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rosssanford · Aug 20, 2003, 01:40 PM

I am finally ready to update my iMac DV SE 400. I really love the form factor and reliability of my iMac. I have had no problems in over 4 years - I have expanded the HDD and added external CD burner.
I really do not LOVE the new iMac form factor (I do appreciate the effort). I only really want a faster computer, bigger monitor, and a SuperDrive.

Should I:
1) get the 17" iMac because it is nice, compact, and meets all my needs,
2) get the eMac because I like the form factor better and meets all my needs (what is wrong with the CRT?), or
3) suck it up an get a PM G5 - I do not need the expandability, and I do not want to wait for the G5 iMac?

Thanks for any advice,
Ross

Mrjinglesusa · Aug 20, 2003, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by rosssanford:
I am finally ready to update my iMac DV SE 400. I really love the form factor and reliability of my iMac. I have had no problems in over 4 years - I have expanded the HDD and added external CD burner.
I really do not LOVE the new iMac form factor (I do appreciate the effort). I only really want a faster computer, bigger monitor, and a SuperDrive.

Should I:
1) get the 17" iMac because it is nice, compact, and meets all my needs,
2) get the eMac because I like the form factor better and meets all my needs (what is wrong with the CRT?), or
3) suck it up an get a PM G5 - I do not need the expandability, and I do not want to wait for the G5 iMac?

Thanks for any advice,
Ross

Is cost an issue? If not, go for the G5! You will not need to upgrade for awhile to come. If cost is an issue, go with the 17" iMac - you will NOT be disappointed. I have the 800 MHz 17" and it is really a beauty. Runs OS X like a champ.

Manimac · Aug 20, 2003, 09:28 PM

I'm holding out for an updated iMac. But if the eMac meets your needs - get it. It's a good machine. However, if cost isn't an issue, Mrjinglesusa is right - go for the G5 (more power!).

NYK Ace · Aug 21, 2003, 08:29 AM

people underestimate the eMac, its really just the 17" iMac everyone has always wanted and you can get the superdrive top of the lie for what? 1299? Thats a steal. just look at the plain specs and you'll see the eMac stacks up for the bang for your buck

that being said, if cost is no issue... G5!

SeSawaya · Aug 21, 2003, 01:21 PM

for the money I'd buy a eMac in a second if it wasnt for the CRT. Those things kill my eyes in no time. I can lookat an LCD for 10x longer. But the real diff is the extra $500.

I'm holding out for the updated imac too. I'm finally ready to buy one and they delay the release. Go figure.

BTW: I need a super drive and my ibook just cant seem to burn DVDs

99RedSi · Aug 21, 2003, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by SeSawaya:
for the money I'd buy a eMac in a second if it wasnt for the CRT. Those things kill my eyes in no time. I can lookat an LCD for 10x longer. But the real diff is the extra $500.

I'm holding out for the updated imac too. I'm finally ready to buy one and they delay the release. Go figure.

BTW: I need a super drive and my ibook just cant seem to burn DVDs

What news article says they are delaying the release?

Thanks

SeSawaya · Aug 21, 2003, 04:36 PM

Well i dont know for sure of couse but
http://www.thinksecret.com/news/augustimacs.html

And it has been over 6 months since the last update. Why not update them on the 15th? It was the iMacs 5th anniversary.

Just a conspiracy against me

kikkoman · Aug 22, 2003, 01:06 PM

If money is not an issue or you make a living with your computer get the G5, otherwise the iMac or eMac will suit your needs. It sounds like you would rather have an eMac than an iMac.

dn15 · Aug 24, 2003, 03:24 PM

Based on your needs it sounds like the eMac would be perfect. And you can save a lot of money.

Just because one might have the money for a G5 doesn't automatically make it the best choice: About a year and a half ago I bought a G4/533 with an Apple Studio Display. There were newer, faster QuickSilver Power Macs available and I could have easily afforded one but I didn't get it. The 533 and display together were $999, did everything I needed and probably saved me around $1,000 over the cost of the latest low-end model plus monitor.

Could I have afforded the bigger computer? Yes. But I would have had $1,000 less than I do now had I gone for it.

asmack · Aug 24, 2003, 05:19 PM

MacAddict review of eMac:

http://www.macaddict.com/issues/0308/rev.emac1ghz.html

nredman · Aug 28, 2003, 04:31 PM

i suggest the emac...get the 1ghz with superdrive and max out the ram...thats what i have and it runs great. a new G5 would be cool to get...but do you really need it??? i dont...then again i don't have the money either

brucewayne · Aug 29, 2003, 11:32 AM

Well, I went for the 17" iMac, and I couldn't be happier. The screen image is just gorgeous to behold, and it's plenty fast for my present needs. (But I added a 512 stick to it for future needs.) It used to be - on my older iMac - that when doing things like adding transitions, etc., to iMovie I would do 3 or 4 then go away for a few minutes while they were processed. Now, I just can't add them fast enough.

As for the eMac...well...let's just say that personally, I find it butt ugly. Ya...I know...the specs are great and there have been reviews that actually clock it aster than the iMac...and it's cheaper...but the CRT screen and ugly factor were more than enough to make me spend the extra $ and go for the iMac.

Beside, I've loved the FP iMac since it was introduced, plus it's just so wonderful to have some PC person come over had watch their jaw drop when they see it.

(Actually, my mother-in-law came over the other day and commented on how it was the coolest monitor she had ever seen. However...when I pointed out to her that it was, in fact, the entire computer...)

Eriamjh · Aug 30, 2003, 12:19 PM

If you like the eMac form factor more than the iMac, get the eMac. Use the money you save to max out the RAM and go to dinner or buy an iPod.

willab · Sep 7, 2003, 11:35 AM

I have the eMac with superdrive and it is a great machine. If you like the eMac better then get the eMac. I am selling my eMac to get a G5. If you are interested let me know.

dfiler · Sep 8, 2003, 10:07 AM

A day too late... i just advised a friend to buy an eMac for her last year at school. For her, the luxory of an LCD screen or G5 wasn't an option. The eMac will do quite nicely and allow her to do other things with the saved money... like eat.

Oh, and she'll have money left over for RAM, blank DVDs, and ink cartidges.

As a 'Welcome to the cult' gift, I've secretly ordered a 40 dollar iSub for her.

Shhh.

thunderous_funker · Sep 8, 2003, 12:52 PM

It all depends on whether or not you want a Superdrive, IMO.

eMac w/ superdrive: $1299
iMac w/ superdrive: $1799
G5 w/ superdrive: $1999

If money is a problem, get the eMac. If not, get the G5. Its more than worth the extra $200.

joe · Sep 8, 2003, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by thunderous_funker:
If not, get the G5. Its more than worth the extra $200.

You're forgetting the $1799 iMac comes with a 17" wide screen LCD. The G5 is a kick ass machine, but $1999 doesn't include a monitor - much less a wide screen 17" LCD.........joe

Krusty · Sep 9, 2003, 11:18 AM

iMO ... hottest deal right now is the Apple Store refurbed 17" iMac 1Ghz. Its essentially matches all the specs of the new 15" 1ghz iMac (minus usb 2) and only costs $100 more. $1399 gets you the 17" widescreen and superdrive. Same warranty as new.