---

Marathon Computer has developed and is now shipping a whopping 6U horizontal rackmount for the G5.

The solution clamps the G5 into a 19-inch rack, the same amount of space taken up by a Power Mac G4, and rides its case on ball-bearing slide-rails that allow easy access to the computer’s interior and its rear connectors. The rack’s depth can be adjusted from 21 inches to 34 and it’s constructed of lightweight aluminum and steel. Pricing is US$250.

This seems like a slick idea, but I nearly fell out of my chair when I read this little blurb on their product info page:

We said we remove the handles… but, actually, we’ve set it up so that you can remove the handles. Complete do-it-yourself instructions and tips are included in the G5 Horizontal Rackmount package, so you can tackle the job with confidence and end up with a great-looking rackmounted G5.

What’s even more distressing is the drawing on page three of the associated PDF that depicts a hacksaw depriving the G5 of it’s blessed body parts. It wasn’t enough to just describe it (so pleasantly, I might add), they had to show it as well. At least they offer a service to do it for you, in case you chicken out and can’t bring yourself to such a drastic measure.

I suppose if you need to rackmount your G5, this is a great product. For me though, I think I’ll stick to keeping mine up on my desk.