This Modded iMac G4 With an M1 Chip Is My Aspiration Computer system

Apple shook up its Mac lineup this week when it released the Mac Studio with its highly effective M1 Ultra and a companion observe, the Studio Screen. These are definitely intriguing products and solutions, but their minimalist layouts lack a selected panache that once existed in Apple gadgets.

So instead of plunking down lots of thousands of pounds on new tech, one particular modder selected in its place to take the physique of a substantially cooler Apple system and enhance it with modern-day elements. DIYer connor55 resurrected an iMac G4 all-in-just one pc by replacing its getting old heart with an M1 motherboard identified in the Mac mini.

The aim was to swap out the aged elements with the new types with out compromising the iMac G4’s unique structure. In the close, it was a accomplishment. When the project was concluded, the ultimate products was a powerful all-in-one particular Personal computer with a funky classic aesthetic.

The authentic iMac G4, introduced in January 2002, was powered by a PowerPC chip and could be equipped with up to 256MB of SDRAM and up to 80GB of storage. It grew to become a beloved icon of retro-tech, and for superior motive: it seems to be futuristic, the shape is delightfully awkward, and the stainless metal arm was downright revolutionary.

This establish (with large-res images) was posted to the MacRumors discussion board for those who want the action-by-stage system. The limited version is that connor55 hollowed out the iMac G4 and match a Mac mini motherboard into the base. This is doable mainly because that a person component is more compact than the G4’s hard generate alone. The motherboard includes an M1 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD–everything you require to run modern apps.

Exceptionally, the primary electrical power button and disc travel are functional, and the inventory 1024×768-pixel screen operates fine (while Connor55 is considering an upgrade in the long term). Much better nevertheless, the FireWire 400 and VGA ports ended up swapped for contemporary ones–USB-C, HDMI, 3 USB-A ports, an SD card reader, an Ethernet jack, and a headphone jack–and Bluetooth and wifi can be applied to link to the world-wide-web or wi-fi equipment.

“The 3 antennas from the M1 Mac Mini have been chopped down to just the true antennas. I positioned them all appropriate upcoming to the vents at the leading of the base,” Connor55 wrote on the forum. “The Wi-Fi sign is meh, so I have a assortment extender suitable by it, and I can get over 100Mbps continue to. The Bluetooth only operates proper subsequent to the dome, so [it’s] borderline useless.” He afterwards clarifies that the Bluetooth is “good more than enough to use a keyboard and a mouse.”

This is not the 1st time the iMac G4 has been on the donor listing for a heart transplant. Late last calendar year, colbyjohn94 posted a related creation to Twitter and the MacRumors message boards. If only Apple could bring again this design and style so we could all use a desktop that resembles the Pixar Luxo lamp.