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http://www.macnn.com/articles/01/02/22/new.cd-rw/

New CD-RW Cube offers less value

updated 12:50 pm EST, Thu February 22, 2001

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Bryan Powell notes a major discrepancy between the new, mid-range $1600 CD-RW Cube and the previous mid-range model. The previous model included a 40 GB drive and RADEON graphics, while the new model features a 20 GB drive and Rage 128 graphics. "What it amounts to is you are paying $300 for 64 MB of RAM and a CD-RW drive. Considering the fact that you are able to select a DVD-ROM drive when customizing the system for no change in price, you are actually paying $300 for 64 MB of RAM. This is intensely frustrating as I had cancelled a previous order to get this machine, and now I am cancelling this one."

by MacNN Staff

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02/22, 01:23pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Cube Pricing

Who is making these decisions at Apple? LOL - Jobs' days are numbered. However, just order the $1299 model (overpriced) and add the memory yourself if this is a hurdle in your purchase decision. Can you still buy the Radeon with ADC for $250 through Apple?

JW

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02/22, 01:32pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Yes

Go to Accessories-Displays to buy the RADEON for $250.

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02/22, 01:37pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
here's what ya do

The cheapest solution that I found was to order the g4 cube from clubmac for 1229 after rebate. Then you can add 256Mb through them for ~110. Combine that with a radeon from apple and you have a G4 cube 450/320mb/20gig/radeon for $1594, which is much cheaper than getting a similiar set up from apple. The only problem with this, that I can see, is that apple doens't offer a Geforce kit, so you'll have to pay more if thats what you're looking for. Basically the cards seem to be a toss up though. Does anyone know if the geforce needs a fan? I know the radeon does, so I think that will be the tie breaker in my decision.... I want a quiet computer

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02/22, 01:51pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
You get a full Mac...

The Cube isn't missing any features really. If you want expansion slots you are either a pro (serious hobbyist) or have a lot of SCSI peripherals that need a add-in SCSI card to use.

I got a G4 tower. I added an HD to run OS X, but other than that its all wasted space inside. The Zip internal is convenient, but you can get this teensey tiny Zip 250 that is bus-powered that can be moved to another computer easily. I have a lot of Macs, I use different computers at differnt times and I may get an iBook so how is an internal Zip helping me more than an external? Same for a CD-RW or (hopefully) that new SuperDrive?

I have a giant computer that is WAY overkill and cost much more than the similar spec'd Cube.

About the only advantage is being able to get retail graphics card if I really wanted or needed to. Oh boy, lemme go get all 4 games that can tax a RADEON and play them all 10 minutes and get on with my JOB.

The Cube is enough computer at a reasonable price for many people (those who want a bigger screen than iMac and/or G4, RADEON, GeForce2MX graphics) who also do NOT need 4 PCI slots, 3 internal drive bays and a giant "box" computer.

I am debating what to recommend for a new Mac here at work, a Cube is MORE than adequate and has a reasonable price for what it does and compared the alternative G4 tower. We won't be buying a new computer every 6 months-year so the price isn't so horrific as many make it sound.

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02/22, 01:56pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
With all this space...

There's still only one 5 1/4" drive bay in front. That's very frustrating because it would be so convenient to replace the Zip with a tape drive or a burner. Unfortunately, because of this major design oversight we can only install 3 1/2" drives :(

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02/22, 01:59pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
1299 cube is CLEARANCE

there are NO selectable options for it (well, only a few, but no custom config). The 450 with a GeForce2 MX card is only $1599 + $75, which is still a lot cheaper than the original Cube w/ Rage128 was last year. Plus, the 500 is a much better buy (more memory/better card/bigger HD) than the previous 500 MHz model. Plus, they're no longer more expensive than the low-end G4 tower, so honestly, what's the big deal?

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02/22, 02:08pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
one missing Cube feature

is support for dual G4 processors or the G4e; my guess is that neither one is currently feasible due to heat/size issues so the Cube might not see any speed greater than 533 MHz. Plus, the GeForce3 probably won't make an appearance anytime soon. That's too bad; it would make a great semi-portable game machine for bringing to LAN parties and the like.

