Power Mac G4 Cube Gaming

Re-imagining the Mac Cube for the Intel Era, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 2009.10.07. The Power Mac G4 Cube was one of Apple’s most beautiful computers. Here’s how Apple could resurrect the concept – and succeed this time. The Future of Up-to-Date Browsers for PowerPC Macs, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.08.31. With Intel-only “Snow Leopard” shipping, software support for PPC Macs will continue its decline.

  1. Power Mac G4 Cube Gaming Computer
  2. Power Mac G4 Cube Gaming Pc
  3. Mac G4 Cube
  4. Power Mac G4 Cube Mod

May 29, 2012  Power Mac G5s can't natively boot to classic, which limits the number of retro games you can run. Get some sort of G4 faster than the ones you have that can do a native classic boot. Faster stock G4 that could boot classic was a dual processor G4 1.25. I got one just for that purpose. Got an AGP slot so you can stick a fast card in there. Oct 04, 2011  Hi. I have a Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics), with 512 MB RAM 500Mhz processor 10 GB IDE HD ATY,Rage128Pro card which I intend to upgrade on the next few days to 1,5 GB RAM 1,6 Mhz processor 160 GB HD (I know it's limited to 128GB) PCI card with USB 2.0 I think maybe it would. Re-imagining the Mac Cube for the Intel Era, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 2009.10.07. The Power Mac G4 Cube was one of Apple's most beautiful computers. Here's how Apple could resurrect the concept - and succeed this time. The Infamous Powermac G4 Cube, Apple's original failed attempt at a compact G4-Based Macintosh. Released in 2000 at a cost of $1599, the cube was considered too expensive, and too slow. May 31, 2015 The Ultimate Power Mac G4 Cube: The Build 2/3 The PowerPC Hub - Duration: 8:41. The PowerPC Hub 5,315 views.

Stunningly compact, the Power Mac (not Macintosh) G4 Cube came as a surprise, despite numerable contradictory rumors. Just 7.7″ square and a bit under 10″ tall – about the same height at the 2013 Mac Pro, but with a larger footprint – the Cube does everything the iMac DV does (except contain a monitor) – but with the same 450 MHz G4 processor as the Sawtooth Power Macintosh G4.

Like the iMac, the Cube is a quiet fanless machine cooled by convection. The hard drive, ports, and AirPort antenna are all built into the Cube, but the power supply and twin Harman Kardon spherical speakers are external. The Cube supports both digital and VGA displays using the same ATI video subsystem as the Power Mac – and it’s on a 2x AGP slot, making it possible for serious gamers to replace the video card with something even better.

Best of all, the Cube shipped with Apple’s incredible optical mouse, where the entire mouse acts as a button, and the 108-key keyboard, eliminating the need to immediately buy a better mouse and keyboard (which many iMac and G4 owners had been doing).

All the ports are on the bottom of the computer, although the DVD drive is unique in loading from the top.

In the final analysis, the Cube may have been the most computing power available in such a small amount of space at the time – and various 1 GHz and faster single- and dual-processor upgrades offer far more power than the original G4. Apple wouldn’t provide a desktop with as small a footprint and G4 power until it introduced the Mac mini in 2005.

Power Mac G4 Cube Gaming Computer

Approximately 150,000 Cubes were sold before Apple decided to “suspend production of the Power Mac G4 Cube indefinitely” in July 2001, just a year after it had been introduced. Apple VP Phil Schiller stated: “Cube owners love their Cubes, but most customers decided to buy our powerful Power Mac G4 minitowers instead.”

Power Mac G4 Cube Gaming Pc

We consider the Cube a Limited Mac.

Games like rift for mac. Our collection of games like Rift features some of the other impressive massively multiplayer online role playing games that are available today. Rift has been around since 2011 and delivered some fresh ideas into the MMORPG genre that allowed it to capture a healthy segment of this statured space. Jul 29, 2013  This option is made by myself.I have made a Rift installer for Mac so you can get into the game without figuring out all of the options above which I just wrought.The installer is made with Wineskin using Wine 1.6 engine which is the latest version at this time of writing and I have made some tweaks and settings to get it up and running.Right. 38 Games Like Motorstorm: Pacific Rift for Mac. Set on and around a volcanic, tropical island in the South Pacific, players continue the style of the first game, riding a varied mix of vehicles from Bikes and ATVs through Rally Cars and Trucks up to Big Rigs and, in a new addition to the series, Monster Trucks.

