Computers & Mobile

The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for digital gadgetry, open code, smart hacks, and more. Processing power to the people!

HOW TO – Apple eMac upgrades!

Here’s a great site that shows you how to upgrade Apple’s eMac. Overclock to 1.3Ghz, add a new hard drive, run dual screens and cut down on fan noise. These eMacs are usually pretty cheap on eBay too, so it might be worth grabbing one and sup’ing it up. [via] Link.

Continue Reading October 24th, 2005 Phillip Torrone

R2-D2 case mod

Here’s an incredible case mod made to look like the iconic droid, R2-D2 – the Maker used a white plastic barrel for R2’s body and a weber grill for R2’s head. It’s not Jawa junk though, the unit cools a 3.2Ghz P4 running at 3.7Ghz to -38 degrees celsius. [via] Link.

Continue Reading October 22nd, 2005 Phillip Torrone

Bell Labs science experiment kits…

Wonderful way to learn about computing – these ought to be on the back of cereal boxes. CARDIAC (cardboard illustrative aid to computation) illustrates the operation of a computer without actually being a computer. It is a very practical aid to understanding computers and computer programming. [via] Link. We have a ton of great Maker-like kits on Make 04 too.

Continue Reading October 22nd, 2005 Phillip Torrone

DIY Monitor riser

Homemade ergo-monitor riser made from a half-inch thick piece of 24″ x 48″ birch plywood, some ABS plastic drain pipe (1 1/2″ diameter), and some plastic spray paint. Very simple, under $20 and might save some neck pain. Link.

Continue Reading October 22nd, 2005 Phillip Torrone

The HiFiMac

Rob has a great Mac mod – He turned an old hifi system he got from a prop clearance from the local actor’s workshop for $10 bucks in to a rocking Mac stereo system complete with the Sonic Impact Portable T-Amp. If you like this project, in MAKE 04 we also have Mr. Jalopy’s LP-to-MP3 convertor cabinet. Link.

Continue Reading October 21st, 2005 Phillip Torrone

The Macquarium

We’ve covered other Macs made in to aquariums before – and here’s another great one using a Mac plus. The site details the choice of tank, lights activated via the Mac keyboard, heater and lot of interesting Mac-meets-aquarium hacks. The entire thing even fits inside the case. Thanks Liz! Link.

Continue Reading October 21st, 2005 Phillip Torrone

Cardboard PC case…

This is really clever, it’s an all cardboard PC case, you pop out all the perforated sections, fold it up and install your PC parts. With millions of PCs thrown away each year, this could potentially be a great way to cut down on the waste. While this one from Japan looks a little dull, there is a lot of art projects that use cardboard boxes, it’s just a matter of time until these look extremely cool and perhaps will be artwork on their own. [via] Link.