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Third Party Selling Upgraded G4 Cubes

Posted by pudge on from the howzabout-an-upgraded-20th-anniversary-mac dept.

cybercyph writes "A 3rd party is selling upgraded G4 cubes. The upgraded cubes have a 1.2 GHz G4 processor, GeForce 3 card with 64 MB RAM, 1 GB RAM (upgradable to 1.5) and a 120 GB hard drive! I can't imagine this making Apple too happy..." They are asking $1879, which is comparable to a similarly equipped new G4 from Apple.

9 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. Need a laptop? by CptChipJew · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you want a third party upgraded laptop, MCE is selling iBooks equipped with DVD-R/CD-R optical drives.

    There was another company back in the day who's name skips my mind, but they also sold upgraded Macs until Apple gave them the cease and desist. So I would expect the same thing to happen here eventually.

    --
    Vonal Declosion
  2. Indeed... by =weezer= · · Score: 5, Funny

    "We at Kemplar.com are proud to offer the upgraded Apple Cube G4 for a limited time."

    I guess we'll see how limited . .

  3. the cube is cute and all... by rollthelosindice · · Score: 5, Insightful
    But I just got a DUAL 1.25 G4 for 1799.

    Granted it only has 512 of ram, but we all now how cheap ram is these days, and i can max out at 2 GB not 1.5.

    It's cool. It's got commodity, but its more money and less power than what apple is selling. And like someone else said, mine will definitely work with panther.

  4. Great Form, So-So Function by borkus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The cube is one of the most original looking systems. However, the design always struck me as a little impractical. The optical power switch on top was prone to sending the system to sleep unexpectedly. The USB ports, ethernet port and modem connection were on the bottom, keeping the cables in order. However it also meant that you either had to turn the system over or grope around under system to connect peripherals.

    You can just as easily get a stylish iMac for the same price.

  5. Best of luck to 'em by inkswamp · · Score: 5, Interesting
    The problem with the cube at the time of its release is the same problem it has now: it's neither-nor. I don't think upgraded cubes will interest anyone, but I wish the folks doing it the best of luck. The cube's problem was that it stradled the gray area between consumer and pro machine. It's not a consumer machine because it's pricey and doesn't come with a monitor. It's not a pro machine because, while it used top-of-the-line components when it came out, it wasn't expandable enough to make pros happy. So it's a niche product within a niche market. I remember seeing an article about how Oprah Winfrey had bought a cube and loved it, and thinking "that's who they will be selling to--wealthy people who like the looks of the machine and don't care if they have to buy a monitor along with it." There are only so many people out there fitting that profile to sell these things to.

    BTW, I'm a Mac user and I thought the cube was a great looking machine so no flames for this, thankyouverymuch.

    --
    --Rick "If it isn't broken, take it apart and find out why."
  6. Whoop de doo by Xyde · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Wow, a whole 1.2GHz G4 on a 100MHz system bus!

    And all in an out of warranty cube which is already maxed (you can add a whole 512MB extra RAM and the controller is only ATA66 so no drives > 120GB for you!) out so no room for future upgrades! for $1879 it sounds like a steal to me, especially with those pokey G5's retailing for a bloated $1999.

    Get real.

    Unless you have some sort of cube fetish, really - whats the point, for $120 extra you can have yourself a 64 bit workstation that's likely 3x as powerful. With room to grow. And warranty. And new technology like bluetooth and FW800.

    I honestly can't imagine Apple caring less either way.

  7. Already have a Cube? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you already own a G4 cube there are a variety of upgrade options. I recently found them myself.

    PowerLogix and Sonnet both offer upgrade cards. Many video cards fit (and can be made to submit) inside. These upgrades usually imply removing the heat sinks and adding a fan.

    The hard drive isn't too have to upgrade - if you have a 10T Torx wrench just lying about.

    www.cubeowner.com is a great resource.

    Dav

  8. Re:I wouldn't buy one now.... by sribe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They'll have a C&D letter in by morning, if it isn't already sitting on their FAX machine.

    No they won't! Apple has contracts with their dealers which prohibit all sorts of activities they deem undesirable wrt machines bought from Apple intended for retail sale. But Apple has nothing--repeat after me--Apple has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to say about the trade in used Macs. They have no legal right to do so, nor would they have any conceivable reason to even try. (And please note that reselling used Macs is quite different from trying to scrounge repair parts, build FrankenMacs, and sell those.)

  9. their appeal by cybercyph · · Score: 4, Insightful

    the basis of the appeal of this deal to me is the cube...i don't think anyone would bat an eye at this if it were an old imac refurb, but apple somehow struck a nerve with the cube. i've never heard anyone describe the cube as anything but sexy. the question then becomes: what premium are you willing to pay for sexy? many people are willing to sacrafice speed for sexiness, many others will not. personally, as a poor college student, i couln't afford either, and thus am stuck with my dual-cracked hinge ti powerbook. (because of the hinges, i have to constantly prop the display up against something. right now, a pillow...sigh...)