Why first time users should own an eMac
Written: Nov 21 '04 (Updated Nov 21 '04)
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Pros: Big CRT display, Built-In Speakers, Lots of Ports, Inexpensive
Cons: Heavy, HD/Combo drive not accessible
The Bottom Line: It's a great bang for your buck
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| pgtech's Full Review: Apple eMac 17 in. (M8950LL/A) Mac Desktop |
The eMac is one of the best bargain computers anyone can buy. I work on Macs and PCs for a living, and to be honest, in the beginning the eMac didn't impress me. The new iMac always got my attention with its slick design and flat LCD screen. However, I've worked on my eMac for six months now, and I am impressed by it's bright crisp display and, to my surprise, it's performance.
The eMac comes with a big clear 17" screen. I've always been partial to CRT displays. Now a day it's more of a personal choice because the new LCDs are just as clear and bright as any CRT, but for my buck, the eMac all-in-one CRT design is hard to beat. The bus speed, however, is nothing to crow about at 133Mhz; if compared to the new G5, which boasts 800Mhz, it seems like a slug, however, I have been impressed by its prowess. Originally I thought I'd have put up with a slow but inexpensive computer. Fortunately, to my surprise, this eMac had no problem whizzing along with multiple applications running. It turned out I had a fast inexpensive computer. Nice!
They pack Macs with lots of ports and the eMac is no exception. They're located on the side, similar to the old iMac. It has three USB 2.0 ports, 2 Firewire ports, Mirrored-Display output, Ethernet, Modem, Speaker, and Microphone. If using the Apple keyboard, there are an additional two USB ports. I tend to use them all. I have lots of toys, a graphic pen pad, the Apple keyboard, a wireless receiver to switch between my Mac and old PC, and a Palm docking station.
It has two built-in speakers. They have a big sound for their size. I have a Labtec sound system, so I don't use them much but they do come in handy when moving the eMac to another location and don't want to drag the entire sound system too. It makes a great mobile entertainment center.
The hard drive and combo drive is one of the things I don't like about the eMac, or for a matter of fact, the iMac too; the hard drive and combo drive are internal components. It takes a trained technician to remove them for repair or upgrades. You can't call the local PC guy/friend to do the job. It has to be, or should be, someone experienced with Apple computers.
Memory, on the other hand, is easy to install. The memory slots are under a removable plate. I personally recommend getting at least 512MB to make the eMac nibble. I've tested them with the bare 128MB and they are sluggish especially when using Adobe applications, which tend to be memory pigs.
Now for network connectivity, the first thing I did when I got my Mac was install a wireless card. I have a wireless G network for my home-office, and the Airport Extreme works like a champ. The installation instructions are in the user manual. A protective cover behind the external CDROM door is removed exposing a hidden slot. The card slides in just above the CDROM drive. In the Network Preferences the card is setup for the local network and away it goes. I really enjoy taking my eMac outside to work.
Now about moving the eMac, it isn't easy. Apple specs show a weight of 50 lbs. I believe it. If you have a bad back or have a delicate constitution, I would leave the eMac where it lay. To complicate matters, the tail end is round and smooth like a missile nose making it difficult to grip. However, be that as it may, I'm willing to do it because the display looks so damn good under the night sky. I really enjoy working under the stars.
Conclusion:
I would definitely recommend the eMac for first time computer buyers or Apple users on a budget. I paid $700 on eBay earlier this year. I realize Macs aren't for everyone. The hardcore PC users dislike Macs and would discourage anyone from buying one, but let me tell you, I work on both PC and Mac. I am comfortable with both Windows XP and Mac OS X, but when push comes to shove, I pick OS X for several reasons. I don't have time to go into the pros and cons of Windows versus OS X but Macs have a lot less problems than Windows-based computers and really make computing more fun than frustrating. So for first time users, students, or computer phobic people, the eMac makes sense.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 660
Operating System: Macintosh
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
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Epinions.com ID:
pgtech
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Member: peter gonzalez
Location: San Diego, CA
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Provide Computer Service & Support in San Diego area.
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