A new Mac Pro conversion kit lets you gut Apple’s 2019 tower and rebuild it with ordinary PC parts. It’s a Kickstarter project that costs about $500, and it’s far from guaranteed to ship. Still, it’s the first serious answer to a question many owners have asked: what do you do with a $6,000-plus machine Apple has stopped supporting?
The answer, at least on paper, is to keep the shell and replace everything inside.
Here’s the short version of what’s known so far.
- The kit fits a standard ATX motherboard and power supply into the 2019 Mac Pro (model 7,1) case.
- Pledges start at about $500, and that doesn’t include shipping or any PC parts.
- Estimated shipping is March 2027, according to MacRumors.
- The conversion is reversible, with no permanent changes to the case.
The takeaway: this is a build-it-yourself project for experienced PC builders, not a one-click upgrade.
What the Mac Pro conversion kit actually replaces
The kit is a set of mounting plates, adapters and circuit boards. It doesn’t include a motherboard, processor, memory, graphics card or power supply. You buy those yourself, then bolt them into Apple’s aluminium chassis.
According to MacRumors, the design comes from mechanical engineer Stefan Bond, and Practical Prototyping is running the Kickstarter. TechRadar says the kit comes with a motherboard and power supply mounting plate, two drive sleds, custom circuit boards, fasteners and a rear I/O bracket.
A few things from the original machine carry over, so the case still feels like a Mac Pro.
| Part | What happens to it |
|---|---|
| Aluminium enclosure | Kept |
| Three front fans | Kept, wired through adapter boards |
| Power button and light | Kept, via a dedicated interface |
| Two top USB-C ports (USB 3.1 Gen 1) | Kept |
| Apple logic board, CPU, RAM, GPU and PSU | Removed and replaced with your own parts |
The pitch is simple. Apple’s tower uses a proprietary platform, so upgrades are limited to what Apple designed. A standard ATX board lets you choose current parts and swap them out later, like on any other desktop.
Keeping the front fans and top ports matters, because those are the fiddly bits most DIY swaps lose.
Size limits to check before you pledge
Standard parts don’t mean any part. The Mac Pro case is a fixed shape, and the listed limits are tight enough to rule out some popular hardware.
| Component | Stated limit |
|---|---|
| Graphics card | Up to 308 mm long and 140 mm tall |
| Air CPU cooler | Up to 140 mm tall |
| Liquid cooling | 240 mm radiator, using a separate accessory |
| Storage | Two SATA drives, 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch |
| Motherboard and PSU | Standard ATX |
If you want a current high-end graphics card, measure first. Many of the biggest cards are longer than 308 mm. Check the cooler height and your motherboard layout too, since the kit won’t fix a part that simply doesn’t fit.
Is the Kickstarter safe to back?
Treat it as a gamble. Crowdfunded hardware often ships late, changes along the way, or never arrives, and TechRadar says as much in its coverage.
Early traction was also very low. When TechRadar wrote about it on October 26, the campaign had raised $7 from one backer against a goal of about $10,700, with 28 days left. That was day one, so it says little about the final outcome, but check the page yourself before pledging.
Add up the real cost before you commit. The $500 covers the kit only. A cooling cover is an optional extra, and the processor, board, memory, graphics card, power supply and storage all come on top. For a capable build, the total will be well above the pledge price.
Timing is the other catch. A March 2027 ship date means you’d be paying now and waiting months, with the old Mac Pro sitting idle or still in use.
Who should consider a Mac Pro conversion kit
It makes sense if you already own a 2019 Mac Pro that’s collecting dust and you’re comfortable building PCs. It makes much less sense if you need a working machine this year.
MacRumors notes that Apple discontinued the Mac Pro in March 2026 and has said it has no plans for future models. That’s the context here. The old tower has no Apple successor, and its Intel hardware is no longer where Apple’s Mac development is headed.
If you’d rather stay with Apple, our look at the Mac Studio 512GB price shows where the high end of Apple’s desktop line sits now. And if you do go the Windows route, read our Windows 11 26H2 rollout guide first so you know which version you’re installing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the kit include a PC?
No. It only includes the mounting hardware and adapters. You supply the motherboard, CPU, RAM, graphics card, storage and power supply.
Can I go back to the original Mac Pro afterward?
The makers say yes. The conversion makes no permanent changes to the case, so you can reinstall Apple’s original internals if you kept them safe.
Which Mac Pro does the kit fit?
The 2019 Intel Mac Pro, model 7,1, often called the “cheese grater” tower. It isn’t designed for other models.
When will the kit ship?
The estimate is March 2027. That’s a crowdfunding target, not a promise, so delays are possible.
My take: it’s a clever way to rescue a good case, but don’t pledge unless you’re happy to lose $500 and enjoy a tinkering project. If you need a dependable Windows PC soon, buy one off the shelf and sell the Mac Pro instead.
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