Mac Hardware Hacks
| Now that Apple Inc. is using more standard components in their hardware it has become easier to modify it with stock parts. Add the introduction of the inexpesive Mac Mini to the mix and finally Mac people get to have some fun and have their own truly unique machines. Some of these hacks are not for the faint of heart, one little mishap could easily do some major damage to your stock components, not to mention the fact that your warranty will be voided. |
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The Mac Mini seems to have become the hackers choice, it is inexpensive, yet has some pretty impressive features, it just needs a little improvement. MacWorld took one apart so here is what it looks like inside.
This article at LifeHacker explains how to build a PC that runs a hacked version of Leopard for less than $800. Not for everybody but sounds like an interesting project just for the bragging rights.
The people at Hardmac.com chose to use a 802.11n AirPort card from a MacPro, the Core 2 Duo MacBooks have three antennas, whereas both the Core Duo MacBook and MacPro have only two. Their upgraded MacBook obtained transfer speeds of 3.6 MB per second! Follow along with their step by step guide. Upgrade a Core Duo-based MacBook to Support WiFI 802.11n
The Mac mini, as well as the iMac and the Mac Pro, is powered by an exchangeable CPU (socket). Hardmac.com has step by step instructions to change the processor.
Using a Mac Centris case allows the use of faster 3.5" hard drives and 5.25 optical drives. Requires an adapter and some skill not to damage the Mac Mini.
A 3.5inch 250gb eSATA hard disk is contained in a Newertech Ministack enclosure. The procedure makes no permanent modifications to the mini, and is (relatively) easily reversible, which is nice for warranty purposes. Faster than using Firewire 400, or USB 2.0 - this mod transforms the onboard SATA controller into an eSATA port which communicates directly to the external drive. Making for easy future upgrades, great performance and fast.
Anthony writes, "My inspiration for this project came from the Fifth Avenue Apple Store and the recently released black Macbook. I wanted to recreate the G4 Cube as if Apple had never discontinued it and make it into a true media center. I did not want to simply put the "guts" of an Intel Mac mini inside and "dress it up", but to refresh the Cube and create something that could stand out. Here are my confessions of the project, enjoy...
Mac Mini installed in a Macintosh Plus, case painted black, floppy slot altered for CD/DVD, much better use for this lovable little machine than putting fish in it.
Jukebox made from Classic and Mac Mini. James Colby says, "I got a nice Classic off Ebay, bought a new Mini, LCD display and PSU. Got some sheet steel and Aluminum from Home Depot and knocked it together in my New York apartment kitchen. Cutting the front off a cathode ray tube is an interesting project - as was the angle grinder work needed to make the inlay air rams."
This is what Geekman had to say about his project: "I was interested in moving another server to Mac OS X Server because of the ease of setting up services and remote management. Unfortunately, XServes are expensive, and we have a limited budget. It's easy to use a vintage Mac tower as a server, but it would be difficult to fit inside the cabinet. Alternatively, if it sits outside the server cabinet and adds to the general office noise, then the fancy server cabinet is going to waste. G4 Tower to ATX Rackmount Case
The author of the blog says, "When I first got it I thought that it was a bit noisier than my old G4 533 Powermac, but until my girlfriends mother complained one night that it kept her awake all night, I didn’t really take much notice of it. After that though it started to drive me crazy & I started a long campaign to quieten the thing down." G4 MDD Cooling and Noise Reduction
The sheer number of things you can do on this box is amazing, if voiding the warranty makes you queasy then proceed with caution. |
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Add WiFi 802.11n Support to Your MacBook Core Duo Vintage Mac Centris as Mac Mini Drive Dock G4 Tower to ATX Rackmount Case G4 MDD Cooling and Noise Reduction Related Do-IT-101 Pages |
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