# 123: The Last Detail with John Siracusa

- Show: [Thoroughly Considered](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered)
- Published: 2025-04-15
- Length: 1h 20m
- Episode: 123
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa
- Listen: http://relay.fm/tc/123

## Summary

John Siracusa, proprietor of Hypercritical.co and co-host of the Accidental Tech Podcast, discusses the 2019 Mac Pro, which he calls the 'cheese grater.' He details its industrial design, including the iconic perforated aluminum front panel, the cable-free internal architecture using MPX modules, and the heavy, wheel-equipped chassis. Siracusa praises the machine's 'thorough down to the last detail' philosophy, comparing its craftsmanship to Art Deco architecture and high-end tools, while noting the difficult case removal mechanism as its primary design flaw.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=7) Introduction: John Siracusa and the 2019 Mac Pro
- [3:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=229) WWDC Reveal and Initial Design Impressions
- [9:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=569) Chassis Weight, Wheels, and Handling
- [12:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=763) Internal Architecture: MPX Modules and Cable-Free Design
- [24:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=1468) Craftsmanship, Materials, and the 'Art Deco Post Office'
- [36:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=2214) Quality, Reliability, and Comparison to Luxury Goods
- [40:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=2414) The Perforated Front Panel: Machining and Airflow
- [53:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=3219) Fan Noise, Acoustics, and Custom Components
- [1:01:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=3713) Case Removal Mechanism and Design Flaws
- [1:09:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-04-15-123-the-last-detail-with-john-siracusa#t=4181) Dieter Rams’ Principles and the Philosophy of Beauty

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Hypercritical.co (company)
- Accidental Tech Podcast (other)
- Reconcilable Differences (other)
- 2019 Mac Pro (product)
- PowerMac G5 (product)
- Mac Studio (product)
- MPX modules (product)
- AMD (company)
- Pro Display XDR (product)
- Johnny Ive (other)
- Dieter Rams (other)
- F 35 (product)
- Lockheed (company)
- Boeing (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 278: Black, White, Shiny Metal, Rusty Metal](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-09-25-episode-278-black-white-shiny-metal-rusty-metal) (Making It)
- [S5E23 Jim Cuseo | Defining Requirements, Developing MacBook Pro, & Leading Large Engineering Teams](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-06-07-s5e23-jim-cuseo-defining-requirements-developing-macbook-pro-leading-large-engin) (Being an Engineer)
- [407: Mutant Cough](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-08-11-407-mutant-cough) (Making It)
- [Episode 288: It’s in the air](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-12-11-episode-288-its-in-the-air) (Making It)
- [Episode 219: Really? Plastic? Really??](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-07-05-episode-219-really-plastic-really) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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