One of my most popular builds, the LEGO Mini Macintosh, combines LEGO bricks with a Raspberry Pi to create a functioning, 44% scale replica of Apple’s 1984 Macintosh. This project started from my love for early computing and the simple, boxy design of the original Mac. With some clever engineering, I managed to embed a working touch screen and emulation software inside the build, allowing it to function like a vintage Mac—complete with System 7.5.5 emulation.
What made this project particularly satisfying was finding a balance between form and function. By using LEGO, I was able to retain the iconic aesthetic while the Raspberry Pi brought it to life as a fully operational computer. For the software, I set up Mini vMac, an emulator that runs old Macintosh operating systems, providing the perfect blend of nostalgia and usability. The result? A playful yet functional homage to a piece of computing history.
The Streamocaster was another attempt to blend vintage style with modern-day technology. Inspired by the classic design of a Fender Stratocaster, I crafted a fully functioning Internet Radio within a modified LEGO amp by dismantling an existing product, carefully cutting down the shell, and building the LEGO amp around it to make the transition look seamless. Embedded within is a 5W speaker, optional onboard battery for portability, and streaming capabilities to provide continuous music playback.
This build reflects the tension between analog design and digital convenience. The body, though reminiscent of the physical feel of a Stratocaster, houses all the components necessary for streaming internet radio—a modern convenience that aligns with the lifestyle of today’s music lovers.
One of my more ambitious projects, the WinBerry 95 combines Raspberry Pi 4B with an 8″ Pimoroni screen and Windows 95 emulation. It brings back the days of Microsoft’s iconic OS, but in a discreet form factor, showing how even the most nostalgic PC experiences can be modernized and miniaturized. Operating system is currently running TwisterOS.
I look forward to upgrading to a Raspberry Pi 5, running a speedy version of Ubuntu soon!
Begin by selecting a device or technology that holds a special place in your heart. Whether it’s an old computer (like my LEGO Mini Mac), a Polaroid camera (see my LEGO Polaroid Printer project), or a classic game console, the personal connection drives the project’s success. The more meaning behind the device, the more fun you’ll have with the process.
Whether you’re constructing from scratch or hacking an existing device, always aim for balance. My Nostalgia Box XL was built inside a Marie Kondo x Container Store box, housing both a modern Raspberry Pi 4B and an 18.5″ screen, keeping the form simple yet functional. When designing your build, focus on both aesthetics and practicality, ensuring it has space for all your components.
For something like the Mini Mac, LEGO offered a modular way to physically recreate the look of the original Mac. For other projects, you might consider 3D printing, repurposing vintage shells, or even modifying existing toys.
Pro Tip: Sketch out a blueprint of your project, marking where all modern components (like screens, speakers, or ports) will fit within the retro design. This will help you visualize the marriage of old and new tech. For the Mini Mac, I printed the original Mac 128K blueprint to scale (adjusting for the 4″ screen) for both the LEGO build but also to ensure the Raspberry Pi and screen would fit.
Using the Raspberry Pi is a common method for adding modern functionality to retro projects. For example, the LEGO Retro Radio uses a Pi Zero 2W with a Pimoroni HAT to connect with dual speakers to internet radio streaming capabilities. Similarly, the Polaroid Printer project integrates a Polaroid Hi-Print portable printer, adding a modern twist to an iconic instant camera design.
Setting up software can be the trickiest part. For my LEGO Mac project, I used TwisterOS with a Big Sur theme for a retro look and feel while keeping modern-day usability. In many of my projects, like the Raspberry Wine project, I’ve installed RetroPie for gaming emulation, making it easy to run classic games. Whether you’re setting up an emulator like Mini vMac for old-school Mac functionality or gaming systems via RetroPie, the key is finding the right balance between nostalgia and convenience.
For parts, you can find amazing vintage tech on websites like eBay, Etsy, or even local thrift stores. You can also customize your builds—my upcoming Elektronic 409D project used a combination of new and old components to recreate the iconic look of a vintage TV set.
In projects like the Polaroid Printer and Nostalgia Box, I blend old-school charm with modern-day hardware. The goal is to preserve the visual and tactile aspects of the original devices while integrating contemporary tech—whether that means adding wireless printing or using Bluetooth-enabled speakers.
There’s something magical about transforming nostalgic devices into functioning tech for today. Whether you’re building a LEGO Mac or a custom Raspberry Wine box, it’s about celebrating the past while pushing the limits of the present. Share your builds with the world and explore how nostalgia and modern innovation can come together to create something entirely new.
Screen designs by libebello’s Retrorama theme. These can be installed in the UI portion of RetroPie.
Favorite Controllers via 8BitDo
Tracking innovative ADU companies with a focus on practical and stylish design, with the potential for being a true in-law unit for aging-in-place. Explore my findings from brands like Tomu, Manta North, and Cerca.
Anyone who has spent any time with me knows that I take my coffee very seriously. Over the years, I’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with making the perfect pour over at home and on the road. I’m a Blue Bottle loyalist from their early Oakland days and still appreciate my morning Bella Donovan.
Collection of works from the 1990s, including my favorite pastel piece of Dizzy Gillespie.
