This is my latest conversion to a Mirror Drive Door G4 PowerMac.
I have done a few different versions of the MDD and these machines pose a unique challenge – which is probably why I keep coming back.
First of all they are one of the nicest looking Apple cases out there (in my opinion), but infuriatingly they also have a lot of problems when adapting them to fit PC parts to.
The front looks great with a bit of mirror polished steel on the front panel, with a lovely simple central switch and two opening panels for DVD drives etc.
The door mechanism is better than every other G4 – no terrible piece of plastic, just a good solid “clunk” when you click the door shut.
Slimline PSU case cleverly integrated into the sidewall.
Sleek looking back with flat panels and large holes for ventilation (although cooling was always the Achilles heel of the MDD).
The problems?
1.The rear IO is back to front – PCI slots on the left.
2.The back panel has a step in it, so that the usual approach of slapping a microATX shield onto the door panel just doesn’t work.
3.The back panel is structural so if you machine it away, you end up with it looking awful and floppy (PCI-e cards flapping around in space is not pretty).
4.The central DVD drives are placed exactly to block almost every microATX board known to man as the RAM sticks crash into the drives. Even short drives usually get in the way.
5.Where to place the PSU? The origin slimline one is great, but an ATX PSU just seems out of place in the case and closes down the cooling options remarkably.
6.The front panel – looks great but mostly needs to be removed to get some air into the case.
I could go on…..but you get the picture. All these compromises mean that this G4 is the least modded of them all and, of the ones you do see, how many of these conversions do you see where there are very few (or no) pictures of the back panel because generally it is a bit of a mess .
So my mission is to create a kit that will actually fit an MDD, help builders preserve the original feel of the case and allow a few options for customisations AND look stunning from behind.
So I present – the Mirror Back Door G4 case conversion in pre-production prototype form.
Stunning mirrored rear door
Mirror polished 2mm steel
Brilliant clean lines complement the case design
Here it is with my trusty workhorse GA P55M UD4 board fitted.
Board shows an example of how this kit can be fitted up
Plenty of room for mATX boards
Cut down the drive support to provide more clearance
I have kept the original PSU casing and the 2 drive holder is also modified and retained
Space for fan inside the door step
Original clean front look
Behind the mirrored front – room for a slim DVD
Things to notice about it:
1. The 2mm polished steel back panel is a 3 part construction that fits into and around the original door frame to give a door that is as strong as the original (in fact heavier!) and follows the external outline completely.
2. One of the three parts to this is a flat IO shield which sits as far back in the case as it is possible to go – by having a panel like this instead of the usual sunken rectangular IO slot you gain vital millimetres at the front which allows (dependent on your mATX board) a slimline DVD recorder to occupy one of the front slots.
3. The back of the case is stepped, like the original, with the rear section sliding into place as the door closes.
4. The door step incorporates space for a slim 15mm fan and can be used to house the original 60mm fan that was attached to the MDD door.
Production versions will have a swing clip that closes over the PCI-e card tabs to hold ten in place at the top also planned is an integrated motherboard tray that forms a single part with the io shield for simple riveting into position.
So, you will probably be asking – when can I buy it? What will it cost?
This is a pre-production prototype. Next version will be with the integrated motherboard tray and features to make fitting easier. You will though still need to know how to use a Dremel and have a rivet gun. I expect to be testing that version in a month and then to be ready to announce pricing and take orders. Watch this space.
