What version of the MacOS is pre-installed on the Power Mac G4 Cube? Can the Power Mac G4 Cube run MacOS 9? Can the Power Mac G4 Cube run MacOS X?

The Power Mac G4 Cube models -- the Power Mac G4/450 Cube and G4/500 Cube -- originally shipped with MacOS 9.0.4 pre-installed and shipped with MacOS 9.1 pre-installed from February 22, 2001 to July 3, 2001, when they were placed on "indefinite hold". The Power Mac G4 Cube models can run MacOS X as well up to MacOS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" as supported by Apple.

Is there a "hack" to make MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard" run on the Power Mac G4 Cube?

Officially, the Power Mac G4 Cube is only capable of running MacOS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" and lower.

However, as first discovered by the always excellent Low End Mac, it is possible to essentially "trick" the MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard" installer DVD to think that a Power Mac G4 Cube has an 867 MHz processor prior to installation and then switch it back to the actual speed afterwards with a simple Open Firmware modification.

Using the same method, GenThree went a step further and created an application called LeopardAssist that provides a GUI for the previously text-based procedure.

Please note that GenThree is no longer officially supported by the developer and keep in mind that MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard" does not support the MacOS 9 "Classic Environment" even when running on systems that support "Classic" when booting MacOS X 10.4 "Tiger" (like the Power Mac G4 Cube). This may be a major disadvantage for some users.

Your results may vary -- this is a "hack" after all -- and it is not supported by Apple and consequently cannot be recommended by EveryMac.com. However, if your Power Mac G4 Cube is not "mission critical", and particularly if it has been upgraded with a faster processor, more RAM, or a Quartz Extreme capable video card, you may find that it provides more than acceptable performance running MacOS X 10.5 "Leopard".

Can the Power Mac G4 Cube run Windows?

The Power Mac G4 Cube is capable of running Windows through emulation using a program like Microsoft Virtual PC 7, but it cannot boot Windows or run Windows via virtualization like the Intel-based Macs.

If you need a system capable of running Windows, you would be best served with an Intel-based Mac or a Windows PC.

For more on running Windows on Intel-based Macs, please also check out the Windows on Mac Q&A.

Can the Power Mac G4 Cube run Linux?

YellowDog offers a distribution of Linux that is largely compatible with the Power Mac G4 Cube. For complete details regarding supported and unsupported functions, please refer to the appropriate website.