With the help of a 3D printer and, above all, a good dose of imagination, youtuber Scott Yu-Jan has created the perfect device for those who hate laptops but need to work on the go: a mobile workstation with Apple hardware. A laptop that is not a laptop. Or, from another perspective, a tablet that isn’t a tablet. Most curious thing is that the trick behind this square of the circle is relatively simple: Combine a Mac mini M1 and an iPad mini 2021.

The surprising result is a Mac Mini M1 with touchscreen.

In the video where he explains how he created his invention, youtuber admits he wasn’t convinced by laptops. With that clear premise and the fact that his favorite machine is the 2020 Mac mini M1, Yu-Jan got to thinking: The Mac mini uses the same M1 processor as the 13-inch MacBook Pro laptop and is very light, about 1.2 pounds; When working outside, the problem is the lack of keyboard, screen or battery. next question asked youtuber It happened: Is there a way to make it mobile?

A chassis to join forces

Answer Yes. The width of the Mac mini and iPad mini is almost “as if” Yu-Jan said. made for each other“, so he decided to take advantage of that and design a case that would combine both devices. The result is a case that hugs the Mac mini and fits the iPad mini and allows it to be folded like a laptop screen. As with the prototype, don’t include its own battery, A Velcro fastener is attached at the back that holds the power cord.

The result is surprising. So much so, Yu-Jan explains that she took him on a trip and used it to work on YouTube and made videos as he posted explaining the whole process. Being able to work on iPad mini with Apple Pencil means you don’t need a mouse and use Apple’s Magic Keyboard when you want to type comfortably. Duet Display that provides turn ipad into a monitorComplements the portable workstation package designed by youtuber.

Much like a small briefcase that can be carried in a backpack or conveniently stored in a drawer, the end result lets you connect both devices with a USB-C cable, leaving room to stash an Allen key to make any necessary adjustments. to the device. chassis. Before deciding on this solution, Yu-Jan researched others, such as a chassis in which the Mac mini is placed as a “cartridge”, just as they pointed out in the Apple Sfera, as did Nintendo’s Game Boy.

The device allows to adjust the tilt of the screen (iPad mini) and provides a comfortable solution for working away from home. Especially if you are not convinced by laptops. additionally he has handicaps, of course. The computer must be plugged in and does not include a keyboard.

There’s also the question of how much it pays the user to buy an iPad mini and Mac mini M1 to save on the price and the price of an M1-based MacBook. Yu-Jan admits that the design was “the most controversial thing I’ve ever done”. As the Youtuber put it, the idea is to “get more of what you have” with the help of a 3D printer.

Pictures | Scott Yu-Jann