128k external monitor mod

[Bunsen]

Rather than indulging in thread necrophilia, and resurrecting any of the many previous conversations along these lines, I decided to start a new discussion here.

I just stumbled upon this excellent article on vintagemacworld, discussing the "UglyMac", one of many variant projects that re-house a compact Mac logic board into a smaller case, with an external monitor.

The inspiration for this hack may have come from the February 1988 issue of "Apple User" magazine. The article includes a schematic for a composite video adapter for the compact Mac and a description of how to modify a monochrome Apple IIgs display to work with such an adapter.

Article scan here and here provides a very clear description and schematic for an external video buffer and mods to the IIgs display.

The usual caveats ("No, this is not VGA", "No, you can't just plug any old monitor into it") apply.

I've also just read TomLee's superb Classic Mac repair notes (PDF) for the first time, and wonder why I haven't done so before. Well done, Tom.

Previously, on 68kMLA:

Mac Plus mystery port

Power R video adapter

Converting the video signal from a Mac Classic logic board?

Macintosh External Video Kit

 

[Scott Baret]

There used to actually be a solution for compact Macs from a company called Computer Friends (I believe) where an Apple IIGS monitor could be used externally. It was discussed in the second edition of the Macintosh Bible. I don't recall the specifics but if I dig out the second Mac Bible anytime soon I'll be sure to get some details.

 

[Mac128]

There used to actually be a solution for compact Macswhere an Apple IIGS monitor could be used externally. It was discussed in the second edition of the Macintosh Bible.

The MacLarger, made by Power R and required their adapter (discussed on other threads). It was a composite solution for the IIGS monitor. Nuvotech sold an Easy View which was harder to install but was a higher quality TTL video solution for any compatible monitor. Power R later sold a TTL adapter for any compatible monitor as well. Computer Friends evidently offered a color video card and external monitor for the Mac 512K and up.

 

[tomlee59]

I've also just read TomLee's superb Classic Mac repair notes (PDF) for the first time, and wonder why I haven't done so before. Well done, Tom.

Thanks for the kind words, Bunsen. I appreciate it greatly!

 

[Charlieman]

Article scan here and here provides a very clear description and schematic for an external video buffer and mods to the IIgs display.

If anyone needs higher res scans of the two pages, please feel free to PM me.