Mac Mini G4 Cube Hack [2021]
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How to Turn Your Old G4 Cube into a Modern Mac Mini M1
If you have an old Power Mac G4 Cube lying around, you might be wondering if you can give it a new life by upgrading its hardware. The G4 Cube was a beautiful and compact computer, but it was also underpowered and prone to overheating. Nowadays, you can get a much faster and cooler Mac Mini M1, but it doesn't have the same charm and elegance as the Cube.
Fortunately, there is a way to combine the best of both worlds: you can hack your G4 Cube and fit a Mac Mini M1 inside it. This way, you can enjoy the performance and features of the latest Apple silicon, while preserving the iconic design of the Cube. In this article, we will show you how to do it step by step.
What You Will Need
To complete this project, you will need the following items:
A Power Mac G4 Cube (preferably non-functional or with broken parts)
A Mac Mini M1 (any model)
A Dremel or a similar tool for cutting metal
A drill and a tap for making screw holes
A soldering iron and some wires
A USB 3.0 extension cable
An AC/DC transformer (5V output)
A C8 power connector
Some screws and nuts
Some patience and creativity
Step 1: Disassemble the Cube and the Mini
The first step is to take apart both the Cube and the Mini. You can find many guides and videos online on how to do this, but be careful not to damage any components or wires. You will need to remove the original I/O plate from the Cube's frame, as well as the power adapter and the motherboard from the Mini. You can also remove any other parts that you don't need, such as the optical drive, the hard drive, or the fan from the Cube.
Step 2: Fit the Motherboard in the Cube
The next step is to fit the Mini's motherboard in the Cube's chassis. There is only one spot where you can place it, which is on top of the Cube's heatsink. You will need to drill two holes in the heatsink and tap thread in them, so that you can screw the motherboard in place. You might also need to enlarge one of the mounting points on the motherboard, depending on how well it aligns with the holes. The motherboard should also lean on the new I/O plate, which we will make in the next step.
Step 3: Make a New I/O Plate
The third step is to make a new I/O plate that matches the ports of the Mini. You can use a piece of metal or plastic that fits in the gap left by the original I/O plate. You will need to cut out holes for the power connector, the HDMI port, the USB ports, etc. You can use a template or measure carefully to make sure they are in the right position. You can also paint or cover the plate with some material to make it look nicer.
Step 4: Connect the Power Adapter and Button
The fourth step is to connect the power adapter and button to the motherboard. You can reuse the adapter from
the Mini by stripping it from its case and soldering two new wires to it. Then you can connect it to a new C8 connector that fits in
the hole of the new I/O plate. To connect
the adapter to
the motherboard,
you can use
a USB 3.0 extension cable that has
the same pin layout as
the original DC connector.
To use
the original power button of
the Cube,
you will need
to connect
the motherboard using
a connector
to
the original wires of
the button.
But you also need
to power
the button itself,
so you will need
to put in
an AC/DC transformer that outputs 5V.
You can place it under
the power adapter in
the case.
Then you can test if
the button works by turning on
the Cube.
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