mac mini into laptop?

GrimOfDoom · April 27, 2020

This is just a semi-idea that could be a future plan. I am getting a 2018 mac mini (i7, 128GB storage, 8GB ram; $100 off at B&H) for not yet started business (laser engraving/cutting), and I was curios if I could take apart my mac mini and convert it into a laptop so I don't have to use my older windows laptop. The general idea is plausible- however, the only questions are:

1) Is there a battery bank that can power both some monitor and also the mac mini for a fair amount of time

2) Is there a good low power monitor that would work well?

3) How should I do the keyboard?

On the monitor portion, one idea I had was to make it so I could slot in my iPad Pro (2017) and use that as the screen with Carplay (Or second screen on back of flipped up screen) to make a tablet. On the thought that some of you may be thinking, I cannot afford an external graphics card (though I have an RX470 that I own and not in use- but not found a cheap doable external GPU adapter). One of the nice advantages this would make for me is that I can easily access the ram slots of Mac Mini with minimal effort, I don't need the second laptop- just like the Nintendo Switch, just pull off the custom base (usb/video out connections). There would also be space to easily put more storage inside without a bunch of cables running everywhere. And the fact of owning a very rare Mac Tablet with Apple Pencil (1) support would be cool.

Any thoughts, suggestions or ideas to the questions or idea of the project; please share

(Yes I know windows laptops act like this already- but Mac is just the personally desired platform for the work, no if's, and's or butts)

cj2tech91 · April 27, 2020

You would have to find things that are usb powered. They do make "mac" like keyboard for cheap that you could probably work. And I know you can get usb power monitors, or use a display panel and controller board. As for the power you would need most likely to figure out some home-brewed system. I would go with 18650 battery just be careful with them. DO NOT DO USE THEM IF YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT YOUR DOING!

The would not be a easy task an you would need to know what you are doing. Not just design wise but electrical engineering. And tbh thats out of my league.

GrimOfDoom · April 28, 2020

The Mac Mini should use the same amount of power as a laptop, if not less or slightly more. It’s a mobile processor (i7-8700B), and doesn’t have any big/major components like an iMac or MacBook Pro- both of witch are not mobile & tablet capable (tablet mode on a MacBook Pro is, sitting somewhere with both macbook open and ipad plugged in or wirelessly connected, not mobile ergonomic like in a car for example). MacBook Pro is also extremely expensive for an i7 model.

GrimOfDoom · May 10, 2020

As an update, the device definitely takes up more power than originally calculated (using guesstimations based on what's inside). Probably instead have to make a mobile desktop/laptop with screen (Can't connect to sidecar without going through macOS, so only iPad display is impossible).