[rhino_g3]

I am sure this has been beat to death but I haven't been to these forums for ages so please forgive me.

My sister is wanting to buy a new Mac to replace her classic iMac 350. From what I can tell, the 1.25gb combo drive eMac would be the best deal for her. As far as new Macs go. The price and specs look much better than the low end iMac.

What advantage would the low end iMac have over the low end eMac other than design?

What video card is in the eMac combo drive?

rhino

[Applefreak01]

I say go with the eMac. She'll get the most bang for her buck with the eMac. The eMac has an ATI Radeon 9200 32MB video card on both the combo and superdirve models.

The only major difference between the eMac and iMac is the screen. The eMac has a CRT and the iMac a LCD. There are a few smaller differences. The iMac has a 80GB hard drive compared to the eMac's 40GB hard drive. The iMac has a GeForce 4MX 32MB video card whereas the eMac has the ATI card (I perfer ATI video cards). And the eMac has built-in speakers and the iMac doesn't.

All in all the eMac is a solid computer. I've had a few of my customers ask me what computer to get when they want to get a new computer to replace their old virus infected Windows computers. I've always said get a Mac and either say the iMac or eMac depending on what they need/want. I'm trying to get my parents to get a eMac to replace their iMac 233 rev. A right now Get the eMac she'll love it.

[Dex13]

exactly as AppleFreak Said … emac … more bang for your buck

[rhino_g3]

Thanks, exactly what I thought. Thanks for the info on the video card Applefreak.

[rhino_g3]

Is max ram in the eMac 1gig? Two slots 512 each? It comes with 256. I am suggesting she get more. Possibly an additional 512.

I read it accepts 1gig sticks which means it should max at 2gig correct? Although, the 1gig stick would be too pricey

rhino

[Applefreak01]

Originally posted by rhino_g3:
Is max ram in the eMac 1gig? Two slots 512 each? It comes with 256. I am suggesting she get more. Possibly an additional 512.

I read it accepts 1gig sticks which means it should max at 2gig correct? Although, the 1gig stick would be too pricey

rhino

Another 512MB would be enough. Mac OS X is RAM hungry and 768MB of RAM would be more than enough. I only have 640MB (the max in my iBook) and I usually have around 400-300MB to spare according to Activity Monitor.

I'm not sure about the 2GB of RAM in the eMac. I would think the eMac would be able to see 2GB. But 512MB plus the 256MB should be enough for your sister's needs.

[Applefreak01]

What every you do DO NOT get the RAM from Apple. Their prices are way too high. I like http://www.4allmemory.com I got my memory for my iBook there. Nice prices and haven't had any problems with the memory.

You can check http://www.ramseeker.com for your eMac's RAM with prices from a bunch of different online stores as well.

[Big Fat Octopus]

Well I use an eMac at work and a 17" iMac (older 1Ghz model) at home and I adore my iMac. The eMac is good but the iMac is GREAT! The 17" widescreen LCD on the iMac is lovely and the ergonomics are second to none. If money is not an issue I'd say get the iMac 17" or 20" for sure!

However, I have to agree that the eMac hits a sweet spot at the moment and I think it is better value (but not a better machine) by far. If you are on a budget th eMac superdrive model is an excellent buy.

The iMac will get a revision very soon IMHO and it could include a G5 as many have been speculating. For that reason alone I would wait another month or two to see what happens. Maybe even pick up a runnout 17" iMac if new models are released.

If the iMac goes G5 with no price rise then it'd be a much more compelling machine.

[MacBook]

Originally posted by Big Fat Octopus:
Well I use an eMac at work and a 17" iMac (older 1Ghz model) at home and I adore my iMac. The eMac is good but the iMac is GREAT! The 17" widescreen LCD on the iMac is lovely and the ergonomics are second to none. If money is not an issue I'd say get the iMac 17" or 20" for sure!

However, I have to agree that the eMac hits a sweet spot at the moment and I think it is better value (but not a better machine) by far. If you are on a budget th eMac superdrive model is an excellent buy.
.....

Can you give me a good comparison of which machine is more quiet in a very quiet room? I lean towards the eMac but want a very quiet machine, being used to working with a PowerBook.

[Commodus]

If it's not too important to buy right away (if the computer hasn't already been bought), I'd hold off until WWDC kicks off on June 28th. There has been genuine evidence to suggest that Apple will introduce an iMac G5 around then. You'd get a considerably faster system that not only takes up less desk space, but is quieter and with an adjustable display position.

[MacBook]

Originally posted by Commodus:
If it's not too important to buy right away (if the computer hasn't already been bought), I'd hold off until WWDC kicks off on June 28th. There has been genuine evidence to suggest that Apple will introduce an iMac G5 around then. You'd get a considerably faster system that not only takes up less desk space, but is quieter and with an adjustable display position.

Waiting sounds like the good alternative. I would much rather have a quiet machine. Thanks.

[Big Fat Octopus]

Originally posted by MacBook:
Can you give me a good comparison of which machine is more quiet in a very quiet room? I lean towards the eMac but want a very quiet machine, being used to working with a PowerBook.

iMac is definitely much quieter!

That's not to say that the eMac is loud. We have Generic windows PC's with 2.8ghz P4's in them and they are like jummbo jets in comparison to the emac.

[rhino_g3]

She has not purchased a computer yet. I sent her an email about new Macs being introduced June 28th. I think she should hold off and see what is introduced. It may bring about price drops on current iMacs.

Thanks,
rhino

[turtle777]

Originally posted by Commodus:
There has been genuine evidence to suggest that Apple will introduce an iMac G5 around then.

Where ?
Show me evidence ?

All signs point to a G4 iMac revision.
See other threads regarding the possibility of a G5 iMac.

-t