Uh, right. I do not recommend masking any external vents. I mean to direct and maximize the cool air flow from the bottom vents in much the same way as the engineered Classic/II does (which by the way returns the vent to the handle area previously removed from the SE). Meaning using duct tape, or the like to cover the openings on the deck of the metal chassis for all but below the fan's mounting. Then likewise use duct tape to cover the back of the FDD to minimize airflow through it. Otherwise I am in complete agreement that there will be substantial turbulence inside the beasty to keep it cool.
That said, I still prefer fanless, blissful silence. I think the M0001 was brilliantly engineered and is as elegant a solution as Mr. Jobs demanded. My perspective as to its well-documented failures has more to do with sub-standard components for the design (presumably to to maximize profits). Either way, it's hard for me to imagine using my M0001 for such extended periods as to overwhelm its engineering resulting in accelerated failure. Of course most of my boards have been upgraded with the more robust parts recommended. As I have stated elsewhere, I have a late model Plus (1990) which was used extensively over the years, in a hot poorly ventilated office space for many hours at a time and has never once been in the shop for repairs.[/u]