printer in the world, but it gets the job done and does exactly what I need.
The fact that it still functions flawlessly after all these years is amazing to me.
What apps or tools do you use to get things done?
As you might expect, software for a vintage computer is pretty limited in the modern era.
My original Macintosh isn’t exactly equipped for video editing, so I still have to rely on a modern Mac for my daily work.
But that doesn’t mean my vintage setup just sits there collecting dust.
In fact, it has become my go-to machine for distraction-free writing.
With no internet connection and the ability to run only one program at a time, it creates the perfect environment for focusing.
There are no notifications, no email to check, and no distractions.
For word processing, I could use the included MacWrite, but I prefer the Mac version of Microsoft Word.
It was the only other major word processor available for the original Macintosh at the time and it comes with a few extra features that MacWrite lacks, making it the better choice for my workflow.
And best of all, thanks to modern file transfer methods, I can easily move my writing from the vintage Mac to my modern Mac when I need to.
Fun fact: I actually wrote most of my answers to these questions on my original 1984 Macintosh!
What books, blogs, or podcasts recently caught your attention?
There have been a few books and podcasts that have caught my attention recently.
For starters, there is a wonderful book called Insanely Great: The Life and Times of Macintosh by Steven Levy.
It was gifted to me by my partner and has been a great resource on the origins of the Mac and what went into it.
Insanely Great: The Life And Times of Macintosh, the Computer That Changed Everything
Loaded with anecdote and insight, and peppered with sharp commentary, Insanely Great is the definitive book on the most important computer ever made. It is a must-have for anyone curious about how we got to the interactive age.
Another great book I’ve discovered is Macintosh! Complete by Doug Clapp.
It’s essentially a much more approachable version of a user’s manual and has been essential in helping me find the period accurate accessories and software for my setup.
A podcast I’ve also recently discovered is The CultCast.
It’s a great show for folks who want to stay up to date on the latest technology news and Apple news.
They do sometimes talk about vintage stuff, which I am all about!
Any tips for other makers who want to improve their workspaces?
Create a space that you enjoy being in!
It doesn’t just have to be the place where you work; it can be a relaxing and peaceful place as well.
No one knows you like you do, and your space should reflect you.
Include personal touches, whether it’s art or a memento.
When you glance around the room, you should feel at ease and ready to tackle the work ahead of you.
What does your typical day look like?
I typically start my day around 8 am, which gives me plenty of time to ease into the morning.
After briefly checking my notifications, I’ll make a cup of coffee and grab a light breakfast before settling in for work.
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By 9 am, I review my daily tasks and take stock of which projects need immediate attention.
Most of my day is spent in video editing mode, whether it’s a quick, straightforward project or a more in-depth, story-driven edit.
I’ve made it a priority to have a hard stop at 5 pm.
If I don’t set that boundary, I know I’ll keep working long past when I should, and I want to make sure I leave time for myself.
My downtime is valuable, and I refuse to waste it.
After work, my evenings are a mix of relaxation and creative projects.
Some nights, I’ll play video games — either on my modern Mac (I love simulator games like The Sims or Planet Coaster) or on my PS5, where I rotate between different titles.
And, of course, I also spend time with classic Mac games, like Dark Castle, SimCity, and Starship Titanic.
Other times, I’ll tinker with my vintage Macintosh collection, throwing on a show or podcast in the background while I make upgrades, tweaks, or general maintenance improvements.
There’s always something to fine-tune, so it’s the perfect way to unwind while still engaging with my hobby.
I also set aside time to talk with my partner, who lives in the UK. With the time difference, we have to be intentional about finding moments to connect.
Even though we’re miles apart, these calls help us feel closer and more connected and they’ve become one of the most important parts of my daily routine.
While I try not to spend all my time in my home office, it’s undeniably where I feel most comfortable.
It’s become more than just a workspace.
It’s a cosy, multi-purpose environment that really helps with my creativity.
It doesn’t really feel like an office to me at all.
I’ve been working from home for about four years now and, while I was initially sceptical, I’ve completely embraced it.
At first, I thought I’d prefer being in-house for better collaboration. But now, I don’t think I’d have it any other way.
I get to customise everything: my computer, my desk setup, my entire workflow.
And I love the flexibility of being able to run errands, take care of chores, or just take a breather without being stuck in an office all day. (Also, having the kitchen just a few steps away is a major perk.)
Your tips for working from home?
As I’ve mentioned before, having a space you love is essential, especially when working from home.
One of the biggest perks of WFH is that your office is your home, so why set up a space you dread walking into every day?
For me, comfort is key.
If I feel comfortable, I feel creative, and that makes all the difference in how productive I can be.
Another huge advantage of working from home is the freedom to take breaks when you need them.
There’s no one breathing down your neck, so take advantage of it!
Stepping away for a few minutes to grab some water, stretch, have a snack, or check in with your pet (if you have one) can reset your focus.
I don’t consider myself a morning person, so getting started takes a bit of effort.
But I’ve found a small ritual that snaps my brain into motion: making coffee.
The smell, the taste, the simple act of preparing it helps wake me up and transition me into work mode.
It’s a small thing but it’s made a big difference in how I start my day.
For anyone just starting WFH, my biggest piece of advice is invest in a good chair!
You’ll be spending hours sitting in it, so make sure it’s comfortable and supportive.
That hard, wooden dining chair isn’t going to cut it.
If your budget allows, I also highly recommend a standing desk.
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Being able to switch between sitting and standing relieves pressure on your back and keeps your legs from feeling stiff.
Plus, standing desks have become much more affordable, so finding a good quality, budget-friendly option isn’t too difficult.
We’re a reader-supported publication. This article might contain affiliate links. It means we may receive a commission if you click a link and buy a product that our maker has recommended. The interview was done independently.
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