G4 Cube shell used to house Mac mini and friends

In Apple-loving households, there's a decent chance the Power Mac G4 Cube will never lose its luster. Case in point: one particular fanboy (yeah, we said it) took a gutted Cube housing and neatly fitted his Mac mini, Airport Extreme and "accessory HDD case" inside. Of course, he did have to exercise quite a bit of patience and showcase his cutting skills in order to make the optical drive accessible, but the end result is certainly something to be proud of. Hit the read link for the gallery of shots taking you from start to finish.

[Via Nowhere Else]

[Anthony Thomas @ May 23rd 2008 10:08AM]

Shame he didn't actually cut a hole for the optical drive!

[bartoron @ May 23rd 2008 10:10AM]

That is actually pretty cool looking.

And for the record, I don't like Macs.

[catachip @ May 23rd 2008 10:21AM]

I love how you felt the need to qualify that. As if you'd lose some street cred for saying that a Mac mod (or Macs in general) are decent looking computers, despite your OS preference.

Grow up.

[rock99rock @ May 23rd 2008 10:53AM]

Your mom needs to grow up.

Most people feel it necessary to distinguish themselves this way, especially on this particular board. Furthermore, yes, one normally will lose street cred for liking macs, especially in an IT environment.

I for one agree with bartoron. This is a sleek looking mod.

And I dont like macs.

[jason51873 @ May 23rd 2008 11:08AM]

@catachip

Nice call dude, I'm so sick of ppl with their Im a fanboy Im not a fanboy BS. He does need to grow up.

LOL and so dose the guy under im with the oh so mature "Your mom needs to grow up".

[Zach @ May 23rd 2008 11:22AM]

Well, if he didn't specify that he doesn't like Macs, he probably would have been called a fanboy. And it probably would have been you that did it. Oh and so "dose" you need to realize the mom joke was awesome, it just takes a certain level of maturity to understand the intricacies of a well done mom joke.

And I don't like Macs either. Very much. Well I do like my iPod...

[wfbnadador @ May 23rd 2008 11:28AM]

"Furthermore, yes, one normally will lose street cred for liking macs, especially in an IT environment."

wow, pretty sure thats the largest load of crap i've read in a while, last time I checked, I'm all IT, and can virtualize windows and linux on my MBP, but I only use them as a last resort because Windows is an awful and outdated OS.

Macs are pricey, but given resale value, it evens out. and its the tool of my trade so I have no problem investing. Take yourself seriously, and get the machine you can test on all platforms

[Ben L @ May 23rd 2008 11:36AM]

@rock99rock

i'd have to contend that one might lose a fair amount of street cred for being in an IT environment. If you want some street cred, starting slinging crack or something.

I've found that vast majority of IT professionals are rather uninformed regarding technology (is that ironic?), save for some dated windows administrative knowledge. I wouldn't be the least bit offended by an IT guy playing D&D with his buddies in his mom's basement, talking about how lame I am because I use a Mac.

[Ben L @ May 23rd 2008 11:39AM]

of course, there are always exceptions, like wfbnadador there...

[bartoron @ May 23rd 2008 11:46AM]

The only reason I bothered to mention that I don't like Macs is because if I didn't, a swarm of people would call me an ignorant Mac fanboy. Not that there's anything wrong with liking Macs (because there isn't), but I wouldn't appreciate being called ignorant based on a belief of mine which... isn't actually mine.

[ugg.tryptophan @ May 23rd 2008 12:37PM]

belief? when did an operating system become a religion?

[Langdon Alger @ May 23rd 2008 1:22PM]

This forum is full of idiots ... perhaps any thread with the word "Mac" in it tends to attract them like a nail to a very powerful magnet ... unbeknownst to me as to why.

People (blinded by their own narrow-minded rage) missed the point of Bartoron's message: "I like it even though I don't like Macs" ... that just goes to show how much he liked it. It's a compliment, people. That has nothing to do with his taste (or lack thereof) for Macs. It's like saying, "hey, I think your sister is beautiful and I don't even care for blonds."

