Removing Mac Pro Handles

[jshbckr]

You need to put this computer in another room or something. You'll kill it if you enclose it.

I've seen graphic card failure and when I was on the phone with Apple, the first thing they asked was if three sides of the computer were open to the room. If you lock that thing in a cabinet, you're asking for it to melt.

 

[Apple Corps]

Well Capt Underpants - the first thing you should buy is a new pair of underpants because you will need to change your current ones when you see what you have done to your Mac

I've seen some really bad ideas on various forums - this is right up there with the worst of them.

 

[UltraNEO*]

Well Capt Underpants - the first thing you should buy is a new pair of underpants because you will need to change your current ones when you see what you have done to your Mac

I've seen some really bad ideas on various forums - this is right up there with the worst of them.

+1

Seriously, dunno why the OP can't make alterations to the desk...

 

[strausd]

If you are insistent on cutting the handles off I would suggest using a hand-powered hacksaw. The vibrations from a power saw may damage delicate electronics. Also be sure the filings dont get inside.

I agree. You may want to take as much out as possible before you saw the handles off.

 

[iHateMacs]

Don't do it. That photo of the hacked G5 looked pathetic. Just like a dog with its tail chopped off.


The Mac Pro's strength comes from its "handles" cutting them off is like cuttng off Samson's hair.

You will regret it at some point.

I can just imagine your ebay auction when you come to sell it.

"One Mac Pro slightly yellow due to over heating otherwise in perfect physical condition apart from the butchered case. $100 but open to offers."

 

[Capt Underpants]

+1

Seriously, dunno why the OP can't make alterations to the desk...

You've lived quite a sad life if you don't understand sentimental value.

I'm removing handles from a computer. I know you think I'm desecrating an icon, but I'm removing the handles from a computer.

Sheesh.

To otherwise reasonable replies, I'll route the back fans through the holes in the desk. She'll be all right. She'll be a monster- but she'll be all right.

 

[Dark Dragoon]

I'll route the back fans through the holes in the desk. She'll be all right. She'll be a monster- but she'll be all right.

The three separate cooling zones will each need to be routed out the back (not just the single visible fan), so thats pretty much going to require most of the back to be open. This also doesn't solve the problem of getting air into the front intakes. If there is plenty of room from the front of the case to the door and plenty of room either side of the mac then it might be less of a problem. Though you would still likely be drawing the hot exhaust air back into the case in this situation.

Also I'm pretty sure if anything does go wrong (which is more likely if it runs hot) with it Apple will refuse to fix it due to the case modification.

 

[Icaras]

Also I'm pretty sure if anything does go wrong (which is more likely if it runs hot) with it Apple will refuse to fix it due to the case modification.

This is probably the best reason not to do this.

 

[MacHamster68]

first point
cutting of the handles will void any kind of warranty that might be on the macpro
second point
it looks damn ugly without the handles
third point
it will overheat in such a small space if you even can manage to squeeze it in there
fourth point
the resale value will drop to zero with the handles cut of

considering even to cut of the handles should be reason enough for apple never to sell you a apple product again

get a pc

 

[snberk103]

I've got a desk that has a 16 + 7/8" tall space for a computer (that's 42.75 cm for the rest of the world). I want to fit a mac pro in there.
...
For handypeople:
What kind of tools would I need for this job? ...

Throw it in a hot wash and hot dryer and shrink the sucker.....

Seriously, that must be one heck of a desk.... I cringed when I read what you want to do. Post photos when you are done, eh? Of the desk I mean.... Don't know if I want to see a chopped MacPro..... shudder.....

OK, seriously again, make sure you protect the innards from any metal shavings.... one small piece of aluminium shard could short out all sorts of things if it got lose in there.

Good Luck.

UPDATE: I followed your two links to other examples of cutting the handles off ... did you notice that in the first example they didn't cut the MacPro, they cut the desk instead?

 

[UltraNEO*]

You've lived quite a sad life if you don't understand sentimental value.

I'm removing handles from a computer. I know you think I'm desecrating an icon, but I'm removing the handles from a computer.

Sheesh.

To otherwise reasonable replies, I'll route the back fans through the holes in the desk. She'll be all right. She'll be a monster- but she'll be all right.

OK.. how about using a different desk? or how about an array of MacMini's?

 

[grue]

Jesus H some of you lot need to find a life outside of worshipping aluminium boxes. It's a computer, it needs to do what the owner wants.

"Oh no, it's not pretty anymore" = Priorities out of whack, go find a woman whose name doesn't end in .jpg

"Resale value will suck" = If resale value is that important to you, you probably can't afford the computer

"Beware of overheating" = An actually reasonable point. That having been said, my Mac Pro is in the leg of my desk and has had no issues:

The caveat being that while it's enclosed at the front end, there are openings to the sides at the rear, so the fan is blowing into a flat surface but it'll disperse to the sides. Your mileage may vary.

 

[grue]

considering even to cut of the handles should be reason enough for apple never to sell you a apple product again

get a pc

Actually they should like him, he's obviously not the sort of fashion computing permavirgin who'll refuse to buy an Apple product because they make a physical design change he doesn't agree with. One less person they have to worry about when they're designing.

Did you cry when the bad people from the internet smashed an iPad, too?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Use a dermel and be careful.

