Cunning plan for headless mid-range desktop

[JohnnyBoy]

There have been a number of members who have mourned the lack of a mid-range headless desktop in Apple's range. I was thinking about this, and a description came to mind: "An iMac without a display".

Wait a minute. Maybe that's precisely what we should all be looking for. I went to eBay, and found a prime example...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Apple-iMac-G5-17-inch-Spares-or-repair_W0QQitemZ300254778139

Now, I know that this particular unit isn't much of an upgrade from a G4 Mini and would in fact be a downgrade from an Intel Mini - but it illustrates my point. The iMac has an external video connector. And I seem to recall that the first time I plugged an external display into my MacBook, it mirrored the MB's own display by default.

So the question is, if someone uncovered a 2.16GHz Intel iMac going cheap due to a completely cratered screen, what would they see if they plugged in an external monitor? Would the iMac behave like the MacBook and automatically implement video mirroring?

Does anybody else think that this idea has legs? Or have I been drinking too much Orangina?
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Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

[jb]

I've read somewhere on the net about this very thing, someone had made himself a very nice case and ended up with a very useable desktop unit.
But search as I may, all I can locate at the moment is this article, same idea just a different end result.

http://www.newgeo.com/index.ws?id=1000015

jb.

[Aargh-a-Knot]

Hey why not? I had thought of doing this with a G4 iBook, as you can get one pretty cheap on eBay with a busted screen. Not quite as good specs as with an iMac tho.

[jb]

Now the iBook idea has already been done, as seen in this article.
http://www.c-h-a-o-s.com/2007/07/05/diy-ibook-server-booklet/

Pretty cool too.

[JohnnyBoy]

Thanks for the links, guys. I hadn't even thought about making a case; I had visions of simply putting the iMac directly behind the external monitor and connecting the two together. I suppose that for an easy life, it would be best to match the iMac with a monitor with the same native resolution.

After surveying eBay's lists in both the UK and the US, it is difficult to find a suitable machine - they often also are without the original OS X disks or have major parts missing like the HDD.

Still, it's worth keeping an eye on the iMac category to see what comes up...
_________________
Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)