Apple cans the Cube

Apple has canned production of its Power Mac G4 Cube. It said in its statement that there is a small chance it will reintroduce an upgraded version of the Cube at a later date, but it looks unlikely.

The firm said it will continue to provide support for existing owners.

Sales have been disappointing ever since last July's launch, restricted largely to existing hi-end Mac customers seduced by its looks and prepared to overlook a shortfall in price/performance compared to more traditional designs.

The computer's reputation was further damaged by reports of faults and cracks in the unit's clear case, leaving it looking less than pristine.

Apple shipped just 12,000 Cubes in the three months to the end of March, down from the 29,000 it shipped in the previous quarter, when sales were still only running at a third of the target.

Phil Schiller, Apple vice president, said: "Cube owners love their Cubes, but most customers decided to buy our powerful Power Mac G4 mini-towers instead."

Analysts said Apple had positioned the Cube as an entry point to its professional G4 line, but found a limited market. They said the end of it left a hole in Apple's product line.

See also:

Apple's Cube goes pear-shaped

Apple is refusing to comment on stories that it is ditching its troubled G4 Power Mac Cube, declining also to say whether its Cube team of 25 people has been dissolved.  15 Mar 2001

Apple PowerMac G4 Cube

We put Apple's cube-shaped Macintosh computer to the test.  22 Oct 2000

Apple discounts G4 Cube to boost sales

Apple will on Monday offer UK customers a £250 discount on its cube-shaped Macintosh computer, in a move designed to pick up what have so far been poor sales of the device.  20 Oct 2000

Apple announces PowerMac Cube

Updated: Apple has unveiled its new eight-inch square G4 PowerMac Cube as part of an overhaul of much of its product range.  20 Jul 2000

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