• AppleCentral Network:
  • Tech Support
  • |
  • Open Source
  • |
  • Apple News
  • |
  • Register Domains
  • |
  • SSL Certificates
  • |
  • iPod Deals
  • |
  • Mac Deals
  • |
  • Mac Book Shelf
  • AppleCentral Home
  • MacTech Magazine
    • About MacTech in Print
    • Issue Table of Contents
    • Subscribe
    • Risk Free Sample
    • Back Issues
    • MacTech DVD
    • MacTech Archives
    • MacTech Print Archives
    • MacMod
    • MacTutor
    • FrameWorks
    • develop
  • MacNews.com
    • MacNews News
    • Blog
    • MacTech Reviews and KoolTools
    • Whitepapers, Screencasts, Videos and Books
    • News Scanner
    • Rumors Scanner
    • Documentation Scanner
  • Apple Expo
    • by Category
    • by Company
    • by Product
  • MacForge.net
  • Job Board
  • Advertising
    • Benefits of MacTech
    • Mechanicals and Submission
    • Dates and Deadlines
    • Submit Apple Expo Entry
  • User
    • Register for Ongoing Raffles
    • Register new user
    • Edit User Settings
    • Logout
  • Contact
    • Customer Service
    • Webmaster Feedback
    • Submit News or PR
    • Suggest an article
  • Connect Tools
    • MacTech Live Podcast
    • RSS Feeds
    • Twitter
You are not logged in. [Log In] AppleCentral » Forums » Mods and Hacks » Laptop Mods » Misc. Mods » Looking for help on laptop mod.
Register User    Forum List        Active Topics    FAQ
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >
Topic Options
Hop to:
#456353 - 09/16/04 05:39 AM Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
TJH Offline


Registered: 09/15/04
Posts: 62
I am new to the mod world and haven't done anything significant yet, but have an idea in mind and am looking for some help. My idea is that I'd like to create a clear plastic case with three sides each showing a different picture, and the back for all the ports and wires needed. I was thinking that I would use some old powerbooks, maybe something like a 540c, with active maxtrix and 1000's of colors(16bit) each running one of the three displays. My major hesistation here is that there would be a ton of wires running out the back, 3 power cords minimum plus any keyboards and ethernet wires. Any feedback is much appreciated. Is there anything that would run three displays each seperately? Thanks in advance.

Top
#456354 - 09/16/04 11:41 AM Re:Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
whitlock Offline

Moderator Emeritus

Registered: 06/07/04
Posts: 1266
Loc: Stoughton, WI USA
Oooh...I think you will have to suffer mulitple cords. I hope someone has an idea, but I'm picturing a case with an LCD on each side. If you want it to show something different on each screen, while having your own display, you could mount a logic board from an older powerbook and split the connection from there. on the board, give it a small hdd and have a custom resolution to have whatever x whatever(3). So the mini mac inside the mac will have a long display, each lcd only showing part of it. I may be guessing wrong. Correct me if I am.
_________________________
MacBook 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 2GB DDR2 RAM & 120GB SATA 5400RPM HDD
Canon Rebel XTI
Google Cr-48 Beta Laptop

Top
#456355 - 09/16/04 10:41 PM Re:Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
oojacoboo Offline


Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 1468
So, you are looking to put 3 powerbooks inside a custom built case. From there have each computer display a different image on each LCD. Is this like a picture studio? Are you trying to use these systems for tasks? I love the idea, I really can't wait to see some work done on it, There is a mod that uses two computers in one case in the mod guides and there is a mod that uses arcrylic to build a custom case as well. With these two mods, you should have a starting point. Can't wait to see it.
_________________________
"Fix it 'til it Breaks."

Jacob - EiC & Director of Technology
Mac Pro Quad 2.66 - 4GB RAM
160 GB SATA RAID 1 - 650 GB Storage
Quad 19" Widescreen LCDs
Accessorized to the Hilt

Top
#456356 - 09/16/04 10:47 PM Re:Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
whitlock Offline

Moderator Emeritus

Registered: 06/07/04
Posts: 1266
Loc: Stoughton, WI USA
Ah yeah, was that the GadgetDon's?
_________________________
MacBook 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 2GB DDR2 RAM & 120GB SATA 5400RPM HDD
Canon Rebel XTI
Google Cr-48 Beta Laptop

Top
#456357 - 09/16/04 10:57 PM Re:Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
TJH Offline


Registered: 09/15/04
Posts: 62
Yes, the case idea came after seeing the "Apple iComponent- G3 Conversion" mod a few days ago. And I had been playing around with ways to display photographs, but the now hackneyed PB picture frame bored me, so I decided to modify the idea a bit. The purpose of it is just to display pictures, not trying to run any other programs; although depending on what room is left after everything I may turn it into an external firewire case or some network attached storage (just ideas as of this point). Can't wait to start on this project, although it may be a while. At the moment I am down two laptops to use, but hopefully I can find those soon. Any other input is much appreciated, thanks!

Top
#456358 - 09/16/04 11:18 PM Re:Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
whitlock Offline

Moderator Emeritus

Registered: 06/07/04
Posts: 1266
Loc: Stoughton, WI USA
An older repair store in your location may have a few old laptops that are just shelved in the back. You would be supprised how many times I used a 3400 as a glorified coffee mug coaster. Yup, used the LCD face too (I was sick person then).
_________________________
MacBook 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 2GB DDR2 RAM & 120GB SATA 5400RPM HDD
Canon Rebel XTI
Google Cr-48 Beta Laptop

Top
#456359 - 09/19/04 03:27 AM Re:Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
TJH Offline


Registered: 09/15/04
Posts: 62
First computer is coming in in a few days (3400c), which I will use as the front lcd since its 12.1 inches, still looking around for some other ones to use, have a 540c laying around but want both sides to match so I need another.

