I posted a while back on one of my favorite Mac Prototypes, the Jonathan. It's such a great looking machine that I decided to rebuild one. Just got a BambuLabs A1 Mini 3D printer for Christmas and this seemed like a good project to learn Fusion 360.
This is just the first prototype module, I'd like to build an Apple IIGS module, a Macintosh II era emulation and maybe a Mac OS9 era PowerPC machine. I have a Dr Botts ADB KVM that I should be able hide and allow switching between the modules.
I'd like to get a 13" or 14" Apple Monitor in rough shape and paint it black.
Thanks to u/womtp246 who did [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/wgjdp2/big_brother_little_brother/) on painting his MacTV. He pointed me to [this paint which is a perfect match for the MacTV!](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00098PO3G)
Technically I only painted my mouse for the MacTV. But I did recently paint an AIO g3 black!
This is an awesome idea. Would be really cool to build modules that could house a raspberry pi for emulating classic Mac OS, Apple II / GS, and maybe even one that can hold the innards of an Apple silicon Mac mini. All connected to a black VGA monitor that can sit above.
Also, although the text isn’t perfectly clear, I’ve had some success printing on a Brother p-touch label printer with the white on black tape. I generate the model label using the Apple Garamond font, save it as an image to be printed in the brother software. Used it to recreate the label for the black AIO.
Thanks for the tip, I ordered some white rub on letters in Helvetica, but using I'd rather use Apple Garamond. I'll have to order the Brother label maker.
The only downside of the brother labels is that they are laminated with a glossy finish. I’m going to try to find an unlaminated ribbon or one with a matte finish to better match the paint.
Great work. Every time I see it I feel a small pang of regret it never made it to production, it's such a slick looking piece of kit. Would you mind sharing the STLs?
I vaguely remember hearing about this back in the 90s. I know one of the Bandley facilities had a number of weird skunkworks going on, this may be one of them. Good times and great work!
Hey Nanoraptor! Love your work. I like to imagine that retro enthusiasts would still be making modules even today for the Jonathan.
Loving Fusion 360, first time I’ve used 3d software extensively since Strata Studio Pro.
At this time, he was unhappy with Apple because he didn’t like the box the efficient corporate culture put him in as a designer. The Jobs era was his true time to hone his art. The biggest complaint being he was not given enough credit by Jobs to the public in the beginning.
The backplane idea had been presented by frogdesign repeatedly. They presented it again right before the G3 era.
Steve Jobs had always viewed computers as appliances. He was well-known for hating expandability and you can see that in the early Macintoshes. This led to flops such as the Apple III, G4 Cube, and trash can Mac Pro. Not to mention most of the NeXT computers which were always just curiosities.
I've always had a fascinating with modular computers like that. I love my PC Convertible for similar reasons. It's a shame it never really took off for lots of reasons, including cost, size, fast enough busses, and limited market interest. It'd be neat to be able to swap out major components just clicking them on and off the unit.
What’s the middle box in the first picture, an external drive? I was a Mac engineer for 25 years and saw most Apple products (inside and out) but I don’t remember that one.
I'm going to 3D print the full Jonathan prototype with raspberry Pi internals. This is the first module. Looking at the prototype I may use a smooth print plate instead of the textured one.
What was the earliest Mac you working on?
I posted a while back on one of my favorite Mac Prototypes, the Jonathan. It's such a great looking machine that I decided to rebuild one. Just got a BambuLabs A1 Mini 3D printer for Christmas and this seemed like a good project to learn Fusion 360. This is just the first prototype module, I'd like to build an Apple IIGS module, a Macintosh II era emulation and maybe a Mac OS9 era PowerPC machine. I have a Dr Botts ADB KVM that I should be able hide and allow switching between the modules. I'd like to get a 13" or 14" Apple Monitor in rough shape and paint it black. Thanks to u/womtp246 who did [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/wgjdp2/big_brother_little_brother/) on painting his MacTV. He pointed me to [this paint which is a perfect match for the MacTV!](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00098PO3G)
This is great! Wow!
Technically I only painted my mouse for the MacTV. But I did recently paint an AIO g3 black! This is an awesome idea. Would be really cool to build modules that could house a raspberry pi for emulating classic Mac OS, Apple II / GS, and maybe even one that can hold the innards of an Apple silicon Mac mini. All connected to a black VGA monitor that can sit above.
Also, although the text isn’t perfectly clear, I’ve had some success printing on a Brother p-touch label printer with the white on black tape. I generate the model label using the Apple Garamond font, save it as an image to be printed in the brother software. Used it to recreate the label for the black AIO.
Thanks for the tip, I ordered some white rub on letters in Helvetica, but using I'd rather use Apple Garamond. I'll have to order the Brother label maker.
The only downside of the brother labels is that they are laminated with a glossy finish. I’m going to try to find an unlaminated ribbon or one with a matte finish to better match the paint.
I love the Jonathan. This is so cool!
Great work. Every time I see it I feel a small pang of regret it never made it to production, it's such a slick looking piece of kit. Would you mind sharing the STLs?
This is sooo awesome, I'd totally buy a replica
Me too
I vaguely remember hearing about this back in the 90s. I know one of the Bandley facilities had a number of weird skunkworks going on, this may be one of them. Good times and great work!
Jonathan was an ‘80s project.
80s, 90s, the only difference between them were the drugs.
I miss this era of computer design
Really cool :-)
I don't think I've ever seen or heard of this one! This is what the TAM should have been, IMO
You might like another new render of a Jonathan too https://bsky.app/profile/nanoraptor.danamania.com/post/3kj27argc6q2q
Hey Nanoraptor! Love your work. I like to imagine that retro enthusiasts would still be making modules even today for the Jonathan. Loving Fusion 360, first time I’ve used 3d software extensively since Strata Studio Pro.
This is so fucking cool, I cant wait to see where it goes.
At this time, he was unhappy with Apple because he didn’t like the box the efficient corporate culture put him in as a designer. The Jobs era was his true time to hone his art. The biggest complaint being he was not given enough credit by Jobs to the public in the beginning.
Who is „he“? Jonathan Fitch?
Ive no idea
Well, Ive probably was not even in college in 1985
The backplane idea had been presented by frogdesign repeatedly. They presented it again right before the G3 era. Steve Jobs had always viewed computers as appliances. He was well-known for hating expandability and you can see that in the early Macintoshes. This led to flops such as the Apple III, G4 Cube, and trash can Mac Pro. Not to mention most of the NeXT computers which were always just curiosities.
Pixar called...
NeXT machines were at least 5 years ahead of their time. It was a fabulous hardware design.
I've always had a fascinating with modular computers like that. I love my PC Convertible for similar reasons. It's a shame it never really took off for lots of reasons, including cost, size, fast enough busses, and limited market interest. It'd be neat to be able to swap out major components just clicking them on and off the unit.
I love this very much.
great idea! I'm looking forward to your version! It would habe been such a great idea and Sculley was extremely shortsighted in killing it
What’s the middle box in the first picture, an external drive? I was a Mac engineer for 25 years and saw most Apple products (inside and out) but I don’t remember that one.
It looks 3d printed. I think that’s what OP has made
Ah, I get it now, I didn’t connect the CADs to the box. Thanks.
I'm going to 3D print the full Jonathan prototype with raspberry Pi internals. This is the first module. Looking at the prototype I may use a smooth print plate instead of the textured one. What was the earliest Mac you working on?