Rescued iMac G4 Restored and Upgraded With Modern Hardware - Apple Silicon (M1)

[@LennonAlvarado]

For something like this iMac G4 to turn from absolutely disgusting and horrible to an amazing modern computer is absolutely amazing, Great job Hugh!

[@thewubmachine840]

also its the Longest Video since 2011

[@videosuperhero100]

From the headline I thought I might be able to bring new life into the one I have in my closet... after watching this video... I'm way out of my lane

[@MishokOfficial]

Thanks

[@SundayBoy72]

Great job ❤❤❤❤

[@CalixVixenAmante]

​@@thewubmachine840longest video since the start of the channel

[@lilguygamingandmore]

If I could buy a converted G4, I would. Because putting in that much work for something deserves a good amount of money

[@memberwhen22]

or, I mean, buy a modern one instead and skip all that

[@subaruhawkeyeimpreza]

@@memberwhen22yeah but retrofitted iMac is more cooler

[@rosaria8384]

​@@memberwhen22 yeah but this custom edition is much more appealing. Hugh could sell this for the same price as an M1 Mac mini

[@00000theoffical]

@@memberwhen22 well new imacs are really ugly compared to this

[@removechan10298]

Apple was founded 48 years 3 months 5 days ago... if tim "i destroyed apple" doesn't come up with a 50 year iMac M4 special limited edition then there is no justice

[@calorion]

This is the first Apple Silicon upgrade of an old Mac where you cannot tell that anything has changed from the outside. This is the gold standard. Amazing job!

[@jasonatkin6787]

I was a technician at an Apple Authorized Service Provider from 1997 to 2020, and I worked on hundreds of these machines. There were a lot of pitfalls to working on them, and an inexperienced technician could easily break things if he wasn't careful when reassembling. That blind-mating connector was a common one to get buggered up, and people never took it serious that you were supposed to clean the thermal grease off and do a new application to both mating surfaces each and every time the halves were separated. They were incredibly well built and brilliantly engineered machines, with their articulated necks and faraday shield heatsinks. The necks were actually one of the most reliable parts of them, rarely requiring replacement. They had chronic issues with display panels, inverter boards and power supplies. The optical drives would also clog up with dust in environments that were dirtier than the average house, but in general, they were good machines.

[@reluttr2]

Any idea what the mystery pin was that he found in the arm assembly?

[@jasonatkin6787]

@@reluttr2 No idea, but I'd guess it was used to align, or guide some portion of the rotating assembly that had to do with the cover-plate. Seeing as how the screws securing the cover plate loosened up, this gave the pin an opportunity to wiggle out of its perch, wherever that may have been. I never actually had to disassemble a neck assembly. In fact, as service providers, Apple did not permit us to disassemble the necks. If any of the cables in the neck went bad, the policy was to replace the entire neck assembly, and they weren't cheap. We occasionally had issues with the tri-spanner headed screws at the top and bottom of the neck column coming loose, so we had a machinist make us a set of tools so we could tighten those for our customers. I think I still have them somewhere, in fact.

[@shiro3146]

@@jasonatkin6787 i guess apple knows it was such a piece of art and would very inconvinient to dissasemble but seems they also kind of forget that parts will break overtime(even though tech moving real fast),then again you said it was extremly realible so i guess they already thought out the pros and cons also sorry if i have incomperhensible engrish, my mind kinda blank now and enhlish isnt my main language lol

[@lagautmd]

One of Apple's finest designs, right behind the Cube. It now lives on.

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

In all fairness its plastic shell lives on, the original 'heart' of the machine is gone.

[@LukiRudaka]

@@SlartiMarvinbartfast To be fair, the heart of the machine was probably well gone.

[@Nathan15038]

As a car guy and PC guy, first we got sleeper builds in cars with engine swaps and turbos. Then we got sleeper belts with very high specs in older PC cases and now we got this. Love it😂

[@harryroesser2763]

Hold on so you basically turned an IMAC G4 into a restored and modernized and turned it into a iMac G4 with an m series chip I do not know what to say about this. This is just amazing. Great job

[@adaml6793]

@@harryroesser2763cringe

[@harryroesser2763]

127 likes in 16 hours. What the heck

[@folddyy]

@@harryroesser2763 comments like yours feel inauthentic when you start thanking people for likes and hearts

[@harryroesser2763]

@@folddyy sorry

[@Shadow_crystals]

The iMac GM1

[@SilverStormShadow]

This has to be one of the coolest projects you've done on the channel. To have the performance of a current day computer in something as beautiful as an iMac G4 is incredible. Not to mention that you've saved the G4 from becoming E-waste, and restored it from the neglected horrific condition it was in.

