Collection › Power Mac G4 Cube

D034 · Apple Heritage Museum · Lugano

Power Mac G4 Cube

2000 · iMac era Power Mac G3/G4/G5

Introduced

2000

Original price

$ 1799

Processor

PowerPC 7400 (G4)

Original OS

Mac OS 9.0.4

Max OS

Mac OS X 10.4.11

Colors

Translucent Plastic

1976

1984

1998

2001

2007

2020

2026

Pre-Mac

Mac era

iMac era

iPod era

iPhone era

Silicon

Processor

ProcessorPowerPC 7400 (G4)

Speed450 MHz

Cores1

Architecture32-bit

Cache1 MB backside (1:2)

System bus100 MHz

Memory & graphics

Standard RAM64 MB

Max RAM1.5 GB

RAM typePC100 SDRAM (3.3V, unbuffered, 64-bit, 168-pin, 100 MHz)

Memory slots3 DIMM slots

GPUATI Rage 128 Pro (2X AGP)

VRAM16 MB SDRAM

ResolutionsSupports resolutions up to 1920x1200

Display connectionADC and VGA

Video outADC, VGA

Storage

Storage20 GB Ultra ATA/66 (5400 RPM)

InterfaceUltra ATA/66 (ATA-5)

Connectivity

USB2x USB 1.1

FireWire2x FireWire 400

Ethernet10/100Base-T

Audio outUSB audio (Harman Kardon speakers); no analog audio out

Modem56k optional

Software

Original OSMac OS 9.0.4

Max OSMac OS X 10.4.11

Power

Weight14.0 lbs. (6.4 kg)

Dimensions9.8 x 7.7 x 7.7 in (24.9 x 19.6 x 19.6 cm)

Line voltage100-240V AC

Identifiers

Model IDPowerMac5,1

Model N°M7886

Order N°M7642LL/A

Lifecycle

Introduced2000

Discontinued2001

History

Contained in an 8x8x8 cube, the Power Mac G4 Cube combined the elegance of the iMac with the power of the PowerMac G4. The Cube sacrificed expandability for its reduced dimensions: there were no PCI slots and, although the graphics card was installed in a 2x AGP slot, there was no room for full-length AGP cards. With the exception of PCI expansion, the Cube was as versatile as its larger G4 cousin: three RAM memory slots, one AirPort card slot, and two USB and FireWire ports. The Cube arrived in retail stores with a 450 MHz G4 processor, a 20 GB hard drive, a 56 kbps modem, 64 MB of RAM, and Apple's Pro Mouse, for $1,799 USD. Another configuration was available through the Apple Store, with a 500 MHz G4, a 30 GB hard drive, and 128 MB of RAM, for $2,299 USD. Gigabit Ethernet was available as a BTO option. The Cube did not achieve the success Apple hoped for. The general consensus was that Apple had misunderstood the market, making the Cube an expensive "luxury" computer rather than a more affordable iMac without a monitor. In February 2001, the Cube received a modification to its features and price. The entry-level configuration was reduced in price to $1,299 USD. A "better" configuration was made available, with a CD-RW drive and 128 MB of RAM, for $1,599 USD. Finally, the high-end version received a 60 GB hard drive, 256 MB of RAM, a CD-RW drive, and a 32 MB NVIDIA GeForce2 MX video card, and was sold for $2,199 USD.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Mac_G4_Cube · Wikipedia

Trivia

• The Power Mac G4 Cube was a perfect computer for those who loved minimalist design: enclosed in an 8x8x8 inch cube, it managed to contain the power of a PowerMac G4 in the size of a shoebox. • To achieve its reduced dimensions, Apple had to make important sacrifices: no PCI slots and no space for full-length AGP graphics cards, making the Cube far less expandable compared to competitors. • Despite the price being reduced from $1799 to $1299 in just 9 months, the Cube remained a commercial flop because consumers perceived it as an overly expensive luxury computer rather than an economical alternative to the iMac.

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D034 · APPLE HERITAGE MUSEUM · LUGANO

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