Mac^® mini Hacks & Mods For Dummies^®

by John Rizzo

• ISBN13: 9780471749004
• ISBN10: 0471749001
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Starting at $499, the diminutive Mac mini-2.5 inches tall, 6.5 inches wide, and 2.9 pounds-is expected to become Apple's bestselling computer, with projected shipments of 100,000 units a month This book offers several projects-some easy, some more challenging-to help people tweak, modify, and transform a Mac mini Modest modifications include creating a Mac mini home theater, an appliance controller, and a travel kit; other more complex (but very cool!) mods require wielding a soldering iron Offers detailed, illustrated step-by-step instructions-including how to open the Mac mini, keep track of pieces, and avoid damage-that enable even novice tinkerers to complete the projects

Author Biography

<b>John Rizzo</b> (San Francisco, CA) bought his first Mac in 1984, and soon began writing about them. A former staff editor for <i>MacUser</i> magazine, John now writes about Mac hardware and software for CNET.com and for Mac magazines. His books include the <i>How the Mac Works</i> series, <i>Mac Annoyances, Mac Toys,</i> and <i>Macintosh Windows Integration</i>. John also publishes MacWindows.com, a web site devoted to helping Macs get along in a Windows world. John promotes his books on this site, which has about 600,000 visitors a year.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
About This Book	1	(1)
Foolish Assumptions	2	(1)
What You Don't Have to Read	2	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	3	(2)
Part I: Owning a Mac mini	3	(1)
Part II: Cracking Open the mini	4	(1)
Part III: Upgrading the mini Yourself	4	(1)
Part IV: Mods for the Home	4	(1)
Part V: Modding Your Car for the Mac mini	4	(1)
Part VI: Maxi mini Mods	4	(1)
Part VII: The Part of Tens	5	(1)
The appendix	5	(1)
Conventions Used in This Book	5	(1)
Icons Used in This Book	5	(1)
Where to Go from Here	6	(1)
Part I: Owning a Mac mini	7	(42)
Chapter 1: Modding a Mac mini: An Overview	9	(14)
What's a Mod?	10	(1)
Why Mod a Perfectly Good Mac?	10	(5)
Saving money by adding options yourself	11	(3)
New tricks for a not-so-old mini	14	(1)
Changing your mini's look	15	(1)
What's in Store	15	(2)
Plugging things in	15	(1)
Adding software	16	(1)
Breaking open the box	16	(1)
Replacing parts	16	(1)
Planning Your Mod	17	(2)
Sizing up the job	17	(1)
Estimating time	18	(1)
Estimating costs	18	(1)
Locating suppliers	19	(1)
Setting realistic expectations	19	(1)
Software Considerations	19	(4)
When to upgrade Mac OS X	20	(1)
Researching your software's needs	20	(3)
Chapter 2: Completing Your Mac mini	23	(16)
The Back Panel	23	(5)
Audio	24	(1)
FireWire	24	(2)
USB 2.0	26	(1)
DVI video	27	(1)
Modem	28	(1)
Ethernet	28	(1)
Power	28	(1)
What, No Keyboard?	28	(6)
USB keyboards	29	(1)
Using a Windows keyboard with the mini	29	(3)
Mousing around	32	(1)
Going wireless	32	(1)
Sharing your keyboard/monitor with another Mac or PC	33	(1)
Adding a Display	34	(5)
Types of video: Digital and analog	34	(1)
Choosing a type of video adapter	35	(2)
Adding a second monitor via USB	37	(2)
Chapter 3: The mini as a Portable Computer	39	(10)
Building a Mac mini Travel Kit	39	(1)
Oh Solo mini	40	(3)
Power adapter: To carry or not to carry	40	(1)
Cables	41	(1)
Carrying a mini	41	(1)
Weighing in	42	(1)
Toting the Keyboard with Your mini	43	(3)
Mobile keyboards	43	(2)
Cables	45	(1)
Carrying the mini with a keyboard	45	(1)
Weighing in	46	(1)
Taking a Display with You	46	(5)
Displays you can carry	46	(1)
Carrying cases	47	(1)
Weighing in	48	(1)
Part II: Cracking Open the mini	49	(28)
