Mac Classic + Mac mini = classic mac awesomeness!

[stoid]

So I've got this scatter-brained idea that it would be really fun to try an put the guts of a mac mini into a Macintosh Classic. The Mac Mini is so small that the computer would easily fit into the area under the screen in the classic. You'd have to cut some new holes in the back and cut the disk slot wider to accommodate an optical disk instead of a 3.5" floppy. After that it would be a matter of getting the monitor rewired to work with the mini (is the monitor itself capable of color?). Then just use ADB-USB adapter so that you can use the old keyboard/mouse!

Mac OS X on a Mac classic screen, more useful if they go res independent in 10.5!

At the moment I don't even have the money to get an old Mac Classic, but I'm talking hypotheticals (unless someone want's to donate some money (PM me ).

Thoughts?

 

[GimmeSlack12]

I can't say you're the first one with this idea, but I hear ya, it would be rad to have a retro Mac Mini.

Check this out, its a Mac Mini/SE
http://www.byodkm.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/46/cat/502

EDIT:
This one is even better (same Mini/SE but slot load and Tray load CD-ROMs)
http://www.byodkm.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/41/cat/502

 

[stoid]

Of COURSE, I completely forgot about the SE/30 having a color screen! The color classic wouldn't work because of the controls on the front interfering with making an CD hole in the front.

Hmmm, upon researching the SE and SE/30 they are both listed to have 1-bit screens, but I distinctly remember sitting in a lab of Mac Classic IIs with a new SE sitting in the corner running the moire screensaver in color and being amazed! What is happening to all my great childhood memories?!?

 

[CanadaRAM]

Of COURSE, I completely forgot about the SE/30 having a color screen! The color classic wouldn't work because of the controls on the front interfering with making an CD hole in the front.

Hmmm, upon researching the SE and SE/30 they are both listed to have 1-bit screens, but I distinctly remember sitting in a lab of Mac Classic IIs with a new SE sitting in the corner running the moire screensaver in color and being amazed! What is happening to all my great childhood memories?!?

The SE/30 has a monochrome 9" screen. It's ROMs however are colour capable, so it can run an external colour monitor with a third party video card.
The Colour Classic was the only classic Mac with a colour screen.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

If you can, try to get a non-functioning or damaged Mac to use as your guinea pig, as opposed to chopping up a working one.

You'll need a new screen - a small LCD like those used by the guy in the links are the best way to go.

 

[the_ki]

Me, too.

I've been wanting to do this for a while, just can't afford it yet. (Hopefully I'll be able to get a G4 mini cheap when Intels come out.)

I'd like to put in a 3.5" hard drive:

http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/mini/

But I'm concerned on how to power it and make it all fit in the case. A standard PC power supply is just overkill to power one drive. Anyone have any thoughts?

I'd also like to relocate the power button:

http://linitx.com/product_info.php?name=Carnetix Mac Mini Power Button Kit&products_id=729

But I'd also like to have one power button for both the mini and the hard drive, since they'll need separate power sources.

Or I could just say screw it, try to be real stealthy and go with what this guy did:

http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/mac-itx/

While he put an x86 processor in a Mac case (who would think to do such an awful thing ), he used an actual 9" black-and-white VGA PC monitor to make it incredibly stealth. Do this with a Mac mini, and folks will wonder how I installed OS X on an SE!

But this is a great idea, and I'm surprised I haven't seen more on sites like Applefritter.

 

[native00]

Those retro Macs are friggin' excellent. How much money we talkin' about to put one of those together?

 

[billystlyes]

http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/430.html