Of course, that also means the price will likely come down significantly by the end of the year as presumably G4e Power Macs will become the standard at faster speeds (maybe 800-866 by year's end) and the older G4 chips (533 MHz and lower) will trickle into the iMacs in preparation for support of the SuperDrive (which Steve has already said will possibly show up in a 2002 iMac model and whose benefits come from the G4's increased rendering speed).

Hopefully there will come a time when faster or more G4 chips can be squeezed into that lucite beauty...

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02/22, 04:23pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Wise up, Apple

While I must applaud the overall quality and customer satisfaction that Apple delivers with its products, the company needs to "think differently" about its pricing structure. Apple continues to converge with PC makers with the use of standards and common devices/peripherals. However, Apple insists on maintaining its antiquated pricing strategy as if these components were proprietary technology! If you want to stay in the game Apple, review your market strategy and maintain competitve pricing with PC vendors.

K. Evans

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02/22, 04:37pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Clarification

I sent in the story originally; the issue was regarding the new midrange cube and 2 separate and different spec sheets that were both found on the apple site. Although it has since been corrected, this morning if you went to http://www.apple.com/powermaccube/specs.html it stated the midrange Cube came with a 40 gig hard drive as well as the 32 Meg Radeon card. However, the store spec sheet listed it as having a 20 Gig drive and a Rage128 Pro card.

The former specs seem more in line with an upgrade from the base model than the latter (and correct) ones do. The mid-range model is not really much better than the base model at all then. It amounts to paying $300 for 64 Megs of RAM and the *option* of getting a CD-RW drive (because there is no price difference if you select a DVD-ROM drive on the mid-range model!).

Annoying- I thought Apple had finally fixed the price of the cube but it looks like they are just trying to clear out the excess inventory of the base models...

-Bryan

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02/22, 05:27pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Still overpriced

The cube is still overpriced. For what is essentially a headless iMac, this computer should be in the 1200-1800 range. The low end model cannot even be configured with a Radeon! What a rip.

don't let the G4 throw you off....the cube resembles an iMac more than a powermac. It is not expandable, small, no fan, and heavily relies on style. Take an iMac, rip off the monitor and add a G4, and you're left with a cube. If a monitor costs about the same amount as a G4 over a G3, then why is the cube so much more expensive than an iMac? Doesn't make sense.

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02/22, 05:41pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
mwny, dammit

This wasn't the real update for the iMac, iBook or the Cube.

Note how the PowerMac and the Titanium are listed as "the all-new" at the AppleStore, while the iMac is just listed as "new," the Cube is listed as a mere "new options," and the iBook doesn't have anything.

The iMachines are NOT Mac OS X ready -- in fact, NONE of the iBook models ship with enough RAM to run Mac OS X (which is obviously important since that requirement is the only one that is actually ON the Mac OS X ready sticker). I'm betting that at MWNY, which is when they start preinstalling Mac OS X (this is the big day, the real beginning of X), they'll have the real new machines with the proper guts to run all of this.

I just hope they implement UMA-2 across the board, but they'll definitely update the machines, definitely iBook anyway.

it's obvious

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02/22, 06:06pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Monitor pricing is worse

Great, Apple, I can now buy a Mac for $1300 and use any monitor I want. But, you know, if you buy a Cube you're *really* gonna want a sweet Apple display. 17" No problem, that'll be $500. Bringing you up to $1800.

Too much!!

Apple needs to lower the price on its 17" CRT to $399. You can buy quality 17" CRTs for $299 these days (and bargain basement ones for half that)!

Ah well, perhaps I'll buy a Cube *next* time they prices/features change. Not this time, Apple. Sorry.

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02/22, 06:08pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
new cube not quite there

I'd like to see a Cube with one of those 600MHz G3s instead of the G4s. If Apple sold one of those for around $1000 I'd pick it up right away.