Regarding using the 540c, correct me if I'm wrong but the only way to power on is to use the keyboard right? I know I can use an ADB keyboard, but thats a hassle to have to plug in and out etc. Anyone know of how to rig it so I can use just a straight up power button, maybe even a single power button rigged to boot all three?

Also I've already checked the one apple repair store around here for more laptops, but they didn't have any. Anyone have an old one or two I could buy on the cheap off of you? or where to get some? Thanks.

Top
#456360 - 09/20/04 05:57 AM Re:Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
mark Offline


Registered: 05/30/04
Posts: 69
TJH wrote:
Quote:
I know I can use an ADB keyboard, but thats a hassle to have to plug in and out etc. Anyone know of how to rig it so I can use just a straight up power button, maybe even a single power button rigged to boot all three?


The ADB power button just connects two of the pins on the ADB connector. Connect Pin 2 (Power ON) and Pin 4 (Ground). Looking at the female port Pin 2 is bottom left, pin 4 is right above it. A SPST momentary on switch connected to these pins is simple and works perfectly fine, but getting it down to one switch would be harder, but doable.

For getting rid of multiple cables, maybe splice together the AC cables to they all use a single plug? Don't know how safe that would be but its simple to do. Depending on what powerbook combinations you end up with you might be able to find a power supply that provides all the voltages you need (and enough amperage) then make direct connections to the power boards in the laptops.

Top
#456361 - 09/20/04 12:55 PM Re:Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
KnifeLord Offline


Registered: 11/16/07
Posts: 303
Wait, I got confused... so are you saying you want to just use the screens? or are you hooking up the entire laptops... is it rectangular or triangular... if your just useing the screens, and its a rectangle, how about building a custom case for an older moddle comp (g4, g3) and hooking up the screens for three sides of the box... then it could function as a computer or just sit and be 3 pictures... I really am not sure what you are thinking about here. But from what i can tell, its quite extravagent... good luck w/ it!

-Knife

Top
#456362 - 09/20/04 11:06 PM Re:Looking for help on laptop mod. [Re: jimmie]
oojacoboo Offline


Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 1468
actually knifelord might be onto something. For the price that you are going to spend on 3 laptops to do this mod, correct me if I am wrong, could be achieved with a powermac and an additional graphics card or two. You could then figure out a way to get an application that would play on each screen. It would be like having 3 screens hooked to a mac in an array. Even better, if you put the lcds, that you can buy for next to nothing now, mounted in the same case that you are building for the computer there are some cool options. Knifelord said something about the shape of the box and that got me thinking.

If you have a hexagonal shaped box with the 3 screens on the front and lined up really close to each other, you could get an application to take your pictures and slide them across the displays like a old piece of film. So that the picture is slowly sliding from the lcd on the far right to the one of the far left or vice-versa. Plus, this would keep the amount of wires down, since they would be inside the case. You would really only need one power button and one power cord if you rigged up a power source. You could even mount a really cheap power backup inside of the case and power it using that, or just a surge protector.

Anyway, just ideas to keep you thinking. wink
_________________________
"Fix it 'til it Breaks."

Jacob - EiC & Director of Technology
Mac Pro Quad 2.66 - 4GB RAM
160 GB SATA RAID 1 - 650 GB Storage
Quad 19" Widescreen LCDs
Accessorized to the Hilt

Top
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >
Previous Topic
View All Topics Index
Next Topic

Tweet

Preview

Moderator:  Acumowchek 
Print Topic
Switch to Threaded Mode
Publications, Articles and Industry Discussion
   »MacTech/MacNews Article Discussions
   »Apple World
Marketplace
   »Deals and Special Offers
      »Expired Offers
   »Trading Warehouse
Mac
   »Hardware
   »Software
   »Servers, Security, and Networking
   »Programming, Web Dev & Scripting
   »Windows and Virtualization
   »Cloud and Online Services
Mobile Technologies
   »iPhone Apps, AppStore, and iTunes
   »iPad, iPhone, iPod and Apple TV Hardware
Mods and Hacks
   »General Mods
      »Techniques
      »Miscellaneous
      »Mod Logs
   »Laptop Mods
      »Case Mods
      »Hardware Mods
      »Misc. Mods
   »Desktop Mods
      »Case Mods
      »Hardware Mods
      »Misc. Mods
   »Peripheral Mods
      »iPod Mods
      »Misc Mods
   »Software Hacks & Mods
General Discussion
   »Site Feedback & Issues
   »Stan's Lounge
   »Soapbox
Now Software Support
   »Announcements
   »Now X
      »FAQs
      »Discussion
   »Now Up-to-Date & Contact
      »Community Help
      »Tips and tricks
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
Board Rules · Mark all read
Contact Us · AppleCentral · Top

MacTech Only Search:
Community Search:

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
  • SPREAD THE WORD:
  • Slashdot
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Newsvine
  • Generate a short URL for this page:



AppleCentral. www.applecentral.com
Main office: 805-494-9797
Xplain's use of MacNews, AppleCentral and AppleExpo are not affiliated with Apple, Inc. MacTech is a registered trademark of Xplain Corporation. AppleCentral, MacNews, Xplain, "The journal of Apple technology", Apple Expo, Explain It, MacDev, MacDev-1, THINK Reference, NetProfessional, MacTech Central, MacTech Domains, MacForge, and the MacTutorMan are trademarks or service marks of Xplain Corp. Sprocket is a registered trademark of eSprocket Corp. Other trademarks and copyrights appearing in this printing or software remain the property of their respective holders.
All contents are Copyright 1984-2010 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.
Generated in 0.091 seconds in which 0.070 seconds were spent on a total of 13 queries. Zlib compression enabled.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.5.8