Computer enthusiast Michael J. Mahon has put together the coolest custom-built machine I’ve ever seen – a parallel computer made out of 17 Apple IIe logic boards. I want one.
As you can see, the AppleCrate II looks like a large crate. It is built out of 17 logic boards stacked one on top of another – and that’s pretty much it! Add some especially brilliant networking and some custom boot code, and there you have it!
Interestingly, it’s not the first time that Mahon has done something like this – 5 years ago he built a separate Apple II cluster computer that also used spare Apple IIe boards, among other things.
For those who are wondering how this was done, or who might want to build an AppleCrate II of their very own, Mr. Mahon has provided the details of how he built his creation, and they are available on his website.
Besides looking awesome and being a conversation piece, it is fully functional, can play audio (such as this Beatles song, click to listen) in 16-part polyphony, and blink its status lights like nobody’s business.
[TUAW, BoingBoing]