WallMac

2009-05-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

Note: The WallMac is also synced with an EyeFi card, so it also can be used for showing live slideshows. But I despise digital picture frames, so this function will be used sparingly.

I have the GeekTool System Preferences pane running and set up to display weather, time, date, etc. This all pops up automatically on start-up, and runs live on the desktop (not as an application).

Intro

2009-04-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

I started with a fully-working 12" PowerBook G4.

But then took it apart.

And was left with this:

Stripped 12" PowerBook G4 from Dan Price on Vimeo.

Cutting the Frame to Fit the LCD

2009-04-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

The 12.1" LCD screen of the PowerBook is almost exactly the same size as the opening of the 8"x10" shadowbox, so only a little cutting had to be done to get it to fit (make sure to leave room for all wiring that needs to connect back to the logic board.).

I used the brackets and screws that came with the frame that originally held the front glass in place to secure the screen.

From the front:

Mounting the Guts

2009-04-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

After a while of just sitting and staring at the PowerBook innards, I finally thought of an easy, stable way to mount it: 22 gauge speaker wire. I had a lot left over from the MAME project. so I cut a few pieces and threaded them through the grommet holes of the little swivel things on the back. No drilling or cutting.
The speaker wire basically acts as large twist-ties (except stronger and insulated).
One vertical wire, one horizontal wire, and one to hold the HDD in place.
The wire threaded around the back:

Cutting the Frame to Fit the Guts

2009-04-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

In the bottom of the frame I drilled a hole through which the 2 cables (power & audio) could be threaded.

Final mounting inside the frame. I Dremeled out three spaces for the supports that are holding the screen. Since it is a little thicker than the glass that was originally there, the supports were no longer flush.

I secured the power button under the top right inside lip with just some electrical tape.

Then stuck it on the wall with 3M mounting strips.

Powering Up

2009-04-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

For scale, here is a wide shot next to a 50" plasma (and the MAME in the background!)

Close up after boot:

2009-04-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

The WallMac project was inspired by the Wall-PC.