[@NinM64OfKianHope]

Action Retro did it with a M2 Mac Mini, but this is Kinda better, because The Mac Mini is inside of the G4 instead of being connected By an HDMI Cable. Good Job, Hugh Jefferys!

[@alectrona6400]

Action Retro used a replacement board that was designed to convert one of those into a monitor with extra functionality, like a dock with a screen on it

[@HughJeffreys]

I also watch Action Retro :)

[@NinM64OfKianHope]

F R E I N :)

[@harryroesser2763]

Me too. I also watch action. Retro

[@Jonathan.R.Pereira]

Actually watch the video again.. He put the Mac Mini into the G4 enclosure.. That was actually a better build, you have more ports available too.

[@tonystechrepairs]

Fitting for a G4 to get the M-Series treatment.

[@thewubmachine840]

Next time iMac G3 or 1984 Macintosh

[@NinM64OfKianHope]

@OverTheHorizon840 Now that is Crazy.

[@billgates3699]

M-series 😂 ah yes, remember when Apple used the G-series? No? Oh, that’s because we refer to it by architecture 🤡 Ever heard of the Intel “i” series? Me either 🤣

[@mysticaxolotl8215]

​@@billgates3699 They're literally called m-series by Apple you dolt

[@erojerisiz1571]

bro turned a G4 into an M4

[@mikemmikem2758]

My first Apple was this iMac 17. I still have it but it's collecting dust in a closet. I've often thought about hooking it up again just for the heck of it and will now do so after seeing your video. Great video. Thank you. Brilliant 'restoration.'

[@NoName-ik2du]

I've always wanted to do this with my old iMac G4. Thank you for showing me it's as hard as I expected. At least it can still remain a cool piece of desk art.

[@brwetide]

Same boat here. Glad I've yet to decide 'Na, it's a good idea!'

[@Cinco-da-mayo]

This project is the most difficult and would even fail the Apple trained techs.Only Hugh can do it. Well done!

[@StefanBarosanu]

14:01 Old Galvanized (Square steel) pipe ✅️ Screws borrowed from his Aunt ❌️ Eco-friendly wood veneer ❌️

[@richardnathaniels]

little john approves

[@planelover26]

I immediately opened the comments section after he said it lol

[@notsoseagatey]

@@planelover26same 😂😂😂

[@techgeeks3732]

The greatest technician that's ever lived

[@notsoseagatey]

@@techgeeks3732 uhh yea salem is not involved in this, its little john and his 0m2 home

[@apricebcd]

I had one of these as my first Mac. It's amazing seeing a full tear down of just how much engineering went in to keeping that screen floating so amazingly.

[@AnnaVahtera]

I love the iMac G4. I've wanted one for a long time. Having one with modern internals would just be a dream come true.

[@RickRolling-tc7vb]

Jonny Ive really earned his lunch money with that one. Beautifully packaged and engineered, and an absolute swine to work on, but so elegant in the end. Thanks for recognising some of the best aspects, and a valiant effort.

[@mikehall3976]

The flowerpot iMac is still my favorite design from “modern” apple.

[@sandrafaith]

And the Harmon Kardan speakers!

[@PaulRees]

You are the best KZbin geek. So knowledgable and skilled. I always watch your videos and am amazed at what you are able to do. I stop at anything the involves opening the case of any device!

[@mrfoxesite69482]

there is also micheal mjd, Psvewri and luke miani for you to watch. they also make similar content.

[@KYSMO]

JUST 9 HOURS?! Dude, you are a damn genius. Sometimes, it takes me 9 hours to diagnose a problem on a Windows PC.

[@ckmoore101]

At least PC problems can actually be fixed

[@Emzy89]

Great Job Hugh! I understand it would be a lot of effort but a custom pcb attaching all of the iMac I/O to the m1 would have been slick as hell. cables obviously woulb be cheaper and make more sense.

[@sushimamba4281]

Wow, that looked like an extremely challenging restoration. Great job. Well done!

[@stefanwalsh8034]

Damn Hugh, that was a massive task but you did it splendidly.

[@LiquidPorridge]

That video was amazing, please make more on these dream machines, it’s one of the best ever computer designs.

[@HyperHorse]

This is probably the best video you've done. Now if only Apple would hire you as a product designer and started implementing device reparability as a key principle.

