Mac N' Frost 🥶❄️💨

[retr01]

One of the lesser-known compact Mac cooling fans is called Mac N' Frost. I found the Mac N' Frost interesting compared to the more mainstream Fanny Mac and the Kensington fans for the 128k, 512k, and Plus.

Introducing the Mac N' Frost!

Designed by Roy Hicks and marketed by RH Electronics in the mid-1980s, it is a high powered, quiet fan that reduces heat build-up to protect the internal components of the Mac 128k, 512k, and Plus. The fan system had a dual switch accessory control and two-stage surge protection. Fitting on top of the Mac, the Mac's handle is free to use for easy transport. A touch plate is included to discharge static electricity. About five 3.5" diskettes could be stored in a compartment within.

In summary:

• Quiet and reliable cooling
• Surge protection exceeding 100 joules
• Power distribution center
• Static discharge plate
• Diskette storage
• Frees the Mac's handle for easy transport
• Surge protection for modem line is optional

InfoWorld - June 30, 1986, page 53
MacWorld - October 1986, page 58​

 

[retr01]

Interestingly, there was a legal issue that the guy couldn't make money because someone copied Super Fan II, which the same guy invented, too.

​

Wow. There was a lot of drama back in the day surrounding Apple stuff.

 

[ScutBoy]

I brought one of these to VCFMW last year but can't remember who ended up with it... maybe @Mac84?

 

[Crutch]

Cool @retr01 I didn’t know about these. There’s one for sale on eBay right now, attached to an SE/30 asking $600 OBO.

 

[retr01]

Cool @retr01 I didn’t know about these. There’s one for sale on eBay right now, attached to an SE/30 asking $600 OBO.

Yeah, that seller didn't realize it wouldn't cool the SE, SE/30, Classic, or Color Classic.

I need to find a picture of the bottom of that Mac N' Frost unit. I suspect it works only on the 128k, 512k, and Plus because of the vents on top of those earlier compact Macs.

 

[Mac84]

I brought one of these to VCFMW last year but can't remember who ended up with it... maybe @Mac84?

I bought it because it was so funny! But @Adam really wanted it, so I gave it to him. I think he has it set up!

 

[retr01]

I found a picture of the bottom of that Mac N' Frost!

The white label on the bottom states:

Mac N Frost 337 - This System is fused at 5 Amps. If the power is lost to the computer, UNPLUG from the wall outlet and replace the internal fuse with (3AG 5 Amp.)​

It looks like 337 is the serial number.

Hey @Adam, does your Mac N' Frost have that label? Can you take a more clear picture of it?

 

[retr01]

I am hoping that we can see what it looks like internally.

 

[wottle]

I just had a co-worker give me his 512k (upgraded from 128k) and it had this on top. Here's a quick picture I took of the underside. I couldn't figure out what the floppy storage compartment was for, but thanks to this post I can confirm it does indeed fit 3.5" floppies very well.