Photos Of The "Cracks" In The Cube

by , 2:40 PM EDT, October 2nd, 2000

>As there has been much debate, but little facts, about the "flaw" in the G4 Cube, we thought it would be a good idea to photograph one.

We hasten to say that we aren't positive that this is what everybody is talking about, but there is evidence that it may be. Applelinks has posted comments from someone who has talked to an Apple tech who saw identical "cracks" all at the same place, starting at the DVD drive slot, going over the top to the edge, and down the side about an inch.

It is unknown how many Cubes have this flaw, but it is clear that many do have it, and many do not have it.

Here are the facts as they relate to my own Cube:

1. The flaw is not very obvious. In fact I had to know about it before I noticed.
2. You can feel it with a fingernail.
3. It does not go through the material, which means that it is not a crack, but a surface flaw.

Click on the image for a larger version.
This image shows the location of the "cracks."

Click on the image for a larger version.
This is a closeup of the "crack."

Now, the most likely explanation has come from two engineers. The latest is from Mac Observer's Wes George, who writes:

I have seen the exact same type of line on very high-end reproductions of certain Bauhaus furniture designs. I was unaware that it was polycarbonate plastic. But the lines were explained away as part of the surface tension that accumulates on the front edge of the molten plastic as it flows around inside the injection mold and meets the front of another flowing surface. The question for engineers is not whether the lines will form but how to design the mold system to place the lines in a discreet location where they won't detract from the finish product's appeal.

This would also explain why there are similar flaws on both the inner side of the material and the outer side, but they are slightly different. The two flowing masses of plastic would meet almost at the same place on the outer side and the inner, but not totally. In fact this is the only explanation I can think of to explain that fact.

The Mac Observer Spin:

In conclusion we can only say: Until we see evidence of something worse than this, don't panic. It is a cosmetic flaw, and a small one.

Apple