The latest mac build. A Mac Plus/Core 2/Color.

[nextse7en]

It took several weeks to source all the parts, but I think I've done it.

The hardest part was locating the 10" color crt capable of displaying 1024x768 that was short enough to fit in the case, I finally found one, so the mod is underway.

Specs.

Intel Atom core 2 running at 2 ghz.

2gb ram

300 gb 7200 rpm sata HDD

Intel GMA integrated graphics

integrated iphone dock

integrated USB breakout box (this rig will be used as an effect box for guitar performances)

integrated webcam/microphone.

CD/DVD RW slot loading.

functional auto eject floppy.

Every compact mac mod I've seen (with the exception of takky CC upgrades) has been pretty sloppy. Even if the mod doesn't effect the external asthetics of the mac, the inside is rife with velcro and cut corners. I know I'll never see the inside of this box, but it will make me feel better that everything looks integrated, like it came that way from the factory.

I chose the atom processor, (mini itx form factor) because I thought the beauty of these first macs was the lack of noise they made. This setup will allow me to run fanless.

For your eyes only spyshot below. Further updates as I make them.

 

[MacPlusOwner]

I hate to see a Mac turned into a PC (or are you putting OS X on it?), but I must admit, I find the idea of turning it into a guitar FX box very interesting! Good luck with the mod, I'll be watching this with interest!

It'll be interesting to see how you get the flat LCD monitor to mate to the curve of the Mac Plus' case. The most elaborate mod I've seen so far involved cutting the curved glass front off the CRT so that it could be left in the case and the flat LCD placed behind it. That must be a ton of work though. I take it that you're gonna run some kinda VST host or something on it?

 

[nextse7en]

The machine will never, ever see windows. Leopard it will be.

In response to your second question, I won't be using a flat panel, but a good old fashioned 10" color CRT that I ordered from japan. I'll be running Logic 8.

 

[MacPlusOwner]

Even nicer!

oops, I see you did mention that you were putting in a 10" CRT (didn't see that!) Nice touch having an auto-eject floppy drive in there too. Are you re-using the one from the Mac plus?

 

[benjgvps]

Do it right this time! Use an IO shield that isn't too ulgy (Spray paint it beige?) and don't do the "Shove extenders through the old ports" trick.

Can't wait to see how this turns out.

 

[Mac128]

I won't be using a flat panel, but a good old fashioned 10" color CRT that I ordered from japan.

Care to share the make and model number with us? I did not think it was possible to make the glass neck of a color CRT shorter than they are on every 10" I have seen in my own quest. How's the picture quality? I assume it is shadow mask, or is it aperture grille?

 

[Bunsen]

10" color CRT

Care to share the make and model number with us?

Triple pretty please? :b&w:

Am I mistaken, or have you already trimmed some plastic from the screen surround in the photo above? It looks as though you're preparing it to mount something flat. Is your CRT flat in two dimensions?

 

[nextse7en]

Here is the link to the monitor that will be serving as the donor for the CRT

http://www.vibrantepos.co.uk/products_crt_vs10s.php

(link dead - see archive copy)

It looks as if the monitor has a very similar curve profile to the existing crt. I have not trimmed from the front of the Plus, and hopefully won't have to.

-Patrick

 

[nextse7en]

Here are some rough measurements of the CRT, based on the manufactures provided dimensions for the exterior of the housing.

Depth isn't shown, but the documentations says that this monitor is only 200 cm deep. Thats only 7 7/8th inches!

 

[nextse7en]

Further building, the power supply arrived today, so this is what I've got so far.

First off, I wanted to utilize the Plus' original power switch, power outlet, and battery. I did this to allow the machine to look stock from the outside. (As I post further build steps it will become obvious how I will do this on the data ports at the bottom, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.)

Here is an angle that shows you how I've begun routing the wires running from the PS to the mainboard.

Here it is during test fitting; they fit exactly into the space provided, without a millimeter of wiggle room.

