We’ve seen DIY solutions in building a Mac Pro-style Hackintosh out of actual trash cans, but others who aren’t as inclined to follow a DIY route may be excited to hear about the Dune Case. Dune Case is currently running a Kickstarter campaign of its Mac Pro-inspired PC case. The case would allow anyone to get a Mac Pro look at a fraction of the cost at only $189. Boasting a design that helps support airflow, strikingly similar to the Mac Pro, the Dune Case comes in either a black or gold color options.
Even though Boot Camp officially supports Windows 10 on current Mac Pros, a lot of users desire the customization of a PC. The Dune Case gives PC-fans the options they want in customization, while still retaining a sleek form factor. The case utilizes mini-ITX components, has room for two 2.5 HDD, and includes three USB 3.0 ports.
Loved finally finding a case to fit my MacBook Pro with touchbar. This fits both MacBook Pro's w/ and w/o a touchbar (but just Pro's from 2016-so on). Loved the color!! It came with the snap on case (that fit perfectly and is soft and matte), a drawstring pouch for cords and/or headphones, a rubber keyboard cover, and a screen protector. A new Kickstarter project, the 'Dune Case,' is offering up a PC case that looks awfully familiar, closely mimicking the well-known cylindrical design of Apple's Mac Pro. Available in black or gold.
The case is a bit heavy at 5.73 lbs, but that is primarily attributed to its aluminum construction. With a 140mm fan at the top, the Dune Case should keep components cooler than traditionally horizontal-oriented systems. The case is designed in a vertical-orientation, just like the Mac Pro, ensuring hot air is pulled up and out of the case instead of circulating within itself.
Pricing for the case will start at $189 when officially launched, but there are still some slots available for backers who can score it at $169 on Kickstarter.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
By Amber Neely
Friday, October 11, 2019, 06:04 am PT (09:04 am ET)
The Dune Pro PC case has not only lifted the design of the Mac Pro's version, but also the presentation of the case itself, something which could call the attention of Apple's legal team. Friday, October 11, 2019, 06:04 am PT (09:04 am ET)
Left: Dune Pro PC Case, Right: Mac Pro
The Dune Pro PC case looks undeniably like that of the Mac Pro. It boasts a nearly identical stainless steel frame, similar ventilation holes, two USB-C Ports at the top of the case, and it's made out of the same soft-finish aluminum.
While the holes on the default case don't look identical to that of the Mac Pro, Dune is selling a 'sound dampening accessory' that looks more than a bit derivative.
Image credit: Dune
It doesn't seem to feature the same entry method as the Mac Pro, though. The Mac Pro has a semi-circular handle between the handles of the stainless steel frame.
This handle can be lifted up and twisted a quarter turn, and used to raise the external casing up and off the Mac Pro. As for the Dune Case, it looks like you'll have to pop off the sides if you plan on getting to the internals.
Along with the tubular frame with handles and the flat feet, the case also features two USB 3.1 Type C ports on the top surface, albeit not in the same location as Apple's pair of ports. For the inside, while the Dune does not include support for the MPX Modules the Mac Pro uses, it does try to ape its thermal management credentials in its marketing, with Dune claiming the airflow will travel through from one end of the case to the other.
Additionally, the Dune Pro website seems to have lifted quite a bit of the Mac Pro's presentation as well. Their website is a sleek, gray-on-white presentation the case that feels very familiar, down to the image choices.
There is also an attempt to copy Apple's performance graph for components, but as the Dune case is just a case with no other PC parts included, it does so by claiming there's ample room for different types of high-performance processors, then includes a graph comparing their benchmark scores.
Left: Apple's Mac Pro page, Right: DuneCase.com
It's yet to be seen if Apple will have anything to say about the obvious copycat, though we wouldn't be surprised if Dune got handed a cease and desist. The Dune Case is set to launch its Kickstarter on October 21st.
This is not the only attempt Dune has made to copy the designs of Apple's Mac Pro cases. An earlier case was heavily inspired by the cylindrical Mac Pro, one that could accept a mini ITX motherboard.