I just installed arch linux over osx and am now happily single booting linux. :)
Software related you can install a customizable window manager, the ones that Sylinn recommended are fantastic options.
Hardware related, I think that the best purchase I have ever made, hands down, is an ssd. It has made things SOOOOOOO much faster, here is what I got (the 240gb version):

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-HyperX-2-5-Inch-SH103S3-120G/dp/B007R67FNA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1396322635&sr=8-4&keywords=kingston+ssd

It is super easy to install, though they are a little pricey its totally worth it. I have a macbook pro 2010 model, so I also replaced the CD drive with my old hdd with the help of a hard drive caddy like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Unibody-MacBook-SuperDrive-Replacement/dp/B0058AH2US/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396322738&sr=8-1&keywords=macbook+pro+caddy

Which was a little harder to install, but not impossible by any means. And its cheap!

If you are so inclined, Samsung just released a line of very affordable ssds up to a terabyte in size for only like 500 bucks (I say only, but for a terabyte ssd thats unheard of). Macs are known for being non-customizable, and apple takes pride in that, but with the help of a very small screwdriver you at least have access to the harddrive, memory, and CD superdrive, which is as good as most other laptops.

I bought this but it's for the Mac years ago. Pretty sure there's a Windows version as well. And I see a newer generation out as well which looks pretty slick in black.

Logitech Rechargeable Trackpad for Mac https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JP461G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8amyDbQAJ1JRC

Im using belkin pcmcia wifi G card on T20 and win xp (need it because of drivers for ccd camera) and it works ok. Its this card https://www.amazon.co.uk/BELKIN-Wireless-802-11g-Notebook-F5D7010/dp/B0040NH3WG

At Home: 2 x 2340m : amazon link. Pretty good monitors. They have small borders and look really nice. The glare bothers me though.


At Work: 2 x HP Compaq LA2306x and two 19 in Dell monitors. I love the two HP monitors, most of the time. They handle lots of light well but the viewing angle is pretty bad in one direction.

I finally got a 1080p monitor!

Amazon link if you are interested

More importantly, I upgraded my GPU to a 380x from a 280x. Now when my computer is kicking, it doesn't sound like a wheezing whale.

To celebrate the occasion I changed up my BSPWM config for the first time in a couple months.

Screenshots

Dirty
http://i.imgur.com/BJsoqDW.png

Clean
http://i.imgur.com/UiY3Oj8.png

Wallapaper - I changed the colors to blue and added a vingett so my eyes wouldn't melt as I look at the screen.
http://i.imgur.com/5DaQcXS.jpg

Dotfiles

I use CI as an API for a project I am on. I spent some time beating into shape so that it does what I want it to. I'm sure there are better ways but I'm invested now :)

For the 21:9 I bought one cable and just plugged it in.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7RJQPY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

*Disclaimer: NOT an affiliate link and your mileage may vary.

The Philips IPS 29" monitor that I have is fantastic. The only downside is that there are a few games that don't support the extra wide screen function and it will put black bars on the left and right side. But other than that, it is fantastic. But this doesn't come without a hefty price tag.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-298X4QJAB-29-Inch-IPS-LCD-Monitor/dp/B00CCY8AMC

Thanks ;). Not so skilled on that and my advice might be misleading; though I got a background in cs:This would be my suggestion for someone beginning.

• Understanding how comp works. Books: Code and Element of computing systems -> Video NandToTetris
  
• Programming( web programming(HTML/Javascript/PHP etc),C, bash, Python,(other script lang e.g perl, ruby etc) and assembly. In that order and database(e.g msql)
  
• Networking. book Computer Networking: A Top Down Approach. video Computer Networks by David Wetherall. Also some CCNA books
  
• How Linux works, Windows internals, and Modern Operating Sytems
  
• Cryptography by Christof Paar and cryptopal challenges
  
• Computer System Security
  
• Any other materials related to infosec. look at HowToHack resources on the sidebar. Also opensec
  
• Play some CTF e.g OverTheWire, smashthestack
  You can also search for those books pdf by using google hacks eg filetype:pdf "title of the book here" or intitle:index.of "title of the book here"

• Wallpaper 1: Road Through The Bamboo Forest by dws4.me
  
• Wallpaper 2: Temple Of The Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-Ji From Kyoto by 4kwallpapers.co
  
• KDE: Breeze Dark
  
• Icons: Paper
  
• Dock: Standard KDE Plasma 5.8 launcher with Digital Clock, Weather, Thermal Monitor, Active Window Control
  
• Hardware: Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate, Logitech M570, Sennheiser HD449, some Hansa lamp
  
• Other: IRCCloud with dark theme in Chrome with Into The Mist theme, Atom editor on the left, Konsole on the right

No. Pretty much all laptops only have 1 hard drive slot. If it has a DVD drive you can get an optical hard drive caddy for it. Something like this. (That's probably a mobile link. Sorry about that.)

Fair enough, they are cool though. They can get really fucking insane in ways that normal 6 faced puzzles can't (See: http://www.amazon.com/Petaminx-Layered-Megaminx-Dodecahedron-Sticker/dp/B00D0LDCW4)

Hardware

• Keyboard: MagicForce
  
• Monitor: 23" ASUS
  
• Lamp: FORSÅ from IKEA
  
  

  Software
  

  
  

• Wallpaper: Here (The wallpaper I wal'd for the color scheme)
  
• WM: GNOME
  
• Terminal: urxvt
  
• Font: Roboto Mono (I think)
  
• Audio Visualizer: Cava
  
• Pipes.sh Command: pipes.sh -p 5 -R

That was the keyboard my office let me take home.

I got one of these and these soon after that.