Chapter 4: Opening the Mac mini	51	(12)
Going Where Apple Doesn't Want You	51	(2)
Keeping the warranty intact	52	(1)
Minding your AppleCare contract	53	(1)
The Putty Knife: The Official mini-Cracking Tool	53	(2)
The best putty knife for the job	53	(1)
Modding your knife for cracking duty	54	(1)
A Quick Reconnaissance	55	(1)
Removing the Outer Casing	56	(4)
Discharging static electricity	56	(1)
Popping the top	57	(3)
Closing Up the Mac mini	60	(3)
Chapter 5: First Mods Inside the Mac mini	63	(14)
Amazing, Isn't It?	63	(1)
Anatomy of a Mac mini	64	(5)
Interconnect board	65	(1)
AirPort, Bluetooth, and mezzanine board	66	(1)
The DVD drive	67	(1)
The hard drive	67	(1)
RAM	67	(1)
The mother of all boards	67	(2)
Removing and Replacing the Internal Frame	69	(5)
Removing the antennas	69	(2)
Tools for removing the internal frame	71	(1)
Removing the internal frame	71	(3)
Replacing the internal frame	74	(1)
Changing the Battery	74	(3)
Part III: Upgrading the mini Yourself	77	(50)
Chapter 6: String Your Own Wireless	79	(12)
What's in a Name	79	(1)
Buying and Installing Internal Wireless	80	(8)
Installing if you don't have wireless	80	(6)
Installing if you already have Bluetooth or AirPort	86	(2)
The USB Approach to Wireless	88	(3)
USB Bluetooth	88	(1)
External AirPort	89	(2)
Chapter 7: Upgrading the Hard Drive and RAM	91	(22)
Upgrading RAM	92	(3)
Mac OS X performance and RAM	92	(1)
How much is enough?	92	(1)
Buying the right RAM	92	(1)
Installing a new RAM module	93	(2)
Buying a Replacement Hard Drive	95	(1)
Buying a faster drive	95	(1)
Buying the right form factor	95	(1)
Replacing the Hard Drive	96	(9)
Saving your software and settings	97	(2)
Tools for removing the hard drive	99	(1)
Removing the drive	100	(3)
Installing the new drive	103	(2)
Turning Your Old Drive into an External Drive	105	(1)
Installing Software	106	(7)
Installing Mac OS X and applications	107	(1)
Installing Mac OS 9 (optional)	108	(1)
Using the Migration Assistant with your external drive	108	(3)
Manually adding your files and settings	111	(2)
Chapter 8: Installing a DVD Drive	113	(14)
Reasons to Replace an Optical Drive	113	(1)
Buying the Right Drive	114	(5)
Determining what you already have	115	(1)
Form factor	115	(1)
DVD formats	116	(2)
Understanding the X factor: Drive speed	118	(1)
Replacing the Old with the New	119	(10)
Tools	119	(1)
Removing the old optical drive	120	(3)
Installing the new DVD drive	123	(4)
Part IV: Mods for the Home	127	(68)
Chapter 9: The Mac mini Home Theater	129	(30)
Planning a Mac mini Media Center	129	(4)
What's in a home theater	130	(1)
What you need	131	(2)
Connecting the Mac mini	133	(7)
Choosing an audio connection	133	(3)
Choosing a video connection	136	(2)
Finding a place to plug it all in	138	(2)
Controlling the Mac mini	140	(4)
Using a TV as a monitor	140	(3)
Keyboard and mouse versus remote	143	(1)
Creating a Video Jukebox	144	(8)
Keeping it legal: Copyright issues	145	(1)
Ripping DVD movies	146	(2)
Downloading free movies	148	(1)
Playing ripped DVD movies	148	(2)
Setting up a remote control	150	(2)
Adding DVR Functionality	152	(7)
The parts of a DVR	153	(1)
Comparing DVR boxes	153	(4)
Capturing video	157	(1)
Online program guides	157	(2)
Chapter 10: Automating Your Home	159	(26)
About X10	160	(1)
What You Can Do	160	(1)
What You Need	161	(9)
Shopping for X10 hardware	161	(1)
Basic X10 hardware types	162	(7)
Problem-solving devices	169	(1)
X10 software	169	(1)
Setting Up Hardware	170	(6)
Configuring X10 addresses	170	(2)
Connecting the X10 network	172	(2)
Installing problem-solving devices	174	(2)
Setting Up Indigo X10 Software	176	(9)
The Preferences dialog	176	(1)
