Power Mac G4 Cube computer
Manufacturer
Apple Computer IncDesigner
Jonathan IveCountry
USAYear
1999 - 2000Dimensions
178 mm x 178 mm x 178 mmThe Power Mac G4 reduced the footprint of Apple‘s most powerful desktop computer to a 7 inch (178 mm) cube. It may have been a homage to the NeXT cube (305 mm) designed by Hartmut Esslinger. However, it more closely follows Ive‘s earlier experiments in clear and translucent plastics. It also exhibits qualities of earlier 20th century designs by Dieter Rams (for Braun), using a pale palette and simple form. A graphite-coloured plastic cube with a Lucite support holds the central processing unit.
The Cube cost around 10% more than other top-of-the-line Apple products. Sales were slow and the Cube was “put on ice” (Apple press release) after remaining in production for just a year. Despite this the Cube can be viewed as a turning point in Ive’s designs for Apple products.
