Why are G4 cubes so expensive?

[ezri]

I've been looking on ebay to buy a 500mhz G4 cube w/15-in LCD studio display and found these auctions to go $1000+ but then see a 700mhz G4 imac w/15-in LCD go for less. Even apple is selling the imac refurbished w/CD-RW for $899.

So, what am I missing here? Is it just that people like the look of the cube or is the cube an inherently better machine in this range? All opionions welcome.

[alex_ant]

Well...

- It's fanless
- It's cool looking and rare
- It's small
- You can put dual GHz+ processors in it

[Dont Hurt Me]

Supply and demand, little supply lots of demand. Apple screwed up,motorola helped this to by locking everything at 500mhz for so long. This was a very cool machine and apple should have worked on marketing,pricing,and features a little more. Oh well i ended up with a quicksilver but wanted a cube. It was the coolest mac to date. The new imac is a very nice design to. only to bad that you cant upgrade or get a single 1.42 in it.

[conceptdev]

Supply - not manufactured anymore, was made in a smaller run.

Demand - you want one, I want one, everyone wants one.

- Beaten to it by Donthurtme

[rainman::|:|]

i hear ya, i've been trying to get a deal on one for a project i'm doing... they actually seem to keep getting *more* expensive, which is exceedingly rare for a recent model computer--

plus, cube owners know how much they're worth and usually put a pretty steep reserve on auctions.

pnw

[mymemory]

The Cube is an exotic machine with some upgradibility.

Personally I like more th new iMac, it is better concepted. May be because of that the Cube has more "personality" it is not one thing or the other, it is actually a mistake half way done, a curiosity, that makes it unique.

[scem0]

Originally posted by conceptdev
Supply - not manufactured anymore, was made in a smaller run.

Demand - you want one, I want one, everyone wants one.

- Beaten to it by Donthurtme

exactly - supply and demand. This is especially the case when it
comes to the 500 MHz models which as very rare.

It might be a good idea to get a cube and then get that 1.2 GHz
powerlogix upgrade. I would looooove that computer ;).

[bennetsaysargh]

I would love for apple to bring back a bunch of things like cubes, and newtons just because evryone wants them. I want a cube so bad. My dream cube would be stainless steel outside, the fastest processor they've got, or better yet, debute the G5 in a new revamped cube. I am obviously dreaming because it's 12:35 am here in dullsville NY. I'm going to bed.

[scem0]

I agree. I loved the cube before, and I would love to get one
with a 970 in it. Apple should definitely think about releasing
a cube again.

[scem0]

I'm stupid for

[scem0]

managing to triple post. :rolleyes:

[bennetsaysargh]

what's with the triple post?

[MrMacMan]

Originally posted by bennetsaysargh
what's with the triple post?

yeah... wtf.

Techincally speaking it is impossible to have 3 posts in 1 minute...
You are allowed to post every 30 seconds and... WAIT A MINUTE!
First post time stamp 5:02 PM seconds
5:02 + 30 seconds + 30 seconds... here is where logic come into effect
5:02 & 30sec + 30 seconds = 5:03 (ERROR, ERROR)
Okay well say he bent time just a little getting 2 posts into the same minute... how the hell are you suppostto tell me
5:02 & 90 seconds isn't the next minute?
:confused:

[Dont Hurt Me]

Originally posted by bennetsaysargh
what's with the triple post? I think old visited the apple store scemo is saying that he really really really wants a cube with a 970 in it! That could go for me too but i wont triple post;)

[Computer_Phreak]

I really want a cube as well... I really should get something cheaper and faster, but I want the quiet, fanless stuff

[scem0]

wow! I didn't even notice. I have no clue...... :(

how odd. I'm so sorry. If a mod could delete those I would
appreciate it. :rolleyes: :o ;)

[yzedf]

nothing more, nothing less

[BigJayhawk]

Actually, I watch the MacCube info very closely. I'm waiting for the 970 upgrades (as the Cube is plenty fast for what I have it doing now) AND a Vertical Slot-load Superdrive that works.

HOWEVER, remember, if you plan to upgrade to newer (i.e. HOTTER) CPU's <ESPECIALLY DUAL> then you'll still need to add a fan. In fact, there is a spot for a fan that Apple put in for when they went to faster chips (which, obviously, did not happen).

Who knows though, the heat is from pushing the Mhz rates on the current PPC chips. Maybe the initial 970 chips will run cooler again and a single 970 would go in the MacCube without a fan? That's my hope.

For reference, I bought our MacCube at an Educational Price BLOWOUT when they were discontinuing them at just $799 (retail was well over 1.5 times that)!!! It is literally still worth MORE THAN I PAID FOR IT (or at least the same) 2-3 YEARS AGO!

[Dont Hurt Me]

I dont think you will see a 970 going into a cube or a powermac, the bus speeds wont be compatable. probably nothing else will either that why the rumors of a new mobo. Cube/powermac owners will have to make do with faster g4s. Even now they are still limited to the 100 bus are they not.Maybe a new cube based on the 970? i doubt it but who knows.

[jonasmac]

I just bought a cube on eBay with these specs (fulfilling one my goals):

G4 800mhz (Powerlogix Upgrade)
40GB Hard Drive
1 GB RAM
CD-RW Drive
32mb Vid Card
Spare G4 533mhz processor (which I don't know what to do with)
Plus keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc...

$1300 it cost me....

That's a lot of money. But stock cubes go for $700-$900 on eBay, and the one I bought has more than $500 worth of upgrades, so that's how I justify it.

I've always loved the form factor...that's why I didn't buy one of the new Powermacs...I think I'll wait for the G5's before I get one. :D

--jonasmac

[BigJayhawk]

Mac Cubes -- GOTTA LOVE EM!

Welcome to the club!

[Fall]

Refurbished: G4 Cube 450MHz, 192MB RAM, 20GB H/Disk, DVD-ROM, 56K, AGP Graphics with VGA ADC outputs, OS9.2.1, KB, Mouse Apple Pro Speakers. *_ Refurbished with 90 day warrany. Shipped with original operating system, keyboard & mouse.

$AUD1795

But I dunno what you're supposed to pay for them...is that a good deal?

To you yanks it should be!

I ain't looking for a cube, but I found one!