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Mac SE > PC mod, advice please

  • 03-07-2006 12:48PM
    #1
    ambro25
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,985 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys 'n gals :)

    I've recently been gifted a Mac SE, and I'm contemplating a PC 'retrofit' / 'shoe-horning' mod (Wintel into the Mac SE shell).

    I'd be looking at setting up a "semi-portable" PC, really, to use as a 'media dispenser'. So no need for a P4 or AMD64 or whatnot, a mini ITX mobo with a mid-to-high PIII or 'big' Celeron (1Ghz) with onboard shared gfx etc. will do.

    I've Googled the odd blog or site about such a mod, but none are particularly well detailed etc. (not that I couldn't go about it on my own back, I'm reasonably handy + knowledgeable about building a PC etc., but I'm generally very short on 'free time'), so I wouldn't mind getting some feedback as to what components / configs / etc. you modder lot think will do / should be considered.

    What I'm contemplating using the 'thing' for:
    * DiVX, Xvid, Mpeg playback
    * MP3 playback
    * Photo archiving + slideshow
    * MAME + maybe some games up to 'Sims'-level gfx requirements

    What features I'd like to put in:
    * WiFi
    * at least one optical drive
    * built-in speakers (2)
    * touchscreen TFT
    * USB 2

    'bit of a long shot I know, but... the goodwill is there :)


Comments

  • #2
    K.O.Kiki
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,049 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    Mini-ITX.com has projects & a shop; check there


  • #3
    MunsterCycling
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,864 ✭✭✭MunsterCycling


    Above is really the only place you need to look when it comes to Mini Itx


  • #4
    ambro25
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,985 ✭✭✭ambro25


    Oookayeee...

    So far, planned innards are looking something like -

    * VIA EPIA ME6000 mini-itx mobo
    * 256 or 512 PC2100 RAM
    * 12V DC-DC PSU interface + 110/240-12V lappy brick
    * some generic HK 8" TFT with 12V input + VGA in
    * PCI Radeon 7000 (32MB, VGA + DVI + TV-out edition)
    * IDE Pioneer slot-loading 8x DVD

    Not yet decided whether to go HDD (got an unused 3.5 " 80GB PATA knocking about) or go 'solid state' with a CF-based boot/OS.

    As for the case mod, not quite decided yet either :confused:


  • #5
    DemonOfTheFall
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,279 ✭✭✭DemonOfTheFall


    I've only read terrible things about the performance of VIA EPIA mobo/cpu combos. Things like being too slow to decode a high quality DivX file with surround sound.

    If I was going for mini I might look into that new 6150 chipset based ITX Socket 939 board. Or else one of those nice small Pentium M boards. Either way I wouldn't want to be stuck with the performance of a Pentium 3 500mhz.


  • #6
    L31mr0d
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,067 ✭✭✭L31mr0d


    DemonOfTheFall wrote:
    I've only read terrible things about the performance of VIA EPIA mobo/cpu combos. Things like being too slow to decode a high quality DivX file with surround sound.

    well he is only using it for playback, and i'm guessing it is a secondary computer. Hes probably going to set up a wifi lan and encode on one computer then playback on the other. But I would maybe go for a cheap mini ATX, you can get some pretty small cases for those. Have a look at the ones in maplin, the PSU is on the side so that its only the height of the mobo.


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  • #7
    StephenC_IRL
    Closed Accounts Posts: 438 ✭✭StephenC_IRL


    why not buy a 9" colour CRT off ebay, and a 2nd hand Mac Mini and fit it


  • #8
    K.O.Kiki
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,049 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    Because it's been done :p

    ... ok, he didn't put in a colour CRT. So sue me!

    I suppose if the OP gets a CoreSolo/Duo Mac mini & fit that in, then install WinXP w/BootCamp or whatever; and replace the screen with a touchscreen...


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