Upside down Mini?

[8thMan]

Would a Mac Mini operate upside down? I'm planning to install one in an old Macintosh SE, and the optical drive slot lines up nicely with the SE floppy drive slot, but only in the upside down position. Would such an orientation interfere with the operation of either the optical or hard drive?

 

[robbieduncan]

The hard drive will certainly be fine. Note sure about the Optical one though. I assume you are going to take the Mini guts out if it's own case? If so just mount the drives the other way up!

If you are leaving the Mini in it's case I'd not recommend running it upside down as it's cooling system is designed to run the way round it is: it sucks cold air in the bottom. It might be OK upside down, but maybe not...

 

[Detlev_73]

Would a Mac Mini operate upside down? I'm planning to install one in an old Macintosh SE, and the optical drive slot lines up nicely with the SE floppy drive slot, but only in the upside down position. Would such an orientation interfere with the operation of either the optical or hard drive?

What a cool project! Are you going to use the SE's monitor as the Mini's display? My first Mac back in 1989 was a Mac Plus, and I loved it!

Good luck!

 

[srf4real]

Would a Mac Mini operate upside down?

I don't think it should matter, since heat is not much of an issue with my mini...
One of our members from Australia would probably know the answer to your question.

 

[8thMan]

What a cool project! Are you going to use the SE's monitor as the Mini's display?

The orginal 9" screen is not compatible. Fortunately there are lots of 9" monochrome VGA CRTs that should work. I considered a color LCD screen but decided to maintain the original monochrome look.

 

[mrgreen4242]

The orginal 9" screen is not compatible. Fortunately there are lots of 9" monochrome VGA CRTs that should work. I considered a color LCD screen but decided to maintain the original monochrome look.

But why? I mean, it's cool and all, but it seems like a waste to put upgrade the "guts" of the Mac but leave the display monochrome. I'd think that a nice 9" color LCD wouldn't detract from the look, and just give you that hint there's something special inside the case...

 

[Eidorian]

Just don't roll the mini while your accessing an optical disc and you'll be fine.

 

[8thMan]

But why? I mean, it's cool and all, but it seems like a waste to put upgrade the "guts" of the Mac but leave the display monochrome. I'd think that a nice 9" color LCD wouldn't detract from the look, and just give you that hint there's something special inside the case...

I see your point. I actually prefer the simplicity of a monochrome screen, and have always lamented the passing of the old Macintosh Box design into obsolescence. But this is only a matter of taste; I'm sure that many like yourself would go color, and for good reason.

 

[deanops]

One of our members from Australia would probably know the answer to your question.

What a funny!!! You're a smart arse mate!!!

 

[k2k koos]

Mac Mini & SE

I think this actually may have been done already...

In fact , here it is:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/pcs/vintage-mac-mini-mod-153321.php:apple:

And here are the full instructions, in japanese, and english

http://www.kaede.sakura.ne.jp/~kidou/mac/macmini01.html

 

[8thMan]

I think this actually may have been done already...

In fact , here it is:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/pcs/vintage-mac-mini-mod-153321.php:apple:

And here are the full instructions, in japanese, and english

http://www.kaede.sakura.ne.jp/~kidou/mac/macmini01.html

That's right, in fact that's what kindled my imagination in the first place. But in the remods posted above, the optical drive has been slotted above the original floppy drive slot. In order to make use of the original slot, you have to cut away sections of the internal frame and cobble up some secondary bracing. It seemed easier to me to simply invert the Mini, thereby placing the optical drive in a position that will fit.

What's also nice about this set-up is that every few years I can change out the Mini and replace it as it becomes obsolete, assuming of course that the basic form remains the same.

 

[k2k koos]

That's right, in fact that's what kindled my imagination in the first place. But in the remods posted above, the optical drive has been slotted above the original floppy drive slot. In order to make use of the original slot, you have to cut away sections of the internal frame and cobble up some secondary bracing. It seemed easier to me to simply invert the Mini, thereby placing the optical drive in a position that will fit.

What's also nice about this set-up is that every few years I can change out the Mini and replace it as it becomes obsolete, assuming of course that the basic form remains the same.

Obsolete? A mac doesn't become obsolete that fast
Seriously, I get what you mean, a newer higher spec'ed model every couple of years would be great. I like the mini format. It's a great little machine, I own a first gen 1.25Ghz mini, and it performs flawlessly day in day out.

Apple could even trendy the thing, give it a build in iPod dock, and release it in the same colors as the shuffle to match it for instance

 

[Eidorian]

I think this actually may have been done already...

In fact , here it is:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/pcs/vintage-mac-mini-mod-153321.php:apple:

And here are the full instructions, in japanese, and english

http://www.kaede.sakura.ne.jp/~kidou/mac/macmini01.html

This isn't the first Classic Japanese hack. Check out "Cult of Mac" for some more.

 

[dmw007]

Would a Mac Mini operate upside down?

I would most certainly imagine so.

 

[jsw]

If you are leaving the Mini in it's case I'd not recommend running it upside down as it's cooling system is designed to run the way round it is: it sucks cold air in the bottom. It might be OK upside down, but maybe not...

I agree with robbieduncan - you're probably not doing the lifetime of the mini any favors by operating it upside down.

The optical should be fine - I just held my MBP upside down, and it played a DVD, so I'm guessing the mini's would work as well.

 

[sparkyms]

one on another macintosh, not an SE but i thought this one looked rather cool aswell:
http://www.destruc.tv/minitosh.php

 

[MacBass]

That's right, in fact that's what kindled my imagination in the first place. But in the remods posted above, the optical drive has been slotted above the original floppy drive slot. In order to make use of the original slot, you have to cut away sections of the internal frame and cobble up some secondary bracing. It seemed easier to me to simply invert the Mini, thereby placing the optical drive in a position that will fit.

What's also nice about this set-up is that every few years I can change out the Mini and replace it as it becomes obsolete, assuming of course that the basic form remains the same.

The easiest solution isn't always the best. Keep the mini positioned the way it was designed to be positioned, otherwise you'll be replacing the mini more often than "every few years".