The main Indigo window	177	(1)
Trigger Actions	178	(1)
An example: Motion-triggered light	179	(6)
Chapter 11: Mac mini in the Kitchen	185	(10)
The New Kitchen Appliance	185	(6)
Entertain yourself while cooking	186	(1)
Tap the kitchen database	186	(1)
Organize your recipes	187	(4)
Finding a mini a Home in Your Kitchen	191	(2)
Locating the mini	192	(1)
Displaying the display	192	(1)
Waterproof keyboard	192	(1)
Locating the Mac mini's power brick	193	(1)
A Day in the Life of the Kitchen mini	193	(2)
Part V: Modding Your Car for the Mac mini	195	(56)
Chapter 12: Planning a Mac mini Car Mod	197	(14)
What's It Good For? Absolutely Everything!	197	(4)
Mini as a car stereo	198	(1)
Playing movies for the kids	198	(1)
Driving directions	199	(1)
Taking (or listening to) a memo	199	(1)
Wireless Internet access	200	(1)
Office on the road	200	(1)
Home on wheels	201	(1)
Installation Planning	201	(2)
Safety	201	(1)
User interface	201	(1)
Accessibility	201	(1)
Power	202	(1)
Heat	202	(1)
Vibration	202	(1)
Security	203	(1)
Internet access	203	(1)
Estimating Costs	203	(4)
The basics	203	(1)
Optional stuff	204	(1)
Tools	204	(1)
Supplies	205	(2)
Hiring the pros	207	(1)
Mapping Out mini Locations	207	(2)
Video display locations	208	(1)
Control options	208	(1)
Hack Safely	209	(1)
Installation Safety	210	(1)
Legal Considerations	210	(1)
Chapter 13: Getting Power to Your Car's mini	211	(16)
Facts about Your Car's Electrical System	211	(2)
Powering the mini with DC-to-AC Inverter	213	(2)
The catch: power draw	214	(1)
Inverters and space	214	(1)
Tapping in to the Electrical System	215	(2)
Tapping into the fuse box	215	(2)
Other car wiring approaches	217	(1)
Powering the mini with a DC-to-DC Converter	217	(10)
Carnetix P1900 DC-to-DC supply	218	(1)
Connecting the mini to the DC-to-DC converter	219	(8)
Chapter 14: Installing a Display and a mini in a Car	227	(14)
Types of Displays	227	(5)
Cathode ray tubes	228	(1)
Plasma flat-panel displays	228	(1)
Liquid crystal displays	228	(1)
Projection displays	229	(1)
Understanding resolution specs	230	(1)
Choosing a video connector type	231	(1)
Touch screens in cars	232	(1)
Mounting Your Display	232	(4)
Getting some help	233	(1)
On-dashboard mounting	234	(1)
In-dashboard mounting	234	(1)
Roof mounting	234	(1)
Headrest mounting	235	(1)
Mounting Your mini	236	(2)
The Mini Dock kit	236	(1)
Under the dashboard	237	(1)
Glove box	237	(1)
The trunk	238	(1)
Wiring the Display and mini	238	(3)
Display power	239	(1)
Connecting the display to the mini	239	(2)
Chapter 15: Auto Audio and Peripherals	241	(10)
Wiring Your Car for mini Audio	241	(4)
On the cheap — FM transmitters and cassette adapters	242	(1)
Plugging into your car stereo	242	(2)
Extreme makeover, car audio edition	244	(1)
Gizmos and Gadgets	245	(3)
Hub of the universe	245	(1)
Voice control	246	(1)
Television tuner	247	(1)
Connecting to the Internet	248	(2)
Long range: Mobile phones and satellite	248	(1)
Short-range Internet access via WiFi	248	(2)
Navigating with GPS	250	(1)
Part VI: Maxi mini Mods	251	(74)
Chapter 16: Maxi mini Mod Techniques	253	(20)
Soldering Electronics	253	(6)
Soldering tools	254	(1)
How to solder	255	(3)
Desoldering with a braid	258	(1)
Practicing	259	(1)
Cutting	259	(6)
What to wear when cutting	259	(1)
Cutting tools	260	(1)
Cutting plastics	261	(1)
Cutting acrylic	262	(1)
Cutting metal	263	(2)
Gluing	265	(2)
Precautions	265	(1)
Gluing plastic to metal and other mixed materials	265	(1)
Gluing plastics	266	(1)
Acrylic (Plexiglas)	267	(1)
Painting	267	(6)
Removing paint from plastic	268	(1)
Sanding	268	(1)
Masking	269	(1)
Where to paint	270	(1)
Types of paint	270	(1)
