Has anyone thought of putting in new electronics in the Imacs?

[abdullutfi]

Whilst this has been done, all of them are band aid solutions. Taking an old G4 Imac, ripping out the aging electronics, getting say an M1-M3 mac mini, ripping off the logicboard and putting them back in together in a single package.

No. I'm look at the getting an SBC or Compute Module, having to design a custom breakout board to properly fit the internals whilst respecting the original internal designed layout.

It may not be able to run a version OSX or OS 9 depending on the chosen architecture. But that would breath new life not just software but hardware such that one can use it on modern OS, browsers and softwares.

This way of breathing new life - new custom internals like that of which was being done with the Thinkpad X61 whereby a person designed and built new internals based on 5th gen intel CPU giving rise to the "Thinkpad X62" - hasn't been seen proper. Or has it.

Perhaps I'm looking to start of with the Imac G5, given it's simpler internal design.

I'm looking at an initial run of a few MOQ in a batch - aka group buy - once I have done prototypes and test it out.
And then I'll leave it open source, whilst still selling them based on demand.

Will there be interest in this endeavour?

 

[swamprock]

The closest I've seen to something like this is to repurpose the iMac as a monitor, using the original power supply and connectors, and the Docklite G4 from Juicy Crumb. It's just a PCB that replaces the logic board but drives the monitor (via HDMI), USB, and audio (original Pro Speakers). Connect a PC or Mac up to it, and you're in business. There are videos from Luke Miani and Sean (Action Retro) that demonstrate this board on the 17" and 20" iMac G4s, with Sean putting his Mini inside the housing.

 

[abdullutfi]

I'm not impressed by those solution. They do not respect the design intent & philosophy of said products - merely band-aids and converting them to merely shells of their former self. I want respect given to not only the internals but also the fact that these products were meant to be used as it was first intended to be the day they were first shipped to customers.

If it is an Imac g4 or g5, the new electronics must be modern, respect the internal design and layout and not change the product's overall function. If it is an all-in-one computer, damn well it must be an all-in-one computer with the new electronics and not a 2nd screen.

I don't see the respect given to the macintosh SE & the Apple 2 given to the said products, amongst several other.

I'll take liberty in screen replacement/upgrade and the fact that perhaps the new electronics might be mediocre/lower end but capable to run modern tasks.

 

[GMShadow]

They do not respect the design intent & philosophy of said products - merely band-aids and converting them to merely shells of their former self.

I mean, that's kind of how I see replacing all the internals to run modern stuff on them. Your only objection seems to be aesthetics?

 

[abdullutfi]

No. Not aesthetics; Form & Function.

 

[CooperBox]

I'm not impressed by those solution. They do not respect the design intent & philosophy of said products - merely band-aids and converting them to merely shells of their former self. I want respect given to not only the internals but also the fact that these products were meant to be used as it was first intended to be the day they were first shipped to customers.

If it is an Imac g4 or g5, the new electronics must be modern, respect the internal design and layout and not change the product's overall function. If it is an all-in-one computer, damn well it must be an all-in-one computer with the new electronics and not a 2nd screen.

I don't see the respect given to the macintosh SE & the Apple 2 given to the said products, amongst several other.

I'll take liberty in screen replacement/upgrade and the fact that perhaps the new electronics might be mediocre/lower end but capable to run modern tasks.

I must highly disagree with some of your comments here, although admire your enthousiam for your planned endeavour.
You say you are not impressed by other solutions such as the Juicy Crumb G4 Docklite, a component which brings new life to these aging iMacs.
Having installed and used the Docklite, this Juicy Crumb solution is not just excellent, it's sheer brilliance!! And I hasten to add that I am in no way involved with the project team.
Other long-term users of this forum will know that there is no other iMac G4 user more dedicated to the refurbishment and tender loving care of these totally unique iMacs than myself. For a number of years I've lived and breathed iMac 'Sunflowers', and frequently given tips on refurbishment and enhancing their performance without reverting to 'butchery'. Although I would never dream of tearing a totally serviceable unit apart and rendering it virtually irreversible, I admire those who have succeeded in conversions with interior modern hardware.
Back to the the Juicy Crumb solution. What they've done is provided an answer to many iMac G4 user's dreams, namely allowing these to be connected to modern hardware whilst retaining the original unique exterior form factor. Imho this is certainly no simple band-aid solution, it's a well thought out change which respects the original 'Sunflower' design intent. The original logic board is easily removed, replaced by a brilliant new design which transforms the iMac into a monitor. And icing-on-the-cake, the original board can be easily replaced whenever desired, with no cutting or other butchery required. So the iMac retains it's original value, especially if it's a USB2 1.25GHz 17" or especially the far rarer 20" Imac6,3 model. With your own planned project on a 20" g4 iMac for example, would you be able to revert it back to original configuration and retain it's 300+ euros or dollars approx current value? I think not.
I intend to follow this up with another post with photos showing mine in daily use with a modern browser. It's now getting more use than my 27" iMac and my wife's Mac Mini M2Pro. In fact this post is coming to you from a 2003/2025 Juicy Crumb iMac G4 - by no means "a mere shell of it's former self."

