Well, if you haven't seen this, I suggest you take a look before reading on:
http://www.macmod.com/content/view/166/2/
Really very cool. And now it has dawned on me that this would be the perfect summer task; to convert a 12.1 inch iBook into that Mac tablet.
As far as I can tell in that article, the guy used the existing case with some modifications to achieve the tablet. Some of the extra features, like a firewire and USB hub I won't need, and I already have an Apple USB keyboard, so that won't be an issue either (keyboard can be removed). So basically I need to find:
1) 12 inch iBook - cheapest option. I'm not willing to cut into my nice new G4 just yet, so an old one will have to do.
2) Troll Touch 12 inch LCD with the driver and the software.
3) Lots of patience and time (which I'll have).
Now for my rough outline:
If I manage to find a dual USB model, then I will wire the display straight into the unit. I think it is the only viable solution; take one of the USB ports up and install the driver into it internally. This would however, remove one of my USB ports, and since during this procedure I planned on attaching a Bluetooth USB dongle internally as well, a problem would arise. Still, I suppose I could live with bluetooth on the outside.
The mouse click, I think, should be put somewhere mre usable, but where? Depending on the situation, I might need it elsewhere, and not be able to get to it. But as I assume you'll be able to tap the screen for a mouse click, it shouldn't really be a necessity. Maybe I'll leave it in the center where he has it.
The upgraded harddrive he has in there would certainly be nice, and the fact that minus the keyboard I'd have some space for it, I plan on adding one.
The problem here is going to be cost. The lowest iBook that'd work with this is around $400-500, and the touch screen (going to contact them soon) is going to be more. Upgrades, problems and anything else would bring this probably up to $900-1000. So I'd need to find a broken iBook (digitizer only, and keyboard would be fine too, as both will be upgraded), but where do I get one of those? And how much less might I have to pay?
Well, right now I am looking to suggestions of how I might go about doing this. I'd especially like websites relating to this sort of thing, some sites that sell the Troll Touch stuff, some used Mac sites... anything. Any input would of course be appreciated, and if you might have a damaged or completely working iBook that fits the description that'd be cheap and available for a while, please drop me a line here. I might have some interesting trades.
Otherwise, just wanted to say hi!
http://www.macmod.com/content/view/166/2/
Really very cool. And now it has dawned on me that this would be the perfect summer task; to convert a 12.1 inch iBook into that Mac tablet.
As far as I can tell in that article, the guy used the existing case with some modifications to achieve the tablet. Some of the extra features, like a firewire and USB hub I won't need, and I already have an Apple USB keyboard, so that won't be an issue either (keyboard can be removed). So basically I need to find:
1) 12 inch iBook - cheapest option. I'm not willing to cut into my nice new G4 just yet, so an old one will have to do.
2) Troll Touch 12 inch LCD with the driver and the software.
3) Lots of patience and time (which I'll have).
Now for my rough outline:
If I manage to find a dual USB model, then I will wire the display straight into the unit. I think it is the only viable solution; take one of the USB ports up and install the driver into it internally. This would however, remove one of my USB ports, and since during this procedure I planned on attaching a Bluetooth USB dongle internally as well, a problem would arise. Still, I suppose I could live with bluetooth on the outside.
The mouse click, I think, should be put somewhere mre usable, but where? Depending on the situation, I might need it elsewhere, and not be able to get to it. But as I assume you'll be able to tap the screen for a mouse click, it shouldn't really be a necessity. Maybe I'll leave it in the center where he has it.
The upgraded harddrive he has in there would certainly be nice, and the fact that minus the keyboard I'd have some space for it, I plan on adding one.
The problem here is going to be cost. The lowest iBook that'd work with this is around $400-500, and the touch screen (going to contact them soon) is going to be more. Upgrades, problems and anything else would bring this probably up to $900-1000. So I'd need to find a broken iBook (digitizer only, and keyboard would be fine too, as both will be upgraded), but where do I get one of those? And how much less might I have to pay?
Well, right now I am looking to suggestions of how I might go about doing this. I'd especially like websites relating to this sort of thing, some sites that sell the Troll Touch stuff, some used Mac sites... anything. Any input would of course be appreciated, and if you might have a damaged or completely working iBook that fits the description that'd be cheap and available for a while, please drop me a line here. I might have some interesting trades.
Otherwise, just wanted to say hi!
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