iMacPad

So, I recently made the choice of buying an iPad. So far it has been great, but I needed somewhere to dock and use the iPad when it was not in use. Or to allow me to have a desktop experience with the iPad.

A few examples include:

• Using the iPad as a separate instant messaging portal (with the bluetooth keyboard
• Setting up the iPad for visitors to browse the internet
• Using the iPad as a digital picture frame
• Raising the iPad to a better height to use it as an extra screen for my iMac
• Give my desk extra room under the iPad to keep other accessories
• Just to look wicked cool

So, here is how I made a simple iPad stand, for a reasonable amount of money.

_{I understand that the iPad can easily be a controversial subject, and many flame wars can easily spark from the idea of putting the iPad in an iMac like stand, however I kindly ask that you hold back on flamey comments, and save them for the forums.}

Step 1 Materials and Tools

Materials 

• An iMac aluminium stand - Due to the large number of iMac models with this stand, these are fairly easy to pick up on ebay, expect to pay between £10-£20
• ~3mm Styrene sheets
• Leather
• Epoxy Resin
• Hot glue gun
• Metallic paint (optional)
• Metallic Tape (optional)

Tools

• Stanley Knife, Boxcutter
• G clamp
• Hot air gun
• Hot glue gun
• Coping Saw
• Sander or sandpaper
• Drill (hand or electric will work
• Metal Rule
• Pencil/Pen
• Brush for paint (optional) 

Comments

[The nerdling]

who wants portal for their ipod/i phone/ ipad?

[building king]

(to The Nerdling) How? I haven't seen an app, I guess it would be possible you just would only have one app and it would be like watching a slideshow. If its chunky on a laptop, it would be extremely hard to make it for an iphone. If it is possible, TELL ME WHERE! I would love it.

-building king

P.S. (To the author) I wish the ipad could have microsoft word, or have java and flash on the browser. I love the idea!

[The nerdling]

sorry not portal but a games portal to launch other games

[Hulgar]

Hay if ya want something like word that apple made on the app store, it called Pages $9.99 on da app store

[dombeef]

It is imposible, they aren't powerful enough.

[The nerdling]

yes they are, i downoaded it from the itunes store but i can't put it on anyone elses i thingy becaus it has a cirtificate which doesn 't allow you to sync it to your i thingy only one connected to my computer

[dombeef]

Really? I think you are making this up, so only you can use it but you downloaded it from the iTunes store?

Pics or it didn't happen

[ElvenChild]

He is lying (or badly mistaken) it is possible to run it (Here is proof) however it never made it to the iTunes store.

[Hiyadudez]

How so?

[CaseBoy]

challenge accepted

[sramos8]

OK, thats cool dude, do want!
www.total-privacy.au.tc

[Mr Williams]

Nice! Where did you get your coolio speakers?

[darbar101]

they came with the imac g4 when it came out

[gmjhowe]

If you split the cables leading to the speaker (after the little splitter circle) you can just wire them clean onto a standard 3.5mm jack. Most computers put out enough power to drive them.

I currently use them on my iMac.

[prodo123]

Wicked cool. However, just a comment. You took apart an iMac (~$1500-$2000) to get the base for an iPad ($400-$900+)? Don't you think it's really expensive?

[prodo123]

...and this was before I knew that the iMac could have its stand removed for wall mounting...

[gmjhowe]

Well, I already owned the iPad, that was, and still being used for computing tasks from day to day.

The iMac stand was £10 off ebay :P

[The nerdling]

IT CAN BEE REMOVED? AHHHHHHHH I NEVER KNEW THAT!!!!

[MCzone]

you can buy the stand at ebay for like $20

[love_mini]

Dude, read the materials list, just below iMac stand.... You can buy them for 40 bucks...

[Kasm279]

People remove the stands so they can attach a VESA mount to the back of the iMac. There's no reason to have the stand anymore so they sell it :)

[gmjhowe]

The Stand cost me £10, the iPad cost me £70. Go figure :P

[fungus amungus]

An iPad for £70? Who the what now?

[gmjhowe]

Well, thats a half truth of sorts. I scavenged a couple bits of rundundent tech, which I then sold to fund said iPad. So about 30minutes work scrounging, and 30minutes work listing on ebay, and I was £360 towards my iPad. Sorry to disappoint.

[fungus amungus]

Looks like someone didn't read step 1

[abadfart]

another idea would be to link a mouse and get a full office program and IM then just move everything but music, office, IM, picture viewer, and internet to another window and there you have a basic computer

[abadfart]

you could also integrate a power cable in to keep it charged

[finnrambo]

lol I looked at this instructable and it took me like 5 minutes to start to realize what it was... congrats man!

[a cookie]

i wonder if this idea works for a kindle...

[DJ Radio]

I read that Apple is filing a patent for a design with a touch screen on a stand that can go up and down, similar to what you have, except that it switches between mac and iPad when you move it's position.

In any case, congratz for beating apple on a design.

[a cookie]

lol so true, u totally beat them is they are making a touchscreen imac

[awesomekitteh]

i <3 flame wars

[tgdvw]

Loved your idea. I took it up a notch. http://www.lessthanslashthree.com/post/1577923948/diy-ipad-stand

[gmjhowe]

Great find on that netbook stand thing! Made it work brilliantly.

Thanks for sharing!

[hounddogger]

very cool next on my project list.

[Macworldwizardz]

Well done project. I rated 5.0. post more.

[gmjhowe]

Thanks, I am always working on some project, more will come for sure.

[Macworldwizardz]

It awesome! Your very much welcome! I am too always coming up with instructable ideas weither if its with cooking or computers, something always comes up! I have a really great homemade Garlic Cheese Toast recipe thats awesome and I hope to have that instructable up and posted by the end of next month, but IDK if i'll have time to take snapshots of everything, edit them, post them, and do an instructable on them before the end of next month!

[floryzzz]

áwesome its an imac touch wel done good project

[gmjhowe]

Thanks