Maybe it is because I am new to Macs, but I had no idea of the extreme customizing options that they had to offer. With just a few tools and additional apps there are all sorts of cool things you can do to create a more custom look and feel to your Mac Desktop and operating system. Today I started browsing the web for some inspiration on how to customize my own Mac desktop. Below are some of the really cool customized desktops that I found. If any of them seem a bit sub par, be sure to click the link to examine all the little details.

About the Author

Danny is one of the raddest creatives this side of the Mason Dixon line. He has freelanced from all over the world, but most recently lived in Costa Rica. He has a somewhat unhealthy obsession with toys, LOST, and sharpie markers.

18 Comments

  1. Martin Leblanc says: Jun 1, 2009

    I love wallpapers which continue the 3d perspective of the dock - works great.

  2. Darren Jones says: Jun 1, 2009

    This is a fabulous display of custom dektops. Great post! :)

  3. Michael Shirley says: Jun 1, 2009

    I would love to know how these were done, I’ve looked at tons of GUI programs that all seem like they are inefficient and not universal in the way they modify the system aesthetics…

  4. Al says: Jun 1, 2009

    Great stuff. I’m sticking to linux, but there are certainly some cool Mac desktops. Thanks for sharing.

  5. Liam McCabe says: Jun 1, 2009

    Wow

    Love this! http://www.flickr.com/photos/cesar_santos/3412410937/in/pool-mds

  6. Millie says: Jun 1, 2009

    Awesome screenshots! Inspiring :) Thanks for sharing.

  7. mvs says: Jun 1, 2009

    How are the desktop clocks/calendars being accomplished in OS X?

    Is this a Dashboard widget, or other software?

    1. vjack says: Jun 2, 2009

      I have the same question. Is this a Dashboard widget or something else?

    2. Florenz says: Jun 2, 2009

      Hey, check this out if you want to put widgets on your dashboard!
      http://www.macosxtips.co.uk/index_files/terminal-commands-for-hidden-mac-os-x-settings.html

    3. Jeremy Helms says: Jun 2, 2009

      GeekTool: http://projects.tynsoe.org/en/geektool/

      Example on how to do clocks/calendaring and weather using GeekTool: http://iamawesome.net/2009/04/my-geektool-setup/

      Cheers.

  8. Hugh Collioer says: Jun 1, 2009

    Some of these are absolutely beautiful and some are totally horrendous. My personal preference is to have as little on my desktop/in my dock as I can. I use an application (forgot name) that mounts my discs and drives in the dock and then I use quicksilver to launch my applications. This basically means I have a totally empty desktop and only the apps that are currently running in the dock. I use desktoptopia to rotate my Wallpaper every now and again.

  9. Michel Wilhelm says: Jun 1, 2009

    Owww… Awesome screenshots!!! Post the wallpapers!!!

  10. Danh ba web 2.0 says: Jun 1, 2009

    Excellent wallpaper for me. Thanks for sharing !

  11. alian says: Jun 2, 2009

    Very nice! Many thanks for this post, i love Apple ;)

  12. Alexis says: Jun 2, 2009

    Sweet. I should post mine, :D.

  13. pedro says: Jun 13, 2009

    The problem with geektool is that reduce your battery charge…mine went from 1 1/2 to 35 minutes….no thanks

    1. Zack says: Aug 13, 2009

      Check your update interval…some things don’t need to updated more then every 15 mins or so, or even twice a day (like date/day, especially month)

  14. UPrinting says: Jul 28, 2009

    This is probably one of the best features that Mac offers that Windows can’t. Mac’s interface is very smooth and the desktop looks really nice. Thanks for sharing this!

4 Trackbacks

  1. 50 Custom Mac Desktop Screenshots | Design Newz June 1, 2009

    [...] 50 Custom Mac Desktop Screenshots [...]

  2. » Enlightenment live cd beta out muskrat June 6, 2009

    [...] Outlaw Design Blog » 50 Custom Mac Desktop Screenshots [...]

  3. » Enlightenment live cd beta out muskrat June 6, 2009

    [...] Outlaw Design Blog » 50 Custom Mac Desktop Screenshots [...]

  4. Daily Links | AndySowards.com :: Professional Web Design, Development, Programming, Hacks, Downloads, Math and being a Web 2.0 Hipster? June 8, 2009

    [...] Outlaw Design Blog » 50 Custom Mac Desktop Screenshots Great Custom Mac Desktop Screens!!! (tags: design inspiration geek desktop wallpaper awesome) [...]

Leave a Comment



  • Blogroll

    • Add Your Link
    • Business Card Printing
    • Freelancing Abroad
    • Fuel for Design
    • PSD Fan
    • Start a T-Shirt Business
    • Wordpress Designers

Recomended

Basecamp Twitter WordPress FreshBooks ConceptShare

About Danny Outlaw

Danny Outlaw

I'm Danny Outlaw and am the mastermind behind Outlaw Design Blog. I work full time as freelance creative consultant.

Want to network with me? I'm kind of a social media whore. You can find me on these sites:

Twitter - Vimeo - Facebook


Listen to the Latest Podcast: Talking Shop Episode - Using Stock Graphics