iMac G4 with 20 inches becomes iMac G4 M4
A YouTuber has brought his old iMac G4 into the modern age: thanks to a Mac mini M4 as a donor plus a circuit board, the old iron cuts a fine figure.
iMac G4 with M4: There is enough space – but you need an additional board.
(Image: Screenshot Action Retro / YouTube)
When the iMac G4 first came onto the market in 2002, the all-in-one computer was a special feature: the screen and computing unit themselves were separated and the display was mounted on a swivel arm, which allowed the screen to be positioned (almost) anywhere on the desk. The look of the – LCD screen, which was flat by the standards of the time –, the sturdy steel swivel arm and the bright white computer housing made quite an impression. But in 2004, the look was already over, as Apple returned to a more traditional housing with the iMac G5. But if you still have an iMac G4, you don't have to throw it away: A hobbyist on YouTube has now demonstrated that it is perfectly possible to modernize the machine – even with Apple Silicon.
New circuit board as a starting point
The project with the beautiful name iMac G4 M4 is based on a 20-inch device. Apple had presented the "lamp iMac" in 15, 17 and 20-inch versions – with the 20-inch version being the most impressive. However, there is a bit of cheating in the Action Retro channel's DIY project: in addition to a Mac mini M4, which serves as donor hardware, a special circuit board is also used, which makes the screen installed in the iMac G4 accessible for other devices.
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The board comes from the supplier Juicycrumb and is called DockLite G4. The board is designed for models with 17 and 20-inch screens and fits exactly into the iMac G4 base – at a price of around 240 euros plus tax and shipping from Australia. Once installed, the iMac G4 is equipped with an HDMI output and USB hub. The board also has a dedicated power button just for the screen.
Two power switches and a fan
The DockLite G4 board makes it easier for the Mac mini M4 to access the screen. Nevertheless, some soldering and tinkering is required. The M4 has to be taken out of the case and the fan removed – Action Retro uses its own fan, which fits better in the case.
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Otherwise, there is enough space in the iMac G4 base – even for some cable clutter. The only annoying thing is that the system has two power buttons: One for the computer and one for the screen. However, in headless mode, this is actually a sensible way to use the system.
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