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Mac Pro...Mini?
Posted by Sean Fallon at 11:30 AM on March 14, 2008
The steampunk mac mini mod was great, but even it can't compare to the awesome powers of this Mac Mini Pro design by Hideo Takano. On the surface, he managed to hack a mini to look like a Mac Pro that measures only 3.28" wide by 7.8" tall by 6.5" deep. However, the upgrades don't stop there.
Takano also added a single USB port and a power button to the front as well as an enclosure that slides off to reveal the hard drive in all its glory. The good news is that there is a complete guide on how to build one yourself—but unless you are fluent in Japanese, you will probably need to rely on the pictures. [Mac Mod Lab via 123Macmini via Ars Technica]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Karl
Posted March 14, 2008 1:37 PM
Definitely needs an english translation...
Mooker
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
Cool, but I gotta say the steampunk one's a hell of a lot better. I guess I'm biased.
Mooker
diabolusunknown
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
I wish i had a Carbon Fiber desk.
I could care less about Apple, but they should really take this idea seriously. They could make a mid-range desktop version of their systems without subjecting people to using an un-upgradeable monitor.
diabolusunknown
chopstickhero
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
that is really cool. nice mod.
chopstickhero
frostoy
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
Wow. That's like mini-cool.
Do want.
frostoy
NcSchu
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
@Set to evil: indeed
NcSchu
Set to evil
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
aw it's so cute
Set to evil
lifix
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
@Gizmodo - You should probably make it clearer that the pictures you've posted are of two different mods. The third picture (MacProMini2) is of a previous mod, and resembles, but is very distinct from the mod you list specs for / talk about in the blog entry. (Though the lack of the power button and usb port on the front should tip off the astute reader.)
lifix
chillywilly
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
This mod kicks ass. I think there's a lot of us that would love to see a Mac Pro Mini.... officially from Apple.
Until then, this mod takes top prize.
chillywilly
discounteggroll
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
too bad the only Japanese I learned from my dad were swear words. Thanks dad...
This is really creative however. At first glance I figured "it's got bark, but no bite". Then I realized it's not much bigger than the original Mini footprint, replaces the skimpy 2.5" laptop SATA drive with a manly 3.5" (up to 1TB) desktop drive, and scores with a power button and extra USB port up front to boot.
if I added to this, I would definitely throw in another firewire 400 (or possibly 800 port), and possibly mod it to fit another 3.5" for RAID or scratch drive capability. Maybe even slap an AEBS or Apple TV inside for ultimate domination. Now I'm just getting ahead of myself...it's still a Mini at heart.
If anyone can get further info (even in Engrish) on where to obtain the modded/case, it would be greatly appreciated.
discounteggroll
Earthslide
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
If it came with an updated graphic card = $$$
Earthslide
x23
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
doesn't seem to be mentioned... but it looks like it was converted to use 3.5" drives instead of the standard 2.5" laptop drives the Mini normally uses.
i agree with the idea of the Mac Pro Mini... just a slightly upgraded Mini like this one would be nice. i'd like a single PCI-X slot as well... or maybe even ExpressCard... but dreams like that are just silly talk.
in addition to the front-mounted USB & power... headphone might be nice up front as well. maybe living with USB under a Air-esque flippy door.
x23
gamecrazychris
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
He should totally sell those, I would seriously consider buying one.
gamecrazychris
Substance_D
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
this is what the mac mine should have been. Or they could add this as a separate product like a mac pro mini that had more performane like a shuttlepc.
Substance_D
Bani-Banan
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
That's some serious shit :)
Bani-Banan
Balance_In_Life (PSN)
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
Heh, the Mac Mini is one of the coolest PCs to mod IMHO. This is proof of this.
Balance_In_Life (PSN)
EBone
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
Apple should buy the design from him and make it a BTO for the Mac Mini.
EBone
LoneLatinLord
Posted 1:03 PM 14/3/08
Okay, not particularly an Apple fan but THIS is WICKED!!
LoneLatinLord
elislider
Posted 3:23 PM 14/3/08
i'll give props on this one, thats actually pretty damn cool
elislider
poisonfist
Posted 3:23 PM 14/3/08
@Mooker:
The steampunk mod was far more sophisticated with all the machining involved for the monitor and the keyboard that was almost completely made from scratch, there is no comparison. It is unfortunate that this modder chose to use plastic (as his last mac mini mod was too) instead of aluminum which is not that hard to work with. His attention to detail is excellent but I cannot take a metalic painted plastic case all that seriously.
poisonfist
videoCWK
Posted 3:23 PM 14/3/08
That's pretty awesome. I want one
videoCWK
superjanna
Posted 3:23 PM 14/3/08
It's so adowwwwable.
I'm such a girl.
superjanna
VNSROCK
Posted 3:23 PM 14/3/08
Add the PCIe slot Apple, and I'm all over it. "Build it and they will come"!
VNSROCK
DearEditor
Posted 5:06 PM 14/3/08
It kinda looks like a Lego-MacPro, which I now want.
DearEditor
froggiestone
Posted 6:49 PM 14/3/08
apple should makes this baby, i love it, and would most likely buy it in a heartbeat :)
froggiestone
camo_r
Posted 8:40 PM 14/3/08
Pretty awesome and quite frankly a well thought out mod, added functionality and not just for the looks.
Dell or HP should hire this guy.
Cupertino take notice.
camo_r
jaimieh
Posted 10:13 PM 14/3/08
The form factor is cool - put a faster system in there (better than an iMac, not as OTT as a Pro) and I would buy one tomorrow. Mind you, I would buy an aluminium Intel Cube update even faster!
jaimieh
Bodypainter
Posted 11:57 PM 14/3/08
that is a MAC MINI MAXI
Bodypainter
Ben Zvan
Posted 2:44 AM 15/3/08
Looks a whole lot like this g4 cube mod including carbon fiber used in the shots. Same guy?
Ben Zvan
maxcalvino
Posted 2:44 AM 15/3/08
I want one :)
maxcalvino
Jimbuck
Posted 4:58 AM 15/3/08
Great Mod! I love the thoughtful consideration of the current apple aesthetic....even going as far as to laser etch the apple logo! Saaaweet! They really need to boost the mac mini line....I would love to have one but they are so whimpy....*Grabs steeltoe boots out of the closet and cue's up some Pantera...*
Jimbuck
uberfu
Posted 4:58 AM 15/3/08
@discounteggroll: I'd add in a Wireless-N option - maybe pull from a MBP or MBA_
uberfu
Out2gtcha
Posted 4:58 AM 15/3/08
@Earthslide:
Then it wouldnt be an apple.
Out2gtcha
pellier
Posted 9:44 AM 22/3/08
Don't try to convert this in Word. The sentances don't make sense
pellier
jblade2
Posted 9:44 AM 22/3/08
One of Steve Jobs' assistants just informed me this is how the new Mac MiniPro will look, except it will be in black.
jblade2
jblade2
Posted 9:44 AM 22/3/08
This mod is so good that Apple should take notes.
jblade2