Gaming

You should have the most recent firmware installed in your Power Mac G4. The newest version for the Power Mac G4 Cube is Power Mac G4 Cube Firmware Update 4.1.9, which is only for the Cube. To install this firmware update, you must boot into Mac OS 9.1-9.2.2 from a writable partition

  • Got a G3, G4, or G5 Power Mac? Join our G-List Group.
  • Our Mac OS 9 Group is for those using Mac OS 9, either natively or in Classic Mode.
  • Our Puma Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.1.
  • Our Jaguar Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.2.
  • Our Panther Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.3.
  • Our Tiger Group is for those using Mac OS X 10.4.

Details

  • Introduced 2000.07.19 at US$1,799 (450 MHz) and US$2,299 (500 MHz); began shipping 2000.08.12; discontinued 2001.07.03
  • Model identifier: PowerMac5,1
  • Model no.: M7886
  • Part no.: M7642 (450 MHz DVD), M7642 (500 MHz DVD)

Mac OS

  • Requires Mac OS 9.0.4 through OS X 10.4 Tiger; 10.5 Leopard is not officially supported but will run. CD-RW version requires Mac OS 9.1 or later.
  • Latest Firmware: Power Mac G4 Cube Firmware Update 4.1.9 (bad link)

Core System

  • CPU: single 450/500 MHz PPC 7400 (a.k.a. G4), in mid-April 2001 Apple switched the 500 MHz Cube to the cooler running 7410
  • L2 cache: 1 MB 2:1 backside cache
  • Bus: 100 MHz
  • Performance:
    • Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 257 (450 MHz)
    • Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 282 (450 MHz), 325 (500 MHz)
    • Speedmark: 139
  • RAM: 64 MB standard, expandable to 1.5 GB using PC100 SDRAM (3.3V,unbuffered, 64-bit, 168-pin, 100 MHz) in 3 DIMM slots
Power Mac G4 Cube Gaming

Video

  • Video: ATI Rage 128 Pro in AGP 2x slot (was Rage 128 prior to December 1999); supports resolutions to 1920 x 1200 with 32-bit support, VGA and ADC connectors, and digital video output
  • VRAM: 16 MB
  • Video, optional: ATI Radeon with 32 MB of VRAM; Nvidia GeForce2 MX with 32 MB VRAM

Drives

  • Hard drive: 20 GB 5400 rpm Ultra ATA/66 with 30, 40, and 60 GB options. Maximum IDE drive size is 128 GB without third-party support. See How big a hard drive can I put in my iMac, eMac, or Power Mac? for your options.
  • DVD-ROM standard, CD-RW became available on 2001.02.22

Expansion

  • no PCI slots
  • internal v.90 56k modem
  • two 400 Mbps FireWire ports (one internal)
  • two 12 Mbps USB ports for keyboard, mouse, and peripherals
  • 10/100Base-T ethernet
  • antenna and connector for AirPort card

Physical

  • size (HxWxD): 9.8″ x 7.7″ x 7.7″
  • Weight: 14.0 lb. (6.6 kg)
  • PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA
  • upgrade path: processor upgrades

Accelerators & Upgrades

  • 4x SuperDrive DVD±RW upgrade, MCE Technologies. $329 if replacing CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or CD-RW drive; $279 if replacing Combo drive or SuperDrive. 4x2x8x DVD, 24x24x24x CD. 2x DVD-RAM. 2 MB buffer.
  • 4x Combo drive upgrade, MCE Technologies, $249. 2x DVD, 24x10x24x CD. 2 MB buffer.
  • for CPU upgrades, see our Guide to Power Mac G4 Upgrades

