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Cube: Cool As Ice (7/20/00)
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So, uh, how about that Cube? At least some of the rumors were correct, and believe us-- until you see this thing up close and personal, you're not going to appreciate just how neat it really is. Why? Because you're not going to appreciate how small it really is. Apple's lab geniuses apparently continue to tinker with dangerous and exciting technologies such as cloning (no, not that cloning), because the G4 Cube is every bit as powerful and gorgeous as the Power Mac G4-- but a mere fraction of the size.
Check it out: viewed from the front, the Cube is smaller than a standard sheet of 8.5x11" paper. No joke. We just placed our "actual size" Cube poster on the floor and were able to cover the Cube completely with a plain sheet of letter-sized printer paper. So if you've got limited desktop space (or you're the type of person who collects trial-size shampoo bottles because they're so gosh-darned cute) you are going to love this thing.
And, of course, there are more reasons to love it than its size; what you should really be admiring is its density. We're sure you've already pored over the specs umpteen times, so you're aware that the standard $1799 Cube packs every bit as much power as the current-until-today Power Mac G4/450. But to do it in such a small space? Lots of gear in a compact form; it's like the Swiss Army Knife of the Mac world-- especially since it doubles as a toaster (when it ejects CDs from its top-loading DVD-ROM drive) and a lunchbox (when its nifty handle is popped out and the Cube's guts are being hoisted out of its stand). Okay, so Swiss Army Knives don't have toasters and lunchboxes built in. We were trying to make a point about lots of functionality in a compact, efficient package, but obviously it went nowhere.
We pretty much always walk out of a Stevenote with an RDF-induced respect and admiration for Apple's mission to bridge the gap between art and technology. This time, though, there was also a three-word directive imprinted indelibly in our frontal lobes: BUY A CUBE. We're doing our best to fight it, but the little guy's tenacious. And it's not like we'd have a lot to carry home...
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SceneLink (2430)
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 7/20/00 episode: July 20, 2000: It's the best swag ever, as Apple dishes out a free Pro Mouse to every single keynote attendee. Meanwhile, Apple bails on the fruit gig and trots out four understated new hues, and the legendary Cube makes its first public pint-sized appearance...
Other scenes from that episode: 2428: Guess How Much We Paid! (7/20/00) Well, Steve started with the mouse, and so will we. Apple's got a new mouse, but you probably knew that already. It's based on the same Hewlett-Packard optical technology used in Microsoft's IntelliMouse Explorer, but you probably knew that too... 2429: Fruit Flavors Are SO 1999 (7/20/00) Now, about these new iMacs-- you must trust us when we tell you that we have never before heard (and reflexively participated in) such a spontaneous outburst of incredulous obscenities as when Steve Jobs announced that the new entry-level iMac would cost a mere $799...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
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