[@rikspector]

Hugh, You have amazing patience and knowledge! Cheers, Frederick "Rik" Spector

[@meetbhadja]

Inspiring for a geek like me !!! Thank you Hugh Sir !!! No credits no flashy thumbnails only authentic work, thanks to keep the geek inside us alive!!!

[@mauriciorivero]

There is nothing more romantic, courageous and necessary than fixing broken things. And that goes for people too. Excelent job man!

[@ambrosenuk]

This is amazing. I just checked my eBay history and it's exactly 12 years since I bought one of the iMac G4s for refurbishment, and I've been stalled on it since then. But this really gives me hope for finishing it. I'll definitely be copying your glue and tape setup for getting the replacement screen in. And if I do take the arm apart, I'll see what on earth I can do to make it easier to put back together. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

[@ygxrx_x]

Ur videos encouraged me to buy a phone lot and now I'm planning to repair two Galaxy S7 edge's (one of them is a Live Demo Unit) two Moto G4 Plus'es, one Moto G5 Plus and one Galaxy A50. Greetings from Brazil.

[@ljessecusterl]

Be aware that some Samsung demo units of that vintage did not have cellular antennas installed. They were purpose-built demo units that couldn't function as phones.

[@traviswalker8933]

​@@ljessecusterl ofcourse demo units are just that, a demo into the phone's functions.

[@ygxrx_x]

@@ljessecusterl yep i noticed that theres no antenna connections on the board

[@blakegriplingph]

@@ljessecusterl I wonder if the demo functionality extends to that of the hardware e.g. modems tho. I've seen other brands such as LeapFrog simply nerfing the software side of things with their Epic tablet without messing with the hardware at all, and I was able to convert them demo units into fully functional tablets.

[@Ilovetech1233]

I can't believe you did all of this Hugh! I'm so impressed, well done.

[@moe_1886]

Awesome conversion Hugh. Nice way to recycle something beautiful into something modern.

[@bryans8656]

Nothing beats a G4 with a fresh minty smell 😄 Amazing job, I'm genuinely impressed.

[@BrainTheBest5]

Finally someone who can make an iMac G4 sleeper right!

[@boussIRL]

As always, your creativity and ingenuity shines in this project. I was legit overjoyed seeing you overcome the hurdles of this project and my only reason for being sad is that there's not more content like this (I've watched pretty much every one of your vids) 😅. On that note, does anyone have any recommendations for content similar to this? I'd love to see it while we wait for more Hugh vids 😂

[@harshvardhan3934]

@Cat and Andrew

[@hondacivic199091]

I have never been an apple fan but this one I would own

[@furkanudmir550]

Back when steve jobs was alive

[@vanessazorro6297]

It’s really cool. I have mine from 2002. It still works!

[@shiro3146]

havent a fan of apple but yeah if opportunity arise, i want that g4 styled computers from any vendors including apple

[@taxidude]

This wasn't technology. This was therapy. You are great with your hands and your mind! I wouldn't have got past the sprung screen carrier!

[@NotoriousRawDogger]

It’s a good day when Hugh Jeffries uploads

[@liamcinq]

That was stunning Hugh, I love the fusion of old and new. Hopw there is a follow up with the new cables.

[@vernondursleyy]

Recycling is great. Kudos to you.

[@kalark]

I have a pristine 800mhz g4 imac and have had it for about 15 years at this point (bought it for 30 bucks from a garage sale) and I've been tempted so many times to gut it and retrofit modern hardware. But everytime I start going down the rabbit hole of research, I just can't bring myself to do it, the OS9 charm is too strong, even though I can't really make much use of it. Great video and work though!

[@TwentyEightySeven]

I would say if it’s pristine keep it as it is, it would feel kind of wrong gutting working vintage hardware. Even though it isn’t really useful in a modern sense playing around with an old OS from time to time has its charm.

[@neilh990]

I think this is one of your best videos, what a great idea!

[@colinmountford5176]

Wow! Aussie ingenuity at your service. Stand back, genius at work. To see what one is capable of. From rubbish to a working machine. Well done Hugh.

[@otter-pro]

Wow, I have 2 broken iMac G4 with me for the past 7 years, but I haven't been able to work on it, because of the difficulty of the mod. It is a herculean effort and I applaud you for your work, and I definitely agree, it is probably the hardest project for anyone.

