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You are not logged in. [Log In] AppleCentral » Forums » Mods and Hacks » Laptop Mods
      » Hardware Mods » 12\" G4 converted to Media Center
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#462189 - 09/28/05 02:12 PM 12\" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
Imhotep1963 Offline


Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 3
Hi everyone! Been a reader for awhile but this is my first post!

I recently started a project of converting a Powerbook to a media center that would stay attached to my entertainment center (would like to use CenterStage as interface). I got the idea when I just got tired of plugging my Powerbook into the TV to watch my downloaded TV shows(lazy whistle ).

So my question is, what are the bare bones essential parts of the Powerbook that I would need? Currently I have from a 12" Powerbook:
[ul]
[*]1.33ghz logic board DVI
[*]DC to DC board
[*]Inner Frame
[*]Heat Sink
[/ul]

Now the obvious parts needed would be ram, hard drive, and DC In Board. Don't need the battery and the modem nore the speakers. Don't need a display but a touch screen would be nice wink .Probably should put in a superdrive. So what else can I exclude to get a working system?

Any and all help/info is appreciated!

smile

Post edited by: imhotep1963, at: 2005/09/28 14:14

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#462190 - 09/28/05 03:26 PM Re:12" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
maestro Offline


Registered: 11/16/07
Posts: 1656
Okay, lets go with what you dont need. Thats easier. The LCD, the keyboard and top cover(mouse), the battery, and the modem.. Keep the lower bottom cover with the logic board. That will keep everything well grounded and its just plain easier. You could add a small touch screen to the vga output. BUT, why loose a great laptop! You could add a remote video box to your tv that accepts signals from your powerbook. I myself would keep it in one piece, well unless it was already broken.
-maestro

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#462191 - 09/28/05 03:29 PM Re:12" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
Imhotep1963 Offline


Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 3
Oh no, I'm sorry. I've been buying pieces off of ebay for cheap! whenever I come accross something at a good price, I buy it! So I'm not destrying, I'm creating!

:evil:

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#462192 - 09/28/05 04:25 PM Re:12" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
macDeviant Offline


Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 491
do you have the fans for the logic board...? i would think those would be pretty essential to have
_________________________
2.4gHz 15" MacBook Pro, 1.66gHz Core Duo Mac Mini, 2.5gHz G5 QUAD, 733mHz Quicksilver, 450mHz G4 Cube, 700mHz G3 iBook, 350mHz Sawtooth G4, 350mHz Revs. A and B B&W G3, 16mHz Powerbook 100, 8mHz Macitosh Classic.

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#462193 - 09/28/05 05:17 PM Re:12" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
oojacoboo Offline


Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 1468
first of all, welcome to macmod! Glad to see you are participating in the forums. What kind of case do you plan on using? If its large enough, you can get some other fans that might be a little more powerful. I am gussing that you will be puttin the components in a somewhat larger case and laptop fans might not be powerful enough to circulate enough air.

centerstage is a great gui, would be a nice choice.

Yea, I am with maestro on keeping the bottom case if you have it. I would lose the modem, speakers, keyboard, top cover, and lcd. A nice integration of a slot load superdrive would be sweet.

Still thinking of ideas, might post more later.
_________________________
"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

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#462194 - 09/28/05 05:46 PM Re:12" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
maestro Offline


Registered: 11/16/07
Posts: 1656
Okay, now im with it. Glad to see you are building from scratch! You may not need the heatsink fan combo since you will have room to put in a big one. Silverstone makes the most beautiful cases in the industry (except for Apple of course). Check em out at http://www.newegg.com.
-maestro

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#462195 - 09/28/05 07:44 PM Re:12" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
oojacoboo Offline


Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 1468
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Showimage....Supply+-+Retail

its a little pricey, but I like that one. Wouldn't need the sloat loading for that case, and it has a remote that I am sure wouldn't work :S
_________________________
"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

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#462196 - 09/28/05 08:02 PM Re:12" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
maestro Offline


Registered: 11/16/07
Posts: 1656
Aah, like a fine piece of hi-end audio. Me likes a lot! Now if they only gave them away for free. :ermm:
-maestro

Good choice Jacob.

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#462197 - 09/28/05 08:15 PM Re:12" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
shadowboxer47 Offline


Registered: 11/16/07
Posts: 517
Typical... I get on late and everybody made the suggestions that I would have.

Welcome to MacMod!

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#462198 - 09/28/05 08:22 PM Re:12" G4 converted to Media Center [Re: 43Bernie19]
Imhotep1963 Offline


Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 3
I love that case! Actually I was just thinking about using an old stereo amplifier case that I have, until I work the kinks out. Then I would go for something pricey!! :cheer:

Since I was using that case, I was going to add a fan to blow across the heatsink. My thought was to use the fan on the frame to pull off the heat from the heatsink and use the added fan to blow out the exhaust in the back!

The CenterStage site has a nice section of remote controls. Personally I like the one from Griffen since it will also control some apps.

-jim

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