Apple and Raspberry Pi combine in this fan-made miniature Mac, comes in ‘Small’ or ‘Tiny’ sizes
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for a retro computer project and are into the old-school Macintosh, then with the magic of Raspberry Pi and some 3D printing, you can make your very own miniature Mac! The original Tiny Mac project was developed about four years ago, but now a new Small Mac is available, which is around 25% larger with a bigger 3.5-inch screen. Unlike the previous version, the Small Mac can also be constructed around the Raspberry Pi 3.
How to make your Raspberry Pi Mac
The step-by-step instructions on how to build both the Small Mac and Tiny Mac are available on Autodesk Instructables.
Prime Day may have closed its doors, but that hasn't stopped great deals from landing on the web's biggest online retailer. Here are all the best last chance savings from this year's Prime event.
- Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT Was $779 Now $719
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Processor Was $449 Now $341
- Skytech King 95 Ryzen 7 9800X3D gaming PC Was $2,899 Now $2,599
- LG 77-Inch Class OLED C5 TV Was $3,696 Now $2,996
- AOC Laptop Computer 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Was $360.99 Now $306.84
- Lexar 2TB NM1090 w/HeatSink SSD Was $281.97 Now $214.98
- Apple Watch Series 10 GPS+ Smartwatch Was $499.99 Now $379.99
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X processor Was $3199.99 Now $279.99
- Garmin vívoactive 5 Smartwatch Was $299.99 Now $190
*Prices and savings subject to change. Click through to get the current prices.
You can construct the ‘Small Mac’ mini computer either from Raspberry Pi Zero (which is apparently now very difficult to get hold of due to supply chain issues) or a Raspberry Pi 3, and there are some differences in the end product and the construction steps depending on which you go with (these are all explained in the guide). Only the Pi Zero version, for instance, has an externally accessible SD card.
In terms of the tools, you will need a 2.5mm Ball Allen wrench and 220 grit sandpaper, plus access to a 3D printer to make the case. Have a read through the guides for the full list of all the different components you will require.
There are four different versions of the front of the case you can pick for the Small Mac: Plus, SE, SE30, and Classic – these can be used with either Pi 3 or Pi Zero – but some of the back sections are only compatible with one or the other.
Why do people enjoy retro Macintosh computers?
People enjoy using retro Macintosh computers for a variety of reasons, but usually nostalgia and appreciation for the aesthetics, the simplicity of the OS, and the enjoyment of the technical challenge of making one are first and foremost.
Retro Macs also offer a different kind of computing experience – one that emphasizes simplicity and focus. Some collectors also display them as functional decor, blending computing history with interior design.
Part of the fun also comes from revisiting old software and games. Many users enjoy booting up classic titles like The Oregon Trail, Myst, or Prince of Persia, or using vintage creative tools like MacPaint, MacWrite, and HyperCard.
Finally, many users are drawn to retro Macs out of a deep appreciation for computing history. A strong online community has also developed around these machines, offering forums, guides, and shared enthusiasm that help keep the legacy of classic Macs alive.
About the Author