Sorry to say, but it looks like a thrift store PC- even the speakers are beige. Nice keyboard though.

Thanks!!! That's the look I was going for. After all Apple has marketed the mini as a budget system. All the accessories are over 10 years old. "White" accessories were not an option back then (but smoking in the workplace was). The idea was to hook up the mini without spending a dime. And to prove, you don't need wireless devices if you take pride in your work.

Is this an old PC case?

It's an old printer stand. I cut out the back to run the cables and to provide adequate airflow. The paper drawers slide out to provide easy access to the minis ports.

I like it. It's spartan and utilitarian. My two favorite designs.

its stupid, just like all of bandit bill's little comments

hey... it's not stupid, it's keeping the mini a 500 buck comp

ya...it is stupid...

stupid, looks like a car boot stand

Ugly...sure. Stupid, I'd argue that. Stupid, is the fact that the average American has over $10,000 credit card debt at 18% interest.

i also agree ugly, but hey, its BYOKDM

It will be pretty some day. The idea was to buy a low cost mini, so I could afford nice accessories, then upgrade to a PowerMac. Right now I'm putting money into renovating my house. You can see in the photo that the moldings are off my window.

I think you all are missing the point. If the idea is 'budget computer' why spend thousands more on things that don't increase performance? and I think that you did a good job hiding the cables. Dare say a better job than most of these people who post pics of their mini connected to a $10,000 plasma screen. You've got the 3M percision mousing surface (which I found works GREAT on ball-mice, but on optical a "microfiber" mouse pad is the way to go). You've got your linksys switch in there too (...

Thanks for the tip on the microfiber mouse pad. The 3M pad seems to work well for me. The only reason I use the pad is because it offers a bit of resistance. The mouse slides too easily for my liking without it.

BANDIT GOOD I IDEA YOUR CREATION IS GOOD AND HAVE REAL DESIGN OF BRAIN NOT FOR MONEY

The apple keyboard and USB optical mouse ruin the whole effect.

I agree the keyboard and mouse ruin the effect for retro, but I was just going for budget. I had the mouse. I bought the Apple keyboard because my old keyboard had an AT connection. I plan on making my system nice as time and money permits. I've since painted the modem aluminum and bought a Cinema Display. I'm still using that ugly stand until I build a custom model. I've got the room restoration complete (to match the mini of course. Electrical outlets included )

I'm diggin the speakers

when we will be able to see pics of you work?

I don't think it would be too hard to get a beige USB keyboard.

what does BYODKM mean, anyway? nice setup. inexpensive, but almost never cheap

Bring Your Own Display Keyboard Mouse

Bill your a genius, your budget, cheap, looks-like-garbage effect; really came off!

http://www.123macmini.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-322] click link for updated photo of my system

Bandit Bill said "Stupid, is the fact that the average American has over $10,000 credit card debt at 18% interest" No Stupid is believing that the average American has over $10,000 credit card debt at 18% interest by choice when the average American is working poor to working class, not middle class, upper middle class or rich.

Nice, it's perfect for a wedding if you can just add the borrowed part it is old (accessories), new (Mac mini), blue (hub), now for borrowed mayb the printer stand (borrowed from the printer) . And it's a simple fix for avoiding credit card debt, don't get one and learn to make do.

how did you mount your hardware to the inside of your desk?