I just wish sites like this didn't allow every unintelligent teenager with a disposable income and an inflated sense of entitlement to be allowed to sign up and post comments. Oh, you're not one you say? Well, you sure fooled me.

"Democracy simply doesn't work!"

[dj-kenpo @ May 23rd 2008 1:30PM]

I just want all of you to choke right about now.
jesus christ.

[rock99rock @ May 23rd 2008 2:32PM]

You guys are funny :D

Jason: Any mother comment, ever, is a joke. Write that down.

Im not ever gonna let you guys know every time sarcasm leaves my fingers, it ruins the fun.

Ben L: What is D&D? srsly. I might play COD4 or GTA4 or RB62 every once in a while, but D&D? Your age is showing...

wfbnadador: Have you even used Windows server 2008? There is nothing (that my needs require) that appears to be or functions in an outdated manner. I can tweak everything to the desire of my companies and myself. It just works. Decent support for Oracle in a mac environment is almost non-existant.

I can also virtualize OSX and linux, solaris and so forth on ANY pc, so nothing special there guy.

Your faux elitistnessish is shining through :) Want more?

[Knee Yogi @ May 23rd 2008 2:39PM]

@ugg.tryptophan

When I talk about belief, why do you always assume I'm talking about God?

[Vic the One @ May 23rd 2008 2:42PM]

@rock99rock:

He's not your guy, buddy!

[rock99rock @ May 23rd 2008 3:23PM]

@Vic the One

Im not your Buddy, Dude!

[ben @ May 23rd 2008 5:17PM]

Yay! Flame war!

[Za @ May 23rd 2008 6:23PM]

Haha, working in IT at a large SUNY school, I can tell you that the vast majority of the people involved at this level and higher are Mac users. Just saying.

[thak @ May 23rd 2008 10:13AM]

what keyboard is that?

[maty @ May 23rd 2008 10:15AM]

http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/

=]

[Tanner @ May 23rd 2008 11:36AM]

It is the iOne Scorpius P20.

http://www.ergogeek.com/ione-scorpius-p20-usb-2-4-ghz-wireless-keyboard-w-joystick-mouse-silver-black.html

[oliver hart @ May 23rd 2008 10:14AM]

that looks like the tissue box holder in my bathroom. 2 thumbs down.

and for the record, i hate macs

[Dan @ May 23rd 2008 10:23AM]

Hi, I'm the world. How's that rock you've been under?

[jcwestbrook @ May 23rd 2008 10:28AM]

Sorry, it really does look like an acrylic kleenex box.

[John @ May 23rd 2008 6:39PM]

Oh yea, a box of kleenex on top of the mini would make this mod perfect.

[phobic99 @ May 23rd 2008 10:15AM]

Slow news day?

[jason51873 @ May 23rd 2008 11:17AM]

For real!

People spend count less hours (and money) doing bad @ss computer mods and nobody sees or cares about them and some guy puts 3 components into a clear box and its front page Engadget news??

Is it because its a MAC that is get special attn.?

[Zach @ May 23rd 2008 11:59AM]

Give him the stick! No don't give him the stick!

[Matt @ May 23rd 2008 12:50PM]

It is not news, this is a blog site........

[maxharlan @ May 23rd 2008 1:18PM]

@Phobic and Zack;

Those GI Joes are pretty awesome. and yes, it does look like my acrylic kleenex holder in my bathroom. What about ventilation??

[retro77 @ May 23rd 2008 10:17AM]

Fail. The reas link doesnt have any pictures. "Made on a Mac" at the bottom might have something to do with that.

[Wormbolt @ May 23rd 2008 10:23AM]

It's great when a product gets a second chance to fail.

[shiftypixel @ May 23rd 2008 12:36PM]

Upon reading this, I laughed heartily. I think it's a great comment.

And I like Macs.

[CRP @ May 23rd 2008 10:23AM]

Hi, I have the same keyboard (I think it is made by Trust), but in Mac OSX I am unable to have "repeated keypresses", i.e. If I push a key and keep it pressed, only a single keypress is detected by the OS. Has anybody experienced something similar or knows how to fix it?
Thanks

[somedumbguy @ May 23rd 2008 10:25AM]

way to go, put the extreme on top of the mini. dumb.

