TINKERING

1984 Macintosh Workstation

My new 1984 Macintosh workstation — a 3D-printed Mac shell with an iPad mini running Mini vMac. No notifications. No internet. Just pure focus.

Workspace Ideas

1984 Macintosh-Inspired iPad Mini Workstation — Work and Play in Retro Style

This is my new retro workstation — a 3D-printed 1984 Macintosh case housing an iPad mini running Mini vMac. It’s my version of “focus mode”: old-school Word, Excel, and Works, free from the distractions of the modern web.

The keyboard? A satisfyingly clicky M0110-style mechanical build I tuned for that perfect 1980s tactile feedback (Cherry-style MX Blue switches). The mouse? A simple Magic Mouse — sleek but period-friendly.

And when it’s time for a break, I swap the keyboard for an 8BitDo SNES controller and fire up Delta emulator for some Super Mario Bros 3 or Mighty Bomb Jack.

A build that blurs the line between nostalgia and productivity.

Focus Mode, 1984 Style

The beauty of this setup is in its simplicity. Mini vMac brings back the clean monochrome desktop where distractions simply don’t exist. There’s no Wi-Fi (keep it in Airplane mode), no messaging apps, no notifications. Just you, a cursor, and your thoughts. The mechanical keyboard brings that satisfying tactile feedback — a reminder that every word is intentional. The Magic Mouse complements it quietly, keeping the vintage look intact while remaining functional.

From Work to Play in One Tap

When I need a break, I move the keyboard aside and grab the SNES-themed 8BitDo controller hidden in the back of the print. With Delta emulator, the same iPad mini instantly transforms into a retro console.

It’s a workflow that balances focus and fun — typing one minute, saving Princess Peach the next.

Build Details

Shell: 3-D printed Macintosh 128 replica
Screen: iPad mini (fits flush to the front and the aspect ratio of the emulator mimics the size of the front bezel); 180-degree adapter tucks away the power cable.
Software: Mini vMac emulator running System 7.5.5
Input: Mechanical keyboard with tactile switches (see below for details) + Magic Mouse
Charging Hub: 4 port, powered USB hub with two USB-A and 2 USB-C ports tucked inside the case. No more fumbling for chargers – iPad, Magic Mouse & 8BitDo controller are always charged & ready. Keyboard running in USB cable mode.
OEM Mac Charger with 90-degree plug: System always ready to go with an Apple brick plugged in the wall with a snug blockhead connector and extra long USB power cable
Controller: 8BitDo N30 Pro for Delta emulator game play
Apps: Classic Word 4.0, Excel 3.0, Works, Dark Castle, and NES games

Keyboard & Mouse

Satisfyingly clicky M0110-style mechanical build I tuned for that perfect 1980s tactile feedback. I bought it from Vortex Gear, for a wired experience complete with a great curled cord. I went for the Cherry-style MX Blue switches to try to match how the original 1984 Macintosh keyboard I learned to type on felt. The original Macintosh 128K (1984) keyboard used Alps SKCC/SKCL switches that were tactile and clicky, but lighter and crisper than today’s MX Blues. They had a distinct “snappy” sound. My research says they sit somewhere between Cherry MX Blue and a lighter MX White, with a cleaner “ping.” That said, typing on this thing feels like home.

For the mouse, when with a simple Magic Mouse I had laying around. Sleek, but period-friendly for clicking to toss rocks in Dark Castle or select a paragraph to copy & paste.

Ryan McDonough

Founder, Sometime Artist

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