Conversion kit lets Mac Pro owners install PC hardware inside

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 11:43 · Archive

A $500 conversion kit would let owners of Apple's 2019 Mac Pro install standard PC components inside the distinctive case.

A mechanical engineer is crowdfunding a conversion kit that would let owners of Apple's 2019 Mac Pro install standard PC components inside the distinctive aluminium case. The $500 kit, developed by Stefan Bond through Practical Prototyping, accommodates conventional ATX motherboards and power supplies, with space for graphics cards up to 308mm long and 140mm tall. The design retains the Mac Pro's three original front fans through custom adapter circuit boards, and preserves the power button, indicator light and two USB-C ports.

The kit includes mounting hardware and adapters but requires users to provide their own processor, memory, graphics card, storage and power supply. Builders must remove Apple's existing internals before installation. The conversion is reversible with no permanent changes to the case. Air coolers can be up to 140mm tall, or liquid cooling systems with radiators up to 240mm long are supported. The design accommodates two SATA storage drives in either 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch formats.

The Kickstarter campaign, named after the Mac Pro's distinctive perforated aluminium exterior known as the 'Cheesegrater', has attracted just $7 from one backer against its $10,686 funding goal with 28 days remaining. If funded, shipping is estimated to begin in March 2027, although crowdfunding pledges do not guarantee delivery. The project comes after Apple discontinued the Mac Pro in March and confirmed it has no plans for future models.

How it is being reported

• Conversion Kit Aims to Put PC Hardware Inside 2019 Mac ProOwners of Apple's 2019 Mac Pro could repurpose its enclosure for a custom PC using a conversion kit being crowdfunded by Practical Prototyping (via Hackster ). The project comes after Apple discontinued the Mac Pro in March, confirming that it has no plans for future models. For owners of the 2019 Intel-based tower, the conversion offers a potential way to keep using its distinctive enclosure with newer PC components. Mechanical engineer Stefan Bond developed the kit to accommodate a conventional ATX motherboard and power supply inside the Mac Pro 7,1 chassis. The proposed conversion is…MacRumors · 26 Oct, 11:24
• Apple fan wants to convince 'Cheesegreater' Mac Pro owners to spend $500 on a 'conversion kit' to 'replace the proprietary platform with standard upgradable PC hardware'A $500 kit repurposes Apple's 2019 Mac Pro case for standard PC hardware, retaining its original fans, controls, and aluminium exteriorTechRadar · 26 Oct, 00:25

In this story: Apple · Stefan Bond · Practical Prototyping · Kickstarter

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