G4 Cube + Atom 330 CPU + Wiimote = Ultimate HTPC

This video is a demonstration of my G4 Cube mod. It's probably less of a mod, and more of a gut. The only original pieces of tech left are the case and the touch-capacitance switch. The motherboard was replaced with the Intel D945GCLF2 board w/ Atom 330 processor, the HDD was upgraded, and the defunct slot-loading DVD drive was replaced.

The only method of input is a Wiimote (I could sync a keyboard if needed, but it's pretty pointless for an HTPC, I think). I wrote an Apple Script to launch DarwiinRemote and begin the syncing process. Sleep Watcher does launches the same script when the computer wakes from sleep.

For further nitty-gritty details and photos, visit http://cliveatfive.xanga.com/tags/g4cube/

Wiimote Activator Script: http://paul.thejennis.com/WiimoteActivator.scpt
Or in app form: http://paul.thejennis.com/WiimoteActivator.app

Also, please feel free to ask questions below!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• G4
• Cube
• HTPC
• Atom
• 330
• D945GCLF2
• JAE
• 50
• macmod
• macintosh
• hackintosh
• modder
• modding
• hobbyist
• cliveatfive

[OnceAPunAThyme]

I love this kind of thing, have two old Mac Minis, would love to replace the motherboards with Nano-itx motherboards, though they are so underpowered, even the new AMD ones that offer 20% better performance than the Atoms. It's frustrating waiting for Nano-ITX form factor to catch on. I love what you've done, thank you for sharing, great stuff. Have you made many changes since you made this video?

[CliveAtFive]

@OnceAPunAThyme Thanks! I haven't made any upgrades to the Cube yet, but I have performed (am performing) another mod you may be interested in... cliveatfive[dot]xanga[dot]com[­slash]tags[slash]xhack

[jubilantjeremy]

Looks awesome. Came across this while investigating building my own hackintosh, inside a G4 sawtooth case (as a workstation though, not as a HTPC).

FYI, "chassis" is usually pronounced as "shas-ee" (not chass-is)

[CliveAtFive]

@jubilantjeremy - I'm doing the same thing with an old Quicksilver case I picked up! Good luck to you!

"Chassis" yeah yeah, it's one of those things I know but it's ingrained in my head the wrong way from childhood. ;)

[experimental0000]

though since it is all mac, would it be possible to use mac wireless keybaord and mouse ? I know it's a hassle but might come in handy for you :)

[CliveAtFive]

@experimental0000 - Any bluetooth device should work just fine, including Apple's wireless accessories. One thing I'm going to try soon is syncing my iPod Touch to use as a wireless keyboard and remote.

[iLolige]

It's Pronounced Shas-e

[TacticalSkum]

apple = LOL

[MaaveMaave]

That's friggin packed in there. Nice mod.

[OnceAPunAThyme]

@CliveAtFive Good job! I wanted to make one of these out of wood, seriously, but couldn't find technical drawings or interest from my wood working friends. Glass was another possibility but the glass blower friend who was my brother's partner... they split up and... too expensive, anyway. I drawn to the idea of getting one and spraying the sides white, including the handles, and making the front slate-black.

[geekconnection]

my chalenge to you. put a gamecube in a g4 cube

[Macintosh3745]

you should have made it control ur lights :)

[Je44567]

I got mine done but could not make the touch sensor work (while in the acrylic). It worked great when outside the acrylic but it was just not sensitive enough somehow ... I am so envious of your switch I spent like 25 hr on that dam thing. Oh well I will be turning it on and off with the remote anyway. My setup/pics are on appletoaster com

[experimental0000]

@CliveAtFive you did a great job at it, as I'm sure it wasn't easy on something that snug to begin with.