Apple eMac 17" Desktop M8891LL/A (700-MHz PowerPC G4, 128 MB RAM, 40GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)

The new SuperDrive-equipped eMac model is the industry's lowest-cost way to author and burn custom DVDs that play in most consumer DVD players. Apple's award-winning iMovie and iDVD applications come pre-installed on the new eMac, enabling users to edit their video and create and burn their own custom DVDs without buying additional software.

The popular eMac features a stunning 17-inch flat CRT display in a remarkably compact design. Its shape lets you conserve desk space--the entire computer is smaller than most 17-inch displays, yet it includes not only the display, but also an integrated high-performance stereo audio system with a 16-watt digital amplifier, as well as the SuperDrive. In fact, it's actually less deep (by about 8 mm) than the original groundbreaking 15-inch iMac. It also features 256 MB of system memory, a 60 GB hard drive, and an nVidia GeForce2 MX graphics processor for stunning graphics display.

The eMac's 700 MHz PowerPC G4 processor uses Velocity Engine technology, which makes multimedia tasks like CD burning and digital video editing faster and easier. In addition, it includes Apple's industry-leading suite of digital lifestyle applications. That includes iPhoto for managing and sharing digital photographs, iMovie for creating digital movies, and iTunes for creating a digital music library, as well as iDVD. With five USB ports and two high-speed FireWire ports, the eMac offers easy plug-and-play connections to popular peripherals such as digital video camcorders, digital still cameras, printers, and scanners.

A built-in 56K modem means you won't need any additional hardware to connect to the Internet. In addition, the eMac comes with a built-in Ethernet connection, which allows it to join your home, office, or school network. An AirPort slot makes it easy to connect the eMac to a wireless network with the addition of an AirPort card.

If you want a mac (G4) and are on a budget, this is the machine for you.


Good for newbies to Mac   February 22, 2003
This thing is constantly surprising me in how out does my old PC. Everyday applications run great and I haven?t had any problems with the hardware. Games run surprisingly well for only a GeForce 2 MX. The only problem is that it isn?t the best at running everything. 700mhz is considered low end for G4 macs these days. But, it is a good deal considering the price. It is also nice that it includes Mac OS 9, so you can boot up in OS 9 to run old applications or to run new ones faster. I could go on to talk about how great Mac OS X is and all the software included, but this is a hardware review, right?


Ridiculously slow, weird design   February 10, 2003
Gadgester (New York)
1 out of 14 found this review helpful

This model is [not very good] for a Mac, and alas, you get what you pay for. It feels slow and the lack of expansion is already proving a headache for me. I also don't like the design. If I were to pay for a computer myself, I'd stick with a Windows PC for better performance, wider software selection, and better tech support -- all for a lower price.


Try the iMac instead   February 8, 2003
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I've just become the less-than-proud (and certainly much-less-than satisfied) owner of this eMac model.

The good news:

It's easy to set up. Plays DVDs great. Takes up less space than you'd expect from a machine with a 17" monitor. And the ability to switch between OS9 and OSX is useful.

But.

The cooling fan is loud. Very loud. As someone who has personally used just about every Macintosh model that I can think of (ranging from Classics, Quadras and Performas, through iMacs of various generations, right up to dual processor G4 systems), I can safely say that it's the noisiest Mac I've come across. In a quiet room, the fan is easily audible from a distance of 10 feet. If you have a household / classroom full of kids, this might not be too bad, but if you're the type who likes to work in peace, or late at night...maybe not. Like jail and broccoli, it's probably something you can get used to once you've been exposed to it long enough. But why subject customers to such a glaring design flaw in the first place? The older Macs have always been among the quietest computers available.

A more serious problem: my eMac came bundled with display problems.

Apple's promotional literature describes the CRT display as 'gorgeous'. And so it would be, except that the bottom left-hand corner of mine is overlaid with a dirty blue tint.

A bit of browsing around the net revealed that the eMac has been plagued with display glitches since it hit the market. While no manufacturer is infallible, this seems to have been a persistent
problem for several months, and has been acknowledged (although evidently not solved) by Apple. (For more information, check out the discussion forums at Apple.com.) My dealer claimed that new shipments were OK, but well, obviously not.

My advice to the prospective Mac owner? Buy the flat-panel iMac instead (almost the same base specs for the 700MHz model, but a bit more expensive) as it has had fewer problems.

I'd have done the same thing, but it's a bit too late now, and the result of my folly is sitting nearby, humming. Loudly.

(I've just previewed my review. Choosing the 'keep me anonymous' option has automatically rendered me a 'PC Hardware Fan'. I'm not, by any means. I'm just waiting for Apple to restore my faith, after 10 years of pretty good experiences...and one bad one.)