- Joined
- Aug 16, 2009
- Messages
- 84
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 8
- Location
- Christchurch, New Zealand
- Your Mac's Specs
- Intel MacBook White, iMac G3 Strawberry, iBook Clamshell Indigo.
iMac G3 Mini-ITX Mod 2012
Why? What?
This iMac G3 project is not an original idea, in that its been done before, and perhaps to a better extent in the past years by one or two people. But where are all the modders of 2012 bringing life into old Macs?
I love the iMac G3. And I love the Clamshell. At the time of writing I'm 16 years of age, so I grew up with these futuristic units in my classroom. I always wanted one but they cost too much.
Now days I could collect every flavour of the iMac G3 for half the price of an original back when it was released.
I wanted to keep the design alive. I wanted to be able to experience what it was like to use one of these machines! I only got to use them for school work, where is the fun in that (okay so playing in Garageband and Kidpix was fun in 2003, but still, I WANT MORE).
So I decided, lets gut a unit and stick a mini-itx in. There was no straight forward guide on how to do this, and I've never built a computer before. Thats right, I have zero building experience. I know all about how a computer runs and what to look out for in a CPU, or a graphics card, etc. But I had no first hand experience.
Everyone kept saying "don't bother" or "good luck with that" online. But I knew this could work. Time to pave the way for others who have dreams of renovating old Macs.
The Rules
The Mac must be power efficient and near silent
Jobs hated fans, so I can't have a buzzer in there. I want a greener computer.
The Mac must have an LCD
I am not an electrician. I can't be playing with CRT monitors, out it goes. Blasphemy? Maybe. It has to be done though.
The Mac must be cheap, less than $400 NZD
This is my first build, so if I screw up, I can't have invested too much in it. I don't have a job, this is funded by freelance web work and pocket money-- literally.
The Mac must recycle and prevent e-waste
To keep it cheap, and to prevent e-waste, I decided to recycle old obsolete and broken parts from a range of machines donated to me by friends and family. We need to be less inclined to chuck out working hardware; a reused 40GB IDE is more than enough for this system, a new 500GB drive would be ridiculous.
The Mac must retain its outer look
No cutting ports or mutilating the case. The only case work I'm allowed to do is inside.
The Mac must remain technically basic
No special tools, no radical wiring. This mod must prove anybody can make their dream hack easy... and hacky.
The Mac
Specs
Nickname: Companion Cube (its my loveable pink box lol)
Intel Desktop Board D525MW
1.80GHz Intel Atom
2GB ram
Intel GMA 950 Graphics
40GB Hard Drive
CD/DVD (pending)
15" LCD Screen
Windows XP (going for 7)
Runs on 12 V 5A adapter using only 80W, with no fan.
Hardware Origin
Motherboard - New Intel D525MW Mini-ITX with integrated CPU, graphics
RAM - New 2GB Kingston Stick
Hard drive - Recycled 40GB laptop IDE from broken Compaq Presario (includes mount case)
LEDs / front panel button - Recycled from old Packard Bell desktop
Case & Speakers - Recycled from iMac G3 Strawberry 333mhz (1999) (I rode home with this on the bus after buying it in 2009 for $20NZD lol)
PSU - PicoPSU 80W (12 v 5A) Mini-ITX power supply
Screen - Recycled and repaired from a previously broken Packard Bell desktop monitor (it was heading for the bin before I saved it!)
Optical drive - Not complete, but I have a few laptop drives laying around... gimme time
Additional new parts:
2.5-3.5" connector converter
IDE to sata converter
Y Power cable
P4 plug for PicoPSU
You can read how I built this, and laugh at my lack of technical skills by reading my ongoing development log here on another site. (note, outgoing link) More photos there too.
The Conclusion
This computer build has saved a lot of e-waste. Its been a fun learning experience for my first computer build. I've achieved what I wanted. I'd like to think I've proved that you don't need to be a master of wires and have all the tools to have a shot at doing a fun mod.
The iMac G3 isn't to everyone's taste. And certainly, using two converters to run an IDE drive might make some people cringe. But I have found this build to be great fun.
This is a basic machine, and I'm going to enjoy using it for school work and programming a chat bot. I can even use it as a second monitor for my laptop hehe. It looks great and I love it.
Last edited by a moderator: