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starman · 03:48 PM

Hi all,
I bought a Cube recently because I think they look great, but my needs keep me from using it for things like video editing, and I already have a G5. What I'd like to do is use it as a "kitchen computer" with a small LCD and wifi. Anyone use a Mac in this kind of environment? Any front ends for them? What's a good, small screen?

Mike

cube-dude · Aug 7, 2004, 04:04 PM

Was in a similar quandry myself, MIke.

When I stopped using the Cube as my main Mac earlier this year, I thought about using it as a kitchen e-mail/Web station. I had limited kitchen space, however, so all the Cube's neccessary evils (monitor, keyboard, power brick, cables) wasn't going to work there. I sold it.

What did work, functionally and space-wise, was an old clamshell iBook (which I picked up here at the MacNN Marketplace btw). I popped in an old AirPort card, and it became the perfect kitchen Mac because I really didn't need that much speed in a secondary machine.

Plus, if I accidently spill something on/in it, I won't be as upset as if I did that to a Cube.

starman · Aug 7, 2004, 04:21 PM

That's not a bad idea, and I just got a Blueberry iBook recently. Hmmm....

Mike

VukOnCrack · Aug 7, 2004, 08:52 PM

I think the Cube would make a good file server. Silent, fanless, leave it headless and you're good to go. Small footprint and low heat means you can stick it somewhere discrete like a closet, etc..

cube-dude · Aug 7, 2004, 08:58 PM

That's funny. Mine's the Rev B Blueberry. As rugged as anything and, IMO, good looking to boot.

And just to keep this thread Power Mac focused, I'll mention that your Cube commands top dollar in our metro area if you were to sell. My pristine but stock 450 fetched nearly $700.

starman · Aug 7, 2004, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by VukOnCrack:
I think the Cube would make a good file server. Silent, fanless, leave it headless and you're good to go. Small footprint and low heat means you can stick it somewhere discrete like a closet, etc..

Two problems with that:

No gigabit
External drive required

My last Cube WAS a server, but it was WAY too limited.

Mike

VukOnCrack · Aug 8, 2004, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by starman:
Two problems with that:

No gigabit
External drive required

My last Cube WAS a server, but it was WAY too limited.

Mike

Wouldn't be too much of an issue in my place where all the other machines in the house are on airport so 100base-t to my wap is plenty.

Just a possible idea which is appealing because of the quite nature of the cube.

Rev-O · Aug 8, 2004, 10:21 AM

Use a 600MHz G3 iMac (Blue Dalmation, 'natch) for this. Have a wired network in my house so when I installed some new cabinets and a new counter top I ran some power and a cat5e jack as well. It's on the opposite side of the kitchen, away from stove and sink, and it works pretty nifty. Have soundsticks hooked up to it. Stereo, email, internet, etc. Might be nice to throw an eyeTV on it as well, but never gotten around to it.

The kitchen computer is a great idea. A Cube for this is smoking! I think I prefer an iMac because of the small footprint associated with an AIO design, but the Cube rocks on visual presentation!

driven · Aug 9, 2004, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by VukOnCrack:
I think the Cube would make a good file server. Silent, fanless, leave it headless and you're good to go. Small footprint and low heat means you can stick it somewhere discrete like a closet, etc..

How do you gracefully shut down a headless mac?

VukOnCrack · Aug 9, 2004, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by driven:
How do you gracefully shut down a headless mac?

Easy. ssh into the machine and use the shutdown command.

macaddict0001 · Aug 9, 2004, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by VukOnCrack:
Easy. ssh into the machine and use the shutdown command.

or if you have a keyboard connect it and hit the power once and press return.

BenN · Aug 10, 2004, 04:47 AM

Originally posted by starman:
Two problems with that:

No gigabit
External drive required

My last Cube WAS a server, but it was WAY too limited.

Mike

For a home server, Airport is OK for bandwidth. Also, the Cube will take up to 120GB in HDD capacity; not too shabby, but it depends on the quantity of data you`re serving.

I think the size & lack of fan noise make the Cube perfect for use as a discreet home server. Plus, you can control it through VLC or Remote Desktop (for example).

driven · Aug 10, 2004, 06:55 AM

FWIW: We have slower machines on the PC side being used as servers at my work-place. (Not high-load customer critical servers mind you, but for things such as development labs & training rooms, etc.)

Sparkletron · Aug 11, 2004, 02:50 PM

I'm currently using my Cube as a web server and a voice mail server. The Cube is perfect for voice mail.

-S

olePigeon · Aug 11, 2004, 04:44 PM

Would it be possible to fit a G4 Cube into the center console of your average car? I think it'd be awesome to buy a $100 LCD, rip out the stereo, then hook up the Cube. You could run it as a your radio, CD player, MP3 player, GPS, and mapping system. And I think there's software you can buy (with a USB->Serial adapter) to talk to the car's computer. You can get statistics like speed, RPMs, breaks, mileage, gas, etc.

driven · Aug 11, 2004, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
Would it be possible to fit a G4 Cube into the center console of your average car? I think it'd be awesome to buy a $100 LCD, rip out the stereo, then hook up the Cube. You could run it as a your radio, CD player, MP3 player, GPS, and mapping system. And I think there's software you can buy (with a USB->Serial adapter) to talk to the car's computer. You can get statistics like speed, RPMs, breaks, mileage, gas, etc.

We could add a voice generator with a synchronized a flashing red LED and some AI code. It would be awesome!

(Oh wait ... that's been done.) <sigh>

TheDigitalMan · Aug 12, 2004, 07:53 AM

Are we talking about KIT?

I remember when that show premiered.

iCol · Aug 12, 2004, 08:25 AM

Surely with the cube and an old 15 inch ASD you could make a pretty nifty kitchen setup.

Keep the cube in a cupboard, with just the monitor and keyboard on the work surface... would look sweet in the kitchen...

driven · Aug 12, 2004, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by iCol:
Surely with the cube and an old 15 inch ASD you could make a pretty nifty kitchen setup.

Keep the cube in a cupboard, with just the monitor and keyboard on the work surface... would look sweet in the kitchen...

Hide the cube in a cupboard?
Sacralidge!

iCol · Aug 12, 2004, 07:07 PM

was just thinking to reduce clutter on the surface... however, if its an Apple flat panel, the cube could sit nicely behind the screen, and still be visable!

C