# Converting 2019 Mac Pro Chassis for Windows PC Hardware

A new Kickstarter kit enables modern PC component installation into Mac Pro towers.

- **Source:** [Macworld](https://brifing.si/source/5c5245ce-d063-40e0-bd54-48b60cbc761f)
- **Published:** 2026-10-30
- **Topic:** [Software & Engineering](https://brifing.si/c/engineering)
- **Original article:** <https://www.macworld.com/article/3272597/got-a-mac-pro-doing-nothing-this-kit-will-convert-it-into-a-windows-pc.html>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a5238faf-7d9c-4970-b2df-2fc9cefc2744

## Repurposing Legacy Hardware

The 2019 Mac Pro, model 7,1, faces obsolescence due to Apple's shift toward proprietary silicon. Stefan Bond launched a Kickstarter project to address this by enabling the installation of standard PC hardware into the iconic chassis. This initiative targets users who value the tower's design but require modern, upgradeable computing performance.

## Technical Conversion Requirements

The Mac Pro chassis is not natively compatible with standard ATX motherboards or power supplies. Bond’s kit provides essential mounting plates, hard drive sled assemblies, and fan-adapter PCBs to bridge this gap. These components allow users to gut the original internal architecture and install custom PC hardware without damaging the exterior frame.

## Project Funding and Pricing

Stefan Bond has set a funding goal of 10,000 Canadian dollars to bring the conversion kit to market. Backers can secure a full conversion set for 699 Canadian dollars, approximately 500 US dollars. Smaller contributions of 10 Canadian dollars are available for those wishing to support the project and receive video credit.

## Software Compatibility Considerations

While the primary goal is building a Windows-based PC, the hardware remains versatile. Users who prefer the macOS environment may attempt to configure the machine as a Hackintosh after the conversion. However, the kit itself focuses strictly on the physical installation of PC components, leaving software configuration entirely to the end user.

## Evolution of Apple Workstations

Apple discontinued the traditional Mac Pro tower design, ending a two-decade legacy of modular workstations. The final Intel-based version arrived in 2019, followed by an M2 Ultra update in 2023. Despite the Mac Studio serving as the current top-tier workstation, it lacks the physical character and massive expansion potential of the towers.

## Hardware Limitations Addressed

The 2019 Mac Pro design was built specifically for Apple’s proprietary logic boards and thermal management systems. Standard PC motherboards, massive modern graphics cards, and power supply units cannot fit without these custom adapters. The kit effectively bypasses these physical constraints, allowing for a standard PC build within the high-quality metal enclosure.

## Targeting Enthusiast Communities

This project appeals to enthusiasts who prefer the aesthetic and build quality of the Mac Pro tower over modern, plastic-heavy PC cases. By providing the necessary mounting hardware, the kit transforms a non-upgradeable machine into a future-proof workstation. It represents a niche but practical solution for extending the life of premium hardware.

## Strategic Hardware Longevity

The conversion kit highlights the growing demand for sustainable hardware practices in the professional computing sector. By enabling the reuse of high-end chassis, users avoid discarding expensive metal enclosures. This project demonstrates how independent engineering solutions can bypass manufacturer-imposed upgrade limitations, providing a second life to high-quality, legacy workstation components.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.macworld.com/article/3272597/got-a-mac-pro-doing-nothing-this-kit-will-convert-it-into-a-windows-pc.html — 

---

_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