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02/22, 06:20pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
WHINE WHINE WHINE

What is it with you people?!?!? When the Cube was introduced ONLY 6 months ago, you were bitchin about the $1799 price. Then it went down to $1599. Still MORE bitchin. Now its down to $1299 and it seems like there is even MORE bitchin. When does this stop? What the h*** do you people want? A G4 for $59.95? I have on of the originals. I spent $55 and added an additional 128 megs ram. I LOVE this machine even though I paid $1799 for it. $1299 is QUITE a bargain for this computer. Granted, $1299 is where it should have started, but now that its there, lets stop the pointless bickering. Thanks

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02/22, 06:21pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
I like mine

I got one of the original Cubes (450) at work and I've been REALLY happy with it. Only problem: bad power switch. Apple replaced the switch, and in the process upgraded the video card mounting (and gave me a new video card to boot) and I got a new outer shell too (no more mold lines!), all within a week. Expansion? Who cares. I use a USB Zip and an external Firewire drive and about the only thing I'd like is the ability to have an extra monitor. These are eerily *quiet*, powerful, snappy, elegant things and now that the low end version is priced where it is, I'm buying one for home.

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02/22, 06:28pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
dear cube owners

can you hear the hard drive spin? i currently own a g4 tower(747 jet engine) but will soon sell it for a middle cube. My problem I own a $799 imac and I CAN HEAR THE HARD DRIVE!!!!

i want to know if on a quiet night can cube owners hear their hard drives spin????

thanks

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02/22, 06:29pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
also

does a 60gig or 40 gig make more noise?

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02/22, 07:10pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Fix the Cube

My biggest problem with the Cube is that it doesn't accept standard size video cards. It should. There's no excuse. My second problem is no PCI slot. It would be a much better machine to have *NO* dvd (nor cd-rw) drive and INSTEAD have just _a single_ PCI slot. The dvd (or cd-rw) (or more appropriately, for all their machines, dvd/cd-rw combo) drive should be an external FireWire one. And the various connectors should be on the back of the machine, not the bottom. That's just weird. And inconvenient.

Does it have a handle or it that a decoy? It should get a handle of some sort.

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02/22, 07:26pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Refirb Cubes same price

The Refirbished Cubes are $1299 as well.

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02/22, 07:34pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
E-mail apple

http://survey.info.apple.com/info.apple.com/survey/feedback/feedback.taf?function=tellus

customer relations contact page, if enough people mention this they might do something about it.

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02/22, 07:37pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Re: dear cube owners

Get over it.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you're going to hear the hard drive on any computer you may buy, no matter what, **especially** on a quiet night. The drive's storage capacity will make no difference. You're essentially going to have to:

1. wait until computers move to a solid-state storage solution (no moving parts)
2. plug in some headphones and listen to music while using your computer, or
3. invest in some earplugs

before you won't hear those horrible, disgustingly repuslive and frightening read/write operations taking place within the machine. AAAHHH!!! LOL

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02/22, 07:58pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
you are mean

and i bet you don't even own a cube.

so i askk again only cube owners the same question.

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02/22, 08:54pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Re: dear cube owners

yes of course you can hear it. it's not very loud at all, but you can hear it.

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02/22, 09:00pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
What you say?

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US.

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02/22, 09:06pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
iMacs, Cubes and HD noise

The cube is relatively quiet. As I understand it, the Cube's hard disk spins at about 7200 RPMs while the iMac's spin at around 10K RPMs. The reason your iMac seems loud is the whine of the faster hard disk, and its location within the case. It's mounted in the front, right below the monitor.

I had a problem with several noisy hard disks on my iMac; when I was on the phone standing 6 feet away from it, the guy I was talking to could hear it! Apple eventually sent me a new iMac and I have not had any problems with it at all. As it was explained to me, some are noisy, some aren't.

The Cube may make some sound, but it's not directly in front of you so it's not as noticeable.

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02/22, 09:08pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
thank you

for your cube responses...

is it me or does the highend cube seem like the best value? at leaset till they fix the middle one.

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02/22, 09:55pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Radeon vs. nVidio2 MX

So, now that the Cube has the option of either a RADEON or the nVidio graphics card, does anyone have an opinion on the advantages and diadvantages?

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02/22, 09:57pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Just a thought...

