Hope this is the place for this.

I'm looking to combine the case and power supply of a dead powerbook 540c, plus a large case fan (I think its about 15cm across), to create a cooling system and stand for my 12" ibook which will make it easier to use on a desk with an external keyboard. I think it will require me to prop open the lid slightly and I'm not sure how I'm going to go about doing that.

If I'm feeling adventurous I might add a USB hub too.

Anyway, just looking for ideas on this...

can't really visualize where you are going with this. Sounds interesting though, I would def include a usb hub. Make sure to document and post as a guide if you decide to go through. Maybe a rough sketch of it would help, so people can provide some feedback.

Cheers.

Have you ever seen one of those podium coolpads(I think thats what they're called), or an iCurve? Those things seem like a cool idea but they're really expensive for what they are...

I thought I could make one by turning the case of an old powerbook around (hinge at the front), propping it open a little and placing my ibook on top.

I think it would be so much better tho if I could put this old fan I have lying around in the cavity left by the screen of the powerbook and drill some holes (or somehow else make a vent) in the top of the case to blow air on to the bottom of the ibook. The biggest problem with that is, how to cut a hole in the top case of a powerbook...

I think I could place a USB hub inside the guts of the old powerbook and build a new back cover where the SCSI and ADB etc ports were so I could have my external keyboard, joystick, camera etc. attached permanently, halving wear on the ibooks USB ports (plus adding a few more ports)

Anyway, sketches are coming when I figure out how to upload images

well I am working on a personal file management system for each user. Please bare with us until we get this put in place. At the moment you can only use url image insertion, meaning that it has to be posted somewhere else. If you really wanted, you could go to submit mod guide and upload an image there and get its url, copy and paste. But I realize that this is a bit of work.

As for the stand, I think that this might be alright. I see what you are talking about now. Turning it around backwards was the key. I don't think that cutting a hole would be that difficult and you could take a computer fan guard and put it on top to make it look nice.. The only thing that you are going to have to worry about is getting the laptop to sit on the other laptop evenly without being wobbly. You may also, have to put something on the back side to hold it open. The hinge won't support the weight of the laptop and your hands.

What laptop are you planning on using for this project? You could rig it up maybe so that you can use the usb ports in that laptop as the hub?

Cheers.

Was planning on using a Powerbook 540c as the stand, so no luck using on-board USB ports. Unfortunately it has all its ports on the back so the power supply would stick out the front after the mod...

I use an external keyboard (and the 540 is VERY solidly built so hopefully the hinge will cut it. I am currently using a powerbook 150 in a similar way with a stapler propping it open. Unfortunately it still goes so I can't use it for the mod

See what you mean about images, I might see if I can find somewhere to upload them...
In the meantime, if you're a spymac member, I think you can look at this pic which might give you a better idea of what I mean

http://www.spymac.com/gallery/show_photo.php?picid=202796

Post edited by: MarMightyGood, at: 2004/07/20 10:22

sorry, I boycotted that site. Don't like their idea of a community. But anyway. Don't know what else to tell ya about the stand. I think you have a pretty good idea about what you need to do. Looks are of my main concern. But I am sure you can make it look good. Await the finished product.

Cheers.

well, for a stand, i'd stay away from using an old laptop like that. i'd suggest going to the office supply store and pickup a clear acrylic stand. go to a computer store, pickup a variable speed 80mm fan. then take a drill and a saw to make a hole in part of the acrylic stand, so you can mount the fan to it. go to radio shack, pick up a nicer looking switch, and BLAM! you've got yourself an acrylic stand.

and if you want the ibook/ipod look, just paint the other side of the acrylic white. thats my suggestion.

total cost: <$15

I like that idea, although I probably wouldn't bother with painting it. If I used a clear fan it woulld definately look better than the old powerbook. Guess the only pproblem is finding a stand like the one you describe, I've not seen one for less than the iCurve,

iCurve

Post edited by: MarMightyGood, at: 2004/07/22 06:40

I agree with Whitlock, that is the approach that I would take on the matter. I would hit up the local harware store and find some cool stuff to make one out of. I think that some silver pipe with ruber feet with a piece of plexiglass mounted on top of the feet with a simple bolt and ruber stoppers over the top of that would look really cool. Just make sure that the front feet are slightly smaller than the rear and that you have to cut them at the right angle. but you can put a rubber divider/o-ring between the silver pipe and the plexiglass. Make sure that you go with a brush alluminum look if you can, or a polished solver look. I think that this I you can include the fan below this just as easily too. Thats my idea, if you are going to go away from the old powerbook for the stand.

Cheers.

PLUS

[img]http://store4.yimg.com/I/xoxide_1802_1919842[/img]

You may need 2 of the plastic sign holders to provide the right strength and just stack them. Also, notice the fan has a speed control which you can also attach to your stand. I think this is the best solution and its cheap. You will be able to set up this whole configuration for less than 15 bucks if you search in the right places.