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Minch_Yoda · Jul 2, 2004, 11:46 PM

when do you think it will be and what do you think the stats will be

Krypton · Jul 3, 2004, 05:54 AM

It won't be for a while - the iMacs and PowerBooks need to be sufficiently faster first so that an eMac speedbump doesn't make them look lacklustre.

Centris650 · Jul 3, 2004, 07:35 AM

I'm not sure. I've always suspected that when Apple upgraded the iMac line's enclosure that they would make it in such a way as to negate the need for the emacs. (The main reason for the emac being sold to the education market was that head on the imac might be too "fragile" for such a rough environment as a school class room.)

There is not much difference between the emac and imac lines. It would seem that apple would benifit from consolodating the two products. The emac is a great computer but I think it's days are numbered.

jnrjr79 · Jul 3, 2004, 04:09 PM

Well, first of all, the eMac line may be kept around just b/c I don't anticipate that a new iMac will be able to compete with the eMac's price point.

My understanding of the need for the eMac's design isn't just that the head of the iMac was too unstable, but rather that schools needed CRT monitors as opposed to flat panel monitors. LCD monitors are too delicate to be in schools where there are young children, regardless of the stability of what is holding them up. Little kids touch the screens too much, so a sturdy CRT monitor would be much more appropriate.

I agree that we can't expect an eMac update anytime soon. They were updated pretty recently and currently is one of only two Apple computers with an 8x Superdrive. If the iMac revision in September includes a G5, then the eMac could be enhanced somewhat at that point, I would think.

Minch_Yoda · Jul 3, 2004, 08:22 PM

i hope they update it at least a little the only thing i wont like is it only has a radeon 9200 and core image needs better and i suspect other things will also

PHoynak · Jul 4, 2004, 01:44 AM

Hopefully they keep bringing the price point down so the low end pc buyers will look at the eMac. Once they get their hands on their first Mac most of the time they are hooked for life.

turtle777 · 10:59 AM

Originally posted by Centris650:

There is not much difference between the emac and imac lines.

I disagree:

The eMac is cheaper and more powerful.
The iMac is too expansive and underpowered.

-t

edit: EXPENSIVE, not expansive...

HouseSold · Jul 5, 2004, 11:17 PM

We just picked up a Xerox branded LCD (available 17" or 19") with excellent specs and analog and DVI inputs to use externally with young children.

The specs were'nt the only reason or the pretty good price from BestBuy; it was the fact that it had a tough, clear Lexan type material protecting the front LCD. We believe that if Apple wanted to merge models in the marketplace they could use this approach. However, marketing seems to always serve two masters.

Remember a couple of years back when Steve announced the end of CRTs. The education market was first served by the eMac and then to consumers because of popular demand. The eMac probably received more attention in the upgrade arena because of the influence of the education channel and Apple not wanting to lose any further ground to *ell computer in education.

I won't be surprised to see protective front LCD or OLED (less delicate) clear panels in the future.

Eriamjh · Jul 6, 2004, 08:07 PM

Originally posted by turtle777:
I disagree:

The eMac is cheaper and more powerful.
The iMac is too expensive and underpowered.

-t

Sad, but true.

bradoesch · Jul 6, 2004, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by turtle777:

The iMac is too expansive and underpowered.

(emphasis mine)

Now, you absolutely meant expensive didn't you? The iMac definitely isn't very expansive.

turtle777 · Jul 7, 2004, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by bradoesch:
(emphasis mine)

Now, you absolutely meant expensive didn't you? The iMac definitely isn't very expansive.

You're right.

EXPENSIVE !

Darn it !

-t

turtle777 · Jul 7, 2004, 10:58 AM

sorry, double post...

Ah, whatever...

-t

bradoesch · Jul 7, 2004, 01:45 PM

Mistake?

Yah, about the same kind of "mistake" this post was too.

Landos Mustache · Jul 7, 2004, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by Centris650:
(The main reason for the emac being sold to the education market was that head on the imac might be too "fragile" for such a rough environment as a school class room.)

Fragile? How about all those small little iMac parts and LCD screen made it cost twice and much as an emac and that is why they didn't sell well to schools.

Evan_11 · Jul 8, 2004, 01:09 AM

LCD prices have dropped to the point that Apple can probably afford to consolidate the iMac and eMac lines. They may not have a choice. Unless they can re-invigorate the iMac it will continue to lose sales to the eMac. Of course this will take a re-design of the iMac to meet a more conservative price point.

I think the whole consumer/professional product line is out-dated. It also causes confusion in the marketplace. I mean really, what's the big difference between a 12" Powerbook and 12" iBook? The iMac G4 was designed at a prosumer price point yet strived for a consumer base. It failed.

Sosa · Jul 8, 2004, 09:04 AM

I don't care so much about the specs as about looks. I honestly like the original multicolored iMacs than the new LCD iMac or the eMac. I still have my g3 350 iMac which I love, running Panther. I hope Apple introduces colors into the eMac and rounds the shape out so it looks less square and more like the original iMac. I would like to buy one for Christmas and I want color dammit! People who think it looks like a toy, well they can always buy the same boring whites or G5 aluminum. Did i mention I also preferred the G3 and G4 Powermacs?

Landos Mustache · Jul 8, 2004, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by Evan_11:
LCD prices have dropped to the point that Apple can probably afford to consolidate the iMac and eMac lines.

You can get a 17 inch CRT for under $80. Now look up the price of a 17 inch LCD.

storer · Jul 10, 2004, 12:12 AM

LCD's cant be used for education for obvious reasons. Kids wreck them. and I got the impression eMac was educationMac

Pismo2001 · Jul 10, 2004, 04:10 AM

Originally posted by storer:
LCD's cant be used for education for obvious reasons. Kids wreck them. and I got the impression eMac was educationMac

Originally the e in eMac standed for education, and it
was only available through the education channels, for
the needs of schools (both price and robustness are important).

Now that anybody can buy one, I'd rather say that the e
stand for economy, but calling it the econoMac might
not have sounded right

Minch_Yoda · Jul 10, 2004, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by storer:
LCD's cant be used for education for obvious reasons. Kids wreck them. and I got the impression eMac was educationMac

lcds are good for education not only little kids go to school and if there are kids that would wreck a screen should you let them near the computer

storer · Jul 10, 2004, 07:10 PM

well if schools kept computers away from kids from fear of wrecking them, all hell would break loose! They would go buy PCS with CRT screens. Kids are not going to stop damaging things. maybe 2 different models with a CRT and another with an LCD for older school students.

and econoMac sounds cool! LOL