Mac mini Sans Wires - Batteries Inside the Case

An anonymous reader writes "Running Debian (or Linux generally) on a Mac mini is old news. Silas installed rechargable batteries inside the case, delivering a couple of hours of runtime while retaining the small form factor. Although it runs fine without wires, he had to plug in the monitor to be able to show that it was really up."

Comments

Quiet Macs

[FunWithHeadlines]

"Although it runs fine without wires, he had to plug in the monitor to be able to show that it was really up."

Helps that Macs generally (yes, there are exceptions) run whisper quiet. Is the computer on? With a PC, just listen for the fan noise. With a Mac, hmm..can't tell, better look at the screen.

Yes, but

[killa62]

the monitor would drain the batteries like hell

Re:Yes, but

[mbbac]

What is the point in a headless computer that runs from batteries?

Re:And the use would be?

[Skynet]

Since when did nerds need a reason to do something nerdy?

This is Slashdot!

Re:And the use would be?

[hey!]

And the use would be?

As a random act of senseless beauty.

You see, geeks do have poetry in their souls. It's just in a language they don't teach in the English department.

So -- do what appeals to you. The utility will come later.

Re:And the use would be?

[jellomizer]

2 hours isn't to bad. Think of it as an imbedded UPS. for your system.
Preventing data loss on an accedental power outage.

Secondly if this job is done right it could help improve the life of the computer, giving the system a reliable source of power helps keep the equiptment from those little surges and dips.

Portability. 2 Hours should be enough to get you to your location without bringing the system down. So when you get to the office and quitly plug in the system to the projector bingo your keynote presintation is ready on the first page.

Convience. You have to compile your project and finish it at home. While you are driving home the code is compiling. When you get there and put power back on it is ready to test.

The Mac Mini is less of a PC and more like a Portible Laptop Computer without the extras,

It's also

[chadseld]

sans optical drive.

Come on now....give the guy a break

[gadgetbox]

Seriously, give the guy a break. This mod probably wasn't as easy as it looks. Yes, it does have a very limited practical application due to the fact that you need a powered monitor (network access aside), but....in the long run, things like this can serve up some very innovative creations. Perhaps someone else will see this, and take it a step further, and eventually some ingenious application for a battery powered Mac Mini will appear. I say bravo, good job, and keep on tinkering.

Re:Darwin award soon

[brontus3927]

I admit not knowing much about Lithium-Ion Polymer batteries. If this is the case, you might want to bring it to the attention of the author. The story was submited as an AC, but there's an email address on the website, spamproofed:
silasb_at_earthlink.net

Unless you enjoy knowing that people have caught on fire from their own ignorance, it would be a good idea to write an email explaining the problem and why.

Re:Server batteries

[drinkypoo]

I've often wondered why there aren't servers with batteries built in for a few minutes of power after the UPS goes down.

spend less time wondering and more time doing research. Some of IBM's AS/400 systems (whatever-series, now) have a built-in UPS; they are sold as a complete computing solution for businesses. Just plug it in, and compute.

Or, you know, you could try a google search, if that's not too much trouble.