Applying paint with aerosol cans	271	(2)
Chapter 17: Fun mini Case Mods	273	(14)
Precautions	273	(2)
Preventing overheating	274	(1)
Interference with wireless and optical	274	(1)
Wrapping and Sticking Stuff to the mini	275	(3)
Adding prefab skins	275	(2)
Gluing things to the mini's case	277	(1)
Painting the mini	278	(2)
Leaving it to the experts	278	(1)
Painting it yourself	278	(2)
Maxi Modding the Outer Case	280	(7)
Removing and replacing the plastic top	280	(4)
Adding a new top to the outer casing	284	(3)
Chapter 18: Mac OS X Hacks and Mods	287	(12)
Hacking in Terminal	287	(2)
Hacking the Finder and Dock	289	(8)
Adding a Quit command to the Finder menu	289	(1)
Right and left justification of the Dock	290	(1)
Top Dock, disappearing Dock	291	(2)
Creating a desktop and sidebar Trash icon	293	(2)
Making hidden apps look different in the Dock	295	(1)
Showing invisible folders	296	(1)
An iTunes Mod	297	(1)
Utilities That Change the Look and Feel	297	(2)
Adding files and folders to the Apple menu	298	(1)
Getting rid of brushed metal	298	(1)
Macintosh Explorer	298	(1)
Chapter 19: Modding for Bigger Form Factor Hard Drives	299	(12)
What's Involved	299	(3)
Size	300	(1)
Power	300	(1)
Converting between IDE connectors	301	(1)
Gathering Parts	302	(1)
Obtaining a 44-to-40-pin converter	303	(4)
What doesn't work	303	(1)
Buying a converter that does work	304	(1)
Growing your own converter connector	305	(2)
Assembling the Mod	307	(4)
Transferring data and settings	307	(2)
Installing the cable and connectors in the Mac mini	309	(1)
Modding the hard drive enclosure	310	(1)
Chapter 20: Overclocking for a Faster Mac mini	311	(14)
Processors and Clocking	312	(1)
Why it works	312	(1)
Issues to consider	312	(1)
Tools You'll Need	313	(1)
Performing the Mod	314	(9)
Removing the motherboard	314	(2)
Locating the jumpers	316	(2)
Determining the jumper configuration	318	(1)
Desoldering a jumper	319	(1)
Soldering the jumpers in a new place	319	(1)
Reassembling the Mac mini	320	(3)
Testing Your Pumped-Up Mac mini	323	(2)
Part VII The Part of Tens	325	(16)
Chapter 21: Ten Web Sites to Go to for Ideas and Help	327	(6)
MacInTouch	327	(1)
Apple's Macintosh Product Guide	328	(1)
Version Tracker	328	(1)
Apple Discussion Forum	329	(1)
MacMod	329	(1)
123Macmini	330	(1)
MacVroom	330	(1)
Inside Mac Games	331	(1)
Radio Shack	331	(1)
Tom's Hardware Guide	332	(1)
Chapter 22: Ten Other Uses for the Mac mini	333	(8)
Safe Surfing Box for Window Users	333	(1)
Electronic Scoreboard	334	(1)
Computer on a Rope	334	(1)
Boat or Small-Plane Mac	335	(1)
Mobile Podcast Studio	336	(1)
Pro Recording Studio	336	(1)
Electronic Sculpture	337	(1)
Digital Picture Frame	337	(1)
Treffpunkt	338	(1)
Bar Punkt	339	(2)
Appendix: Keeping the Mac mini Running Smoothly	341	(16)
Troubleshooting Problems	342	(1)
Troubleshooting Prefs and Other System Files: Fixing Spinning Beach Balls and Other Maladies	342	(5)
Identifying and locating preferences files	343	(1)
Troubleshooting problem preferences files	344	(2)
Troubleshooting flaky fonts	346	(1)
A printer problem-solver	346	(1)
Repairing Permissions	347	(2)
When to repair permissions	348	(1)
How to repair permissions	348	(1)
Repairing the Hard Disk with Disk Utility	349	(3)
When to repair the hard disk	349	(1)
Running the Repair Disk function	350	(1)
A shortcut for repairing the disk	351	(1)
Reformatting the Drive and Reinstalling Mac OS X	352	(1)
Backing up the hard drive	352	(1)
Erasing your drive	352	(1)
Restoring the hard drive	353	(1)
Hardware Problems	353	(4)
When the hard drive fixes don't work	353	(1)
RAM problems	354	(1)
Running Apple Hardware Test	355	(2)
Index	357