[Xtopher Robin @ May 23rd 2008 10:24AM]

Actually, he didn't cut a slot for the optical drive. He says he has to use an external drive because of such.

[martin @ May 23rd 2008 10:29AM]

that looks rubish, its just a perspex box with a computer stuck in it, not rreally any design at all. just leave the mac cube alone, it looks good enough as it is

[Gingerbread Man @ May 23rd 2008 10:32AM]

Dont know much about the setup here but is this thing safe against heat?

"Let me create a green house for my electronics, eventually my plan of melting all my products together will be complete Muaahaha!"

[Jamie @ May 23rd 2008 10:35AM]

Ah, recycling the original 'toaster pc' case.

I wish I had more hands, so I could give it 'four thumbs down!!'

[jason51873 @ May 23rd 2008 11:12AM]

LOL! Agreed...

[Josh @ May 23rd 2008 10:44AM]

Why all the hate? It may not be the most practical but I thought it was pretty cool.

[fashionista @ May 23rd 2008 11:48AM]

Some people think being peed on while wearing crotchless rubber uniforms is cool.

[Bad Beaver @ May 23rd 2008 10:45AM]

Gawd, the abomination! I mean, nice work cutting the case, but boy, in the end it is just... a stack of stuff in a case. why not dismantle a mini and make it fit in a way that preserves the original Cube's looks? This is just... sad.

[Kspraydad @ May 23rd 2008 10:59AM]

Honest to gawd I was thinking about this less than a week ago...though I'll be preserving the look of the Cube as much as possible.

[kennyblankenchip @ May 23rd 2008 11:10AM]

@catachip
"I love how you felt the need to qualify that."
I think you meant "quantify" since qualify doesn't work at all in this sentence. To "qualify" means to surpass a predetermined prerequisite.
And maybe macs do suck, like for productivity and gaming where they have lots of room for improvement. And yes, I have worked on macs for graphic design and It helped validate my intolerant bias towards pc's.

At least he didn't say it looks like a snot cloth box like I am. It's a womens computer unlike the acer predator. The last thing I want one of my friends to say about my computer is that its "beautiful", "cute", or any other feminine adjective.

[DG @ May 23rd 2008 11:24AM]

"A woman's computer"? Are you serious? I'd love to see your super-tough ultra-male computer. I bet you it's made out of steel with great big bolts and rivets, and smells like Aqua Velva. And if you look at your computer funny, it'll sucker punch you.

Am I close? Weirdo.

[wfbnadador @ May 23rd 2008 11:40AM]

@kennyblankenchip: first of all, there's no way you spent any considerable time on a mac. I was a windows boy until about a year and a half ago, when I could start testing my websites on every browser available through the magic of virtualization. The adobe apps are the same across both.

gaming rigs with neon lights are the equivalents of souped up rides that xzibit would be proud of, whereas macs are the equivalents of hybrids cars. small visual footprint, super quiet, and simple design.

Having a computer that stands out, fans blazing, lights glowing, doesn't make you more of a nerd. It just means you have no taste, and if anything you're trying to prove how 'serious' you are.

[kennyblankenchip @ May 23rd 2008 1:04PM]

I bought a dell XPS case on eBay, and built my AMD rig around that.
Plus I have a Samsung 32" 1080P tv hooked up for a monitor. A mans setup... No white plastic bull-load. The worst it has is red led's at the tops of each opening and I actually like it. Its silent and water cooled, so again, whatever. Taste? all macs look alike so yeah, go on your smug/snob high horse and follow the rest of the sheep.

3 semesters of graphic design classes on a macs are all I need to justify my disdain, who are you to tell me that it isn't. Ass.

[Zach @ May 23rd 2008 2:01PM]

I'm with Kenny, I had a semester of design and I didn't really like working on the Macs. Not to say I wouldn't ever use one, but I thought there were a lot of things that were unintuitive. I have been trying to find a reason why they are better, and I have asked my Mac-head friends to show me whats so great about them, but I haven't found anything yet. I would like to have one of my own to play with though....