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G4 Cube Q & A:
Storage & Peripherals
How can I transfer files from my
existing Mac to my Power Mac G4
Cube?
Like early models in the iMac series, the Power Macintosh G4 Cube lacks internal re-writable storage. This means that it will be necessary to either add external removable storage or to find another file transfer method.
Perhaps the simplest way to transfer files from any two Macs with online access is to stuff and binhex the files you wish to transfer using Aladdin Systems' StuffIt. Then go online with the first Mac, log onto a server, and upload the files. Then log off with the first Mac, log onto the server with the Power Macintosh G4 Cube and download your files. Translate and decompress the files using StuffIt Expander, and you're ready to go. Obviously, this type of file transfer is intended to be somewhat secure as long as it is password protected, but you still shouldn't transmit any sensitive information.
You may be thinking that you don't have a server, but you may. Your ISP account may include server space you're not even using. Ask your ISP how to access your server space, or how much it would cost to add a small amount of server space to your account. It's generally only a few dollars a month, so it might be worth it. Or, you can sign up with a website that provides free server space intended for file transfer such as iMacFloppy.com.
Alternately, you can stuff and binhex files on one Mac and e-mail them to yourself, and then check your e-mail on the Power Macintosh G4 Cube to download them. This works best for files that are only a couple of megabytes in size, and keep in mind that e-mail transmissions are not secure.
You also can network your Macs together for easy file transfer. If both Macs have Ethernet built in, like all Power Macs and some Quadras, you usually will just need a simple crossover cable to connect one Mac to one Power Macintosh G4 Cube. You can look up your Mac or MacOS-Compatible here on EveryMac.com to see if your Mac has Ethernet preinstalled. The excellent Mac networking site, Three Macs & A Printer, covers this basic type of networking in-depth in Setting up a Crossover Cable Ethernet Network.
Or, if you prefer to be more traditional, you simply can add an external removable storage drive. To ensure proper ventilation, be sure that you do not set an external drive on top of the Power Macintosh G4 Cube.
What removable storage options are available for the Power Macintosh G4 Cube?
Unlike the Power Macintosh G4 series, which could originally be configured with an internal Zip 100 drive and/or an internal DVD-RAM drive and now can be configured with an internal Zip 250 drive and either a CD-RW, CD-RW/DVD-ROM, or CD-RW/DVD-R SuperDrive for immediate removable storage, the Power Macintosh G4 Cube lacks an external drive bay, and therefore no internal removable storage can be added.
External USB-based and FireWire-based removable storage can be added easily, but external drives will detract from the simplicity of the cube design. As the Power Macintosh G4 Cube is clearly targeted towards style-conscious consumers, it will be interesting to see if the lack of internal removable storage will harm sales.
[07.29.2001 Update: Now that the Power Macintosh G4 Cube has been discontinued primarily due to slow sales, perhaps the lack of internal removable storage did impact its success. In the Press Release in which Apple announced that it would "suspend production of the Power Mac G4 Cube indefinitely", the company mentions that there is a "slight chance" that an "upgraded model" of the cube could be re-introduced at a later date. It would be interesting to see if a cube model configured with a SuperDrive and/or an internal Zip 250 would sell better.]
How do I properly insert a DVD disc into the Power Mac G4 Cube? Eject a DVD disc?
According to Apple Tech Info Document #58680, the Power Macintosh G4 Cube features a vertically-oriented, slot-loading DVD-ROM drive. With the Apple logo on the computer oriented towards you, insert DVD discs with the label side facing you. For double-sided DVD discs, insert the disc with the side you wish to access facing away from you.
According to Apple Tech Info Document #58678, the Power Macintosh G4 Cube does not have a "mechanical eject button" to eject a disc. If the disc icon appears on the desktop, you will need to either drag the icon to the Trash or click on the icon and select "Put Away" from the File menu. If the disc icon does not appear on the desktop, you will need to either restart the computer and hold down the mouse button or press the "media eject" button above the numeric keypad on the keyboard.
What ports are provided by the Power Mac G4 Cube?
The Power Macintosh G4 Cube includes two FireWire ports, two dual-channel USB ports, a 10/100Base-T Ethernet port, an RJ-11 modem port, a security port, an ADC (Apple Display Connector), which carries analog and digital video signals, USB data, and power, a standard Mini DB-9/15 (VGA) port for an analog monitor, and "hard" power. All ports are mounted on the bottom of the computer.
What is meant by "dual-channel" USB ports?
Unlike some earlier USB-based Macs, which have two USB ports on a single 12-megabits-per-second channel, the Power Macintosh G4 Cube has two USB ports each with an independent 12-megabits-per-second channel. This means that USB-based peripherals have twice the bandwidth available, which should improve the performance significantly.
Can external SCSI be added to the Power Mac G4 Cube?
No. The Power Macintosh G4 Cube lacks PCI slots, and therefore, there is no way to add an external SCSI card. Although adapters are available, if external SCSI capability is a high-priority, you would likely be better served by a model in the Power Macintosh G4 series.
What adapters are available for "legacy" devices?
Various companies are busy manufacturing adapters that will allow ADB, SCSI, and serial-based devices work with USB and FireWire.
An ADB-to-USB adapter is available from Griffin Technology, dubbed the iMate, that will allow you to hook up ADB-based keyboards, mice, joysticks, trackballs, scanners, and such to the Power Macintosh G4 Cube.
Many companies are producing Serial-to-USB adapters that will make some serial devices work with the Power Macintosh G4 Cube, including Momentum's uConnect device.
Although a SCSI-to-USB adapter is slow, as USB cannot handle the transfer speeds that SCSI can, Momentum has released a SCSI-to-USB adapter that gets the job done in a pinch. SCSI-to-FireWire adapters are also in the works.
Is the Apple Pro keyboard and mouse standard with the Power Mac G4 Cube?
Yes. The Power Macintosh G4 Cube, and all other systems shipped after July 19, 2000 include the vastly improved Apple "Pro" keyboard and ergonomic optical mouse.
Are the speakers provided with the Power Mac G4 Cube compatible with other Macs?
According to Apple Tech Info Document #58676, the USB speakers that ship with the Power Macintosh G4 Cube "require more power to operate than is provided by a typical USB port. The USB ports of the Power Mac G4 Cube computer, and monitors with the Apple Display Connector (ADC) have been enhanced to provide additional power. . . You should not connect them to the USB ports of any Apple keyboard, other Apple computer, or third-party USB device."
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