Apple Power Macintosh G4/450 Cube
I have the main unit, Apple 17″ Cinema Display, Apple Pro Speakers, Apple Pro
Mouse and Apple Pro Keyboard.
type computer
country USA
year 2000
os Mac OS 9 (Mac OS X 10.3.9)
cpu PowerPC 7400 (G4)
speed 450 MHz
ram 64 MB (768MB)
hd Ultra Ata/66 20 GB (80 GB)
cd 5 x DVD
graphic Ati Rage 128 Pro 16MB 1024×768
colors millions
sound yes
ports modem, ethernet, USB (2), firewire (2)
The Apple Power Mac G4 Cube — The Most Beautiful Mac
Released in July 2000, the Power Mac G4 Cube is one of the most celebrated and controversial products in Apple’s history. A 20-centimetre cube of polycarbonate housing a 450 MHz PowerPC G4 processor, it was extraordinarily beautiful — an object of design perfection that many consider the finest piece of industrial design Apple ever produced. It won numerous design awards, is displayed in design museums worldwide including MoMA in New York, and remains one of the most sought-after Apple collectibles. It was also a commercial failure, discontinued after just one year due to slow sales driven by its high price and limited expandability.
Design Philosophy
The G4 Cube embodied the principle that computers should be beautiful objects worthy of display rather than hidden under desks. At 20 cm square and completely fanless — using convective cooling through a column of air drawn up through the enclosure — it operated in complete silence. The power button was a touch-sensitive area on the top of the cube rather than a physical button, and the entire base of the unit pulled out to reveal the internals for upgrades. Every detail reflected extraordinary design attention.
Why It Failed
Despite its beauty, the Cube’s commercial failure stemmed from a fundamental pricing misjudgement. At $1,799 without a display, it was priced between the consumer iMac and the professional Power Mac G4 tower — too expensive for consumers who could get an iMac for less, and too limited (no expansion slots) for professionals who needed the tower. Small hairline cracks appearing in some Cube enclosures added to the perception problems. Apple discontinued it in July 2001, less than a year after launch.
Legacy
The G4 Cube’s design influence has been profound despite its commercial failure. It directly foreshadowed the Mac Mini, the Mac Pro cylinder, and Apple Silicon Mac Mini. Finding a complete, working G4 Cube today is a rare pleasure — it remains one of the most visually stunning computers ever made.