eMac Test Drive
- 2002.07.09 - Tip Jar
Low End Mac Reader Specials
Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core Memory 4GB kit $154 / 2GB kit $94, New 2008 iMac 2GB $46. MacBook Pro / MacMini / iMac Intel Core2 DUO 2GB $44 / 1GB $23--Free shipping available.
Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com
LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, iMac's, Apple Batteries and Apple A/C Adapters. Also Great prices on Used Apple Computers. Call 1-800-941-7654 Click Here.
OWC: Juice up your iPod w/NewerTech High Capacity Battery from $19.99 Free Installation Videos for most models. Pro Installation Service w/FedEx Shipping From $57.95 (Battery Included). - www.MacSales.com
Mac users can finally play Party Poker for Mac. Not only that, they can also learn how to play PokerStars for Mac.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
Compare products like desktop computers, laptops, and LCD TVs side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for a new cell phone GPS products or MP3 players. The Ciao network makes searching products easy for you.
MacBook/MacBook Pro / MacMini / iMac Intel Core2 DUO DDR2 667Mhz 4GB Kit $80, 3GB Kit $60, 2GB Kit $40, 1GB $20 - Click to Maximize your Macs...
If your wallet has prevented you from trading in that old G3 or Power Mac for a new top-o-the-line G4, your wait is over. The new eMac adds G4 power to Apple's consumer line of Macs.
The eMac was introduced in April, amid much fanfare, as an "education only" model. Featuring a 700 MHz G4 processor, a 17" CRT display, and starting at $999, the eMac represented the most bang for the buck in the entire Apple lineup. Several weeks ago, responding to consumer demand, Apple made the eMac available for purchase by anyone.
All models include a 40 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, nVidia GeForce 2 MX
with 32 MB of DDR SDRAM video supporting resolutions of up to 
1280 x 960, two FireWire and three USB ports, 128 MB of
RAM (expandable to 1 GB), a 100 MHz system bus, a 256k on-chip level 2
cache that runs at processor speed, built-in 10/100 Base-T ethernet, an
Apple Pro keyboard and mouse, and are AirPort-ready.
The $999 education-only base model does not have a modem and has a 32x CD-ROM drive; the $1,199 education model has a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive and a 56k modem. The consumer-only $1,099 model ships with a 24x10x32x CD-RW and a 56k modem.
Apple has not scrimped on the extras, as all models also feature an internal 16-watt digital amplifier, a built-in microphone for speech recognition and audio recording, a mini headphone jack, an analog audio input minijack, a video mini-VGA output port, and support for video mirroring (an external display's image is identical to that shown on the built-in display).
I tested a consumer model that had been upgraded to 256 MB of RAM; I later spent some time with another eMac that had only the standard 128 MB of memory.
The first thing you notice when you sit down in front of the eMac is how much extra screen real estate the 17" display provides over the iMac's 15" monitor. Even set at the maximum resolution of 1280 x 960, the display is clear and crisp and does not strain the eyes.
The next thing you realize is that the G4 is noticeably faster than the G3 at the same MHz (but then, that is why it is called the Megahertz Myth). All programs launch faster than on a comparable G3. Some applications, such as Connectix' VirtualPC, run several times faster on a G4. I have never seen Windows95 run as fast as it does on a G4/700. On the other hand, on a G3/600 iMac it can seem like Win95 is actually running on a virtual 486.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the eMac is the fact that it does not take up anymore desktop space than a 15" iMac and is, in fact, slightly less deep than the original iMac. Advances in CRT technology, coupled with Apple engineering savvy, have managed to pack more features into less space. The eMac does, however, weigh a whopping 50 pounds, which is undoubtedly why, unlike the CRT iMac, it does not have a "handle" built into the top of the case.
