Follow along as a custom stealth Apple Macintosh SE/30 computer is assembled using a combination of vintage Macintosh hardware and modern retro computing upgrades including BlueSCSI solid-state storage and a BMOW ROM-inator II SIMM. Widely considered one of the most powerful and desirable compact Macintosh systems ever produced, the Macintosh SE/30 combined the classic all-in-one compact Mac design with the power of a Motorola 68030 processor and advanced expandability for its era.
This custom build uses a Macintosh SE FDHD case paired with an SE/30 motherboard, creating a stealth-style hybrid system that externally resembles a standard Macintosh SE while internally operating as a significantly more capable Macintosh SE/30. Throughout the video, the build process includes installation of the motherboard, BlueSCSI storage device, BMOW ROM-inator SIMM, RF shielding, floppy drive hardware, CRT connections, and system configuration adjustments including enabling 32-bit addressing and cache memory enhancements.
Additional demonstrations include smoke testing the completed system, checking memory configuration, and confirming proper operation under 32-bit mode with 32 MB of RAM installed. The video also highlights retro Macintosh upgrade hardware including BlueSCSI solid-state SCSI emulation and the ROM-inator II from Big Mess o' Wires, both popular modern solutions for preserving and enhancing classic Macintosh computers.
For vintage Macintosh collectors, MARCHintosh participants, retro computing enthusiasts, and fans of compact Mac upgrades, the Macintosh SE/30 remains one of the most iconic and upgrade-friendly Apple systems of the late 1980s and early 1990s.