 

[wafl iron]

im shocked that no one has asked the obvious question:

"how do you pick it up and move it when the time comes?"

you better sand that thing down, those edges will be sharp as hell

For audio recording? dude get a dedicated cabinet for the computer or get longer XLR or 1/4'' cables and create your own recording booth in a diff room.

 

[Consultant]

im shocked that no one has asked the obvious question:

"how do you pick it up and move it when the time comes?"

you better sand that thing down, those edges will be sharp as hell

For audio recording? dude get a dedicated cabinet for the computer or get longer XLR or 1/4'' cables and create your own recording booth in a diff room.

Yeah, getting long audio cables will be much better than cutting anything (and then fry the computer by putting it in a small enclosed area).

 

[GoCubsGo]

^umm like any PC box. Not all cases have had handles.

 

[Capt Underpants]

OK.. how about using a different desk? or how about an array of MacMini's?

You must come from a world where good desks are cheap and abundant, and storage space to keep them in (and a means to get the desks there) is as well. I do not live in this world.

You must also be completely ignorant about audio recording and its hardware requirements.

My computers are tools. They are not eye-candy.

I live in a one bedroom apartment, so my recording space and my computer space are one in the same. It's just my situation right now...

 

[JodyK]

I gotta chime in on this one. First of all I gotta say obviously it's your computer and you know you needs better then any of us ...BUT with that said I would strongly urge against this idea. Much of this has been covered but

1. This will void your Mac Pro warranty
2. Most studio settings have the computer in a separate room with wires running back to the Mac Pro ... If you can't do the traditional glass window separation type set up ... How about a closet in the room? Maybe you are running a 1 man set up and wanna work on the Pro while recording? If so I urge you to still reconsider ... Put the Pro in the corner and run a bluetooth keyboard mouse and long cord to the monitor. BTW the fan is not that loud and will todays high end Mics you should be fine.
3. The Pro's get HOT and putting it in a small confined area will certainly shorten it's life. Have you ever been in a server room? There is a reason why it's cold in there for their high end computers.
4. This will destroy your resell on it ... But I will offer you $100 now for it when you either botch the cuts or when your done with it
5. Apple products not only do the job but always look good doing it ... You will kill the looks
6. The 1st link you posted of those that have done it was a guy who was asking about it ... as you are and honestly I think he was only joking ... as I hope you are!

 

[kellen]

Pics of desk! Just gotta see what this thing looks like where it is worth it to cut up the computer.

That said if its an heirloom or means anything to you, I understand. MPs are a dime (many) a dozen while sentimental value is priceless.

 

[strausd]

You must come from a world where good desks are cheap and abundant, and storage space to keep them in (and a means to get the desks there) is as well. I do not live in this world.

You must also be completely ignorant about audio recording and its hardware requirements.

My computers are tools. They are not eye-candy.

I live in a one bedroom apartment, so my recording space and my computer space are one in the same. It's just my situation right now...

I don't see why everyone is going crazy about this, it's your machine and you can do what you want with it. Cutting off the handles won't make it any less of a Mac Pro or any less powerful...

 

[alust2013]

Seriously, that will kill your computer. I have an old Dell with a P4 at home that gets HOT even half enclosed. A Mac Pro will put out likely 4 times the heat, not including the graphics card(s). Those suckers get even hotter than the CPU. If you have it fully enclosed, it will get way hotter than the components can handle and you will see several component failures. That aside, when they have proper ventilation and can keep cool, the Pros are all but silent. I have used one while pretty heavily editing in Final Cut, and I couldn't hear it. I could care less about the aesthetics of it, but that just isn't a good idea.

 

[Icaras]

I don't see why everyone is going crazy about this, it's your machine and you can do what you want with it. Cutting off the handles won't make it any less of a Mac Pro or any less powerful...

Aside from the cosmetic comments, the real bottom line that a lot of users are addressing here are

1.) Lack of ventilation in such a closed space may very well damage his MP from bad heat management due to restrictive air flow.

2.) Case modification will void any warranty or AppleCare he might still have with his Mac Pro.

3.) If #1 occurs, then #2 will make his situation SOL.

 

[cutthroughthebs]

Get an Xserve and rack mount it. If it's an argosy console desk I can see not altering it but they make mounts exclusively for a MP. I think your kinda stupid for tearing up a good box when you can just get a hackintosh because your priorities are definetely pretty wacked to say the least... ID really HATE to hear your music if this is your way of thinking. Your kinda off bud. I'm not a fanboy Im just smart enough to know if I haveenough cash to do the things you do Id just get an Xserve and call it.

 

[UltraNEO*]

You must come from a world where good desks are cheap and abundant, and storage space to keep them in (and a means to get the desks there) is as well. I do not live in this world.

You must also be completely ignorant about audio recording and its hardware requirements.

My computers are tools. They are not eye-candy.

I live in a one bedroom apartment, so my recording space and my computer space are one in the same. It's just my situation right now...

Speaking of studios, most production studios I've been to have their MacPro's rackmounted horizontally, occasionally secured to a 19" tray, other's in cabinets usually below other racked equipment or they're mounted in well padded flight cases... Sometimes they're hidden behind under their boards.

[images removed]

Mine however sits about two inches of the floor next to a stack of racks.