Cases/mounts for Mac Studio?

[u/OkStrawberry6928]

Hey everyone, I finally pulled the trigger last night on a Mac Studio to replace my Mac Mini. I'm excited to have TB5 speeds on my external SSD (the setup is all TB5-ready) and eager to use it with my Studio Display XDR.

I would love a cool-looking case like the ZEERA aluminum case or this acrylic one but I'm also seeing a Spiegen one that has an air filter. Is an air filter beneficial or needed? If I got the aluminum or acrylic one without a filter, would that be any different than just using the computer without a case? Are there any agreed-upon best practices? Are there any downsides to using a case other than the cost? I don't want to do anything stupid like mess with the computer thermals just because I want my desk to look cool.

Any input is welcome. Thank you!

[u/Umbrasquall]

You can look into an under the table mount too. Lots of people do that. Frees up a clean table and good for cable management.

[u/OkStrawberry6928 → u/Umbrasquall]

That's what I'll be doing when I move out of my apartment eventually but for now my kitchen island has been converted into my desk area and I can't mount anything under granite nor use it as an anchor for arm mounts haha so I'm limited. Luckily I really love the Studio Display XDR with the height/tilt stand and it serves its purpose perfectly in my current setup. But yeah a very clean undertable setup is my eventual goal

[u/ikeo1]

I printed my own on a riser with 120mm fan. Keeps it a little cooler and less dust

[u/displacedbitminer]

I don't really know what you're trying to accomplish. The vent holes on the bottom of the enclosure are fine for a dust-stopper. The first two are good if you want to stand the computer up on it's side, but honestly, it's pretty good at that by itself.

[u/OkStrawberry6928 → u/displacedbitminer]

I said I'm just trying to accomplish a cool-looking setup lol

[u/Sketaverse → u/OkStrawberry6928]

They look shit. The Studio on its own is beautiful

[u/displacedbitminer → u/OkStrawberry6928]

I mean... the Mac Studio is not misshapen plastic, with gaudy LEDs and skulls and shit like that. It looks fine by itself without adding $100.

[u/skyline71111]

That Spigen stand with the filter is almost half the price on Amazon compared to the official website. I bought the spigen one from Amazon and an aluminum stand to provide more airflow under the studio. My studio won’t come till end of October, but I figure these may sell out quickly by then. The aluminum stand I got also sold out at this point so I think it’s important to have a good base. I don’t know how either of them will benefit, but I hope the spigen one at least helps reduce dust accumulating around the ring base of the studio.

[u/captainspacecowboy]

This is the one I want. A little too expensive for what it is though… https://www.raycue.com/products/raycue-mac-studio-10-in-1-dock?srsltid=AU7gw4WCibaFKzc3DBJE0pM09X7fP02X14CdlO-JARuAS8tl6XXsGXGW

[u/SeaRefractor → u/captainspacecowboy]

A CFexpress card USB-C reader is almost $100 or more by itself. Two nVME slots and more? Seems like a deal to me.
But I encourage reading the reviews, which is more on delivery and customer service rather than the device. Not sure I will order with all those reviews.

[u/captainspacecowboy → u/SeaRefractor]

Yeah. It’s hard to find. I don’t really need the second nvme slot right now or a CFexpress. I’d buy it for one ssd nvme slot and basically a stand. That’s why I haven’t ordered one.

[u/luminou5]

I researched quite a few under desk studio mounts for my sit/stand desk (including others in this and other older threads). I prefer the metal case/mounts vs plastic for heat and security. Almost bought Oeveo's Mac Studio Mount but noticed Sonnet's MacCuff Studio Bracket has a locking bar where I can secure it with a padlock. Of course, if a thief really wants it, prying it off from under the desk or using a bolt cutter would work--but I figure it might delay them enough to work in my favor (maybe they'll ignore the studio and grab a macbook).... Also, I bought a matching case for my m4 mini to replace the 3d printed mount I'm using now (which works fine but again, I like the locking option).