This giant Lego brick is an actual working Mac
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld introduces the M2x2, a creative 3D printed case that transforms a Mac mini M4 into a giant working Lego brick in 10:1 scale.
- The design includes practical elements, including top studs that serve as volume controls and Apple Watch charging pucks, as well as a 7-inch display and USB-C ports.
- Created by a Redditor, this nostalgic project combines classic Lego aesthetics with 1980s Macintosh design, with 3D files available on Makerworld for enthusiasts.
If the MacBook Neo is too new for your tastes, you might be interested in a Mac that offers a more retro design.
A 3D printing enthusiast and Redditor named NefariousnessWhole25 announced this week the completion of a project to house an M4 Mac mini inside a giant Lego brick. The device somehow combines the nostalgia of classic Lego with the nostalgia of 1980s Macintosh design, while still remaining functional enough to serve as a fully functional computer.
The starting point was the idea to 3D print an oversized version (10:1 scale) of the “Slope 45 2×2” Lego brick, also known as piece 3039. First used in Lego sets as early as 1959, this familiar wedge shape was frequently used in spaceships and superhero bases to represent an old-fashioned computer terminal. NefariousnessWhole25 therefore decided to use the larger model precisely for this.
The project, known as M2x2, houses an M4 Mac mini inside the giant brick. It has a 7-inch display (tilted), USB-C ports, a front-facing SD card reader, and a carrying handle. The two studs on top are used for volume control (left) and to cover an AirPods/Apple Watch wireless charging puck (right).
“Discover the M2x2 (because 2×2 = M4, and of course in reference to the iconic Lego brick),” writes NefariousnessWhole25. “The design was mostly inspired by the original Macintosh (the vents and handle on the back), but inside it contains the small but powerful Mac mini M4 to transform it into a fully contained desktop terminal that I currently use as my primary computer.”
Readers who want to replicate the experience can grab the 3D model from Makerworld. You’ll also need a Mac mini, of course:
$743
And if you like the retro design of Macintoshes, check out the Pico Mac Nano, Spigen’s Classic LS case, and this awesome DIY project.
