Echoing Steve Jobs’ original NeXT Computer, the Power Mac G4 Cube used a compact, square case design. The G4 Cube featured an 8”x8”x8” cube hung inside a clear, acrylic base – a feat made possible by moving the power supply and the audio processing outside the case. Original configurations featured a 450 MHz PowerPC G4 processor, 64 MB PC100 SDRAM, a 16 MB ATI Rage Pro video card, external digital USB audio with Harmon Kardon speakers, 56k modem, 10/100 ethernet, a 20 GB hard disk drive and 5x slot-load DVD-ROM. Build to order options would provide a faster 500 MHz processor, a 32 MB Nvidia GeForce 2MX video card, Airport 802.11B wireless card and a CD-RW optical disc drive.

Even though the G4 Cube currently enjoys a healthy cult following and a place in New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the initial response was tepid. With a price $200 more than the faster, more expandable Power Mac G4 minitower, the G4 Cube was doomed to be perceived as a poor value. Slow sales led Apple to “suspend production of the Power Mac G4 Cube indefinitely” in July 2001, just under a year after it’s initial launch.

This Power Mac G4 Cube has been upgraded since it was originally shipped. It features a 450 MHz PowerPC G4 processor, 1 GB RAM, an Airport card, a 30 GB hard disk drive and a slot-load DVD-ROM. It was purchased from a craigslist seller. It boots to the original Mac OS 9.0.4 installation and is pictured with an Apple 17” ADC Studio Display.