Mac Pro case redesign: Your thoughts

[Woodcrest64]

When or do you think we'll see a case redesign for the Mac Pro?

The enclosure that is currently used for Mac Pro debuted back in 2003 for the G5 Power Mac. They are essentially identical with a few differences both internally "placement of the power supply and etc" and externally "rear ports".

 

[Inconsequential]

What do you suggest they change it to?

USB 3 is a given, eSATA possibly, I used to think that it would get 8 drive bays but with the rise of SSDs I doubt they will bother with that either, other than that it is an efficient use of space, very well built, excellent cooling abilities and i've never come across anything even half as good (And Lian Li IIRC cases) were/are very good. The optical bays will stay around as long as there is optical media and everything else isn't going anywhere either.

Short answer is: It will stay the same.
Long answer is: It will stay the same because it has no reason to change.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I don't think we'll see a case change anytime soon unless they do move to that hip new liquid metal. Then in that case you'll see a color shift but not a redesign. I love what appears to be a timeless design. It never gets old unlike neon lights on my old PCs ... you know, when I was 15.

 

[ActionableMango]

I love the MP case and I wouldn't substantially change anything about it.

I would love an anodized black option, eSATA ports, and space for a memory card reader, but these are small things.

 

[philipma1957]

I voted yes but more then 2 years. right now there is no need to change it.

 

[kellen]

I would think after the next update. But who the heck knows.

 

[ThomasJL]

Unlike every other Apple product on the market right now, the Mac Pro case is actually functional.

Many Mac Pro users have no need for Wi-Fi, so an aluminum body is OK, whereas on laptops, aluminum blocks Wi-Fi signals. That's why, with the sole exception of the white plastic MacBook, all of Apple's laptops have the worst Wi-Fi reception on the market.

 

[karsten]

if they changed it i'd buy all remaining stock. i think its sweet now

 

[goMac]

No reason to change, and it's not a bad case design.

 

[Vylen]

One of the only reasons to change the case design would be heat/cooling issues. But, with each processor iteration, they've been getting better at heat management, thus making that purpose moot. Plus, with better chipset designs and whatnot (read: more compact) there's less of a excuse for a case design being found in the motherboard being too big or whatever.

However, I will say that they'll probably change it in more than 2 years from now - simply just cause manufacturing methods or material choices will most likely change after that time.

 

[daustin21]

There are times when I think the case could shed a few pounds but then I look at it again and like the fact that it looks (and is) a TANK!

I dont really see how much more functional you could get with it. They really did think of pretty much everything at the last major design.

 

[Umbongo]

One of the only reasons to change the case design would be heat/cooling issues. But, with each processor iteration, they've been getting better at heat management, thus making that purpose moot. Plus, with better chipset designs and whatnot (read: more compact) there's less of a excuse for a case design being found in the motherboard being too big or whatever.

Except they don't offer two 130W TDP processors on the DP model, where they used to offer two 150W ones, and they have a limited number of DIMM slots in 4 per CPU compared to the 6 per CPU found in the vast majority other Intel workstation boards.

Number of internal storage devices and expansion slots are also limited by the size of the case.

 

[Renderz]

I would like the next Mac Pro case to have room for at least 6 HDD inside. 4 just isn't enough for me

 

[axu539]

I would like the next Mac Pro case to have room for at least 6 HDD inside. 4 just isn't enough for me

You've filled up all 4 of your HDD bays and your 2nd OD bay? What do you do with all your HDDs?

 

[matt3839]

It would kick ass if you could use your own case with Mac Pro components, in my humble opinion; a Lian Li or Cooler Master chassis would be an excellent touch.

 

[JesterJJZ]

Well in 2013 the case will be 10 years old. I think that would be a good time for a redesign. I don't particularly care as I like the way it is. But if they do, 2013 would be a good time for one. Just give me some additional spots inside for a couple of SSDs and an extra PCI slot and we're good.

 

[Evil Spoonman]

I remember saying this when the first G5 towers came out. Can they please round off the handle edges already? Those things hurt when you're trying to move an anchor.

 

[toxic]

I remember saying this when the first G5 towers came out. Can they please round off the handle edges already? Those things hurt when you're trying to move an anchor.

that. it's stupid how something so fundamental to machining is lost on Apple...

 

[Gomff]

I don't mind a redesign if it's actually better than the current iteration, but that may be why there hasn't been a change for such a long time - The current design is pretty good all things considered.

 

[peskaa]

I can't see any big changes. The 4 drive bays are enough for most of the users, not all, but most, and a pair of optical drives is fine. We may see a dedicated SSD bay squeezed in (just like the Xserve, RIP).

Small tweaks? Maybe. The I/O will change over time (LightPeak, possible USB3 etc), but beyond that the case is solid. It's an efficient layout as is.

 

[karsten]

Well in 2013 the case will be 10 years old. I think that would be a good time for a redesign. I don't particularly care as I like the way it is. But if they do, 2013 would be a good time for one. Just give me some additional spots inside for a couple of SSDs and an extra PCI slot and we're good.

ssd would be nice for sure. just to modernize it a bit

 

[fswmacguy]

1. Possibility of external hot-swap bays, making the Mac Pro more like a server.

2. More PCIe slots with more room for larger video cards.


The actual case itself is fine. Good airflow, looks good, very solid, dependable lock system, [listen up PC manufacturers] no bright blue LEDs flashing and lighting up all day, hidden optical drive slots. It's a very well designed case, it's hard to improve on the case itself.

 

[mif]

Only thing what sometimes bothers, is pitch on the propellers. Whisper quiet is not possible but G5 (air cooled pci-express) had less annoying sound than the current rumble.

 

[snberk103]

I think when (a mature) Lightpeak debuts, Apple may totally redesign the MP. Or perhaps the 2nd generation after LP.

The MP case itself is closing in on 10 years. But the MP case is simply a PC case, done Apple-style, and the PC case is - ?? how old? 25? 30? years?

LP allows a bold designer to rethink where the components go (when they move LP off of copper and back on fibre optic). The HDs can be 33metres away, and still be as fast. So, you don't need to physically put the HDs inside.

Apple might decide to install, as non-optional, the same 'SDD on a chip' as found in the Air. The OS SDD would be small, fast, and part of the logic-board. All Apps and data would go onto additional HDDS that could be housed anywhere.

Once LP is integrated into the logic-board, you can pretty well get rid of the the expansion slots 'cause, afaik, LP can handle just about anything that you would slot in there - except for a video card. Although you could/should use LP as the video connector type. You could daisy-chain a number of monitors off of one LP cable.

I'm not saying Apple will or should, but it would be PR coup if Apple rolled out a completely redesigned MP that turned current thinking about how a computer needs to be put together. LP allows them to do that, as it can move data fast enough.

But who knows. This is all speculation, and work avoidance....

 

[DeeEss]

I don't think they'll change the case for a good while. 5+ years at least. Maybe a slight refresh of design elements, but with a minimal design already there's not that much to change. The current case is a really good design and there isn't that much that needs to be changed in it. I can't think of anything to be honest. The only thing that I could think of is more HD Bays, but hard drive tech is changing and their space is expanding rapidly. 4 and 6 terrabyte drives won't be that far off. Or a smaller design footprint as tech allows.

Personally though I like it the way it is and hope they don't change it too much.