Do you suppose Apple has a warehouse full of boxed up ready to go original cubes, marked down from $1799 to $1599, now to $1299? Maybe they're intentionallly making the middle/upper models less price competitive for the time being to clear out the stocks that already exist (while in the meantime they don't expend a lot of resources on inventory of the high-end models). Then in 3-6 months they can "upgrade" them again by shifting the current models down another notch and perhaps introducing a new, slightly faster (600?) "fastest" model?

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02/22, 11:12pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
iMacs, Cubes and HD noise

There's no way that Apple would put 10,000 RPM drives in the iMacs.
IMac dirves spin at 5,400 RPM. Power Mac G4 Cube drives spin at 5,400 RPM, unless you get the 60GB drive which runs at 7,200. If you want a 10,000 RPM drive in a config from Apple, you have to get an Ultra160 SCSI drive as a BTO option on a Power Mac G4 tower.

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02/23, 08:35am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Re: HDD Noise

Quoted:

"The cube is relatively quiet. As I understand it, the Cube's hard disk spins at about 7200 RPMs while the iMac's spin at around 10K RPMs. The reason your iMac seems loud is the whine of the faster hard disk, and its location within the case. It's mounted in the front, right below the monitor.
I had a problem with several noisy hard disks on my iMac; when I was on the phone standing 6 feet away from it, the guy I was talking to could hear it! Apple eventually sent me a new iMac and I have not had any problems with it at all. As it was explained to me, some are noisy, some aren't.
The Cube may make some sound, but it's not directly in front of you so it's not as noticeable."

If Apple put 10kRPM hard disks in iMacs, I'd buy one. 10K hard disks are faster than 7200rpm models, more expensive, and not even standard equipment in the G4 tower. To paraphrase Apple, "Think seriously".
One other note: EVERY hard disk makes noise, some just more than others. Example: My new IBM 45GB 7200rpm IDE drive makes noise, but it makes a lot less noise than my older IBM 9.1GB UW SCSI model does. To perform read/write operations with no noise at all, you need a mechanism with no moving parts (it's essentially SRAM-based storage, and super-fast). Last one of those I saw ws the Quantum Rushmore solid-state disk. Guess what? a 1.5GB model (last I saw them) costs fifteen thousand dollars. Expectations for a drive that makes no noise at all, aren't reasonable.

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02/23, 09:26am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Snap out of it!

If they put 2 1-Gigahertz G5 processors and offered 24 USB ports and the ability to hot swap all types of graphics cards, and if they included the monitor of my choice (by any manufacturer) all for under $499, I'd be first in line to snap one up!

You people are morons.

I can't imagine the incredible h*** it must be to
(a) Listen to you order a meal in a restaurant;
(b) Listen to you blather on and on about what you would've done differently to the recipe as you stuff your greasy face;
(c) Listen to you complain incessantly about the price as you pay for the meal; and,
(d) Watch you stiff the waiter on the tip ("He/She wasn't THAT good. If I'm gonna tip, they better shine my shoes.")

Get a life. Go and purchase a pile of crappy PC parts, and build your own PC in your little bedroom. While you do that, I'm going to get some work done. After all that's why I use a Mac.

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02/23, 10:08am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Still Overpriced

Are Apple products really overpriced, or have we just forgotten the old maxim "you get what you pay for". Apple products are very well made compared with their cheaper PC brethren (I write this on a ten year old Quadra 700 with 20MB RAM and OS 8.1).

The build quality of the Cube is actually very impressive. What you're paying for is high mechanical quality, and that never comes cheap. If you buy an Apple computer, you get a top-class product, and top-class products cost more than average ones. It's just the way it is, but I don't mind.

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New CD-RW Cube offers less value

updated 12:50 pm EST, Thu February 22, 2001

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Cube Pricing

Yes

here's what ya do

You get a full Mac...

With all this space...

1299 cube is CLEARANCE

one missing Cube feature

Wise up, Apple

Clarification

Still overpriced

mwny, dammit

Monitor pricing is worse

new cube not quite there

WHINE WHINE WHINE

I like mine

dear cube owners

also

Fix the Cube

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Re: dear cube owners

you are mean

Re: dear cube owners

What you say?

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Just a thought...

iMacs, Cubes and HD noise

Re: HDD Noise

Snap out of it!

Still Overpriced

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