I have someone offering me a G4 Cube with 640 MB of RAM, a 20 GB HD, and tiger preinstalled for $225. It also comes with the usb speakers and power supply. Is this a good/fair deal?
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Is this a good deal for a G4 Cube?
- Thread starter steamboat26
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I'd say it depends more on the video card installed, since the processors were 450 and 500 mhz (not much performance difference), but a video card better than the stock RagePro 128 is worth probably $50 all by itself. Also, you will want to have a close look at condition. Even Cubes that didn't have the infamous "cracks" are often scratched and marred. Personally, I would not bother with an abused Cube at any price, but that's just me.
I'd say it depends on what you want to do with it.
If you need tons of disk space, it's probably not a good deal. If you need a lightning fast computer, it's probably not a good deal.
If you need a no-nonsense machine to just browse the internet, check e-mail, and maybe process a document or two, then I'd buy it.
If you need tons of disk space, it's probably not a good deal. If you need a lightning fast computer, it's probably not a good deal.
If you need a no-nonsense machine to just browse the internet, check e-mail, and maybe process a document or two, then I'd buy it.
Thanks for the quick responses. I'm really just looking for the cube as a browsing computer, and because its so cool.
I will have to ask him about the graphics card.
I will have to ask him about the graphics card.
What you want to do with the Cube really doesn't enter into its market value. With the exception of the video card, they are quite upgradeable (I'd get rid of that stock 20 Gb hard drive right away -- they were small, slow and noisy!). A Cube can be made about as functional as you want it to be. Suitable video cards will be difficult to locate, though, so it's important to know what you'll get for your $225. The original stock speakers are a big plus, BTW.
I'd love to own a cube, so i am going to totally encourage you on this. If you upgrade the harddrive (for a music collection), are they pretty capable of running an audio-only itunes library?
I would assume so, my imac G3 500 mhz runs itunes decently, and the altivec engine in PowerPC G4 chips is optimized for programs like itunes, iphoto, and imovie
Sorry, one more question, is there any way to get more USB ports (possible USB 2.0) on the cube? because if I have to use one for a keyboard (or bluetooth dongle) and one for the speakers, i won't have any way to connect a printer, ipod, etc.
Can't you just use a USB hub? I use a self powered Belkin 4 port hub on my iBook. Self powered is a lot better because it doesn't draw off of the computer's ports.
Sure, you can hook up a USB hub to the Cube, but it will be strictly 1.1, because that's all the motherboard supports. If you use an Apple wired keyboard, it has a hub built in. Another option, assuming the Cube comes with an original ADC video card, is to find an older Apple Studio Display, which also has a USB hub built in.
Another thought (although this is probably a ripoff). macofalltrades.com has a 500 mhz sawtooth with 256 MB of RAM, and a 20 GB HD for a little less than $200 shipped to me. Granted, it doesn't have the same cool factor as the cube, but it has a lot more upgradeability. Which would you go with, cube or sawtooth?
Since they were of the same era (cpu's, FSB/ram/etc), from a performance standpoint, they will be similar. Obviously, the cube wins hands down from a coolness factor, but if you want serious expandability, the tower is the way to go
And yes, you can add USB ports (to either machine) by getting a powered hub
But on the sawtooth, couldn't i get a third party usb 2.0 card and install it in one of the empty slots?
I don't see why not. But if you're thinking this way, you really don't want a Cube.
If you're thinking of getting a Cube you must take a look at cubeowner.com
It has everything you need to know about upgrading, customizing and issues to watch out for.
Still running my cube, albeit with a 1.2 Ghz upgrade card with cooling system and 128Mb Video card. However, once new imac is out then the old cube will be retired. Still runs great but starting to get a bit slow on the old photoshop and Cinema4D. Plus there is NO WAY to get USB 2 support on it.
It has everything you need to know about upgrading, customizing and issues to watch out for.
Still running my cube, albeit with a 1.2 Ghz upgrade card with cooling system and 128Mb Video card. However, once new imac is out then the old cube will be retired. Still runs great but starting to get a bit slow on the old photoshop and Cinema4D. Plus there is NO WAY to get USB 2 support on it.
I've held onto my Cube and it still does a pretty good job. I run some moderately complicated spreadsheets (data fitting and running my bowling league). These can bog it down, but it's usable. With a few upgrades (AirPort card, 80GB hard drive, 576KB RAM), it's a pretty serviceable machine. I figure it's worth about $250.
That much having been said, unless you're in love with the idea of the Cube, I think a refurb Mini is a better option. For an initial outlay of a few hundred dollars, you'll get several more years of service out of the newer computer.