Installing Apple IIc in Mac 128 Casing: Comments Solicited

[sebugg@presby.edu (Stephen Buggie)]

sebugg@presby.edu                                          Feb 23 1994

              FEASIBILITY OF INSTALLING IIC IN A MAC 128 CASING:
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                            COMMENTS SOLICITED
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I have several Apple IIc computers, plus my "flagship IIe."  At our
local users meeting this week one of the members brought his computer:
an Apple IIgs installed in the traditional (1981) IBM PC casing.  It
looked exactly like an IBM PC except for the Apple logo sticker on the
front panel.  The keyboard was a IIgs model, but to casual observation
this appeared to be an IBM.   The overall impact was impressive.
He mentioned other advantages too, such as the bigger IBM power supply,
plenty of space for hard drive and other accessories inside, etc.

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IIC INSTALLED IN MACINTISK 128 CASING.......?

What complications would I encounter to install an Apple IIc inside the casing
of an older Macinitosh, such as the Mac 128, Mac 512, or Mac SE?

1. Would the IIc motherboard fit?  The motherboard is smaller than the
external IIc casing by about an inch on each edge.  Possibly some of the
edge could be ground off to give further clearance.  Possibly it could be
shoe-horned into the casing at a diagonal angle if its a close fit.

2. Would the Macintosh monochrome monitor be compatible with the IIc
video output?  (Remember, the IIc has both types of video output: the
standard composite output, and also a 15 pin RGB signal.  An Apple
magazine article from the mid-80s claimed that the IIc has greater
compatibility with a wide range of monitors than does any other
computer model.

3. If the Mac monitor is incompatible with the IIc, could the 9" IIc
monitor be installed in that opening?

4. Keyboards:  Is the older Mac detached keyboard compatible with the
keyboard socket on the IIc motherboard?  If not, could the IIc internal
keyboard be installed in the Mac detached keyboard casing?  Is an extension
ribbon cable available for the IIc keyboard?  What about the RESET button
and other two switches on the IIc keyboard??

5. Disk Drives:  The internal IIc disk drive would be removed.  It plugs
into the IIc motherboard with a 20-pin ribbon cable.  I would plan to
use two External Disk IIc drives with it; MAYBE even a Unidisk 3.5
external drive also.  The Mac's internal drive port would be vacant.....
unless the Unidisk 3.5" drive could be removed from its external casing
and installed on the drive shelf below the monitor......

6. Power supply: The external "power brick" would plug into the unit
via the back panel.  Power for the internal 9" monitor would be arranged
separately.

7. Speaker volume control and headphone jack would be extended to the side
or back of the Mac housing.


ANY OTHER COMPLICATIONS??????   Comments are solicited!!!  I wont begin
this project if there are any absolute "brick wall" complications such as
the motherboard being too large.

YES, I realize that attempting this project "may void my Apple IIc warranty."
I will only try it on a IIc for which the warranty has already expired B--)



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 ** Stephen Buggie  Psych Dept  Presbyterian College   Clinton SC 29325 **
 ** sebugg@presby.edu                 voice: (803) 833-8337 or 833-1632 **
 **                 Apple IIe/IIc  Laser 128 loyalist                   **
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