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See the original image at gizmodo.com —

Totally Unconfirmed: Are Mac Pro Cases Toxic?

gizmodo.com — A french article alleges the Mac Pro's gives off toxic vapors. In short, a CNRS lab researcher got a Mac Pro, and after his eyes and respiratory tract were repeatedly agitated by a "stench," decided to break down the noxious vapor coming off the Mac Pro. They found "seven volatile organic contaminants."

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  • CoreyTamas, on 09/27/2008, -26/+12(I posted this comment a couple of days ago, but I'm going to repost because it seems relevant:)

    ***
    Wanna compete with Gizmodo on their own turf? It's simple.

    1. Pick an Apple product (the G1 phone will do if you can't think of one).
    2. Identify something about it (i.e. features, UI, market position, etc) that people almost never give any real thought to.
    3. Incite as much panic as possible over it by suggesting it's either going to or has already ruined "everything" (note: Doesn't have to actually be true).
    4. Add a graphic with a red speech bubble that says "I Suck", "LOL" or "Epic Fail".

    Bonus: Go to large-scale professional trade shows and do something incredibly stupid, then write about it.***

    No speech bubble, but the red stink lines certainly seem to be in character.

    p.s. Bonus points to Gizmodo for "Language of Fail" when talking about their own correspondent.
    • jnava121, on 09/29/2008, -2/+5bonus points for you to put apple fanboy idiot in your name for not even making a logical argument for whatever fanatical stance you are taking.
      • alanr19, on 09/29/2008, -2/+3CoreyTamas speaks the truth.


        Gizmodo is to Apple as Fox News is to Republicans.
      • rompom7, on 09/29/2008, -2/+1A person with the name Corey totally fits the Apple fanboy stereotype.
      • CoreyTamas, on 10/02/2008, -0/+2I don't have to be a fanboy of anything to identify bad writing.

        And for future reference, making fun of my name is something I haven't had to contend with since grade 3. Surely you can do better.
    • honeybrass, on 09/29/2008, -0/+25. Profit!!
  • infinitexx, on 09/27/2008, -8/+1thank goodness for their "skate launcher" warning
  • streak, on 09/28/2008, -3/+6I give up. What are the 7 organic "contaminants"?
    • Spuy767, on 09/29/2008, -2/+1What are 7 things that solid aluminum can break down into?
      • silverweed, on 09/29/2008, -1/+2I don't know, how about the insides composed of different types of plastic.. that get hot?
      • fezzasus, on 09/29/2008, -0/+3aluminium is obviously not organic. It's not the case breaking down, it's the organic solvents used to apply the finish to the case and spray the protective lacquer over the circuit boards.
      • Spuy767, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1It was a play on the title. I'm obviously aware that it's not the case that's breaking down.
    • silverweed, on 09/29/2008, -0/+2They said benzene is one, I would guess that the others come from the uses of different glues/adhesives and maybe components of the circuit board.
      • streak, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1No sense in guessing. The author is very clear that 7 organic "contaminants" were identified. So what are they?
    • sjmulder, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1FOREIGN CONTAMINANT
    • honeybrass, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1They are the chemical manifestations of the 7 deadly sins. Daemons! I cast you out of this molecule!
  • colincornaby, on 09/28/2008, -9/+1Well, I haven't noticed any fumes from my Mac Pro, but if it results in a new case for free, I'm not complaining...
    • streak, on 09/28/2008, -1/+5You've never noticed the "new computer" smell?
  • neopherine, on 09/29/2008, -6/+43TOTALLY UNCONFIRMED!!!

    My Dick is HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!

    ***** A.
    • tempusrob, on 09/29/2008, -1/+4Well ... it's still better than "BREAKING."
    • reformation, on 09/29/2008, -1/+1It would be pretty easy for you to confirm that though wouldn't it?
      • HonoredMule, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1Not necessarily. She may not be currently anywhere near her sex toy drawer.
  • Mataroo, on 09/29/2008, -7/+2No, that's just the patchouli.
  • legendxx, on 09/29/2008, -13/+7It's probably the hefty serving of weaksauce that comes with every apple product.
  • chadillac83, on 09/29/2008, -3/+14I recently got a Mac Pro at work... was previously running a Hackentosh.... I will admit, since recieving the box I have had "strange" allergies (itchy eyes, throat, stuffy nose, etc.) and I haven't been able to figure out why for the life of me. Now I sit directly next to my box for 8 hours a day at my allergies appear the worst while in the office.

    I hope this is *****, but in the same respect I would be a liar if I didn't say that I felt personally affected by the claims.
    • asdfer, on 09/29/2008, -0/+3You're allergic to some quantity of Aluminum. Stop licking the Mac Pro case.
    • colol, on 10/02/2008, -0/+1Congratulations on being crazy.

