In the early 2000s, Apple revolutionized the personal computer industry with its groundbreaking design and technological prowess. Among its iconic creations, the Power Mac G4 Cube stood out as a bold statement challenging traditional computer design and setting a new standard for desktop computing. Launched in July 2000, this cube-shaped marvel was a fusion of power, elegance, and innovation that left a lasting impact on the tech world.
Apple introduced the Power Mac G4 Cube as a new class of computer, a mere eight-inch cube suspended in a crystal-clear enclosure. The compact size was less than one-fourth of most PCs, yet it housed a 450 MHz PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine, reaching supercomputer speeds of over three billion calculations per second (Gigaflops). Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO at the time, proudly declared it “simply the coolest computer ever.”
What set the G4 Cube apart was not just its power but its revolutionary cooling design. Unlike traditional computers with noisy fans, the Cube ran in virtual silence. The cooling was ingeniously provided by the air flowing through the Cube’s center vertical cooling channel. Additionally, the entire electronics assembly could be effortlessly lifted out of its enclosure, allowing easy access to major components for upgrades like memory or an AirPort Card.
The G4 Cube boasted impressive specifications for its time – a 450 MHz PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine (configurable to 500 MHz), 64MB of memory expandable to 1.5GB, 20GB of storage (configurable up to 40GB), a slot-loading DVD drive, two FireWire, and two USB ports, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, and a 56K V.90 modem. The package also included Apple’s new optical mouse, Pro keyboard, and Harman Kardon speakers, showcasing Apple’s commitment to delivering a complete and stylish user experience.
The G4 Cube came preinstalled with Apple’s iMovie 2, the next version of the world’s most popular consumer digital video editing software. Boasting a refined user interface, improved audio editing capabilities, enhanced controls for titles and transitions, and new effects, iMovie 2 empowered users to explore their creativity with video editing.
Upon its release, the G4 Cube garnered awards and praise for its design. However, reviews also highlighted its high cost compared to its power, limited expandability, and cosmetic defects. Despite being a commercial failure, with only 150,000 units sold in its one-year lifespan, the G4 Cube left an indelible mark on Apple’s history. It became one of the rare failures for the company under Jobs but played a crucial role in influencing future Apple products, including the iPod and the Mac Mini.
Rumors of a cube-shaped Apple computer had leaked in advance, and the G4 Cube was finally unveiled at the Macworld Expo in July 2000. The design, featuring a transparent casing and a cube shape, immediately sparked debates. Some praised it as cutting-edge, comparing it to desk sculpture, while others made humorous comparisons to a Borg cube or a box of tissues.
Reviews were generally positive, with The New York Times calling it the most attractive computer on the market and PC Magazine Australia stating that the G4 Cube had raised the bar for competitors. However, criticisms surfaced, such as the touch-sensitive power button being too sensitive and the need to tip the entire machine for easy peripheral access.
The G4 Cube won several international design awards upon release and was named PC Magazine’s best desktop computer for its Technical Innovation Awards. Its design and peripherals were acquired and showcased by The Museum of Modern Art, solidifying its status as a work of art in the tech world.
Today, the Power Mac G4 Cube is 23 years old, but its legacy lives on. Its innovative design and technological advancements paved the way for modern desktop computers. Despite its brief existence, the G4 Cube serves as a reminder of Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and technology in the personal computer industry.
Whether you’re an Apple fan or a tech enthusiast, the Power Mac G4 Cube is a piece of history that transcends time. Its influence can be seen in the sleek and innovative products that define Apple’s reputation today. As we celebrate its 23-year anniversary, let’s look back at the cube that dared to be different, leaving an enduring mark on the ever-evolving landscape of personal computing.
Power Mac G4 Cube Details
Introduced | July 19, 2000 |
Discontinued | July 3, 2001 |
Model Identifier | PowerMac5,1 |
Model Number | M7886 |
EMC | 1844 |
Order Number | M7642LL/A (450 MHz DVD) M7642LL/A (500 MHz DVD) |
Original Price | $1,299 (From February 22, 2001) $1,599 $1,799 $2,299 |
Colors | Graphite |
Weight | 14 Ibs. 6.350 KG |
Dimensions | 9.8” H x 7.7” W x 7.7” D 24.89 cm H x 19.55 cm W x 19.55 cm D |
Power Mac G4 Cube Tech Specs
Processor
Processor | PowerPC 7400 G4 (450 MHz) PowerPC 7410 G4 (500 MHz) |
Processor Speed | 450 MHz 500 MHz |
Architecture | 32-bit |
Number of Cores | 1 |
System Bus | 100 MHz (Up to 800 Mbps data throughput) |
Cache | 64 KB L1 1 MB backside L2 |
Storage & Media
Storage | 20 GB 30 GB 40 GB 60 GB |
Media | 1 – 5x DVD-ROM or CD-RW |
Memory
Built-in Memory | 64 MB 128 MB |
Maximum Memory | 1.5 GB |
Memory Slots | 3 – PC-100 3.3v 168-pin SDRAM |
Minimum Speed | 8 ns (125 MHz) |
Interleaving Support | No |
Display
Built-in Display | None |
Graphics
Graphics Card | ATI Rage 128 Pro ATI Radeon NVIDIA GeForce2 MX |
Graphics Memory | 16 MB (Rage 128 Pro) 32 MB (Radeon/GeForce) |
Display Connection | 1 – VGA 1 – ADC |
Display Modes | Single display only |
Expansion
Expansion Slots | 1 – 1x AGP |
Bays | None |
Hard Drive Interface | Ultra ATA/66 (ATA-5) |
Optical Drive Interface | EIDE (ATA-3) |
Connections
Ethernet | 10/100BASE-T or 10/100/1000BASE-T |
Modem | 56k |
Wi-Fi | AirPort Card 802.11b (Optional) |
Bluetooth | None |
ADB | None |
USB | 2 – 12 Mbps |
Serial | None |
SCSI | None |
FireWire | 2 – 400 Mbps (15W total power) |
Audio In | None |
Audio Out | 1 – USB based output |
Display | 1 – VGA 1 – ADC |
Software
Original OS | Mac OS 9.0.4 (DVD) Mac OS 9.1 (CD-RW) |
Maximum OS | Mac OS X 10.4.11 |
Firmware | Mac OS ROM 5.2.1 |
Bundled Software | Mac OS 9.1 QuickTime iMovie 2 iTunes AppleWorks Microsoft Internet Explorer Microsoft Outlook Express Netscape Communicator FAXstf Palm Desktop Cro-Mag Rally Bugdom Nanosaur software Apple Hardware Test CD |
Keyboard and Mouse
Peripherals | Apple Pro Keyboard Apple Pro Mouse |
Power
Backup Battery | 3.6 V 850 mAh Lithium (922-4028) |
Maximum Continuous Power | 225 W (DVD) 205 W (CD-RW) |
Line Voltage | 115 V AC (90-132 V AC) or 230 V AC (180-264 V AC) |
Power Mac G4 Cube Introduction Video
Further Reading and References
- Power Mac G4 (Cube): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Introduces Revolutionary G4 Cube – Apple Newsroom
- Power Mac G4 Cube – Wikipedia
- Power Mac G4 Cube, a Second Class Mac – Low End Mac
- The Apple G4 Cube – A Beautiful Failure – YouTube
- Apple Power Mac G4 Cube – RetroCosm
- 20 Years Ago, Steve Jobs Built the ‘Coolest Computer Ever.’ It Bombed – Wired
- The Cube at 10: Why Apple’s eye-catching desktop flopped – MacWorld
- Power Mac G4 Cube review – MacWorld
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Last updated: January 21, 2024