The iPod dock for value-driven consumers

If you haven't throw down for one of the bazillion iPod docks out there, you may have considered just making your own. But for those out there without the technical know-how -- or more importantly, adequate funding -- you're probably stuck syncing your 'Pod flat on the desk with that plain ole cable Apple tossed in. A dissatisfied (and apparently broke) Mac user finally felt that enough was enough, and resorted to creating an iPod dock from what appears to be an old Apple accessory box, a generous helping of tape, scissors, and a black marker. While we assume any smallish cardboard box would fit the bill, using the prior home of an AirPort Express card just adds that critical dash of Apple flair to the whole creation. If you're a bit short on cash, or just admire your own handiwork, be sure to keep reading for an internal view, and then hit up the read link to peep a full gallery of construction photos so you don't screw yours up.

[Via digg]

[Ben @ Sep 18th 2006 4:43PM]

Uhh, he can afford a new Macbook + a iPod but can't afford to buy a dock?

[Enzo @ Sep 18th 2006 4:45PM]

Some people don't want to spend the money on something as simple as a dock, because a dock basically consists of what that guy made his out of for free.

[Eric @ Sep 18th 2006 4:53PM]

That's not a MacBook... it's an iBook, definitely, but I can't tell if it's a G3 or G4.

[DinnyHoon @ Sep 19th 2006 11:19AM]

That's not a Macbook, it's a 14" iBook G4.

[spil @ Sep 19th 2006 8:14PM]

actually it's an iBook 24"

[that kid from the Simpsons. @ Sep 18th 2006 4:47PM]

Yeah, I sort of like my ipod sitting flat on the table (or computer tower.)

I do think we should have some sort of contest though. "Best iPod Dock" anyone?

[Luis @ Sep 18th 2006 4:49PM]

I wonder if this guy and the P-P-P-Powerbook guy know each other?

[adam jackson @ Sep 18th 2006 4:51PM]

That's great!!! I have bout like 4 docks in my travels. btw that's not a macbook.

[Mike @ Sep 18th 2006 4:58PM]

It's a G4. There are more pictures than jsut the one Engadget showed on the article. There's a Flickr set that plainly says "iBook G4."

[nick @ Sep 18th 2006 4:58PM]

Its an iBook G4, the G3 never had said G3 right after the word iBook. if you look hard you can see the G4.

[PDubNYC @ Sep 18th 2006 4:59PM]

"That's not a MacBook... it's an iBook, definitely, but I can't tell if it's a G3 or G4."

That's a G4

[MtichellO @ Sep 18th 2006 5:09PM]

I built my own iPod dock months ago. I just didn't think anything of it. Mine was a lot smaller than that one. Used it for several months with my iPod video and it worked great.

[Steven @ Sep 18th 2006 5:11PM]

what a sham. guy was apparently to lazy to go get one. there are alot of good ipod docks out there.

[brian @ Sep 18th 2006 5:27PM]

"that's a G4"

"no that's a G3"

"bust out a microscope and you can see the G4 writing"

"i haven't seen sunlight in thirteen days and am convinced it's a G3"

who cares? the person who made this had better things to do with his time.

like make an ipod.

why? because why would you want to blow 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 or however many dollars on a dock when you can make one fore free ninety nine? i have better things to do with that money.

like pitch it towards a new ipod.

[Spike @ Sep 18th 2006 5:32PM]

Must of been very desperate.

[Brandon @ Sep 18th 2006 5:36PM]

Huh, funny. For me at least, this page has an Apple "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" advertisemet embedded and at the end the Mac guy calls one of the backgrounds that ships with Windows a screensaver. That's something my parents do, confuse backgrounds with screensavers. Whoever does advertising for Apple must know a whole lot about the product they're selling.

[Mike @ Sep 18th 2006 5:43PM]

How did he disable the locking thing in the dock cable?

[liam @ Sep 18th 2006 5:59PM]

probably with just a twist-tie or a rubber band.

[Zeke P. @ Sep 18th 2006 5:47PM]

I had one of these, except i made myne 'built in' to my dimension 9100... It was so much nicer.

[daniel @ Sep 18th 2006 6:00PM]

nice.

i am using a similar ipod dock for my 4g, made out of the plastic piece that came inside the box of my itrip. it has a cavity where the itrip was "snapped in" when i bought it, and the ipod fits there just perfectly, with the same angle as other docks. haven't build the actual connector yet, simply use it next to my bed with the headphone port connected to a little passive speaker under the matress (homemade). no nicer way to wake up

[Jon Graft @ Sep 18th 2006 6:07PM]

Could have bought a black plastic project box at Radio Shack for less than $7 to make it look MUCH more professional. :-|

[David Lemcoe @ Sep 18th 2006 9:01PM]

It's a G4

[my moustache @ Sep 18th 2006 6:30PM]

at least darren's title is a little more sensitive than the "iPod Dock for Poor People" headline on digg...

[Kumar Kenderson @ Sep 18th 2006 7:17PM]

Yah I was going to say that, that he could afford apple comp. but not a dock. But still, buying a apple comp. has benefits than making ur own windows one or buying a windows- based machine. Buying a dock and making one has no difference? Like, literally none except that you have the "brand name" but pssh big deal. It'll look cooler if you have ur "own" model. and the homemade is a lil better b/c its like a box and not like some small dock. and the box can be used to store your headphones, charger, & other ipod accessories. And you can decorate the box :)

[Matt S @ Sep 18th 2006 7:32PM]

Is that the box you get the replacement power cable in that M$ sent out for the Xbox? I have nothing better to do with my time.

[ricosuave413 @ Sep 18th 2006 7:38PM]

nice...i think?

[Mike @ Sep 18th 2006 7:42PM]

How about one from an Altoids tin?

[blackout @ Sep 18th 2006 8:12PM]

i'll see about making one tomorrow.

i'm bored :]

[Chris @ Sep 18th 2006 8:16PM]

Meh, the one I made looked better

[Stu @ Sep 18th 2006 8:40PM]

Heck, why not just skip the ugly box and chop a big hole in your desk like this? http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplesimon/81800142/

[zoara @ Sep 19th 2006 10:08AM]

That is... amazing. I will be doing that when we move into our new place. Very, very cool.

[Artr @ Sep 19th 2006 3:11AM]

hehe nice work.. i ended up doing that with my Stero. i had the tape drive pop out and used it as a dock.

http://tinyurl.com/n2ffx

[fondy44 @ Sep 19th 2006 4:51AM]

Good idea, too bad he couldn't figure out a way to replicate the audio line-out jack.

[iptydafu @ Sep 19th 2006 8:20AM]

that's so bootleg it hurts

[Jesse @ Sep 19th 2006 9:50AM]

My Creation: http://forum.macosx.nl/viewtopic.php?t=86856

[zoara @ Sep 19th 2006 10:41AM]

Um. This threading thing doesn't actually work very well, does it? I was responding to the post about the iPod dock embedded in a desk...

Though the cardboard box thing is cool too.

[spil @ Sep 19th 2006 8:17PM]

oops, i mean 14"

[Shet16 @ Sep 20th 2006 9:55AM]

hmmmmm i took a crack at this, i like mine a bit better though =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWwYb08bU2A