The eMac's CD mechanism is operated via an eject button on the keyboard. It does not have a manual eject button or even a paper clip hole. Apple provides a laundry list of measures to try in case the optical drive eject mechanism fails to operate. The only obvious method of manual operation, however, is to flip down the door and yank on the drive tray, a method we certainly do not recommend.
An upgrade of the standard 128 MB of RAM to at least 256 MB is highly recommended. Although performance between the 128 MB and 256 MB models was comparable while running a single program, there was significant degradation of speed on the 128 MB model when multiple programs were opened.
The eMac includes all the software you need to become productive immediately. Mac OS X 10.1.x and OS 9.2 are pre-installed. AppleWorks, QuickTime, iMovie 2, iPhoto, iTunes 2, Mac OS X Mail, Microsoft Internet Explorer, AOL, Quicken 2002 Deluxe, and World Book are all included as well.
Some commentators have criticized Apple for what they see as "muddying" the product line with too many choices. I disagree. The eMac fills at least two voids in Apple's product line. It provides high-end G4 power to the education market for less than $1,000 per unit, and it gives consumers an entry-level G4 for only $100 more than the high-end G3 iMac. Maxed out with 1 GB of RAM, the eMac would be acceptable even as a graphics workstation for the budget-minded.
More choices (within reason) = better.
Steve Watkins is the Vice President for Information Technology for a mid-sized bank and also an attorney. He has been a Mac user for about ten years. He has owned some PCs along the way - but always came back to the Mac. If you find Steve's's articles helpful, please consider making a donation to his tip jar.
Recent Practical Mac Articles
- 5 things Apple is doing right in 2008 - and 5 it could do better, 03.24. Apple has made great strides in the past five years, but there are still a few areas that need to be addressed.
- MacBook Air a compelling option for the true road warrior, 02.22. Although it's not intended as a desktop replacement and has a few shortcomings, the lightweight MacBook Air with its 13" display could be the perfect field computer.
- Mailsmith a simple, powerful, spam fighting alternative to Apple Mail, 04.23. Mailsmith is bundled with SpamSieve, integrates with Address Book, and has very flexible scripting tools combined with elegant simplicity.
- Can your spam with SpamSieve, 02.02. "Right out of the box, SpamSieve exceeded the accuracy of the Apple Mail filter I've been training for over a year."
- More in the Practical Mac index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: PowerBook 170, Oct. 1991 - At 25 MHz, the PB 170 was at the top of the original PowerBook line.
- List of the Day: The iPhone List Low End Mac's forum for discussing and supporting Apple's iPhone.
- August 30 in LEM history: 99: The truth about USB speed - 00: Could Eazel kill the Mac? - Mac OS 8.1 on a IIci and LC III - 01: Beyond MHz and GHz - Getting a handle on email - Thanks for the IBM PC, Dad - Apple's anniversaries - 02: Mac OS X v10.2 - iBook video out - 04: Things that freak out my students - 06: Nvu and SeaMonkey can't replace Home Page - 07: DVD-RAM support
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Looking for a Content Management System That's as Easy as Mac, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.29. Low End Mac needs to move to a content management system, but the few we've tried just don't cut it for people used to the simple elegance of the Mac.
- First 3 Million Mac Quarter, Skinny on Mac mini Pricing, Mac-like gOS, and More, Mac News Review, 08.29. More plan to buy Apple products than ever before, complete reset can fix MobileMac synch problems, Apple boosting computer and smartphone share, and more.
- New 'Books Likely in September, 17" PowerBook Display Fault Site, SSD Security, and More, The 'Book Review, 08.29. Also 6 ways to speed up your MacBook, next generation MacBook Air CPU, MacBook Air Update, LapStrap carrying solution, rise and fall of ultraportables, bargains from $220 to $2,699, and more.
- iPhone 3G Reception 'Completely Normal', AT&T International Data Plans for iPhone, and More, iNews Review, 08.29. Also longer life for iPod earbuds, an alternative to MobileMe, new cases and apps for iPhone, AppStoreGems website launched, and more.
