Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Tablet mod: 12" Powerbook

WildPalms said:
Dude......just buy a ModBook and be done with it. Sheesh. What a waste of time.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook
Click to expand...
so sweet of you to say...lets see, have a fun learning experience and spend a few hundred bucks to mod something i already have, or learn nothing and spend 2grand on a professionally engineered product that has more than id ever want...


lilstewart said:
nice, mate. very, very nice.

i can't wait to see the end product.
Click to expand...

thanks for the encouragement!

timswim78 said:
Still, its many times better than the multiple-page thread about a guy who hung an iMac on his kitchen wall.
Click to expand...
i dunno, that could be a fun conversation :p

anywho, ive taken a video (with my iSight, so quality isnt great) of some the powerbook (which for now ill call powerslate) in a disassembled but functioning state. keep an eye on mechie.org for updates and videos.
 
szsiddiq said:
so sweet of you to say...lets see, have a fun learning experience and spend a few hundred bucks to mod something i already have, or learn nothing and spend 2grand on a professionally engineered product that has more than id ever want...
Click to expand...
When you get to the final stage, if you need a few recommendations for places to custom cut a bezel for the face of the tablet, post back here or PM. I've used a couple places for custom artwork installations and some glass/acrylic cutting that offer great service and the best prices.

Cheap enough for a starving artist years ago, cheap enough for a student today, right?
 
matticus008 said:
When you get to the final stage, if you need a few recommendations for places to custom cut a bezel for the face of the tablet, post back here or PM. I've used a couple places for custom artwork installations and some glass/acrylic cutting that offer great service and the best prices.

Cheap enough for a starving artist years ago, cheap enough for a student today, right?
Click to expand...

thanks a lot for the offer! i'm going to attempt to cut the lid to use as the top bezel. i'll be cutting with a dremel, sometime over the next week. we'll see how that works, if it doesnt, you can expect a PM :)
 
PowerSlate: 12" PowerBook Tablet Mod

I've had a thread about this in the Mac Basics section, and realize that thats probably the wrong section for it, so if the mods don't mind, I'll open up this thread...
Anyways, I'm in the middle of modding my 12" PowerBook in to a touch screen tablet (with the working title: PowerSlate).
I'll be keeping updates (comments, pics and videos) on my site: mechie.org
feel free to leave comments and suggestions here or on the site.

thanks for reading!

[Moderator note: threads merged and put in the MacBook (portable Mac) forum]

My note: thanks so much mods!
 
Just a quick update (you can find the same updates at mechie.org):
So I’m in the process of teaching my self how to use a dremel, and practicing my soldering skills.
Here’s a few updates to the plans:
1.) The optical drive will be knocked out
2.) USB ports will be added
3.) A larger fan will be added
4.) Most Important: I’ve discovered that tapping the screen wakes the powerbook from sleep. This is a nice feature, but can become a nuisance when you’ve got it in a bag, or accidently touch it. Solution: A hold button. I’ll do my best to mimic an iPod’s hold button.

That’s it for now!
 
What are you using for the touch sensitive overlay on the screen? You might have posted it but I don't have time to read over everything.

Thanks
 
Collin973 said:
What are you using for the touch sensitive overlay on the screen? You might have posted it but I don't have time to read over everything.

Thanks
Click to expand...

sure, its made by a company called keytec. their site is at magictouch.com.
there are a bunch of little companies that make them, but this was the most reliable and responsive one I found. Another company to look at may be TrollTouch
 
MacMod Series

The good folks at MacMod.com have asked me to do a 5-6 part mini series (Modcasts as they call em) on the happenings of my mod. They'll begin publishing it as the mod is done.
I'll be sure to let everyone know once details are up there.
I'll keep updating my own site with progress as it comes.
 
Just a teaser update. The Slate is officially only 1.125" thick. The powerbook was originally 1.19" thick :)

I'll let you know when to expect the MacMod series to begin when I find out.
Until then keep an eye on Mechie.org or the thread in my sig for updates on my side project, the PowerTV.

Cheers.
 
Just an update to show that I'm still alive:

I've been swamped with my course load and some other matters, so progress has been slow. But, all the internal wiring and soldering is now done with. there is a usb hub soldered to one of the existing usb ports (there will be a total of 3 functioning USB ports available when the mod is done. the touch screen driver board cable is soldered directly to the USB hub. the other end of the driver board that connects to the touch screen has been soldered to a switch (making a hold switch for the touch screen).

The frame for the touch screen has been cut and the touch screen install. All the configurations for the internals have been worked out, and it is now just a matter of assembling each layer.

More soon!
 
I know I would never use something like this, but it should be amazing just on principle. Not to mention it is awesome that you are modding it yourself, not by giving it 10 million fans and a whole lot of neon lighting, but by turning it into something that ever true mac nerd really wants.

I can't wait to see the final product!
 
Felldownthewell said:
I know I would never use something like this, but it should be amazing just on principle. Not to mention it is awesome that you are modding it yourself, not by giving it 10 million fans and a whole lot of neon lighting, but by turning it into something that ever true mac nerd really wants.

I can't wait to see the final product!
Click to expand...

thanks again :)
 
This sounds like a really cool project, you must be quite a handy man to do this yourself. Very impressive so faar. Cant wait to see pics of the end product.

Good Job, Good Luck, Good Lad :D :apple:
 
MiniMan. said:
This sounds like a really cool project, you must be quite a handy man to do this yourself. Very impressive so faar. Cant wait to see pics of the end product.

Good Job, Good Luck, Good Lad :D :apple:
Click to expand...

lol, handy man? this is my first attempt at a mod, and over that, my first attempt at using a dremel or a soldering iron.

Thanks though!
 
I'm pretty curious to see how this turns out. I hope you're taking lots of notes and photos along the way to explain how it all works in the end, and so others can try it too!
 
livingfortoday said:
I'm pretty curious to see how this turns out. I hope you're taking lots of notes and photos along the way to explain how it all works in the end, and so others can try it too!
Click to expand...

I'm recording as much of the work as I can for MacMod.com, and they'll be turning it into a mini series. :)
 
Updates: The good and the bad

Progress:
Almost complete. All the necessary parts have been crafted, and it's almost ready for reassembly. After I'm certain that it's able to assemble right, I'll disassemble, paint, and done! I'm looking for it to be done by May 12.

A bit of bad news. I originally thought I'd be able to get the thickness down to 1.12", but unfortunately, the battery just doesn't allow for this. So on the top end it will be slightly thicker, 1.19" (the original thickness of the powerbook). There will be a slight slant down to the bottom end of the tablet where the thickness will be closer to 1.12".

Not a huge difference, but irritating none the less.

Thanks for reading!
 
I wonder if a slight wedge shape would have worked for that. Like, thin on one end, thicker on the battery end. That way it could sit at an angle on a table to be used while sitting down, too.

I dunno, just thinking out loud. I'm excited to see the final result!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back