Online Resources

  • Best Power Mac G4 Deals.
  • Best Classic Mac OS Deals. Best online prices for System 6, 7.1, 7.5.x, Mac OS 7.6, 8.0, 8.1, 8.5, 9.0, 9.2.2, and other versions.
  • Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 Deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3.
  • Best Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
  • Best Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
  • The Five Weirdest Macs of All Time, Benj Edwards, Macworld, 2012.10.12. Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian iMacs. Twentieth Anniversary Mac. Power Mac G4 Cube. Macintosh XL. Power Mac G3 All-in-One.
  • Unsupported Leopard installation, Dan Knight, 2007.10.31. How to install Mac OS X 10.5 on unsupported hardware – plus field reports.
  • Faking out the Leopard installer with Open Firmware, Dylan McDermond, Unsupported Leopard, 2007.12.06. You don’t have to hack the installer to make the Mac OS X 10.5 installer run on sub-867 MHz G4 Macs by using this simple Open Firmware trick.
  • What’s the Best Version of OS X for My Mac?, Ian R Campbell, The Sensible Mac, 2008.02.28. Which version of Mac OS X is best for your hardware depends on several factors.
  • Low End Mac’s Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.05.12. Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but Classic software hasn’t kept up with the changing internet. Which Macs support OS 9, where to buy it, and how to update to 9.2.2.
  • Know Your Mac’s Upgrade Options, Phil Herlihy, The Usefulness Equation, 2008.08.26. Any Mac can be upgraded, but it’s a question of what can be upgraded – RAM, hard drive, video, CPU – and how far it can be upgraded.
  • WiFi Adapters for Desktop Macs Running Mac OS 9, MetaPhyzx, Mac Daniel, 2009.02.10. USB, ethernet, PCI, and other wireless hardware compatible with the Classic Mac OS.
  • Re-imagining the Mac Cube for the Intel Era, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 2009.10.07. The Power Mac G4 Cube was one of Apple’s most beautiful computers. Here’s how Apple could resurrect the concept – and succeed this time.
  • The Future of Up-to-Date Browsers for PowerPC Macs, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.08.31. With Intel-only “Snow Leopard” shipping, software support for PPC Macs will continue its decline. Also, a look at SeaMonkey 2 and Camino 1.6.9.
  • Optimized Software Builds Bring Out the Best in Your Mac, Dan Knight, Low End Mac’s Online Tech Journal, 2009.06.30. Applications compiled for your Mac’s CPU can load more quickly and run faster than ones compiled for universal use.
  • Tips for Installing or Reinstalling Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, Adam Rosen, Adam’s Apple, 2009.06.10. Mac OS X 10.4 uses less memory than Leopard, supports Classic Mode on PowerPC Macs, and, unlike Leopard, is supported on G3 Macs.
  • Is Leopard Slower than Tiger on G4 Macs?, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 2009.04.17. Truth be told, when you have 1 GB of RAM, Leopard benchmarks an insigificant 4% slower than Tiger.
  • The 25 most important Macs, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2009.02.17. The 25 most significant Macs in the first 25 years of the platform, continued.
  • The ‘Better Safe Than Sorry’ Guide to Installing Mac OS X Updates, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.12.16. Most users encounter no problems using Software Update, but some preflight work and using the Combo updater means far less chance of trouble.
  • Why You Should Partition Your Mac’s Hard Drive, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.12.11. “At the very least, it makes sense to have a second partition with a bootable version of the Mac OS, so if you have problems with your work partition, you can boot from the ’emergency’ partition to run Disk Utility and other diagnostics.”
  • Every working computer is useful to someone, Allison Payne, The Budget Mac, 2008.11.19. Whether it’s a PowerBook 1400, G3 iMac, or Power Mac G4, it could be all the computer someone needs.
  • The future of PowerPC Macs and software as ‘Snow Leopard’ approaches, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 2008.11.13. Apple phased out Classic Mode and G3 support with ‘Leopard’ last year, and next year’s OS X 10.6 won’t support any PowerPC Macs. Will other developers abandon PowerPC as well?
  • Attractive and ugly Macs, discontinued MacBook Pro value, and writing with TextEdit, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.10.30. Readers weigh in on the good, the bad, and the ugly of Macintosh design over the past 24 years.
  • How to clone Mac OS X to a new hard drive, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 2008.10.07. Whether you want to put a bigger, faster drive in your Mac or clone OS X for use in another Mac, here’s the simple process.
  • The Compressed Air Keyboard Repair, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.07.24. If your keyboard isn’t working as well as it once did, blasting under the keys with compressed air may be the cure.
  • Turn your old Mac into a web server with Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP, Jason Packer, Macs in the Enterprise, 2008.07.09. Step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP on an older Mac.
  • Turn your old Mac into a website server with free open source software, Jason Packer, Macs in the Enterprise, 2008.07.02. By installing Linux without a GUI, your old Mac can dedicate all of its resources to running Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
  • 10 cult Macs adored by collectors, Tamara Keel, Digital Fossils, 2008.05.13. Macs are not only noted for their longevity, but also by the passion which collectors have for some of the most interesting models ever made.
  • Leopard on a Cube, G4 CPU swap limitations, Power Mac G5 a good choice?, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.06. Also looking for a scanner that works with Panther and the hsitory of expansion slots in low-cost Macs.
  • Penryn advantages, Leopard on a G4 Cube, scanner advice, upgrading Sawtooth, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.05. Also why no LED backlight on the new MacBook, Final Cut mostly works with integrated graphics, and Diablo II problems under Leopard.
