Apple targeted the Cube at the market between the iMac and the PowerMac G4. This diminutive 8"x8"x10" cube housed a G4 processor running at 450 or 500 megahertz, and had an innovative top-loading slot loading DVD-ROM drive. A separate monitor -- either digital or VGA -- is required for the Cube, in contrast to the all-in-one iMac series. The Cube also featured two Firewire ports, and two USB ports for connecting peripherals.
It was popularly perceived as being too expensive, thus leading to slow sales. Additionally, early Cubes suffered from a manufacturing defect that led to faint cracking of the clear plastic case. Apple attempted to increase sales by bundling more software with the cube, incorporating a CD-RW drive, and lowering the price. These efforts could not offset the earlier perceptions of reduced value compared to the iMac or PowerMac G4 lines, and the Cube was discontinued from production in July 2001.