Industrial designer Paul Staal has built a fully functional desktop PC housed inside a 3D-printed case modeled after the classic Lego computer brick, scaled up to ten times its original size.
Staal calls the build the M2x2. At its core sits a Mac Mini, but the surrounding case transforms it into something far more interesting than a standard enclosure. The files are freely available to print at home, making the whole project replicable for anyone with access to a 3D printer and a Mac Mini already on hand.
More Than a Shell
The M2x2 integrates a 7-inch IPS touchscreen display directly into the build, along with a USB-C hub that adds extra ports and an SD card reader. The design takes direct visual cues from the sloped Lego computer brick that first appeared on Lego spaceships in 1979, a piece of painted plastic that became one of the more recognizable shapes in the Lego catalog.
The two large studs on top of the M2x2 are functional. The left stud conceals an Ikea Symfonisk remote for controlling a Sonos speaker. The right one hides a wireless charger for AirPods. Both studs retain standard Lego-compatible tops, so classic bricks or minifigures can attach directly.
Around the back, Staal added a carry handle and cord hangers to keep cables tidy. A volume knob and audio visualizer round out the feature set.
Daily Driver
Staal uses the M2x2 as his primary computer. The 7-inch touchscreen runs a Home Assistant dashboard for controlling smart home devices, while an LG DualUp monitor handles the heavier workload. The setup reads less like a novelty project and more like a considered, practical workstation that happens to look like an oversized toy brick.
His interactive website walks through step-by-step assembly instructions with detailed photography, and he has also produced a retro-styled advertisement for the build that leans into the nostalgia angle without apology.
What It Costs
For anyone who already owns a Mac Mini, Staal estimates the remaining components cost under €100 (approximately $116). One caveat: the Ikea Symfonisk products used in the build have been discontinued, so sourcing the knob component may require hunting on secondary markets like eBay. Staal acknowledges this and suggests finding an alternative knob solution.
The M2x2 is not the first time someone has merged Lego’s iconic computer brick with actual computing hardware. In 2022, a separate engineer fitted a real tiny computer inside an original-sized Lego brick. Staal’s approach inverts that entirely, scaling the brick outward to fit a contemporary machine inside.
The 3D model is available to explore interactively on Staal’s site, alongside the full parts list and build guide.
Photo by Charles Snow on Unsplash
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