Project: An Updated (Mac) Classic
Introduction:
This is a casemod based on my first computer ever. The first computer I ever owned was this Macintosh Classic which was given to me by a neighbor. This was back in the late 1990s, most of my early computers were Macintosh machines from this era but this was the first. As such this is a special machine to me. Unfortunately it appears it will no longer boot, and even if it did it is too outdated to be useful for anything more than a decoration. I have no intention of hanging onto useless computer and as such I am getting rid of my entire mac collection. however I cant just get rid of MY FIRST COMPUTER EVER. So I must mod this into something useful! The project begins...
My intent with this project is to install modern hardware into this case. The plan is to get a microITX motherboard and mod this into a microITX case. I want to be able to upgrade to a more powerful mainboard in the future if at all possible. Love em or hate em the compact mac cases are rather iconic of the "personal computer" as such I wish to leave this as original looking as possible. That means no paint jobs, no case windows, no lights, no front I/O ports at all. Other than a few minor things I cant get around I wish for this to look as original on the outside as possible. The only changes will be I intend on using a LCD rather than a CRT for the display so the display portion of the machine will be flat rather than the rounded CRT, not sure how that will look but I cant avoid it. I may look into placing the LCD behind a piece of curved glass if i can find something suitable. I also refuse to use floppy drives so i intend to slightly widen the floppy slot on the front and use a slot load optical drive instead. I also plan on using one of these adaptors (link) so that I may use the original keyboard and mouse with this updated classic. I also want to mod special cables and ports so I can keep the back of the case looking stock as well although I'll get more into the plans for that in a later update.
Now I figure anyone reading this has probably gotten bored and needs more pictures.
First the computer as it is right now, I have not done anything to it yet:
As I stated earlier I intend on using an orignal keyboard and mouse with this:
I have two styles of Apple mice the newer rounder version I have seen pictured more with classics but I always used the older squared one, I'll hang onto both and decide which to use later:
Also for those curious here is basically my entire collection of apple hardware from that era (if anyone wants anything from the pile let me know most of it is going to the electronics recycle pile at the local dump soon):
Summary for those who are lazy:
-This was my first computer ever
-I am updating it with modern interals based around a microITX board
-Will be keeping this as stock looking as possible on the outside
-Plan on using original peripherals via an adaptor