- Best Power Mac G4 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 08.29. Used 450 MHz AGP, $75; 500, $99; 800 QS, $199; 1.25 GHz MDD, $375; 450 MHz dual, $179; 867 dual, $300; 1 GHz dual, $395; 1.42 dual, $575.
- Best iBook G3 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 08.29. Used 300 MHz clamshell, $150; 500 CD, $150; 800, $200; 600 CD-RW, $240; 900 Combo, $300; 14" 600, $360; 900, $400.
- Best iPod nano Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 08.29. Used 2 GB iPod nano, $89; refurb 3G 4 GB, $99; new, $140; refurb 8 GB, $149; new, $179.
- 10 Mac Browsers Compared, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 08.28. A look at Internet Explorer, Radon, Opera, Safari, Shiira, iCab, Firefox, Netscape Navigator, Flock, and Camino running in Leopard.
- Clone and Boot: Another Advantage of the Mac OS, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 08.28. Unlike Windows, Apple makes it possible to clone a bootable drive (Classic Mac OS or OS X) and use it with another supported Mac.
- Best MacBook Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 08.28. Used 1.83 GHz, $799; 2.0 black, $875; refurb 2.1 GHz, $899; 2.4, $1,099; black, $1,299; new 2.1, $1,019 after rebate; 22, $1,094; 2.4, $1,219 a/r; black, $1,394 a/r.
- Best iMac G5 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 08.28. Used 17" 1.6 GHz Combo, $499; 1.8 SuperDrive, $530; 2.0, $600; 1.9 iSight, $625; 20" 1.8 GHz, $580; 2.0, $650; 2.1 iSight, $700.
- Best classic Mac OS Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 08.28. System 6, $10; 7.1, $12; 7.5.1, $4; Mac OS 7.6, $13; 8.0, $13; 8.1, $48; 8.5, $25; 8.6, $20; 9.0, $20; 9.2.2, $20; more.
- CrossOver Strikes Out, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.27. Running Windows apps on a Mac without paying for Windows is great in theory, but actually getting Windows software working is another story.
- MacDrought: 4 Months with No New Macs, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.27. The most recent Mac update was over four months ago, and the Mac mini has been unchanged for over a year.
- Resurrecting a Dead Pismo, Spotlight Search Tip, and EasyFind a Good File Finder, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.27. Lots of tips on bringing a comatose Pismo back to life, a Spotlight file name search tip, and EasyFind as an alternative to Spotlight.
- Best Intel iMac Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 08.27. Used 17" 1.83 GHz, $625; 20", $599; 2.16, $749; 24", $950; refurb 20" 2.4, $999; 2.66, $1,299; 24" 2.4, $1,299; 2.8, $1,549; new 3.06, $2,094 after rebate; more.
- Best 15" PowerBook G4 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 08.27. Used 1.25 GHz Combo, $600; SuperDrive, $650; 1.33 Combo, $640; 1.5, $680; SD, $725; 1.67, $730; hi-res, $800.
- Best Time Capsule and AirPort Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 08.27. 500 GB Time Capsule, $294; 1 TB, $468; AirPort Extreme Card, $39; 802.11n Base Station, $166; 802.11g AirPort Express, $60; 802.11n, $98.
- More links in our archive.
About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts
Have a question?
Ask an expert!
Navigation
Used Mac Dealers
Apple History
Best Used Macs
Video Cards
Email Lists
InfoMac's Low
End Mac Forum
Favorite Sites
MacSurfer
MacMinute
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
Macs Only!
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac
Museum
DealMac
DealsOnTheWeb
Mac2Sell
ramseeker
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System
6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End
Mac FAQ
Abandonware
Petition
Mac vs. PC Info
Affiliates
The Apple
Store
Mac
Connection
MacMall
TechRestore
MacResQ
ExperCom
Crucial
Memory
batteries.com
Advertise
