Xbox 360 Mod: Black Macbook Edition

[suneohair]

Hey folks, I will be doing a 360 mod over of the coming weeks. Originally it was going to be white, but instead I decided to a matte macbook mod.

I will be starting from a 360 premium.

Current plans:

Internalize HDD
Sound-proofing
Better fan
White LEDs (ROL already done, see my avatar)
Matte Black paint job

Now, for the Apple logos. At my job we have some G4s (Quicksilver, Blue, etc). I decided to remove the Apple gems from the sides. I have a ton of them... sooo... I am going to use those for Apple logos. So far the silver ones seem better as the Blue ones appear to be acutally blue plastic. Need to sand them a bit to know for sure as my current method isn't working on those.

I haven't decided exactly how I am goign to get them on, there will be a hole cut. And it will be lighted with white

I am playing around with one right now, I cleared it and am going to polish and play with ways to frost it for a nice look.

I will be documenting and taking pictures so others can do it. Hit me with suggestions too, I will try them out for if I can.

Current Pictures:
Apple Jewels!!!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/203/495401146_a97382fb52_b.jpg
Cleared Jewel (testing methods, all I have done is removed adhesive and used a brillo type pad to remove paint)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/495401158_8340e359df_b.jpg

 

[SamIchi]

I'll be lookin' forward to see this.

Why not just buy an Elite? Isn't that matter black already?

 

[suneohair]

It is, but my xbox is out of warranty already and I got it for free from someone. It wouldnt play games, I replaced the laser and it works.

So I dont see much of a point in paying $480, when I already have a working 360 that I can have fun with.

 

[suneohair]

The Apple jewels from the G4s are convex, I think I am going to try and get them flat so they will be flush with the casing, that way I won't have any issues with the box not sitting right when it is flat, it will look more like a typical Mac notebook too.

My plan is to cut a whole and mount the jewel to a frosted or clear piece of lexan, somehow getting it to sit in the hole perfectly.

It will take some work, but should turn out good if i take my time.

 

[Chaszmyr]

The sides of the 360 curve in don't they? Shouldn't be a problem, I don't think.

 

[juanster]

oh wow, how come i never though of this, this is soooooooooo cool.... great ide aand project, i feel like getting a 360 just to do this hahaha

 

[suneohair]

The sides of the 360 curve in don't they? Shouldn't be a problem, I don't think.

Yeah, but the jewels will jut out quite a bit, plus I think it would look better if they were flush, if they can be. The 360 curves in the front, when it is flat the long edge has a curve. I am not sure if that will affect the jewel since I am putting it in the middle. I am going to have to experiment a bit. New cases are easy to come by and rather cheap if you look in the right places. But really once I cut the hole I can do whatever I want and play with the flat and convex jewels and see what works better.

I am going to have to use a body filler for some of the 360 text. As my cut won't take it all out. Vote: I use my 360 in the horizontal position. Should I put the Apple so that when you are looking at it from the front you see it as you should. Or, should I position as if i were using it vertical?

I would put my 360 vertical. But I don't want to deal with the disc problems.

 

[nickster9224]

sounds like it will trun out nice. I only has a DC shoes transfer decal on my 360, but it looks good though

 

[suneohair]

Well after a very long time of sanding, both the jewel and my hand. I have pretty much got it flat. I need to hit the backside up a bit more with 220 grit and up to remove some deep ones.

Time for some pics:
Flattened and semi cleared jewel, note the scratches they are on the backside which I neglected

A stack comparison:

Side by Side

Top View

The Mess!!!!!!

It's now time for that tiny leaf....


I hope to do my cut tomorrow as well. Catch you back here tomorrow... well today now..

Current Thoughts
I was originally going to do both sides... I have decided against that because of the amount of work I just did on on jewel. I haven't decided what orientation to place to cut/jewel in. I am still thinking in a horizontal orientation. I also haven't decided how to frost this thing. The Apple one isn't frosted (need to double check that.) It seems as if there is just some white glossy paper underneath. I think keeping it flat and placing a translucent backing underneath is the way to go. then using a clear lexi to mount it. What do you think? That way, I could replace the paper to change up the color