G3/G4 towers as desktops?

[James Gryphon]

This is probably a silly question, but I'm curious whether anyone has tried using one of the Yosemite-type cases on its side. I'm 25%-tempted to do so, but I'm not sure whether it would cool properly. (Also, I'm not sure the drive would lock the CDs in place.)

If the answer is to leave well enough alone, that's fine. It just seemed potentially interesting, since the horizontal desktop configuration used to be so common, and as the reverse was done on occasion (with some Mac users using the IIci as a tower).

 

[eyoungren]

You can run it on it's side. It's not normal, and I've never done it, but there's no issue.

As to the CD/DVD tray, what you do is hold the disc in the drive until the last moment when you have to move your finger away from the closing tray. They are designed to work sideways.

 

[DeltaMac]

The Yosemite style, and later G4 cases have curved sides, so you would need to prop it up somehow to keep the system from rocking or sliding around, and you wouldn't really be able to place much on the "top", like a monitor, etc.
The CD drive might depend on the actual configuration of the tray (some trays have built-in provision for vertical use, for example) but THAT shouldn't be a real problem.
And, before the Yosemite, previous models were available in either tower or "desktop" configuration.
Apple sold the Quadra 700, which used a case much the same as the Mac IIci/cx, but on its side.

 

[bunnspecial]

I've done it...

Three words-Marathon Rack Mount