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iMac G4 to Mac mini M1 mod project

g4lver said:
Thank you! I'm a little nervous to start since this is my first project ever. It seems like everything is relatively straight forward (i.e. no soldering). At least for now...! Do you think I will need to solder at some point?

I ordered the same screen package you did - I think I saw a comment you left! - and the HDMI cables from AliExpress. Excited to get them and dive in.

What kind of ports will you put in the back?

I'm thinking 3 USB 3.0s at the current USB locations, 2 USB-Cs at the current FireWire location, an Ethernet port at the same location, and an audio-in port at the same

I'm also wondering if we'll need to do anything for bluetooth or wifi reception. I'd love to have a bluetooth keyboard and mouse for this to give it a really clean look and to hide them when I just want the screen to be a display (e.g. digital picture frame).

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Soldering: The one part that I belive will be tricky to solve without soldering is connecting the original power button to the power button on the M1 Mini.

As for port setup, I was thinking the same as you mentioned, 3 USB + 2 USB-C + Ethernet. Have not made up my mind about audio port yet.

WiFi: I learnt in another thread that these WiFi antennas with IPX 1 connector can be used on M1 mini, have not bought these myself yet though.

As for Bluetooth, I hope that the signal will be strong enough to connect to keyboard/mouse without the need for extra antenna, but that remains to be seen.
 
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Ursus1968 said:
Soldering: The one part that I belive will be tricky to solve without soldering is connecting the original power button to the power button on the M1 Mini.

As for port setup, I was thinking the same as you mentioned, 3 USB + 2 USB-C + Ethernet. Have not made up my mind about audio port yet.

WiFi: I learnt in another thread that these WiFi antennas with IPX 1 connector can be used on M1 mini, have not bought these myself yet though.

As for Bluetooth, I hope that the signal will be strong enough to connect to keyboard/mouse without the need for extra antenna, but that remains to be seen.
Click to expand...
Hmm... interesting about the power button. Perhaps I'll be able to solder that with some help..

Good to know about the wifi antennas. I have not looked into this part yet. Thank you for the link!

I'm taking the project one step at a time (perhaps not a good idea) and look forward to seeing more of your progress
 
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Just stumbled upon this thread whilst trying to find information on something else about these machines. I have just yesterday turned a 17" iMac G4 into an external monitor using the original display so might be able to help with any questions around it.

I've found that it's posisble to re-tension the neck by using a long, thick screwdriver through the screw hole in the neck and using it to lever the spring back under tension. I tried to brute force it for a while before that with no luck, but the screwdriver technique was super easy.
 
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Nobatron said:
Just stumbled upon this thread whilst trying to find information on something else about these machines. I have just yesterday turned a 17" iMac G4 into an external monitor using the original display so might be able to help with any questions around it.

I've found that it's posisble to re-tension the neck by using a long, thick screwdriver through the screw hole in the neck and using it to lever the spring back under tension. I tried to brute force it for a while before that with no luck, but the screwdriver technique was super easy.
Click to expand...
Ok, that sounds like something I should try, but I am not sure which screw hole in the neck that you are referring to?
 
Ursus1968 said:
I am not sure which screw hole in the neck that you are referring to?
Click to expand...

The main two screws which hold the neck together.

th-602515518.jpg


When these screws are out there is a reasonabe sized hole which you can fit a screwdriver through, you should then be able to use that to leverage the spring back onto the part that they sit on when under tension.
 
I got inspired by the people who added the Mac mini m1 inside but I didn't want to mess with soldering and stuff so I got an iMac M1 visa and adapted it to the neck of the iMac G4. My base was too damaged so I added a speaker fabric around the base. the movements are a bit limited as the neck is from a 15" iMac but I managed to add some filler gouges to support the hight at a stable level.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1671184326011019264
 

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alexgillan said:
I got inspired by the people who added the Mac mini m1 inside but I didn't want to mess with soldering and stuff so I got an iMac M1 visa and adapted it to the neck of the iMac G4. My base was too damaged so I added a speaker fabric around the base. the movements are a bit limited as the neck is from a 15" iMac but I managed to add some filler gouges to support the hight at a stable level.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1671184326011019264
Click to expand...

This looks... interesting 🤔
Great it worked but I wouldn't go that way as the untouched exterior of the iMac G4 is as beautiful as is and it doesn't discover the sleeper but if you have an unused damaged base and a spare iMac M1 then why don't try it this way. I'd cover the cable somehow.
 
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