  • Is the MacBook Air Another Cube?, Daniel Eran Dilger, Roughly Drafted, 2008.01.30. “In the past decade, the closest Apple has come to releasing a form over function flop was the 2000 Power Mac G4 Cube, an elegantly designed PC in a Kleenex-shaped lucite box.”
  • Leopard problems with GeForce graphics, on eMacs and Power Macs, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.14. More success running Mac OS X 10.5 on iMacs, eMacs, Power Macs, and PowerBooks. Also failures with a Cube and a Blue and White G3 with a G4 upgrade.
  • Beyond Google, 10 years on the G3, the Cube is not a Road Apple, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.11.13. Also the 64-bit advantage of Core 2, OS 9 on a USB flash drive, sound problems since switching to Leopard, and 7200 rpm in an eMac.
  • Leopard faster than Tiger on Intel, slower on PowerPC, and possible below 867 MHz, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.10.29. Early benchmarks indicate Mac OS X 10.5 is 10-15% slower than 10.4 on PowerPC, while 64-bit Leopard on Intel Core 2 hardware is over 5% faster. Also Sawtooth and Cube success stories.
  • FastMac 8x SuperDrive and BurnAgain DVD: Fast and easy multisession disc burning, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.08. FastMac’s 8x SuperDrive upgrade is remarkably fast compared with older PowerBook burners, and BurnAgain DVD makes it easy to append files to a previously burned CD or DVD.
  • APG Card Compatibility, The Mac Elite, 2007.08.09. Guide to which ATI and nVidia AGP video cards are compatible with which AGP Power Macs.
  • Make AGP 8x video cards work in G4 Power Macs, The Mac Elite, 2007.08.19. Instructions for disabling pins 3 and 11 so Mac compatible AGP 8x video cards will work in most G4 Power Macs.
  • Unmatched Classic Mac OS apps, TiBook reliability, Matias Tactile Pro 2.0 disappoints, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.06.18. Also Netscape 7 and 9, MacBook causing problems with iMac’s display, and graphics cards for a Power Mac G4 and an ADC display.
  • Format Any Drive for Older Macs with Patched Apple Tools, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 2007.04.25. Apple HD SC Setup and Drive Setup only work with Apple branded hard drives – until you apply the patches linked to this article.
  • The Cube: Out of the Mountain Too Early, Thom Holwerda, OSNews, 2007.03.29. “It is surprising to see how well this aging beast actually runs Tiger, probably largely due to the cache size of the processor (1 MB of L2 cache).”
  • Installing OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ on DVD-challenged Macs using FireWire Target Disk Mode, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.10. Mac OS X ships on a single install DVD, which Apple will exchange for CDs at $10. But if you have access to a DVD-equipped Mac and a FireWire cable, you’re good to go.
  • Making the move from Jaguar (OS X 10.2) to Panther (10.3), Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.04.11. One advantage of Apple’s “no upgrades” policy for OS X – someone can give you their old copy after upgrading without worrying about violating their license.
  • FastMac’s $190 8x dual-layer SuperDrive for PowerBooks and dual USB iBooks, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.01.30. For US$190-250 you can replace the CD-ROM, CD-RW, Combo, or slow old SuperDrive in most PowerBooks, white iBooks, slot-loading iMacs, and Cubes with a faster, dual-layer drive.
  • Web browser tips for the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2006.01.03. Tips on getting the most out of WaMCom, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, iCab, Opera, and WannaBe using the classic Mac OS.
  • The best browsers for PowerPC Macs and the classic Mac OS, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 2005.12.16. Two browsers stand out from the pack: iCab 3 is modern and remains under development, and WaMCom brings Mozilla to older Macs.
  • How big a hard drive can I put in my iMac, eMac, or Power Mac?, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 2005.10.24. A lot of older Macs don’t know how to deal with drives over 128 GB in size. We look at three options.
  • Hands-on review – PowerLogix PowerCube, Macs Only!, 2003.11.25. Larger aluminum replacement case for Cube’s acrylic enclosure permits larger video cards, faster CPU upgrades, better heat management.
  • Apple Cube: Alive and Selling, Leander Kahney, Wired, 2003.07.28. “…there’s a thriving trade in aftermarket upgrades, and dedicated owners are going to extreme lengths to keep their much-loved machines current.”
  • Review: 1.2 GHz PowerForce G4 Series 100, Bill Fox, Macs Only!, 2003.02.10. Very, very fast. Only drawback: Cube won’t wake from sleep with upgrade installed.
  • Review: 800 MHz PowerForce G4 Series 100 in a Cube, Bill Fox, Macs Only!, 2002.10.16. “The Cube with the 800 MHz PowerForce G4 Series 100 upgrade averaged 80 percent faster than with the original stock 450 MHz CPU.”
  • CubeOwner.com, “a heaven for Cube owners.”
  • New G4 Cubes powered by PPC 7410?, The Cube-Zone, 2001.04.19. Field reports indicate latest Cubes use cooler running processor.
  • Review: G4 Cube & Cinema Display, John Siracusa, Art Technica, 10/26/00. Perhaps the longest Cube review yet, and worth every page. Reviewer understands the Cube’s market.
  • The Cube: Looks Aren’t Everything, BusinessWeek. “All of the Cube’s beauty doesn’t change the fact that it is overpriced and under-featured, with no clear target audience.”
  • How to rescue the Cube, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10/5/00. The Cube is cool and costly. Here’s how Apple can address the price issue.
  • I come not to bury the G4 Cube but to praise it, Jim, MacSpeedZone. “…in the interest of balanced reporting and fairness I’ve got to let you know that my Cube is nothing short of magnificent.”
  • Blame the Cube?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10/2/00. Apple stock tanked on Friday. People quickly pointed fingers at the Cube. But should we really blame the computer?
  • Power Mac G4 Cube: Insane first, András Puiz, Applelust, 8/15/00. “Insane” as in “insanely great.” A very good read.
  • The Cube: Just what we ordered?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 8/11/00. A look at the limitations of the Power Mac G4 Cube.
  • Apple specs online: Power Mac G4 Cube

