It took me 23 hours to add fully functional bt-core on my MAC. Downloaded bootstrap.dat and synchronised with network. Macbook is new, but process was so slow.
It took me 44 hours to install Armory. I switched to an online wallet Multibit, but it's not 100% anonymous or even as anonymous as Armory.
I hate to say it but BTC is doomed unless they change their business model.
Armory needs Bitcoin Core to function properly. Sure MultiBit isn't 100% anonymous, you can just get a anonymous VPN or use Tor and it would be as anonymous. Multibit just use their server to check balance and broadcast transactions, your anonymity isn't 100% compromised this way. Running a full node is just for users which are more advanced for example, developers. Normal users are encouraged to use SPV clients.