Originally posted April 21st, 2004 by rob-ART
morgan, mad scientist
Updated May 5th, 2004 with iBook 1.2GHz results.
The new G4/1.25GHz eMac seems too good to be true. Only $999 including 8X SuperDrive. Is it really a better buy than the iMac 17" or PowerBook 15" or iBook 14" or Power Mac G4 (17") running at the same clock speed? Is it as fast?
CPU INTENSIVE TESTS
3D GAMING
INSIGHTS:
1. When it come to CPU "crunch," the eMac can definitely "run with the pack."
2. However, 3D gaming is a different story. The eMac (and the iBook) were left behind on 3 out of 4 Three-D Game tests. It probably has a something to do with only having 32MB of video memory.
3. Is the eMac the best value of the five? Going down the feature check list, it would seem it's a "steal" at $999. But then there's the "X" factors. For example, I found the eMac's CRT to be slightly out of focus compared to the LCD screens used by the others. Is the thinner, clearer, moveable, wider LCD screen on the iMac worth the extra $800? What about the iBook as an alternative to the hefty eMac?
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CPU Clock Speed |
1.25GHz
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1.25GHz
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1.2GHz
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1.25MHz
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1.25GHz
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Memory Speed |
333MHz
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333MHz
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266MHz
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333MHz
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333Mhz
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Standard Memory |
256MB
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256MB
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256MB
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256MB
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256MB
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Maximum Memory |
1GB(a)
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1GB(a)
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1.25GB
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2GB
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2GB
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System Bus Speed |
167MHz
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167MHz
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133MHz
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167MHz
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167MHz
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L2 Cache Size |
512K
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256K
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512K
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512K
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256K
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L3 Cache Size |
0
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0
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0
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0
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1MB
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Standard Drive Size |
80GB
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80GB
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60GB
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60GB
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80GB
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Max Drive Option from Aple |
160GB
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160GB
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60GB
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80GB
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160GB (*4)
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Graphic Processor |
Radeon 9200
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GeForceFX 5200
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Radeon 9200
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Radeon 9600
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Radeon 9000
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Video Memory |
32MB
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64MB
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32MB
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64MB
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64MB
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Optional Graphics |
none
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none
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none
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none
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GeForce4 Ti
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SuperDrive |
Included
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Included
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Optional
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Optional
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Optional
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DVD-R Write Speed |
8X
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4X
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4X
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4X
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4x
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Viewable Screen |
16"
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17"
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14"
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15.2"
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17"
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Max Resolution |
1280x960
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1440x900
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1024x768
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1280x854
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1280x1024
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External Video |
VGA, S-Video
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VGA, S-Video
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VGA, S-Video
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DVI, S-Video
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ADC, DVI
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Dual Display? |
Mirror Only(b)
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Mirror Only(b)
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Mirror Only (b)
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Dual or Mirror
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Dual or Mirror
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Weight |
50lbs (22.7kg)
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21lbs (9.7kg)
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5.9lbs (2.7kg)
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5.7lbs (2.6kg)
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42lbs (19.1kg)
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Backlit Keyboard |
no
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no
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no
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yes
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no
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Max Ethernet Speed |
100Mbit
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100Mbit
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100MBit
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1000Mbit
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1000Mbit
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FireWire Ports |
2-400
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2-400
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1-400
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1-400, 1-800
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2-400
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USB Ports |
3-USB2, 2-USB1
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3-USB2, 2-USB1
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2-USB2
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2-USB2
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4-USB1
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AirPort Extreme Card |
Optional
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Optional
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Included
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Included
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Non Extreme Option
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BlueTooth Module |
Optional
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Optional
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Optional
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Included
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Not Avail
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Footprint (sq in) |
270.18
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33.284
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129.54
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157.08
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121.44 (17" LCD)
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Other Features |
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CardBus Slot
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4 PCI slots
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Price "Nicely Equipped" (512MB, 80GB, SuperDrive, AirPort Extreme, BlueTooth) |
$1,223
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$2,023
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$1849
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$2424(c)
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$2352(d)
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(a) There's a report that TransIntl.com has figured out how to get the eMac and iMac up to 2GB.
(b) Some websites posted firmware patches that enable eMacs, iMacs and iBooks to support dual displays. We can't comment on the reliability of those patches.
(c) Since the PowerBook 1.25 is no longer made, I did the price of the new 15" 1.33GHz model.
(d) The Power Mac price includes a 17" LCD display)
Moving Targets
I expect the iMac is due for a "freshening" in the near future, so the eMac's value advantage may narrow again. With all these juicy "low end" choices, it's a great time to be a Mac fanatic.
SOURCES FOR TEST PRODUCTS
The test units were demo units at the local Apple Retail Store. I recommend you go see and touch and feel the eMac, iMac, PowerBook, and Power Mac at your friendly Apple dealer BEFORE you decide which one is the best buy for you.
As for ordering online, besides the Apple Online Store, check out Small Dog Electronics in Vermont. Being in California, Small Dog is cheaper compared to ordering direct from Apple since they don't me charge sales tax. Apple charges everyone in the USA sales tax. Even if I have to pay shipping, I still save. And Small Dog will do "build to order" just like Apple. The have refurbs and open box specials just like Apple.
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