20" Touchscreen iMac G4 / Apple Cinema Display - Demonstration

[wizardzkrew]

how did you do that? i would like to get one too.

[jberg44]

Please see my blog "dremel junkie" for details. The actual touch screen used here is a 5 wire resistive touch screen

[skittb89]

so this is actually powered by the macmini instead of the build in PowerPC chipset?

[jberg44]

@skittb89 Yes, this particular mod was connected to an external mini. I do have a newer mod which uses a Sandy Bridge small form factor board and is an all-in-one, but as I was going for "a recreation" of the original G4, I did not include the touchscreen.

[theimacman1]

Is the display for sale if so send me a response

[jberg44]

Mickyd - yes I have. The older mac mini will fit. However, it fits in at an angle. As such, the drive is not usable. I. Addition, the power button is not accessible. In other words, the Mac mini would have to be opened and modified. I almost went this router, but ultimately did not want to open the Mac mini. But, it is certainly possible with the previous generation mini.

[mickyd110011]

have you ever tried to put a mac mini intel logicboard inside the imac g4 case plus screen?

[jberg44]

The 27" has a piece of glass that is bonded to the front. So you would need a very custom screen. There is a company called troll touch which does this, but it's expensive

[CamiloKlauberg]

can i do it in an iMac 27?

[msviswan]

I think you did a great job. I have a working iMac G4 17 inch that I adore so much, I have it covered in clear plastic so I can still admire it. I have since moved on to a newer mac, but my heart stays with the G4. I wish apple would bring back this design in 20/ 21 inch as a special edition. Tech parts are getting smaller and neater, I don't think this compact design should be an issue as before. What do you think?

[jberg44]

@msviswan

Thank you very much. Unlike the 20", the 17" monitor cable and inverter can be wired to work with any DVI source. If you want to update your 17" and use it with a mac mini, you certainly can. The mod is MUCH EASIER than this one. Please see my blog for details. Just google "dremel junkie blog" and look up the 17" TMDS to DVI pinout. I agree with you, the design is amazing and timeless. If you are ok with gutting a last generation mac mini, it would probably fit in the base.

[marchofthepiggs]

how do i get mine to be touch screen?

[jberg44]

@marchofthepiggs

The entire monitor including the housing is actually a 20" apple cinema display. Using a dremel I cut out a portion of the front of the monitor and replaced it with a 5 wire after market resistive touchscreen. To find the one I used just go to ebay and search for "20.1" resistive touch screen". The wires go through the neck to the controller in the base, which then connects to the mac mini via USB.

[pajaro514]

nice