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tkmd · Oct 22, 2006, 08:34 PM

I just dusted off my Pismo - she still works and I thought about gutting it and getting a used mini (intel) and putting the insides into the Pismo. Assuming the components would fit, what would be some major hurdles that I would face?

mduell · Oct 22, 2006, 09:23 PM

1) Logic board is likely the wrong shape.

2) Logic board is likely too thick.

3) Display connector is all wrong.

gooser · Oct 22, 2006, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

1) Logic board is likely the wrong shape.

2) Logic board is likely too thick.

3) Display connector is all wrong.

damn mark, he asked for some hurdles and you really gave him some. this brings me down, i didn't think there was anything you guys couldn't do with a pismo. maybe i'll get one someday. look at the bright side, if you were able to put an intel chip (or 2 0r 3) inside it would be too hot to be called a laptop. we have macbooks for that.

imitchellg5 · Oct 23, 2006, 02:11 PM

I don't think it would work too well. By the time you got it functional, the case would be unstable. I think a Core Duo would make too much heat for the case. A Core Solo would be a better bet.

zerostar · Oct 23, 2006, 02:30 PM

Might be easier to get a macbook into the pismo case? I realize this is a "WTF" Idea but if you have the money to burn and like working in plastics, it would be pretty cool to do.

imitchellg5 · Oct 23, 2006, 06:17 PM

MacBook would be just as challenging I think. The MacBook's internals are very much designed for the MacBook chassis. It might not fit any better than the mini. The Mac mini is very much cobbled together so-to-speak. It doesn't rely on its chassis all that much, it is basically a stack of electronics.

I WAS the One · Nov 2, 2006, 07:31 AM

a MacBook inside a PISMO?? HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA! what is happening here?!!

Tuoder · Nov 3, 2006, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by I WAS the One

a MacBook inside a PISMO?? HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA! what is happening here?!!

Mods.

tintin220 · Nov 12, 2006, 02:09 PM

Coincidentally, I was considering undertaking something similar but with an iBook G4 14". The case, I think, would be better suited, similarly spacious, but its more rectangular shape would make it more compatible. I need ot look more into the guts of the mini compared to the iBook chassis, but I think its well within reason.

First on my list though, is to strip the busted LCD out of said iBook and replace it with a higher res SXGA.

skipjakk · Nov 14, 2006, 06:18 PM

too bad daystar or fastmac don't make motherboard replacements....

Seems like a laptop to laptop motherboard swap would probably be the best way to go, maybe the first generation Intel Macbookpro laptops? Seems like it would almost be easier to contract someone to create a new motherboard for the Pismo though....anyone have any idea how much it costs to create a custom motherboard design?

HowEver · Dec 6, 2006, 08:24 AM

Wouldn't the screen display be limited to 800 x 600 still?

Or would you also change out the display to something more modern, perhaps even using the MacBook's LCD?

Oh, then to make it fit you could also use the MacBook upper and lower cases.

Hey, wait a minute! That's the whole computer then...

Maxwell Smart · Dec 7, 2006, 07:17 PM

The pismo had a resolution of 1024x768....not that that matters as doing this mod would be almost completely impossible without a LOT of money, if you want to do it well that is.

cskauth · Jan 24, 2008, 12:15 PM

Anyone have an idea how much it would cost to just have someone design a motherboard replacement, maybe based on a newer macoboook pro's design, but just in the pismo motherboard shape? Seems like the best solution....