 

[digitalrampage]

I must highly disagree with some of your comments here, although admire your enthousiam for your planned endeavour.
You say you are not impressed by other solutions such as the Juicy Crumb G4 Docklite, a component which brings new life to these aging iMacs.
Having installed and used the Docklite, this Juicy Crumb solution is not just excellent, it's sheer brilliance!! And I hasten to add that I am in no way involved with the project team.
Other long-term users of this forum will know that there is no other iMac G4 user more dedicated to the refurbishment and tender loving care of these totally unique iMacs than myself. For a number of years I've lived and breathed iMac 'Sunflowers', and frequently given tips on refurbishment and enhancing their performance without reverting to 'butchery'. Although I would never dream of tearing a totally serviceable unit apart and rendering it virtually irreversible, I admire those who have succeeded in conversions with interior modern hardware.
Back to the the Juicy Crumb solution. What they've done is provided an answer to many iMac G4 user's dreams, namely allowing these to be connected to modern hardware whilst retaining the original unique exterior form factor. Imho this is certainly no simple band-aid solution, it's a well thought out change which respects the original 'Sunflower' design intent. The original logic board is easily removed, replaced by a brilliant new design which transforms the iMac into a monitor. And icing-on-the-cake, the original board can be easily replaced whenever desired, with no cutting or other butchery required. So the iMac retains it's original value, especially if it's a USB2 1.25GHz 17" or especially the far rarer 20" Imac6,3 model. With your own planned project on a 20" g4 iMac for example, would you be able to revert it back to original configuration and retain it's 300+ euros or dollars approx current value? I think not.
I intend to follow this up with another post with photos showing mine in daily use with a modern browser. It's now getting more use than my 27" iMac and my wife's Mac Mini M2Pro. In fact this post is coming to you from a 2003/2025 Juicy Crumb iMac G4 - by no means "a mere shell of it's former self."

Thanks for your comments @CooperBox - Adrian here from the JuicyCrumb Team. We gets lots of feedback on these products - namely that we should build them around a new compute device for internal use.. Mac Mini's mainly!.

The issue with this is that form factors change all the time. During the design process the MacMini changed shape and electrical properties. Not only that, we dont want to make a bepsoke, bespoke, bespoke product that suits only one need - we have gone the process of making them a product that will work long into the future, no matter where the next technological steps take us.

Not only can you make your iMac G4 an M4 Mac, you can Make it an M1, or M3, or G3, or even a Quadra 840av really... Or maybe an M5?!. who knows, that's up to you and wherever the market takes us next!

We are designing the DockPro product as well - one benefit of this product is to allow internal mounting for some compute devices - however this has proved a challenge to get it right and to make the product something special!

And to say we dont repsect the philosphy is a bit harsh - This is our baby, we are all Apple-philes and the point is that it's completely reversible to keep the entire history alive. The last thing we would want is these machines being relegated to the ewaste pile - or being hacked apart to be made into cat beds or fishtanks ;-)

Cheers
Adrian

 

[Project Alice]

Not to thread jack. But, am I the only one who would absolutely love a juicycrumb like device for an eMac? The iMac G4 is cool and all, but the eMac has an absolutely gorgeous CRT, that if could be repurposed as a monitor, or an M4 mini fit inside it (especially since almost all of the 2004 eMacs have bad caps). That is something I would back 100%.

 

[digitalrampage]

Not to thread jack. But, am I the only one who would absolutely love a juicycrumb like device for an eMac? The iMac G4 is cool and all, but the eMac has an absolutely gorgeous CRT, that if could be repurposed as a monitor, or an M4 mini fit inside it (especially since almost all of the 2004 eMacs have bad caps). That is something I would back 100%.

It’s definitely not escaped our attention….

 

[CooperBox]

Not to thread jack. But, am I the only one who would absolutely love a juicycrumb like device for an eMac? The iMac G4 is cool and all, but the eMac has an absolutely gorgeous CRT, that if could be repurposed as a monitor, or an M4 mini fit inside it (especially since almost all of the 2004 eMacs have bad caps). That is something I would back 100%.

Interesting comment regarding the eMac, and agree that the display even today puts many cheap modern displays to shame. In my large collection of Macs I have one eMac and iMac G3's in most of the fruity colours including Dalmation and FlowerPower.
One drawback of the eMac today - at least from my perspective (as a near four-score senior) is it's weight of 23kg (50lb), the iMac G3's being approx 5kg (12lb) lighter. The eMac is also devoid of a handle which makes carrying more cumbersome. This is just one reason why I personally wouldn't consider a monitor conversion kit for either of these models, although no doubt it would appeal to many - bad caps notwithstanding......
Needless to say, when I purchased my eMac, iMac G3's and G4 20" iMac at different periods a number of years ago, I carried them home without any problem, and with a very contented smile on my face!

 

[digitalrampage]

Interesting comment regarding the eMac, and agree that the display even today puts many cheap modern displays to shame. In my large collection of Macs I have one eMac and iMac G3's in most of the fruity colours including Dalmation and FlowerPower.
One drawback of the eMac today - at least from my perspective (as a near four-score senior) is it's weight of 23kg (50lb), the iMac G3's being approx 5kg (12lb) lighter. The eMac is also devoid of a handle which makes carrying more cumbersome. This is just one reason why I personally wouldn't consider a monitor conversion kit for either of these models, although no doubt it would appeal to many - bad caps notwithstanding......
Needless to say, when I purchased my eMac, iMac G3's and G4 20" iMac at different periods a number of years ago, I carried them home without any problem, and with a very contented smile on my face!

That’s your opinion..
Meanwhile, I’ll choose the crushinator everytime