Mac Studio dust issue + dust issue with all Macs.

[sunny5]

It seems Mac Studio subreddit is reporting quite a lot of dust issue with Mac Studio. It's quite obvious since almost all Macs are not possible to teardown easily as Apple nearly blocked us to clean internal components. So many people reported that they made DIY dust filter beneath Mac Studio or even use an air purifier at the bottom.

I have to say dusts issue is a serious problem for Mac. There is no way we can open the case to clean inside especially for Mac Studio, Mac mini, iMac, and more. While Apple slowly accepted the right to repair for iPhone by making and designing it simply for better repairability, Mac seems to be heading the opposite way.

Maybe it's time to speak up for the right to clean and repair so that Mac is much more easier to open up to clean dusts?

 

[MayaUser]

i think everything started with the iphone 14, now the whole new iphone 15 lineup....since the iphone is the most imp
I think they will start easily to translate this "easier right to repair" for the ipads and mac as well
Its typical the apple way

 

[CWallace]

Apple has seen their warranty repair costs increase significantly due to how difficult they made it for even their own technicians to repair (so much of the product was designed to be recycled, not repaired) that Apple has been making their products more repairable over time.

Looking at iFixit's teardown, not sure how much easier Apple could make it to take apart to be honest.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Welcome to the party, pal!

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how-to-clean-the-mac-studio-from-dust.2338827/

 

[spiderman0616]

Every single computer ever made, at least the kind with fans, has collected dust on the inside. It's just a fact of living here on Earth. I doubt the Mac Studio is any worse or better in that regard.

HOWEVER

If it really is a major problem, Apple will either reiterate or redesign their way out of it. Now that their mobile devices and computers have gained such mainstream popularity, they surely know they need to make products that don't require non-techies to take them apart to maintain. In other words, I'm certain they have the metrics and resources to fix it if it's as widespread as Reddit thinks.

I realize that's little consolation to current owners though.

 

[zer0ed]

Just recently cleaned out my Mac mini M1. Honestly, it didn't have that much dust accumulated in it, and wasn't difficult at all. Removed the outer rubber ring with a credit card, then removed metal shield cover and carefully blew out the inside with compressed air. Really no different than blowing out a PC case with compressed air. The major catch is you'll need the correct tool (bit) to remove apple's 6 tr6 Torx security screws. The biggest hassle was removing and reinstalling the antenna screw because of tight quarters. Here's the procedure I used to gain access to the inside:

 

[Chuckeee]

Just recently cleaned out my Mac mini M1. Honestly, it didn't have that much dust accumulated in it, and wasn't difficult at all. Removed the outer rubber ring with a credit card, then removed metal shield cover and carefully blew out the inside with compressed air. Really no different than blowing out a PC case with compressed air. The major catch is you'll need the correct tool (bit) to remove apple's 6 tr6 Torx security screws. The biggest hassle was removing and reinstalling the antenna screw because of tight quarters. Here's the procedure I used to gain access to the inside:

Is ESD no longer a concern? I’ve noticed that in many of these tear down videos no one bother’s with antistatic wrist straps

 

[zer0ed]

It's always best practice but now a days I agree it seems to be less of a concern. Then again, it's not like you are going into memory or CPU territory.

 

[maflynn]

I have to say dusts issue is a serious problem for Mac

I don't think dust infiltration is unique to the Studio, however for the studio there are products like this:
Spigen Mac Studio Stand with Built in Air Filter

 

[hugodrax]

I have been running my M1 Ultra 24/7 for 3 years no issues with heat etc.. so it seems to be fine. I did buy a dust filter stand for the new M4 Max since they are available.

But it does seem they will be fine without one.

 

[southerndoc]

I just replaced my M1 Max Mac Studio with a M4 Max. The amount of dust on the intake vents was impressive. It was thick. The thing was mounted underneath my desk in the footwell of the desk and hasn't been cleaned since I bought it about 3.5 years ago.

Now that I've seen what it does with dust, I think I'll pull this out of the mount and clean it every 6 months or so.

 

[maflynn]

The thing was mounted underneath my desk in the footwell of the desk and hasn't been cleaned since I bought it about 3.5 years ago

I may be misunderstanding your post - are you keeping your computer on the floor (or near the floor)? If so that is a recipe for problems for dust infiltration (and other potential risks/headaches)

 

[pshufd]

Every single computer ever made, at least the kind with fans, has collected dust on the inside. It's just a fact of living here on Earth. I doubt the Mac Studio is any worse or better in that regard.

HOWEVER

If it really is a major problem, Apple will either reiterate or redesign their way out of it. Now that their mobile devices and computers have gained such mainstream popularity, they surely know they need to make products that don't require non-techies to take them apart to maintain. In other words, I'm certain they have the metrics and resources to fix it if it's as widespread as Reddit thinks.

I realize that's little consolation to current owners though.

I cleaned out a custom Windows desktop with a leaf blower this past spring. The amount of fine dust that came out was incredible. Dust gets caked on fans and all over surfaces and it's nice to get a nice cleanout.

 

[southerndoc]

I may be misunderstanding your post - are you keeping your computer on the floor (or near the floor)? If so that is a recipe for problems for dust infiltration (and other potential risks/headaches)

It's mounted about 8-10" off the floor underneath my desk (mounted vertically against the front part of the footwell underneath my desk). Beats having it on top of the desk. Unfortunately, my home office generates a lot of dust from the amount of time I spend in it. Plus, I think our HVAC ductwork probably needs vacuuming out. Nonetheless, will take it out and vacuum it once every six months to a year.

 

[maflynn]

It's mounted about 8-10" off the floor underneath my desk

I still wonder being only 8+ inches off the floor you're moving around is increasing the dust infiltration - not sure but its something to keep in mind if that's the best setup for your system

 

[MacCheetah3]

It's mounted about 8-10" off the floor underneath my desk (mounted vertically against the front part of the footwell underneath my desk). Beats having it on top of the desk. Unfortunately, my home office generates a lot of dust from the amount of time I spend in it. Plus, I think our HVAC ductwork probably needs vacuuming out. Nonetheless, will take it out and vacuum it once every six months to a year.

I still wonder being only 8+ inches off the floor you're moving around is increasing the dust infiltration - not sure but its something to keep in mind if that's the best setup for your system

If it’s a carpeted room, which I assume based on the description, 8-10” isn’t going to help a lot. In a fairly clean “hard floor” environment, that would probably be sufficient.

I cleaned out a custom Windows desktop with a leaf blower this past spring. The amount of fine dust that came out was incredible. Dust gets caked on fans and all over surfaces and it's nice to get a nice cleanout.

PCDC (Personal Computer Deep-Cleaning)

In this playlist, I clean local viewer PCs for free (and occasionally upgrade them in the process)! If you live near Orlando, FL and have an especially dirty...

www.youtube.com

My computers have never been bad in that manner. Definitely some disappointment involving laziness in some cases — pun intended. Dusting is one of those cleaning tasks I feel the most reluctant to perform, especially at the regularity it must be done to make a significant impact. So, with the consideration of also improving the personal health aspect, I’ve added air purifiers. Since swapping filters every two months, even the fine dust is now (very) minimal. Basically, to me, completely worth it.

P.S. Previously owning a computer repair business, I’ve dealt with the horrors and foulness shown in the above linked playlist.

 

[southerndoc]

Thanks for the tips, but the previous Mac was not suffering any issues. Simply unmounting it and cleaning it is all that is necessary. I don't intend to mount it anywhere else.

 

[ADGrant]

The solution to the Mac Studio dust problem is a Mac Pro. Hopefully Apple upgrades it soon.