This Lego iMac Design Is a Long Shot, But We Still Want One
▼ Summary
– The author is typically skeptical of Lego Ideas submissions requiring licensing deals but is impressed by a user-submitted Bondi Blue G3 iMac design.
– The proposed Lego set includes 700+ pieces with accessories like a keyboard, hockey-puck mouse, and transparent blue casing showing internal details.
– This design has already gained 5,000 supporters and has 320 days left to reach the required 10,000 for Lego review.
– The original iMac was a pivotal product that led to later Apple successes and featured personality-driven aesthetics under Jony Ive.
– It was Apple’s first new Mac design after Steve Jobs’ return, standing out for its integrated design and ease of use against beige PCs.
The journey from fan concept to official Lego set presents a formidable challenge, especially when it involves securing licensing agreements with major corporations. Yet one particular design has captured significant attention, a detailed Lego recreation of Apple’s iconic Bondi Blue iMac G3. With its vibrant transparent casing and nostalgic appeal, this proposal has already rallied impressive support, embodying the passion of retro tech enthusiasts and Lego builders alike.
Crafted by a designer known as terauma, the model consists of over 700 individual pieces and faithfully replicates the look and feel of the late-’90s computer. It includes accessories like the matching keyboard and the much-debated hockey puck mouse, along with interior details such as faux cathode ray tubes and printed circuit boards visible through the blue shell. A subtle but clever touch is the inclusion of a classic Mac OS startup screen, adding to the authenticity. Notably, the design stays true to the original by omitting a floppy drive, a controversial choice in its day that now serves as a charming period detail.
This iMac represented a turning point for Apple, marking Steve Jobs’ return to leadership and the beginning of a new design philosophy under Jony Ive. Its bold, colorful, and user-friendly approach stood in stark contrast to the generic beige boxes dominating the market at the time. More than just a computer, it became a cultural icon and laid the groundwork for future innovations like the iPod and iPhone. The current generation of Apple Silicon iMacs, with their slim profiles and array of colors, directly echoes the playful yet polished spirit of that earlier breakthrough.
As the project continues to gather supporters on the Lego Ideas platform, it remains a long shot, but one that resonates deeply with those who remember the excitement of the iMac’s debut. Whether it ever becomes an official set or not, it celebrates an important chapter in design history and the enduring appeal of thoughtful, joyful technology.
(Source: Ars Technica)