Short link: http://goo.gl/vKgHyg

searchwords: powermacg4cube, g4cube

Power Mac G4 Cube
DeveloperApple Computer, Inc.
Product familyPower Mac
TypeDesktop computer
Release dateJuly 19, 2000
Introductory priceUS$1,799
DiscontinuedJuly 3, 2001
Media5× DVD-ROM; CD-RW
CPU450 or 500 MHzPowerPC G4
Memory64, 128 or 256 MB PC100 SDRAM; supports up to 1.5 GB
Storage20, 40 or 60 GBhard drive
GraphicsATIRage 128 Pro with 16 MB of SDRAM
NvidiaGeForce2 MX with 32 MB of SDRAM (both cards use an AGP 2x slot)
Connectivity2 USB 1.1 (dual-channel), 2 FireWire 400, 10/100 Ethernet, 56k v.90 modem, VGA and ADC ports
DimensionsHeight: 9.8 inches (25 cm)
Width: 7.7 inches (20 cm)
Depth: 7.7 inches (20 cm)
Mass14 lb (6.4 kg)
SuccessorMac mini
Related articlesPower Mac G4

The Power Mac G4 Cube is a small form factorMacintoshpersonal computer from Apple Computer, Inc., sold between 2000 and 2001. Designed by Jonathan Ive, its cube shape is reminiscent of the NeXTcube from NeXT, acquired by Apple in 1996. The New York Museum of Modern Art holds a G4 Cube, along with its distinctive Harman Kardon transparent speakers, as part of its collection.[1]

