I've been looking around for used iMac G4s as I never owned one and had the itch to finally get one for nostalgic reasons. Then I found this one. Obviously not stock and I'd be a bit concerned about the changes the builder made, but it did look interesting. A bit add also that none of the photos show the monitor turned on.
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The iMac G4 27 that Apple never made
- Thread starter tbabb
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You'd have to suspect that the screen would be too heavy for the support arm to hold up in any other position than that, and it's probably not a functional G4 either, but as the owner of a 17-inch G4 iMac I have to say I think that one looks very cool!
Here is the desription from the advertisment. Machine translated from Chinese to English. It appears as it's a work in progress and not yet a finalised product.
preface
Twenty years later today, when it comes to changing Apple's iMac G4, I believe everyone is amazed by Apple's rigorous and advanced industrial design under Steve Jobs. I have been researching modification plans for several years, but my personal ability is limited. I have been trying various solutions in the hope of perfectly reviving this machine in my own way. I have customized the control motherboard (upgraded several versions, until the final full function version now. In order to pursue the original taste and not damage the terminal design behind it, the original 1394 still uses the original terminals and has been changed to USB 2.0 through adapter cables. The fisheye socket, 3.5 audio socket, and MIC mother socket all use the original terminals), the 17 inch model 4K panel, fisheye speaker aluminum alloy panel, various customized cables, and optical drive motherboard. I have also imported a brand new original shell from abroad, without any marketing, to say, replace it. The G4, with a brand new exterior and a snow-white exterior, is completely refreshed, with a sense of agility and modernity. Looking at you with a smile on her face, she exclaimed from the heart that she is a work of art. The design of this all-in-one computer from twenty years ago still lags far behind Apple's so-called industrial design, and I cannot find any sense of agreement with these colorful and lifeless designs. If the all-in-one computer is equipped with an M2 motherboard, it will be a completely white Apple machine with no impact on its original functions. In addition, it has expanded many functions, such as the M.2 hard drive socket in the original wireless network card position, which can easily expand the hard drive. If the Apple 2T hard drive sells for at least 3000 yuan. In addition, it can be upgraded infinitely, and later M3, M4 motherboards, and so on, can be easily upgraded by oneself. I used the M2 motherboard just for the convenience of modification. This motherboard is equipped with five types of motherboard installation positions, theoretically supporting any motherboard as long as you can fit it in. There are many other functions listed below. As I have been busy, I will release the system manual, display, and function introduction video after the final version is completed. This machine also has two customized components and will end perfectly. A new machine is about to be launched, please stay tuned. In addition, this is not just a separate machine, it is just a component of a combination, good luck!
Apple iMac G4 desk lamp, 27 inch curved screen modification, Samsung 27 inch curved screen modification to iMac G4, the entire process is too complicated. Disassembling the display casing, determining the center point for punching according to the fixed axis position, repairing the hole on the back cover and repainting, customizing metal fasteners, changing the driver board connector, threading the screen cable through HDMI cable, and re soldering the male ends at both ends, changing the backlight circuit, fixing the back cover, adjusting the angle, and the main unit are all mature solutions. However, the display part is too laborious. After the display is ashed, disassembling and cleaning the reflector plate, the optical drive plate only requires two pieces. Originally, I wanted to laser carve an Apple logo and CNC an acrylic on the back cover, and the optical drive plate would cost two pieces. I gave up the glowing label because I was too busy with work
… because no iMac has had a curved screen (yet)
IMO, curved makes sense once the display is too wide to view without turning the head. 27” is narrow enough not to necessitate that usually.
Yeah, but they didn't make 27" screens either - at that time. Anyways, the title says "iMac...that Apple never made" so this is a fantasy thing and I think it is quite nicely done.
A modern screen should be somewhat lighter, especially if the PSU is external.
Dunno bout the G4 iMac, but the internal connector may very well go up to FullHD, maybe even more if you go below 60Hz.
So it is possible, just not very practical.
Apparently the modder also has 20" versions of the G4 iMac designs with either an M1 or M2 motherboard inside and updated I/O ports.
Attachments
There is a company that makes a board you can install into the 20" iMac which makes it a display. Then you have enough space to install a M1/M2 Mac Mini logic board inside and connect the two together making a M2 iMac G4... kinda...
Not cheap though, the adapter board is like 230+€.
Not cheap though, the adapter board is like 230+€.
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