Next up will be drilling holes in the chassis to mount the motherboard permanently to. And building cages for the drives.

I'll post more as I get to it.

-Patrick

 

[Bolle]

what board is this?

the D945GCLF2 I guess? If so it will run OSX like a charm got one of those babies running as a server with Leo Server.

 

[Morrick]

Hats off to you, Patrick. This is amazing. Do keep us posted.

Cheers!

Rick

 

[nextse7en]

Beginning of 10.5.5 install.

 

[Bunsen]

Re: CRT. Are you in the UK? Or was that the only one you could find anywhere? Care to share the price?

 

[nextse7en]

Here is a link to a us ebay auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160316885018&ih=006&sspagename=STORE%3APROMOBOX%3ANEWLIST&category=116347&viewitem=&salenotsupported#LIST

 

[Mac128]

Here are some rough measurements of the CRT, based on the manufactures provided dimensions for the exterior of the housing.Depth isn't shown, but the documentations says that this monitor is only 200 cm deep. Thats only 7 7/8th inches!

I hope that it's not a typo. Vibrant appears to be a badged re-seller. Here's a link to the manufacturer's literature (archive copy), which TVS doesn't seem to make anymore. It sure looks like standard color CRT specs, though, with a 300mm depth. Let us know when you get the monitor. If so, the 24th Anniversary Macintosh grayscale monitor is not a bad way to go and it will definitely fit.

 

[metzen01]

Very exciting project you have there. Seems to be going smoothly! Do keep us posted and let us know of any roadbumps you have along the way.

 

[Bunsen]

documentations says that this monitor is only 200 cm deep.

I hope that it's not a typo. / link to the manufacturer's literature, which TVS / It sure looks like standard color CRT specs, though, with a 300mm depth.

First up, 200mm, not 200cm. 200cm is over six feet!

TVS's SVGA 9" greyscale caught my eye, so I checked out the specs on that one. Even that is 246mm deep. Can't get to a Compact right now - does anyone want to measure one/several and post the depth?

I did measure a CC, and at 320mm it should hold the above colour CRT comfortably

Here is a link to a us ebay auction.

Thanks, but I guess you didn't notice my location - it's under my avatar. At AU$300 (US$200) after shipping, I might as well pick up a local or Hong Kong LCD.

Still curious about what you're paying for yours.

 

[Mac128]

documentations says that this monitor is only 200 cm deep.

I hope that it's not a typo. / link to the manufacturer's literature, which TVS / It sure looks like standard color CRT specs, though, with a 300mm depth.

First up, 200mm, not 200cm. 200cm is over six feet!

TVS's SVGA 9" greyscale caught my eye, so I checked out the specs on that one. Even that is 246mm deep. Can't get to a Compact right now - does anyone want to measure one/several and post the depth? I did measure a CC, and at 320mm it should hold the above colour CRT comfortably

You see how easy it is to make a typo!

The Macintosh 128K through the SE/30 are all 9.6" wide by 10.9" (276.8mm) deep. The Classic & Classic 2 are 11.2" (284.5mm) deep, due solely to the radius curve in front. The Color Classic grows to 12.6" (320mm) deep. Of course the sole reason the CC is the longest compact is because it was designed to handle the additional depth required by color monitors. Complicating matters, is the fact that the B&W compacts don't actually have the full depth in which to fit the monitor thanks to their perpendicular back (the CC's back is parallel to the front angle giving it a uniform depth), resulting in a maximum depth of about 9.2" (235mm) where the top of the CRT neck connector would hit the rear case. Now granted, the manufacturer specs on those monitors are giving details of the case exterior, the grayscale of which probably has at least 1" (25mm) of padding, so the actual CRT would easily fit within the Mac space allotted. Apply the same ratio to the colour display, even if the padding is doubled, the CRT won't fit in the Mac Plus case by at least 25mm.