[@Garrettdx1988]

Time for an M2 Pro iMac mini upgrade

[@kittytrail]

you need time, a functioning brain, a pair of opposable thumb equipped hands and the right tools*. some money to order the missing parts is a given. you'll get bonus ponts for re-using the tray for something cool too! 😉 * please, treat your tools better than he does (rusty pliers while working on electronics!?! 🤬) and get the _right ones_ for the job as that would simplify the work quite a lot, from having a quality bench vise to a stepped drill bit for easier cable routing through the arm... 😑

[@The-Cosmic-Hobo]

I have an iMac lampshade sitting 2 feet from me here in my study. (And a TAM in its box 3 feet away, and, and, and...) I've kept it, intended to just get it going again as a piece of living art with its original innards, but... I would love to make it more functional... I think the screen's arm is the only major daunting prospect - I remember back in the day, it was known as being problematic and no simple fix. Although yours had obviously seen some abuse, it's still pretty scary.

[@ishakur]

iMacGuyver should be your name. Amazing.

[@dazl7954]

I personally think, that this design of iMac was one of the best. If you can bring a classic design up to date, then surly Apple can? if I had to decide between the current thin iMac and this, well no contest, I would buy this one. loved the vid...

[@richardmeyer418]

Am I strange and unique? I see a Hugh Jeffreys video and I click "Like" before I watch it. I have not yet gone back to retract my initial "Like". Lovely job here, Hugh.

[@Addixxtion]

Haha I'm the same but, I usually do it for people I watch regularly so I can see that I've watched it if the video comes round again, I can see I've liked it so I must have watched it. I suffer from short-term memory loss so it's handy to leave a reminder that I've already watched a certain video etc. so we can be strange together 😆

[@richardmeyer418]

@@Addixxtion To my shame, I do the same thing. I believe that if I watch a video, I should have definite feelings about it - whether good or bad. I tend to drop channels that get 3 dislikes in a row and channels that I'm a but on the fence also get dropped.

[@namenameson8353]

nice job. that is definately the most beautiful mac computer design and you did a great job bringing it back to life

[@bloxycola8272]

14:03 galvanized pipe steel⁉️

[@EricChiEric]

Galvanized square steel

[@sagethelemur]

​@@EricChiEric and eco friendly apple proprietary wood veneers

[@tenny_tenten]

​@@sagethelemurborrowed some proprietary pentalobe expansion screws from his aunt

[@steverae68]

Wow, Hugh, I’ve been following you and been a subscriber for many many years now and video is one of the most interesting- it’s amazing so see the lengths Apple went to to build these old iMacs. Beautiful results, time to become a Patreon 👍

[@ConnerWithAnE_]

Would love to see a video installing the flat cables

[@alfredoistic]

📌Thank you for restoring such a beautiful piece of technology. It's a true work of art and deserves a place in a museum for future generations to appreciate and remember.

[@akeem2983]

I literally can't comprehend how awesome this build is on so many different levels

[@weniard]

I bought the app a few weeks ago just to support you, I really like your restoration videos !

[@thelightbrigadef4172]

That apple proprietary screw thought. I was expecting some kind of triwing or pentolobe with that size.

[@JankPods0201]

This Mac was made before Apple made the Pentalobe screw.

[@lesslighter]

c clip pliers also work hella sure this is before apple's everything needs to be nonstandard

[@MohamedMukassabi]

When I was young, I always admired the iMac G4's design, especially the display arm. If Apple decided to make an iMac Touch, this should be the template.

[@windowsvista3193]

14:01 little Johnny bought a 1x1x1 apartment after selling bricks for 10 years, he used galvanised square steel and eco friendly wood veneers to expand it to fit his 200000 children.

[@Aphelia.]

This video felt like magic, great results too good to be manmade

[@DDD893]

I'm not a fan of Apple, but I like watching satisfying videos of Apple stuff getting fixed. I don't want to sound impolite here, but this is one of the most unsatisfying videos I've seen. It's like this PC was upgraded in car shop instead of PC shop.

[@josephgittos3787]

Fantastic use of a classic looking iMac probably the best design ever for a computer

[@invertthelab6532]

what car next to the iMac at 0:12

[@HughJeffreys]

According to the rego its a: "1981 GREEN CHRYSLER S WAGON"

[@g.r.2985]

Hugh, this was obviously a labour of love for you. Great job, mate! Thanks for taking the time to save this Mac for another owner. 🎉

[@ardiwibowo8796]

Amazing work🎉❤

[@keithwhisman]

I love the Apple iMac commercials for these things where the monitors would be animated to move around during the commercial. The good ole days..

