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Posts Tagged ‘Hardware Hacks’

Combination Mac mini, coffeemaker and subwoofer stuck in an iMac

Filed under: Hardware, Hacks, Odds and ends, iMac, Mods

Have you ever wondered why the coffeemaker in your kitchen doesn’t have a subwoofer attached to it? Us too! And if you’re going to put a sub on there, you might as well include a Mac mini, right? And when you really think about it, isn’t the only case worthy of holding all that stuff an iMac DV? It just makes sense.

That’s why, we’re guessing, tinkerer Klaus Diebel put together this incredibly useful device that will make your coffee, play some thumping tunes, and do your computing tasks as well. He tells us it was something like that — he really enjoyed the look of the gumdrop iMac, and has experimented with it a few times, creating both a mailbox and a birdhouse from the computer’s case. And this one just sort of snowballed — when he found that the Mac mini’s optical drive slot fit perfectly with the iMac’s slot, without any alterations at all, it had to happen.

And we’re glad it did. The iMac is an exceptional little computer with a very distinctive form factor — if you have to put a coffeemaker in the thing just to keep it on your desk, so be it!

TUAWCombination Mac mini, coffeemaker and subwoofer stuck in an iMac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside the new 27-inch iMac

Filed under: Hardware, Hacks, iMac

You know by now that once Apple announces a new piece of hardware, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets their hands on one only to rip it up and tear every little piece out to see what’s in there. And that’s exactly what iFixit did with the brand new iMac — most of us would kill to get one and keep it, and they got one and killed it. But at least we can learn from their destruction: the LCD panel is the same resolution as the 30″ Cinema display, and the screen itself weighs 11 lbs. The hard drive sits right in the center of the machine, right behind the screen. And there’s probably more heat dissipation methods in there than you’d expect: six temp sensors, three fans, two heat sinks, and even a partridge in a pear tree. We’re not sure how that last one helps.

Overall, it’s a beauty. And the last twist is probably the most interesting — other than showing off your Mac-itude and lighting the area behind your screen, the Apple logo is apparently wrapped with an Airport antenna. Because the whole thing is encased in aluminum, that’s the only place to get a signal, and so that’s where they stuck it. Now when people complain that you’re just being trendy by showing off the Apple logo, you can tell them you’re actually just trying to help out the wifi reception.

[via Engadget]

TUAWInside the new 27-inch iMac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP Go scores its first mod job, a handful of white LEDs find a new purpose in life

Who knows what it is about the PSP that engenders such a loyal following of hackers — both on the hardware and software side. Some of the hardware hacks we’ve seen are no doubt more impressive than others, but they’re all united in a common disregard for warranties and for the most part a deep affection for LEDs. The first PSP Go mod we’ve seen, done up by roro3030 over at AcidMods, keeps things simple with some strategic, tasteful white LED placement. It’s all internally powered and pretty seamless, and provides a nice jumping off point for a community that will be no-doubt eager to consume the PSP Go as a new challenge — even if the rest of us are busy making frowny faces at that endlessly derided price tag. Video of the lit-up Go is after the break.

Continue reading PSP Go scores its first mod job, a handful of white LEDs find a new purpose in life

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

PSP Go scores its first mod job, a handful of white LEDs find a new purpose in life originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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