GnatGoSplat
Well-known member
My Mac Classic has a bad logic board so I've decided to use it for a Mini-ITX case mod. I have 2 ideas on how to approach this, but I can't decide whether I should focus on easier future upgrades, or reversibility:
I guess it's not really a big deal either way. The visible VGA cable if I go with easier future upgrades won't normally be visible as its back will be towards a wall and there will be other cables plugged into it anyway. It's also not like reversibility is that important since it looks like the B&W Mac Classic has gone back down to a going rates of <$50 for a complete working machine (like it was before Steve Job's death after having temporarily surged right after) and was made in enough numbers that I doubt it will ever be super rare. I just need a little help with my indecisiveness.
- Easier future upgrades - I would build a Mini ITX bracket to fit the ITX board into the same location as the original logic board. I would then attempt to cut a very precise hole in the back of the case to snap the board's I/O shield into. Stock cooling duct and fan would need to be removed. VGA cable for the monitor will need to be brought outside via another hole to be plugged into the back of the motherboard and would be visible.
Pros: Easy to upgrade to a newer motherboard, just swap board, swap I/O shield (motherboard upgrades probably will happen every 1-2 yrs). Cheaper because I won't need to buy port extension cables or buy the connectors to make them.
Cons: Not reversible, so if Mac Classic parts ever skyrocket in value, can't make a fortune selling it! Less neat due to visible VGA cable. Neatness of hole cut for I/O shield critical for aesthetics.
- Reversible - Mini ITX motherboard would be installed deeper into the case, probably vertically where the analog board currently resides. I would need to buy/make short extender cables for the rear ports I'm going to use and build a bracket to where they will align with existing port holes. Stock cooling duct and fan can be left in place.
Pros: No mods to case or metal chassis, so can be reversed or rebuilt into a working Classic if Mac Classics or their parts ever worth a fortune. Cleaner rear appearance due to no visible motherboard-to-monitor VGA cable coming out of the case.
Cons: More expensive, need to buy/build extension cables for every port I want to use. Will need to buy/build new ones for upgrades to standards (i.e. USB 2.0->USB 3.0->USB 4.0, etc).
I guess it's not really a big deal either way. The visible VGA cable if I go with easier future upgrades won't normally be visible as its back will be towards a wall and there will be other cables plugged into it anyway. It's also not like reversibility is that important since it looks like the B&W Mac Classic has gone back down to a going rates of <$50 for a complete working machine (like it was before Steve Job's death after having temporarily surged right after) and was made in enough numbers that I doubt it will ever be super rare. I just need a little help with my indecisiveness.