[@mrgrumpy888]

Even trying to upgrade RAM or the HDD on an original configuration G4 is anxiety inducing.

[@flovonnirgendwo2968]

I like that you used the original IO cutouts, makes the look perfect 👍

[@Dragrowa]

GALVANIZED PIPE BRACKET 🗣🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@blkadder73]

This is an amazing job. You've saved a work of art. The only thing I miss is the USB-C ports.

[@sumirat6888]

This is the kind of content for which one feels worth spending money on internet

[@lohertzentertainment5618]

This is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time! I love the G4 iMac.

[@sarapiqui_educational]

Awesome

[@micleh]

You've pulled off an amazing feat again. I'm fascinated by your persistence and ingenuity to see your projects through.

[@ericdanielski4802]

Nice repair.

[@andylee7862]

Please also do the other two imac g4 15 inch ones... Would be so awesome to see these most iconic apple imac come to life again

[@dismuskiplimo]

Great Stuff @Hugh

[@Senna_27]

give this guy a medal, I wouldn't have half the patience to restore that

[@CaptainRex332]

Should’ve waited for the m4 chip to come out

[@myp0h]

M4 for the G4

[@thewubmachine840]

@@myp0h M4 for the G3 Next time

[@traviswalker8933]

You say it like he installed the M3 chip which he didn't.

[@CubeGuy]

Stupid easy to upgrade it when that happens. The hard work is already done.

[@akeem2983]

​@@traviswalker8933 you know, G4 iMac turned into M4 iMac - makes sense!

[@GianniRaimondi-u9c]

Incredible project... giving these iconic devices a second live is so wonderful to see!

[@Mench2007]

DUCKS 0:11

[@abinaash8453]

Very cute, yes...

[@rivciks5045]

I admire your patience

[@MROfficial1]

30 seconds no views ? yea bro fell off

[@R4Y_TWO]

fk off with the unoriginal unfunny comment

[@alectrona6400]

bro fell off like that bezel

[@_SurferGeek_]

Arguably... the best looking 'modern' desktop iMac ever made.

[@gaymergirl6707]

Bear in mind I don't like Apple software so I'd likely never actually own one, but if I were to buy an iMac, I'd want it to be one like this. These sleeper builds are just perfect, especially when you let the casine wear it's age.

[@AverageNerdGamer]

I love the old Apple computers they were all so different but all good looking. You could easily tell them apart unlike today were every apple product looks identical.

[@buixote]

I thought these were really stupid looking, but the pivoting screen really works well...! Awesome video/upgrade. In a properly working world, this kind of upgrade would be available from the manufacturer, and wouldn't take 9 hours! Great job!

[@gordonjeffrey231076]

G4 iMac still looks amazing today. Great job with the build!!

[@tommccallister]

That's an amazing conversion, it awesome to see that iconic case retofitted with modern hardware. I'm not even an Apple guy, never owned one, but I can appreciate the work you put into this nontheless.

[@VideoNinjaPlayz]

This has to be one of the best projects you’ve done. Great job mate’

[@RederoHuurea]

your enthusiasm about the subject matter is infectious!

[@pilcrow1546]

So so cool! This would look just fantastic sat on the reception desk of a stylish retro-futuristic establishment!

[@orangeyellow-me1pz]

Excellent work. This is far more unique than anything currently being made.

[@Zulf85]

If apple actually knew what their customers wanted, they'd totally be selling something like this as an anniversary release (albeit obscenely expensive). What a fantastic job you did here.

[@eepyolivrr]

That would be insanely cool if Apple started selling things like an Apple Silicon iMac G4

[@mrsrhardy]

getting to your 1mil KZbin reward, well done!

[@Temix-Official]

это магическое преображение старого g4 в современный g4-2024!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! хорошая работа братан!

[@rodrigo4379]

It´s just amazing to see retrofitting new pcs into old "cases" this one is the best i ever seen!

[@idogarala4217]

You’re super talented, the result is amazing !

[@DonVintaggio]

9 hours of raw video footage ended up in 17min youtube final video; your patience is only in pair with your hacking/restoring skills.Huge thumbs up!

[@overgrey]

I can feel how excited you are doing this scrapping and cleaning and reliving the mac..

[@fullmetal6519]

You are a tech wizard Hugh Jeffery’s bravo!

[@bigbadspikey]

More of this. I love old designs retrofitted with new tech.