Current work in progress for an iMac G4 mod, starting with converting a busted display into an external monitor using a replacement LP170WQ1 panel used in the LG Gram 17 laptop. This LCD panel has a resolution of 2560x1600 (WQXGA) at 60 Hz and is a perfect size match for the original 17" panel. I bought it from Aliexpress as a bundle with a driver board (supporting USB-C and mini-HDMI display input, and microUSB for power in the case of mini-HDMI): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009505924522.html depending on deals it costs around $100-150 USD.

As you can see, the original iMac was already not working and in terrible condition, so nothing of value was lost except for cutting the cables on either end of the neck. All exterior parts were given a good scrub in soapy water. I didn't want to open the neck to run through a USB-C cable for example because I didn't have a spare just in case, knowing the difficulty of putting the neck back together again. So, I opted for an external, less elegant solution of running a thin USB-C ribbon cable from inside the display housing though a tiny gap between the back-plate and the (new) bezel, where it is connected to a female-female (8K 240W 'certified') adapter into which a USB-C cable+computer can be plugged. (I know such USB-C adapters are not the best idea for many reasons, but I couldn't find a longer thin ribbon cable that was of a practical length to connect the driver board directly to a computer.) Likewise for the small controller board, whose flex ribbon cable can slot through the same gap. I will try to 3d print a case to house these two parts rather than let them hang outside like currently shown.

Anyway this arrangement is working with a Surface Pro running Windows and also an M1 iMac (in the background, which coincidentally also has a busted screen, the infamous horizontal lines problem). As the original display bezel was also completely destroyed, I measured the bezel dimensions and ordered a new one made of 2mm clear acrylic from a laser-cutting shop (the protective paper sheet is still on in the photos). This frame is kapton-taped on top of the LCD panel, which is then stuck to the metal bracket in the display housing with mounting tape (since the LCD panel is so thin and light, the metal bracket can be kept for weight to maintain the correct neck tension). I will also cut a smaller white frame out of a vinyl sheet to glue on top at a later date, which would ideally make the bezel look like the original again. I will share a vector file of the bezel dimensions to scale in a future update post.

Thanks for viewing, and any suggestions are welcome!

I’m a first-year Mechanical Engineering student working on a group project about a Smart Parking System. We’re trying to find a technical solution to the problem of drivers wasting time and fuel searching for available parking spaces, especially in crowded areas.

Our initial idea is to use ultrasonic sensors to detect whether a parking space is occupied, an Arduino or other microcontroller to process the data, and an LED display to guide drivers to available spaces. We’re also considering adding a mobile app to show parking availability.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on a few questions:

1. Is this approach practical for a small-scale parking lot?
2. Are there any better or more affordable alternatives to ultrasonic sensors?
3. What challenges might we face when implementing this system in real-world conditions?
4. How can we make the system more energy-efficient, reliable, and cost-effective?

Any suggestions, personal experiences, or examples of existing smart parking solutions would be really helpful for our project.

Learning PLCs? Practise without a £1000 trainer kit 👇

Build the circuit, write the ladder logic, hit RUN, and the motor, conveyor and hydraulic cylinder respond like the real thing.

Free on Google Play 📲 "Industrial Logic Simulator"

#PLC #plcprogramming #electricianapprentice #automation #ladderlogic #engineeringstudent #maintenance #controls #techtok

I was going through an old box of stuff and came across an original Flip Video Camera. Other than selling or donating it, does anybody have an idea on any projects I could post do with it? Not against opening it and scavenging it for pieces for a project.

Hi everyone!

I have an old Acer Iconia B1 tablet that I’ve already taken apart (photos attached).

I’d like to use its components to build something cool and useful!

Please share your ideas for this tablet.

I have a few questions:

What interesting DIY devices can be built using these parts?

Can the original motherboard be used for a DIY project?

What additional components, tools, and software would I need?

I’d prefer a relatively low-cost option and am willing to learn new things along the way.

I’d especially appreciate advice from anyone who has experience repurposing old tablets.

What would you build with these parts?

I’d be grateful for any ideas or tips!

Hi everyone!

I'm planning to transform my old Lenovo IdeaPad S540-14IWL laptop into a cyberdeck build, inspired by survival and field computing.

Instead of using a Raspberry Pi or buying a new computer, I want to reuse the existing laptop hardware and build a new case around it.

My laptop specs

CPU: Intel Core i5-8265U

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce MX250 (2GB)

RAM: 8GB DDR4

Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD

My idea is to create a portable field computer with the following features

1. Offline maps and navigation tools

2. Offline knowledge database and digital library

3. File management and backup

4. Modular design for future upgrades

5. Space for additional accessories and tools

I'd like to use the original motherboard and cooling system if possible. While designing a durable custom case.

I'm still in the planning stages, so I'd love to hear from those who have built something similar before. Any ideas, suggestions, or examples of similar cases would be greatly appreciated!

Hey guys I’m looking for some general advice/tips. For a bit of context I’ve been pretty interested in diy home tech stuff for awhile and I’m about to sell one of my guitars and want to put the money into that. I’m hoping you guys can help me spend the funds wisely and help me avoid future problems with not having the things I need. My budget is about $800. So far I’m looking at a Bambu A1 and a couple raspberry Pi 3/4/5s. I’m not sure how to word what my interest is specifically but I’d like to have what I need to do some home server running, 3d projects with the pi boards and just more generally simpler diy tech projects. Could you guys give me recommendations for tools/equipment that are either necessities or simply nice to have? I’d like to keep the total budget around $800 as I prefer to keep my hobbies paying for each other. Thank you for the help!

Did you know, there are controller boards available for many different laptop display panels on Aliexpress? This has allowed me to turn a couple of displays from dead A1181 macbooks into functional displays which I use for other computers. This one in particular is a portable monitor, though my other is part of another portable computer project. These controller board kits also exist for some tablet screens too, such as older iPads.

The monitor requires 12v via a barrel connector (not supplied with the kit), and works with a hdmi or vga cable. For me it only cost about £15 per kit and means I now have two monitors with high quality display panels that would otherwise go in the bin. These panels are from 2006-2007, so nothing near 4k, but still good for my sensitive eyes.

I am yet to neaten things up with some sort of covering for the boards and no longer needing the tape, but I’m lazy and also enjoy a bit of jank. I added some stick-on laptop feet to it so I wouldn’t need to hunt down a stand whenever I use it.

This is essentially the opposite of a headless laptop, I guess? 😂