Features[edit]

The small 7×7×7 in (18×18×18 cm) cube, suspended in a 7.65×7.65×10 in (19.4×19.4×25.4 cm) acrylic glass enclosure, housed a PowerPC G4 processor running at 450 or 500 MHz, and had a unique, slot-loading, low-profile DVD-ROM or CD-RW drive. A separate monitor, with either an ADC or a VGA connection, was required for the Cube, in contrast to the all-in-one iMac series. Also unlike the iMacs, it had a video card in a standard AGP slot. However, there was not enough space for full-length cards. The Cube also featured two FireWire 400 ports and two USB 1.1 ports for connecting peripherals. The Cube is exceptional as the only Macintosh without a built-in speaker (as of 2016). Sound was provided by an external USB amplifier and a pair of Harman Kardon speakers. Although the USB amplifier had a standard mini-plug headphone output, it lacked any audio input. The Cube also used a silent, fanless, convection-based cooling system like the iMacs of the time.

History and sales[edit]

Apple targeted the Cube at the market between the iMac G3 and the Power Mac G4, and was the first desktop configuration offering since the discontinued Power Macintosh G3 almost two years earlier. Despite its innovative design, critics complained it was too expensive—it was initially priced US $200 higher than the similarly equipped Power Mac G4 (450 MHz CPU, 64 MB RAM, 20 GB hard drive) and did not include a monitor, thus leading to slow sales. Additionally, early Cubes suffered from a manufacturing issue that led to faint lines (referred to as 'cracks' or 'mold lines') in the acrylic case. This was often considered damaging to the aesthetic quality of the computer.[2]

After seeing low profits, Apple attempted to increase sales by bundling more software with it, lowering the price of the base model, incorporating a CD-RW drive standard for the 500 MHz version, and offering an improved Nvidia graphics card as an option. These efforts could not offset the earlier perception of reduced value compared to the iMac and Power Mac G4 lineup. According to an Apple press release on July 3, 2001, production of the Cube stopped indefinitely because of low demand.

In 2003, the G4 Cube received a brief return to the spotlight after a series of articles in Wired charted its cult popularity. The articles, focusing on upgrades installed by individual users and retailers such as Kemplar, led to a sharp rise in the Cube's resale value. Nevertheless, with the release of the relatively inexpensive Mac Mini (seen by some[3] as a replacement), coupled with Apple's switch to G5 processors and eventually Intel Core-based processors, the Cube again faded into the background.

Specifications[edit]

Model identifierPowerMac5,1
Model numberM7642LL/A (450 MHz), Configure-to-order-only (500 MHz)
Processor450 MHz or 500 MHz PowerPC G4 (7400/7410) with 1 MB L2 cache
Front side bus100 MHz
Memory128 MB, 256 MB, 384 MB, 512 MB, 768 MB, 1 GB, or 1.5 GB of PC100 SDRAM
Expandable to 1.5 GB
GraphicsATI Rage 128 Pro with 16 MB of SDRAM, Nvidia GeForce2 MX with 32 MB of SDRAM or ATI Radeon with 32 MB of DDR SDRAM
AGP 2x
Hard drive20 GB, 30 GB or 40 GB at 5400 rpm
60 GB at 7200 rpm
Ultra/ATA 66
Optical drive
(Slot-loading)
DVD-ROM or CD-RW
ConnectivityOptional AirPort 802.11b
10/100 BASE-T Ethernet
56k V.90 modem
Peripherals2 USB 1.1
2 FireWire 400
Video outVGA and ADC
Maximum operating systemMac OS X 10.4.11 'Tiger' and Mac OS 9.2.2
Mac OS X 10.5.8 'Leopard' if LeopardAssist is used.
Dimensions8.9×7.7×7.7 inches (23×20×20 cm)
Weight14 pounds (6.4 kg)

Modifications and upgrades[edit]

Since the Cube's demise, a number of Cube enthusiasts have made modifications to their machines. Some of the more popular upgrades are high-performance video cards (duct tape may be used to allow the GPU fan to work correctly in the small Cube case) and third-party CPU upgrade cards (up to 1.8 GHz); a few people have even modified their Cubes to take a dual-processor upgrade. A popular upgrade is the GeForce2 MX, which exists in a version specially created for the Cube. Case modifications, such as lighting and extra cooling, are also popular. The Cube uses the same type of memory and hard drive as many other desktop computers, thus making upgrades for the said components popular. Although the Cube uses a fanless, convection-based cooling system, the mounting holes make it possible to install a standard desktop cooling fan.