      The Mac Pros in question are the original quad-core models, not current ones.
  • Eivo, on 09/29/2008, -3/+9Wow, I think that this is the first time I have ever seen a title contain "Unconfirmed" in it. I guess it just figures that it's and Apple story huh?
  • wedderburn, on 09/29/2008, -2/+15pfft what computer case isn't, ever put together a new computer with lots of new parts, power it up and get all kinds fumes coming off it, its like how the new car smell is toxic, lots of benzene, cyclohexanone and styrene and all pretty toxic.
    • Phearce, on 09/29/2008, -1/+3My thought exactly. Maybe we should expect better, but realistically I'm willing to accept this risk for the trade-off of having a (relatively) cheap manufacturing process. Alternatively, this is the sort of thing that drives innovation: next up, *totally green* personal computers.
      • honeybrass, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1Totally Unconfirmed: Totally Green personal computer case made of recycled eggshells and corn husks catches fire and destroys inner city apartment building! Mac Pro protected by Apples 'Holy Aura' application!
    • bonds, on 09/29/2008, -0/+2I love the smell of new computer parts
  • bigsteve3OOO, on 09/29/2008, -15/+9all apple products blow
  • aforce369, on 09/29/2008, -6/+39The toxic vapor isn't doesn't cause any long-term side effects I don't think, it just merely seems to induce hallucination and an exaggerated sense of self importance.

    ...
    Which actually would explain a lot of mac-fan related behavior.
    • bundwallah, on 09/29/2008, -0/+2LOL Zing!!! I logged in to digg you up.
  • cpsutcliffe, on 09/29/2008, -4/+9Totally Unconfirmed: Does Gizmodo Try To Brainwash You?

    Regardless of the facts, I'm going to leave this article with one thing on my mind, that Macs are Toxic and I should avoid them.
  • mastazed, on 09/29/2008, -10/+2these comments suck
  • dheaddy, on 09/29/2008, -1/+14Totally Unconfirmed: Are Mac Pro Cases made of Cheese?
    • blankoboy, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1Totally confirmed: These Mac Pro Cases made of Chinese!
    • iamcanman, on 09/29/2008, -0/+2Yes, but apparently it's very stinky cheese.
    • honeybrass, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1Nope, I checked, tastes just like plastic and toxic chemicals. *choke*, *die*
  • imnojezus, on 09/29/2008, -7/+4Buried until confirmed. Until then, this is sensationalist fear-mongering.
    • RadicalEdward, on 09/29/2008, -1/+2I thought that wasn't till the evening news?
    • heystoopid, on 09/29/2008, -1/+1Well you did say bury , so be it !
  • alanr19, on 09/29/2008, -7/+1Steve Jobs is not in the habit of shipping toxic crap. I think someone owes him an apology.

    Typical minimum wage-PC user slander. Sub human scum.

    .
    • thescimitar, on 09/29/2008, -1/+1I think you have anger issues.

      /mac user
  • Elliottx, on 09/29/2008, -6/+9All macs are toxic. :D

    Ohhhhh no he di'ent.
  • Starvsnr, on 09/29/2008, -2/+3It wont get viruses, just give them.
    • heystoopid, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1 A SONY -BMG rootkit coming soon to all Mac's :)
  • bbtweb, on 09/29/2008, -1/+2i have no problem at all with my mac pro and i've had it for 6 months.
    • heystoopid, on 09/29/2008, -3/+1Who asked you ?
      • bbtweb, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1well all of a sudden everyone is reporting a strange smell from their mac pro. So I'm simply illustrating to all those prone to panic that it in fact may not be the case.
  • RetlawST, on 09/29/2008, -4/+1It's POSSIBLE that there might have been a coolant leak and the fumes they were smelling was the coolant slowly being burnt off.

    Of course, my conjecture has about as much information in it as the article so who really knows.
    • silverweed, on 09/29/2008, -0/+4hahaha a coolant leak what
      • nesagwa, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1You know, the fans keeping it cool might react with the arctic silver and, I dunno, spawn mutant vapors that kill you.

        Or maybe he doesnt realize that only G5s were liquid cooled, and even then only at th every end of their lives.
    • Icetype, on 09/29/2008, -0/+2coolant. wtf?
  • pe5t1lence, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1Yes they are. The fumes turn you into a black sweater wearing Steve Jobs look-a-like.
  • moxley, on 09/29/2008, -10/+3Why Macs suck..
    By Moxley.

    1. Viruses and malware. Everyone knows that macs have more unexploited viruses than any other platform. They are almost as bad unix and OS2.

    2. Terrible for graphic design, almost as awful as Silicon Graphic workstations....They just are. Get a Commodore or a TRS80 if you're serious.

    3. Crash city - nothing but BSOD's all day long.

    4. Poor engineering.

    5. Cancer - Steve Jobs personally grafts cells from whatever part of his body is rumored to be causing his imminent death on to every mac.

