On the outside it looks like a huge LEGO piece, but on the inside it is a very powerful workstation and has left the Reddit community speechless. Paul Staal has decided to recover a toy and convert it into a work of engineering art.
It’s not just a LEGO-shaped box; It is a case designed and manufactured with 3D printing that has a Mac Mini inside. Best of all, Staal has released the files so anyone with a 3D printer at home can make their own super-tech brick..
The engineer has integrated a 7-inch IPS touch screen on the front. In addition, it has included a USB-C hub so that it does not lack ports and even an SD card reader.
But what has really created a wow effect in this design are the studsthose circles that have the LEGO pieces on top to fit together. In the M2x2, These giant buttons aren’t just there to remind you what it really stands for: they’re functional..
The one on the left hides an Ikea remote control to control Sonos speakers, and the one on the right has a hidden wireless charger for AirPods. And yes, on top of those giant buttons are standard-sized pivots so you can attach minifigures.
A vitaminized Mac Mini that controls even the lights in your house
Paul Staal has explained that he uses this computer, which he calls M2x2, as his main computer. Although the integrated 7-inch screen is functional, he mostly uses it as a touch control panel for Home Assistant to turn on the lights or play music at home.
To really work, it has an LG DualUp monitor connected to the back, where it has also created an integrated carrying handle and hooks to keep cables organized.
Steel calculation, Apart from the Apple computer, the rest of the components such as the screen, cables and printing material will cost you less than 100 euros.
«The M2x2 is a functional tribute to the classic Lego computer block, improved and redesigned as a high-performance workstation. This project connects play with productivity. It is not just a case; it is a magical case that combines the aesthetics and charm of the Macintosh, the playfulness and modularity of the LEGO system and the power of modern silicon. It demands intention, rewards curiosity and turns every interaction with the desktop into a moment of tactile satisfaction,» he comments on his website.
On their website they have a step-by-step guide with photos so you don’t get lost in the assembly process. Of course, he warns that some Ikea components that he used for the volume control are starting to run out.
And it has become so viral on the internet that there are already people asking LEGO to release an official version of cases for PC.
If you feel like it and want to embark on this whole process to have your own Mac-LEGO, the process is simpler than it seems but you will need a good dose of patience.
The first thing is to download the 3D models and choose a good quality filament so that the finish is perfect. The most delicate part is the adjustment of the 7-inch touch screen, which must be perfectly flush with the inclined front so as not to break the aesthetics. Once you have the case, just slide the Mac Mini into its internal compartment, plug in the USB hub, and you’re done.
«The M2x2 is just the beginning of a workspace that is less like an office and more like an innovation laboratory. All design files and documentation are open source and free to use. If you like this project or plan to create your own, consider supporting the studio,» he adds.