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Sneak Peek - the iMac Project: how is it going?
🕑 Added 2025-03-11 03:41:15 +0000 UTCHey!
Thanks again for your support!
So, as promised, here's a detailed written overview of how I'm handling the iMac screen/dock project that I'm currently working on, which will be the next video on the channel.
I'll be posting small video previews once they're ready, but since I'm actively working on the project and shooting daily, here's a quick rundown of what I'm doing right now.
As you can see from previous posts, the core idea is simple, and it's basically a scaling up of what I did with the PiSight Webcam Project: taking a 17" iMac G5 and completely replacing its internal components TRYING TO NOT PERMANENTLY MODIFY ANYTHING INSIDE OF IT to make all of this potentially reversible (so, no drilling or anything, in theory), transforming it into a high-resolution/high-refresh-rate screen as well as a hub/dock for a Steam Deck, MacBook, or any device capable of charging and sending video through one USB-C cable.
Unlike the PiSight tho, I will be 100% designing my own solutions/figuring out how to assemble and what to do every step of the way, including designing and printing my own 3d printed parts from scratch instead of relying on other people's work (as far as it makes sense: I am not designing my own monitor controller board if I can buy one that is ready, cheap and works great for this project)
My goal isn't to create a tutorial or anything strictly "by the book"—quite the opposite. I have zero experience tackling projects like this or designing hardware from scratch, so the video will cover not just the steps taken but also how and why I made each decision.
That said, let's discuss how I'm approaching this (since the actual project isn't finished yet!)
Step one was acquiring an iMac.
I specifically looked for a broken one, as I planned to replace every single working part, including the screen.
I found an iMac G5 completely stripped of all parts except the screen for around 20 euros, ordered it, and had it shipped.
With that solved, it was time to address the hardware going into the iMac, specifically:
The new screen
The board driving the screen
The components making the rear ports function as a dock
The first two are straightforward:
17-inch screens are common for laptops, so I found a 17-inch 240Hz, 2560x1600 BOE NE170QDM-NZ1 panel for around 75 euros shipped. That's just the panel, though—no electronics included. To address connectivity, I ordered several controller boards from AliExpress, all claiming to support USB-C video (DisplayPort Alt Mode) and converting it to a 40-pin eDP signal, the internal interface used by laptop screens.
So, we have the screen and controller board—let's talk about docks!
My plan includes having two rear ports on the iMac: USB-C input and Power input. Essentially, you'd connect your MacBook or Steam Deck using a single USB-C cable to the display, which simultaneously provides power and video. Plugging a power supply into the power input on the back allows pass-through charging to your device via that single cable.
This requires a dock that supports USB-C DisplayPort passthrough and has a dedicated USB Power Delivery (PD) port. Many options exist, and I've found one suitable for this project.
Now, what's left is assembling everything.
I won't spoil the video or the previews you'll get beforehand here, but I'll explain my approach:
I'm documenting every step of this journey—from initial concept to final product—including mistakes and failures. The underlying message is that if I, someone with no experience building or designing electronics, can achieve this, so can you.
I've structured the project into two main phases:
Week one: Planning, measuring, and determining how to execute the project (disassembling the iMac, removing the old screen, figuring out how to mount the new screen without dedicated mounts, etc.)
Since this is a hobby-style side project, I'm not working on it full-time. For this first week, I'll identify problems, brainstorm solutions, document plans, and prepare for implementation.
Week two: Putting plans into action. If something doesn't work as planned, I'll problem-solve on the spot, clearly showing any issues and explaining why those mistakes occurred.
You are about to see some previews of what happens in week one, since... well that week has already gone by and I am editing those parts while I am in full force in week two, actually building the thing.
Thanks again for your support—stay tuned!
Comments
f4mi
The base iMac that I am using came with no speakers, having already been stripped out by the previous owner with the other parts, soooo retrofit it is ig haha
Oathbound
Finally, this is the kind of unnecessary cool jank I like. Very Bringus-y of you
Noah Lach
Any plan to make use of the internal speakers or retrofit your own? This is such a dope project, reminds me of LTT’s gaming TV shenanigans, if *slightly* more practical.
