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Fitting a MacMini under my ACD

woodbine

woodbine

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 8, 2010
201
18
Bath, UK
At the moment the MM is just sitting right underneath the ACD, but I don't see many options out there for a housing to separate the two. I live in the UK, so any UK solutions are appreciated.
 
If you mean that you have your monitor sitting directly on top of the Mini -- well, I wouldn't do that.

Years ago, I had a PowerMac 6100 that (in my estimation) developed motherboard problems becuase I had a monitor (they were CRT monitors back then) sitting on the 6100. I believe the weight somehow "flexed" the motherboard inside, and caused a motherboard failure.

I wouldn't put anything directly on the Mini, and I'd be sure to leave some "ventilation space" on all sides.

Just my opinion, others' may be different...
 
Fishrrman said:
Years ago, I had a PowerMac 6100 that (in my estimation) developed motherboard problems becuase I had a monitor (they were CRT monitors back then) sitting on the 6100. I believe the weight somehow "flexed" the motherboard inside, and caused a motherboard failure.
Click to expand...

I have a 6115 in a closet still with which I always had the monitor on top and never had a problem, there was sufficient distance between the top of the case and the motherboard (having opened it up to do an add-on card) that it is unlikely that was the cause.

As for the Mac Mini, I have to agree that you do want to have good airflow around the case as it doesn't use a fan. The motherboard on my 2011 Mac Mini died I believe because I had it in a cabinet resting flat. Fortunately, I had AppleCare and Apple replaced the motherboard for free. I have since bought a stand so that my Mac Mini sits vertical, and haven't had a problem since, knock on wood.

You can buy a stand for the Mac Mini on-line, mine is an aluminum arch with a slot in the middle where the Mini rests.
 
LorenK said:
I have a 6115 in a closet still with which I always had the monitor on top and never had a problem, there was sufficient distance between the top of the case and the motherboard (having opened it up to do an add-on card) that it is unlikely that was the cause.

As for the Mac Mini, I have to agree that you do want to have good airflow around the case as it doesn't use a fan. The motherboard on my 2011 Mac Mini died I believe because I had it in a cabinet resting flat. Fortunately, I had AppleCare and Apple replaced the motherboard for free. I have since bought a stand so that my Mac Mini sits vertical, and haven't had a problem since, knock on wood.

You can buy a stand for the Mac Mini on-line, mine is an aluminum arch with a slot in the middle where the Mini rests.
Click to expand...
Wood traps heat in and a cabinet by its very nature is a trap for heat. I always laugh when I
See cabinets for computers because they are bad for the machine. It's probably a factor in explaining why so many offices suffer hardware issues on their computers despite handling comparatively light duty work.
 
"I have a 6115 in a closet still with which I always had the monitor on top and never had a problem, there was sufficient distance between the top of the case and the motherboard (having opened it up to do an add-on card) that it is unlikely that was the cause."

Although there was "distance" between the case cover and the motherboard (which was mounted to the lower part of the case, there was at least one _post_ that served to "support" the case cover (and anything placed on it), with the cover in place.

I believe the weight of the monitor above pushed down on the support post enough to flex the _bottom_ of the case, and the motherboard that was attached.

When the 6100 was running, I could actually press down on the top of the case cover, and it would "react" from the change in pressure...
 
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