PowerMac G5 Case for M4 Mac mini
PowerMac G5 Case for M4 Mac mini
Print Profile(1)
Description
PowerMac G5 (2003 – 2006) and Mac Pro (2006 – 2013) Case for M4 Mac Mini
A 3D-printed minature “cheese grater” Pro Mac
By popular request from several fans of my miniature 2019+ Mac Pro case, here is a version that pays homage to the legendary “cheese grater” design from the PowerMac G5 (2003 – 2006) and early Intel Mac Pro (2009 – 2012).
The trick
This is a particularly neat design, I think – the clever bit is that the curved, perforated "cheese grater surface is printed flat on the print bed in a 1-mm thickness, with the perforations printed easily as a hex infill with 0 upper layers and 0 bottom layers.
After printing, the curvature on the ends of the grille can be bent the appropriate shape, and it can be attached to the front of the otherwise single-piece main case using 6x2 mm refrigerator magnets. Access to the USB-C and headphone-jack ports are provided via slots reminiscent of the SuperDrive slots on the original.
Note
Technically-speaking, the M4 mini should be able to be inserted upside-down if you wish, since ventilation slots are on both sides and both the front grille and back cover are symmetric. There is obviously a preferred orientation, though, if you want the “SuperDrive” slots for USB-C access on the top as in the original design.
12/03/2024 UPDATE:
- Tested and works, but be cautious when installing magnets in and bending the mesh front grille — heat is recommend to avoid instead snapping the interface to the magnet flange. I will work on improving the reliability of this.
Boost Me (for free)
Please consider boosting my projects -- it really supports my ongoing design efforts on these and other works, like my work on the Modular Wind Tunnel for STEM Education (available at Printables).
Related models for M4 Mac Mini:
- "Mac mini Pro" enclosure, (à la 2019+ Mac Pro)
- “Mac mini Trash Can” enclosure, (à la 2013-2019 Mac Pro)
- “Mac mini G5” enclosure, (à la 2003-2006 PowerMac G5 or 2006-2013 Mac Pro)
- "M4 Cube" enclosure, (à la PowerMac G4 Cube, modernized)
- Nintendo NES enclosure
- Mac App Icon and Logo “Hats”
- "Gridfinity Hats”
- Santa Hat
Related models for Mac Studio and M1-M2 Mac mini:
- “Mac Studio Pro” enclosure, (à la 2019+ Mac Pro)
- Gridfinity Hats"
Related models, other:
- “iPhone XDR” - for MagSafe and StandBy mode
- Mac Pro Desk Model - standalone 3D printable display model
License
You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used without permission in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, or collect fees.
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