PC component manufacturer clones new Mac Pro case

Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited December 2019
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.

Left: Dune Pro PC Case, Right: Mac Pro
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
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
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.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 55
    Kewl. 
  • Reply 2 of 55
    Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
    Too bad that it won't last.

    They need to change it just enough to not fall foul of copyright. Look similar but not the same.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 55
    rob53rob53 Posts: 3,301member
    Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This isn't the first time a company (Samsung) has blatantly copied an Apple product and it wasn't even a very good job. The holes on the front of the Mac Pro case have been designed for maximum airflow while the Dune case looks like a bunch of small holes that probably won't do much other than to lighten the case weight. Even if Apple issues a cease and desist, I doubt a judge would enforce it. Of course when it's the other way around, there are plenty of two-bit judges who would make a judgment against Apple.
    FileMakerFeller
  • Reply 4 of 55
    Imitation is the sincerest form of theft.
    berndogjbdragonFileMakerFeller
  • Reply 5 of 55
    Looks like a scam Kickstarter.

    Even if it was real they missed the best feature which is the wheels! Been on the lookout for a PC case with wheels since the Mac Pro was unveiled.
    StrangeDayswatto_cobraAppleExposedcaladanian
  • Reply 6 of 55
    emig647emig647 Posts: 2,455member
    Indiekiduk this is old and not sure if Lian Li still makes it. http://www.lian-li.com/pc-v1000l/
  • Reply 7 of 55
    Reminds of all those Bondi Blue iMac knockoffs back in the day... https://512pixels.net/2016/05/imac-clones/
    watto_cobraAppleExposedkestral
  • Reply 8 of 55
    mobirdmobird Posts: 758member
    I wonder if they will make a less expensive monitor stand? :*
    edited October 2019 prismaticsMisterKitdysamoriawatto_cobracy_starkmankestraljbdragon
  • Reply 9 of 55
    bigtdsbigtds Posts: 167member
    Now there are two ugly cases.
    edited October 2019
  • Reply 10 of 55
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,564member
    We know this is a fake because there aren't LED lights shining out of every crevice. The 11th Commandment clearly states:

    "Thou shalt not design, manufacture, or distribute a DIY PC case that lacketh LED lights shining out of every crevice." 
    prismaticsbloggerblogcoolfactorStrangeDayswatto_cobraWorldspinningentropyskozchrisllamajony0
  • Reply 11 of 55
    Would someone who was seriously considering the new Mac Pro change their mind and purchase this case and DIY parts and build a Windows PC instead?  No. 

    How is this hurting Apple?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 55
    ITGUYINSD said:
    Would someone who was seriously considering the new Mac Pro change their mind and purchase this case and DIY parts and build a Windows PC instead?  No. 

    How is this hurting Apple?
    Actually this thing gives you way more options at a lot less money without compromising looks of those other fugly cases out there. I think it's for those that are used to the Mac perspective. The Darwin kernel has been adapted to run on platforms that are much more exciting (32-Core AMD Threadripper) than Xeons, making this a perfect fit for people who don't want to be limited by Intel Design Choices (R).

    I think this case is certainly interesting for a lot of hobby builders out there. For the professional (what apple defines as professional) certainly this is not a replacement.
    coolfactorentropyscy_starkman
  • Reply 13 of 55
    coolfactorcoolfactor Posts: 2,329member
    Ironic how people are hard on Apple for delivering function-over-form. The 3D case is an important aspect to the overall cooling system. 
    watto_cobraAppleExposedMisterKit
  • Reply 14 of 55
    taddtadd Posts: 136member
    The web page for the cylindrical Mac Pro lookalike case says that it is coming soon.  I wonder if they have ever shipped one of these cloned cases.   
    What I'd like to see is a Mac Cube chassis lookalike made for a Mac Mini motherboard.  

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 15 of 55
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,038member
    So they copied the entire look of the case without copying its utility.  Exhibit A:

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 16 of 55
    bigtdsbigtds Posts: 167member
    Soli said:
    So they copied the entire look of the case without copying its utility.  Exhibit A:

    What utility is need that isn't provided for off-the-shelf components?
  • Reply 17 of 55
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,038member
    bigtds said:
    Soli said:
    So they copied the entire look of the case without copying its utility.  Exhibit A:

    What utility is need that isn't provided for off-the-shelf components?
    Are you really claiming that casing assembly is just “off-the-shelf components”?
    StrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 55
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 13,086member
    ITGUYINSD said:
    Would someone who was seriously considering the new Mac Pro change their mind and purchase this case and DIY parts and build a Windows PC instead?  No. 

    How is this hurting Apple?
    Oh geeze. Do yourself a favor and take some primers on IP. There’s a reason orange juice can’t be marketed in an iconic Coca-cola shaped bottle. Or Honda’s in the shape of a Ferrari. 
    AppleExposed
  • Reply 19 of 55
    taddtadd Posts: 136member
    ITGUYINSD said:
    Would someone who was seriously considering the new Mac Pro change their mind and purchase this case and DIY parts and build a Windows PC instead?  No. 

    How is this hurting Apple?
    Brand recognition is important for promotion of the product.  If other brands look the same, then Apple loses the benefit of having recognizable projects.  This is a constant battle in many industries.  Daring high end manufacturers come out with a design nobody has seen before.  Because people want to be identified as having the leading-edge whatever it is (jacket, purse, car, phone, computer..) they'll buy the product made by the new designer (or under license from the designer).  Clone vendors make mimic designs to catch that sudden market.  What the leading-edge designer wants is brand recognition so people buy their product to look stylish.  What the leading-edge designer is rightfully afraid of is losing this value.  Worse, when a cloner makes a really crappy copy, in performance, survivability, danger (hurting somebody) then it could appear that the leading-edge designer was at fault.  The leading-edge designer is only able to spend the time and money making the designs and producing them because they can get money for the design.  

    This has been going on since the beginning of the industrial revolution, or before if you count counterfeit art and whatnot.   This is "bad".  People who knowingly support the theft of intellectual property (IP) are hurting the leading edge designer, and the market for leading edge designs.  If IP was not property, and designs could just be stolen whenever, then people won't spend money taking the risks to release new designs.  It's all about capitalism.  We get nice things because it pays to invent nice things.  Without property and rights, capitalism falls apart.    
    watto_cobraStrangeDaysFileMakerFeller
  • Reply 20 of 55
    BobForsbergBobForsberg Posts: 3unconfirmed, member
    The outside of the Dune case is what the new MacPro case should have looked like.
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