prevent dust accumulation & removing it from 2023 Mac Studio 27" Display and Mac Studio

To prevent dust accumulation & removing it from 2023 Mac Studio 27" Display and Mac Studio:


A) is it good or bad to keep an Air Purifier with HEPA-grade filters and carbon prefilters near the machine?

B) Some high-level experts on Mac Community forums say to clean dust out of Mac Studios and Studio Displays to never use a vacuum near the electronics due to possible static charges and others say not to use forced air after unplugging the machines for a while to ensure all residual charge is gone before blowing compressed air–––to not do that in case you do not do it correctly and either blow the fans too hard or wedge larger dust bunnies into a component that could be a problem–––

–––––> So from APPLE ENGINEERS AND R&D Dept. or FROM OFFICIAL APPLE EXPERTS: WHich is the correct method to clean the Mac studio and 27" display correctly & safely????

***ALSO: Please make a video tutorial on the Apple website or Apple Youtube Channel (if there is one) to show consumers and loyal Apple customers what the correct method & steps are for CORRECT cleaning maintenance authorized by the Apple warranty.****

Posted on Jun 18, 2023 11:50 PM

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9 replies

Jun 21, 2023 05:11 PM in response to Shazaam

Thanks, I appreciate everyone's suggestions and optional advice.


1) I have looked into the open cell foam sheets to make a homemade Mac Studio dust prevention filter cover since they do not yet make those for Mac studios that filter both for the back exhaust vents and the bottom intake vents without impeding airflow or temp. maintenance. I initially was looking for an open-cell-foam thin tube sleeve that is a larger and hopefully thinner version of the consistent thickness foam sleeve filters used for Shop-Vac vacuums but could not find one that would be big enough to fit snugly around the outer circumference of a Mac studio from the top edge to tabletop to also help lessen the bottom intake vests sucking in dust ... then I planned to just use an Exacto knife or scissors to carefully make slit holes for clear access of connection and power cables plugged in. But since no one makes those for Mac studios yet I probably will have to make one of my own with thin open-cell foam sheets and careful use of sewing teh sleeve closed, or using tape, or glue (but let it dry and cure fully before sliding the filter sleeve carefully over the Mac Studio cube. (e.g., https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000BO68BU/)


2) I am also curious about Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) sheet filter options for thin but effective filtration options. I researched it and those filter fabric sheets apparently have low electrical conductance, but not resistant to electrostatic. So I am not sure if they are an alternate safe option that is also cheaper because the concepts online that I have seen for HEPA filters built into cardboard and wooden stands for the intake vents seem risky because those 3rd options of materials are electrostatically charged. (e.g., https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0BYDMMRC7/)


3) The 3rd option I have been considering is running my Mac studio, modem, and Time Machine drive inside a small metal and glass server cabinet (since the under desk mount is not an option for me) to help prevent dust intake into the computer but those are more expensive. (e.g., https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B082VVWRSG/)


Because I was disappointed at the pre-fabricated options available on the Amazon.ca website for A) the plastic bases with built-in metal filters only help filter out some larger dust debris like pet hair or larger dust bunnies, and B) the polyester fabric canvas covers only seem to cover the top and back exhaust vents and look like they would impede airflow and stress the internal fans due to the tight and thick canvas poly thread denier.

e.g.,

i. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B24PTMRF

ii. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B8XV22LN


(**So it would be appreciated to get not only specialist/techs advice feedback but also expert suggestions from Apple engineers or Apple R&D dept. too for this issue ––epcially since it is a common issue experienced but most or all Mac customers at some point. I am honeslty disappointed that they have not produced an offical authorized answer for Mac customers that pay their wages after so many decades of time they could have released offically recommended proper care instructions to customers)

Jun 21, 2023 06:05 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Your time to offer helpful suggestions is truly appreciated. Yet, know that I’m not over thinking things:

1) I just like to not half-*** things in life and do things correctly. To not be a fool by wasting my hard earned investment that is suppose to last me about the next 10 years from the las apple system that has lasted 10 years with good responsible care.

2) the longer I can make my computer last & function at high optimal function means one less computer in the landfill or recycling station which is the environmentally responsible thing to do especially since raw materials mining causes problems in different countries around the world for computer parts.

3) I’m not a rich white dude that can afford extra apple care for the new port-pandemic costs of Mac computers that are over $6000 especially because many apple customers like my family are not living in a metropolitan city near an Apple Genius Bar or authorized Apple repair dealer —— so AppleCare is useless to us because the nearest Apple repair station is an 8 hour drive each way from my city of 300,000 residents and can’t afford to take 2 days pay off to drop off and pick up a repaired machine or go without the system for many weeks of shipping & repair on mailing warranty because I need it for university and working my company every day. So maybe consider that not everyone is like you and that doing research may not be overthinking things it just may be finding more affordable long term remote options that work for diverse people in different situations than those that you may think of or experience yourself. ***Again your thoughtfulness and time to attempt to help is still appreciated***

Jun 22, 2023 03:59 AM in response to Amerah777

This forum discussion will help.


I am using the 3D-printed Mac Studio filter casing shown in the link with UNI filter material inside.


Note that only the inlet air needs to be filtered but the outlet air flow does not.


Note also that the Mac Studio has WI-Fi and Bluetooth antennas in the base near the air inlet holes so any solution can't use a metal enclosure without blocking these signals.


Also note that moving the Studio under the desk or raising it up above the desk has no positive effect. Dust on the desk is not the problem, dust suspended in the air is the concern.


Open cell foam and fabric filter material does not constrict air flow or reduce cooling but a dirty filter does — so keep it clean.


I agree that the Amazon products are useless as a dust filter.


[Link Edited by Moderator]

Jun 19, 2023 07:26 AM in response to Amerah777

There is very little risk from applying bursts of compressed air, provided you are not unrelenting in spinning the fans so that they might spin too fast, heat up, and get damaged from the heat.


Ordinary household vacuum cleaners should be kept way from electronic, because their plastic tools can generate electronics-killing static discharges long before you feel the Zap.

Nov 7, 2023 11:42 AM in response to Amerah777

I use the PET fabric taped around the vents of an iMac and, when it was serviced at 3yrs, saw only a small amount of very fine dust inside. After 5 yrs, I used compressed air to blow the air outlet and should have done it outside. Very fine dust. Didn’t notice higher cpu temp but figured should be done anyway.


So, it’s not anything like HEPA, but it’s really easy to use. Leave enough looseness that there’s plenty of surface area of fabric. Mine hangs about an inch under the iMac bezel.


Looks bad, but it has kept the worst dust out long enough that I’m done with the (2016) computer.


It doesn’t matter what the filter is made of as far as static. The computer’s case and filter grille are plenty of isolation vs any static on the PET sheet.

Nov 8, 2023 11:29 PM in response to Amerah777

I tried the Spigen LD202 clear base with filter for the Mac Studio, I returned it. It made my Mac Studio warmer even when sitting idle.


My Mac Studio has always been cool to the touch when it's just sitting idle.


I set it on the Spigen base and returned 1 1/2 hours later and found the Mac Studio warmer to the touch while just sitting idle. I removed the Spigen base and after an hour later, the Mac Studio returned to its normal cool operating temperature when sitting idle.

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prevent dust accumulation & removing it from 2023 Mac Studio 27" Display and Mac Studio

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