Comparison to other Apple products[edit]

Mac G4 Cube

Following Apple's discontinuation of the Power Mac G4 Cube, several of its products have been released in even smaller sizes while maintaining a similarly shaped, square base.

Apple TV[edit]

The Apple TV is a digital media receiver designed to bring digital content to a television. Like the Power Mac G4 Cube, the Apple TV has a square base. The first generation's base measured 7.8 inches (20 cm) on both sides, one-tenth of an inch longer than the G4 Cube's 7.7 inches (20 cm), but had a much shorter height of 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) compared to the G4 Cube's. The second- and third-generation Apple TVs were about 75% smaller than the first-generation model. The AirPort Express shares the same dimensions as those Apple TV models, but is white instead of black.

Power Mac G4 Cube Mod

Mac Mini[edit]

Apple released the first Mac Mini on January 22, 2005, nearly three-and-a-half years after the G4 Cube was discontinued. Rather than being a mid-range computer, the Mini was typically sold as a low-end consumer model for use as a desktop, although a server model existed for the late-2009, mid-2010, mid-2011 and late-2012 models.

The Mac Mini had a square base, just like the G4 Cube. Models prior to mid-2010 had a base which was noticeably smaller than the G4 Cube's. The smaller machines also had a shorter height of 2.0 inches (5.1 cm). Mac Mini models released since mid-2010 had a larger square base, matching the dimensions of the G4 Cube.

Mac Pro 2013[edit]

In 2013, Apple announced a redesigned version of the Mac Pro with dimensions similar to that of the G4 Cube. The new Mac Pro is a cylinder 9.9 inches (25 cm) high and 6.6 inches (17 cm) in diameter.

Appearances[edit]

In popular culture[edit]

The Power Mac G4 Cube with power supply, Apple Pro Mouse, keyboard, speakers, and a Studio Display

The Cube can be found in many publications related to design and some technology museums. In addition, the computer has been featured in other forms of media. The G4 Cube was used as a prop on shows such as Absolutely Fabulous, The Drew Carey Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dark Angel , The Gilmore Girls and 24. The computer was parodied in The Simpsons episode 'Mypods and Boomsticks.' The Cube is also seen in films such as Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, 40 Days and 40 Nights, About a Boy, August and The Royal Tenenbaums. In William Gibson's 2003 novel Pattern Recognition, the character Cayce uses her film producer friend's Cube while staying in his London flat. In the movie 'Big Fat Liar,' a G4 Cube and a Studio Display can be seen in the background of Wolf's kitchen.

Sixteen Cubes were used to power the displays of the computer consoles in Star Trek: Enterprise.[4]

As artwork[edit]

The G4 Cube and its peripherals were showcased at The Museum of Modern Art,[5][6] and at the Digital Design Museum (a division of Design Museum). G4 Cubes are also a popular candidate for 'Macquariums'—fish tanks made from the chassis of Apple computers.[7]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^MoMA: The Collection: Jonathan Ive
  2. ^Siracusa, John. 'G4 Cube & Cinema Display (review)'. Ars Technica.
  3. ^Toporek, Chuck. Mac mini: Steve Jobs gets his Cube Back, O'Reilly Mac Dev Center, January 2005.
  4. ^http://www.trektoday.com/articles/enterprise_set_visit.shtml
  5. ^Kahney, Leander (July 28, 2003). 'APPLE CUBE: ALIVE AND SELLING'. Wired Magazine.
  6. ^http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A7237&page_number=1&template_id=6&sort_order=1
  7. ^Sayej, Nadja (June 20, 2016). 'Where Do Old iMacs Go Anyway? Right, They're Upgraded Into Aquariums'. Motherboard. Retrieved November 8, 2017.

External links[edit]

  • Apple – Power Mac G4 Cube at the Wayback Machine (archived December 16, 2000)
  • Experimenting with high-intensity LEDs to illuminate a G4 Cube on YouTube
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