'Dune Case' for PCs Copies Mac Pro's Cylindrical Design

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.

dunecase

Available in black or gold and made of aluminum, the Dune Case promises "an innovative housing" that's a "sleek and stylish" alternative to standard PC cases. The page doesn't reference the Mac Pro, instead treating the design as a fresh idea.

dunecaseblack

While the Dune Case is different than the Mac Pro internally, lacking the unified thermal core that is the Mac Pro's signature feature to absorb and disperse heat, the visual similarities are impossible to deny. One variance -- the Dune Case is much larger than the Mac Pro.
dunecaseair

Its cylindrical form promotes natural airflow for superb thermal performance and provides freedom and flexibility to customize configurations. The conventional approach for air flow management is to move it horizontally through the PC, leaving many areas with no circulation and recycled hot air. the Dune Case design promotes superior thermal dynamics by pulling the air vertically up and out through its aerated lid; aiding natural air flow and keeping temperatures down.

While a Mac Pro is priced at upwards of $2,000, the Dune Case PC case is being sold at an early bird price of $159. The Dune Case has thus far raised $38,000 out of $130,000 and there are 26 days to go on the campaign, but given the similarities to the Mac Pro, there's a chance Apple could make an effort to shut down the project before it's funded.

Top Rated Comments

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Devie

35 months ago

The ultimate hackintosh case.

Until Apple make a fricken Mac Pro-Sumer this is what we're stuck with having to do. Where's our i7 with dedicated and user swappable gpu.

Rating: 29 Votes

OtherJesus

35 months ago

Samsung is kicking themselves for not kick starting this Kickstarter first.

Rating: 23 Votes

elvisimprsntr

35 months ago

i've already got one. I can wave my hand over it and the top opens up.

Rating: 14 Votes

Mactendo

35 months ago

there's a chance Apple could make an effort to shut down the project before it's funded.

It's a pity that no trash can maker didn't shut down the new Mac Pro project before it was released to the public.

Rating: 13 Votes

BeSweeet

35 months ago

There's no resemblance to the Mac Pro whatsoever! /s

Rating: 13 Votes

northernmunky

35 months ago

Rating: 11 Votes

bladerunner2000

35 months ago

If it can fit any PCIe GPU in there, it's already better than the current Mac Pro case... and by that extension, better than the Mac Pro of course.

Rating: 9 Votes

Mahler12x

35 months ago

I kind of laughed at their 'official' response in regards to aesthetics titled "We're Not A Fruit."

We have received numerous questions and comments regarding Dune Case’s aesthetics and whether we considered this prior to Kickstarter.
Please be assured, we did our due diligence. It would be foolish not to.
Dune Case is just a case, not a computer. Prior art exists for cylindrical cases designs pre-2013. We refined our design to support mini-ITX components.
We hope this reassures our current and future backers.
Alex

That is pretty vague and doesn't even begin to address their blatant rip off. Just because it is a computer case (not an actual computer) doesn't mean you can make it look exactly like the Mac Pro. Did anyone else notice that they used almost the exact same logo/symbols from Apple's Mac Pro page.

Who cares? Apple was first, and not a soul exists that will say this ISN'T an Apple "knockoff," but it's awesome, it's beautiful, and if it works as advertised, it's brilliant.

I may be wrong, but you can't patent a "look." The fashion industry is a great example of this. There are exactly ZERO IP protections in the fashion industry and we're all the better for it.

Apple has decided on a model of great tech in a gorgeous design. Great tech that is entirely un-upgradable. That's totally fine. If I can have something, however, that both looks beautiful and is 100% upgradable, for a fraction of the cost, i.e. hackintosh, well, you do the math. I think it's good for everyone that this is happening.

Rating: 9 Votes