    6. Manufactured in Uzbekistan by child labor in GeorgeW. Bush's factory.

    So there you have it.
  • YoWhatDaFuxUp, on 09/29/2008, -4/+3TOTALLY UNCONFIRMED BUT WHAT IF...
    come on gimme a break

    buried
  • silverweed, on 09/29/2008, -3/+6TOTALLY UNCONFIRMED
    MAC IS INFALLIBLE
    ALL HAIL MACINTOSH PENIS IN MY BUTTHOLEZ
  • koob, on 09/29/2008, -1/+4That is just the fine stench of capitalism. the french are weak. they can't handle that *****.
  • Ouze, on 09/29/2008, -2/+4Modern reporting at it's finest! You can say whatever the ***** you want, and then add "that's unconfirmed".

    I heard the gizmodo staff have a giant poster of Hitler in their lunch room. I haven't been able to confirm it though. Neither could I confirm the rumor that the writer of this story is a convicted pedophile.

    The only proven thing Mac Pros emit is smug. Until you see a real certified lab report saying otherwise, it's sad linkbait *****.
  • thescimitar, on 09/29/2008, -1/+4TOTALLY UNCONFIRMED: Llamas found on Moon!!
  • michaelGregoire, on 09/29/2008, -1/+2I totally call ***** on this. I have a Mac Pro. No "stench" of toxic vapors emanating from mine.
    • heystoopid, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1So still paying off the bank loan for the one you purchased in 2002 , how very sad .
  • Billistic, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1Explains why I'm so retarded for macs.
  • samimnot, on 09/29/2008, -3/+2"The Gizmodo staffer violated the terms of CES media credentials and caused harm to CES exhibitors. This Gizmodo staffer has been identified and will be barred from attending any future CES events".

    LMAO, just another typical B.S. story from the douche's at Gizo...
  • Filmore, on 09/29/2008, -2/+5Is Digg now Fox News?
  • enderklein, on 09/29/2008, -0/+2I didn't experience any health problems, but when I unboxed my Mac Pro there was a distinct smell - kind of like a solvent or preservative. I assumed it was from whatever method they use to pack them. It went away after a few days.
    • Ouze, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1The feelings of superiority and inflated self worth, however, last for the life of the Mac.

      I kid, I kid!
  • scoobycarolan, on 09/29/2008, -1/+3Totally Unconfirmed: Gizmodo sucks French Taint. Oh, wait.....
  • Avian00, on 09/29/2008, -0/+4No worries. Apple will fix this with a Firmware Update.
  • iamtrist, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1if the mac pro at work is left on overnight doing stuff, the office smells of weed when we get in the next day.
    • borednerd, on 09/29/2008, -0/+0That's just the smell of all the hippy artists the Mac attracts overnight. They're like cockroaches and come out when you're not looking.

      Put some Slayer on a loop when you leave the office and you shouldn't have any more problems with their stench greeting you in the morning.
  • fezzasus, on 09/29/2008, -2/+2Hardly an issue, if your Mac Pro does produce toxic organic vapours they will be gone in a matter of days because they are volatile, if they weren't then you wouldn't be experiencing any vapours.
  • DarthShaun, on 09/29/2008, -0/+2Don't turn on your Mac Pro, IT'S A TRAP!
  • chromerium, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1I have noticed that my Mac Pro's exhaust makes my eyes water ... but I always thought that was just because it pumps out warm, dry, air.

    I would expect that Apple will replace any toxic parts at their expense if its confirmed that there is a problem with the machines.
    • heystoopid, on 09/29/2008, -1/+1Nah just ask the customer come in with old unit offer a ten grand additional upgrade fee for the 2010 model coming off the production line , and then laugh as the idiot walks out with the new computer and a bigger hole in his pocket then his head .

      Atypical Apple service of pay more for less .
  • SHv2, on 09/29/2008, -2/+1but will it blend?
  • sirscutter, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1Dugg because I own a Mac. Don't believe this though. I haven't had any problems, I've always had these rashes and mental problems.
  • Jhiaxuz, on 09/29/2008, -1/+2No, but their prices will kill you.
  • muckemuck, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1mmmmm that new computer smell... my mac pro had a nice sweet smell when new. Now that it's a year old it has more than 7 organic contaminants in it that are stinking things up.
  • heystoopid, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1I smell recall world wide coming !
  • honeybrass, on 09/29/2008, -0/+1Well, I was going to eat my Mac Pro, but now I think I'll pass and just use it as a computer instead.
  • kreatre2007, on 09/29/2008, -0/+2WTF... I've set up dozens of these things and I've never noticed anything like this. This is just another story to get some Apple controversy going again.
  • Nairebis, on 09/29/2008, -0/+0That's just the smell of Steve Jobs' inner holiness which is infused into each and every Apple Product. Just put your ear next to it -- if you listen carefully, and if you are pure enough, you can here angels whispering their love from Steve's blessing.

    If you're respiratory tract is being agitated and irritated, that is simply a measure of your purity. You are not worthy of that product, and in fact, you had better repent now. It's just a taste of the fire and brimstone is that awaiting you. Only through Steve's blessing can you be saved.

    Praise Steve! Praise his goodness! Praise his purity!
  • feureau, on 09/30/2008, -0/+1Mmmm... secret blend of 7 organic contaminants.
  •  

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