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BrunoBruin · Jul 18, 2003, 03:04 PM

I saw this over at cubeowner.com. It's a company that's offering Cubes with all the available upgrades: Sonnet 1.2GHz CPU, GeForce 3, CD-RW (or you can upgrade to a combo or SuperDrive), 120GB hard drive. All installed and (one hopes) ready to go.

I have been going back and forth about upgrading my Cube with the Sonnet card and maybe installing a combo or SuperDrive (mine is DVD-ROM). Those upgrades would set me back about $1,000 and I'd have to run the risks inherent in doing the installations myself. They want $1,800 and I could keep my current Cube intact.

Anyone ever hear of or deal with this place? Thoughts? (Twisting my arm to just do the upgrades myself is welcome.

)

Immortal K-Mart Employee · Jul 18, 2003, 03:11 PM

$1800 is a bit much. I mean $800 for the installations?

My cube still rock though.

The Placid Casual · Jul 18, 2003, 03:15 PM

Do the upgrades yourself!!

The hard drive and Graphics card swaps are so easy it is stupid... I ha e done them myself in the past, and I have very little experience.

The drive is only a bit more complicated...

As for the processor cards, I haven't a clue! But I am sure they are easy!!

Think of the satisfaction, and I'm sure it will be cheaper...

You know it makes sense!!

BrunoBruin · Jul 18, 2003, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by Immortal K-Mart Employee:
$1800 is a bit much. I mean $800 for the installations?

Well, that includes the CUBE, too.

They aren't just doing the upgrades on your existing Cube, you get the entire computer, upgraded, for $1,800. (Speakers and all!) That isn't bad, since stock Cubes are still going for about $1,000.

mark9939 · Jul 18, 2003, 03:58 PM

Oooooh I want. If only I had the cash, one of those Cubes would be sitting on my desk....

Lateralus · Jul 18, 2003, 04:06 PM

Originally posted by BrunoBruin:
Well, that includes the CUBE, too. They aren't just doing the upgrades on your existing Cube, you get the entire computer, upgraded, for $1,800. (Speakers and all!) That isn't bad, since stock Cubes are still going for about $1,000.

More like $700-750 now, actually.

Immortal K-Mart Employee · Jul 18, 2003, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by BrunoBruin:
Well, that includes the CUBE, too. They aren't just doing the upgrades on your existing Cube, you get the entire computer, upgraded, for $1,800. (Speakers and all!) That isn't bad, since stock Cubes are still going for about $1,000.

I know that. That is why I said "$800 just for the installations".

mark9939 · Jul 18, 2003, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by Immortal K-Mart Employee:
I know that. That is why I said "$800 just for the installations".

It isn't $800 just for installation. They supply the upgrade parts too. But yes, you are paying a small premium for installation. Worth it, in my opinion.

Immortal K-Mart Employee · Jul 18, 2003, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by mark9939:
It isn't $800 just for installation. They supply the upgrade parts too. But yes, you are paying a small premium for installation. Worth it, in my opinion.

Ya but it is still bling bling, you can get an iMac that is better in some ways for the same cost.

chrisutley · Jul 18, 2003, 09:19 PM

This only makes sense if you have money to burn. A new Mac would be a much better deal no matter how you slice it.

DBvader · Jul 18, 2003, 10:17 PM

i agree, why wouldnt you just put in two hundred more and get a shiny, hole-filld G5?

icruise · Jul 19, 2003, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by DBvader:
i agree, why wouldnt you just put in two hundred more and get a shiny, hole-filld G5?

Yeah, although I love the cube, when you compare the price to that of a new G5, it just doesn't make much sense. Even the lowest G5 will kick an upgraded cube's ass in terms of performance and of course expandability.

Maflynn · Jul 19, 2003, 07:01 AM

I agree for today's apps and OS that a daul G4 or a G5 makes more economic sense - more bang for your buck.
A Cube is cool, I picked one up off of ebay and I'm sinking a few bucks into it (not 700). I have to say I enjoy using that, slower as it is more so then my dual qs its whisper quiet. My dualie is going up for sale so I'll be using the cube as my main computer until I gauge the G5's stabliity, then afterwards I'll still it but maybe as a file server or something.

bottom line the cube is a awesome looking computer.

Mike

BrunoBruin · Jul 19, 2003, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by DBvader:
i agree, why wouldnt you just put in two hundred more and get a shiny, hole-filld G5?

I don't want a computer the size of a dishwasher, thanks.

saru boy · Jul 20, 2003, 02:14 AM

Originally posted by The Placid Casual:
Do the upgrades yourself!!

I agree, do it yourself. I've pulled my Cube apart to install a fan, and it's not rocket science. I'm sure Sonnet will provide very detailed and thorough instructions on how to install the upgrade.

SciFrog · Jul 20, 2003, 09:42 PM

I can do it in 30 mins now, probably 1 hour the first time. It can get messy if you use thermal paste and you can strip some screws...

BrunoBruin · Jul 21, 2003, 08:11 AM

I have no concerns about doing the upgrades myself. (Well, almost none.) I'm more worried about the reports of fried motherboards that has resulted from some upgrades!

videian28 · Jul 21, 2003, 02:09 PM

that is definatly a pretty little machine

Eriamjh · Jul 22, 2003, 06:03 AM

Cubes are cool but are getting old. How well does a fully upgraded 1.2GHz cube compare to a 1.25GHz powermac in total overall performace?