Desktop-class macOS with swappable compute (Mac mini)
16″ OLED panel with VESA so I can tune height/angle
Real keyboard + large trackpad
Internal AC inverter so the mini/monitor use their stock power paths
Current status
I’ve made a rough cardboard mock to nail down ergonomics and component placement before committing to a real shell. It already helped pin palm-rest depth, cable routing, and the back “hump” volume for the mini + battery.
Target layout (top-down, back → front)
Back row: Mac mini + battery side-by-side under a vented cover
Middle: Keychron K3
Front/right: Magic Trackpad (large surface, centered to spacebar)
Working dimensions (approx)
Mac mini: 127 × 127 × 50 mm
K3: 306 × 116 × 22 mm (base height = keyboard + 2 mm ≈ 24 mm)
Trackpad: 160 × 114.9 × 10.9 mm
Battery: ~184 × 45 × 123 mm
Base footprint target (v1): ~363 W × 425 D × 24 H mm (width = panel width + 10 mm; depth = battery 184 + 5 + keyboard 116 + 5 + trackpad 114.9)
One of my design goals is to have a removable trackpad and keyboard, perhaps even BT TWS speakers. I also want to add high speed storage and USB ports on the sides. It’s gonna require a lot of 3d modeling.
Hell nah dude!! I was thinking of doing the exact same thing.
When the M4 mac mini came out, I compared prices of the mac mini to the macbook air. This idea came up my mind, why don’t I make my own setup with the mac mini and a keyboard and a screen inside a suitcase( for Portability). This would have been cheaper.
What you’re doing is impressive now I’m motivated to crack up a better version of my suitcase macbook.
thanks
My 3d modeling skills are pretty weak so I contracted someone from Fiverr to 3d model the clamshell and hinge, then I’ll cnc mill for jnccnc. Hoping the costs are too crazy
Started 3d printing the lower deck for test fit. I will have to 3d print all the parts and make adjustments to the step files. I already foresee cable routing issues.
Next I will have to tackle the linkages and the display holder, need to figure out how to do heat set insert and I need to trim things down a little more so the KB and mouse sit flush.
