A Dutch designer has crafted a 10:1 scale working model of the classic wedge-shaped LEGO computer brick.Paul Staal from Watt IV shares the idea, the magic, the build, and even a shopping list on his blog post about the project.The new 'high-performance workstation' based on LEGO Part 3039p23 design is dubbed the M2x2.
LEGO released its first computer brick 47 years ago in a Space-themed set. The big wedge-shaped box with a built-in display covering one side envisioned by LEGO never really caught on in the real world. Yet for those who grew up assembling early Space sets, the plastic brick remained a cherished memory. Staal decided to make childhood imagination tangible.
What makes this project more than a novelty case is its genuine functionality.Staal explains it was a challenge to fit "a full M4 Mac Mini, a 7-inch display, and an array of peripherals into a form factor that remains true to the original brick."The entire case was modeled from scratch in Fusion 360 and designed with accessibility in mind. Instead of requiring specialised manufacturing, the M2x2 can be produced with common desktop 3D printers and assembled using only a handful of additional parts such as heat-set inserts, screws, and some glue.
The attention to detail separates this project from a simple plastic shell.The design's two LEGO studs on top of the 'brick' are functional knobs. One can be turned for media control, like computer volume or track selection; the other includes a wireless charger for charging an Apple Watch or AirPods."Every detail was considered, from the 'pocket' in the back that acts as a handle (a nod to the original Mac) to the fold-out 'wings' that manage the power cable with classic elegance," explains the M2x2 maker.
Staal mentions that he currently uses the M2x2 as his main computer, typically utilising its display as a Home Assistant dashboard he can touch to manage his home. He has an external monitor connected to it, an LG DualUp, to accomplish his tasks.While the M2x2 is a self-contained computer, no one in 2026 could put up with such a cramped 7-inch screen for long, for anything beyond the basics.
Staal has made the project openly accessible.He has released the design files and detailed build instructions as open-source downloads. With a bit of printing and assembly, anyone can turn a childhood memory into a very capable desktop command centre.If you already own a Mac Mini, he estimates the additional costs should be under €100 (approximately $116), with comprehensive step-by-step assembly instructions featuring excellent images available on his website.
For maker communities and vintage computing enthusiasts, the M2x2 represents something beyond nostalgia. It is a practical demonstration that engineering can serve imagination, and that old ideas can be reimagined through modern technology without losing their character.