Let's see if I can explain in the limited time I have; if I don't finish, I'll come back later or tomorrow. Have hubby's last chemo & radiation today. In my office I have a dual boot Windows machine - running XP (pro I think) and Vista. I also have the Mac. I have not tried to put Windows of any flavor on the Mac; it was on my list of things to do. I was going to buy the program verses what's on the Mac. My pain management Dr did it; he had some issues with drivers. Not sure if he did XP or Vista. The Mac worked fine at 1st. I was able to Network; I was able to access the Windows machine both sides. When on the Windows PC; I was able to access the Mac from both. I'm not sure what changed and when but eventually I wasn't able to access either puter - I made user accounts on Windows (both sides) and now am able to access Windows (both sides) from the Mac. The problem is accessing the Mac from Windows. Granted, it very well may be me; because I haven't been as "heavy" into building & using the computer since we moved. The most I do is work with pictures; for that I use Windows because the Mac photo program confuses me. I like Windows much better all the way around because of ease of use; software works & I can do things without reading a manual. With the Mac, I feel so stupid some days. I haven't installed anything except firefox.. forgot how. lol It's so simple too from what I remember but I have to get the dummy book to do it again. lol One thing that will not work on the Mac is my Microsoft Works. All of my medical databases are made with works. I looked for a Mac plug in (reader) but they don't have one. I also don't want to have to replace my full Office suite.

Always glad to help! BTW, your small setup there looks pretty nice. I've got this huge L-shaped Glass Desk and a Huge Box sitting down on the Floor (oh, that's the computer)! There just isn't enough room in my computer room for the things I have in there. I did have another small Glass Desk that was on rollers (use to have 3 complete computer systems set up in that room). I should have kept the smaller desk and got rid of the L-Shaped Desk. Still would have had that Huge Box.

You are much better off using your initial search, the RealMilk tung oil. Good product. Not clear what you are envisioning by 'darkening'. Butcher block is a hard surface designed to stand up to lots of wear and tear, chopping, work benches, etc, Though its beauty is also used for its warmth as a design element for a crisp clean countertop. A contrast to cold hard stone. Some like it clean and unblemished and never use it as a cutting board. I would never use mineral oil on a desk. So many reasons not to. Because of its many layers, glued, of various densities, and also quality varies, any staining or darkening may have an outcome with just a few boards turning extremely dark and most remaining blond having much less open grain. A 20 something millennial steam punk desk on milk crates....a mature minimal modernist...butcher block works for many but still reminds me of a kitchen counter. Unless left clean bleached low lustre. Or stained ebony black. My preferred wiping varnish for furniture is SutherlandWelles. It will keep for years for future projects if you fill the airspace with something like marbles keep all air out of the can and clean the lid groove with a clean rag. I have some MilkPaint products as well but not the dark half. I prefer to have pure finish and stain or darken in a separate application as i mix my own.

iMac has no separate processor - just display/keyboard/mouse. A pull-out tray inside a cabinet might serve - something like the ones made for kitchen cabinets. I have an iMac @ home & @ work & both stay out in sight always, however, my home mac is in a spare bedroom/workroom. I cover my work mac on weekends w/ a plastic protector. Alternately, maybe a compact wheeled cart could be used & simply rolled away to another room when necessary?